Introduction
Vanuatu offers many opportunities to stay in eco-friendly accommodation. Most home stays and local-style bungalows in Vanuatu rely on sustainable ways of living. They use solar power instead of diesel-powered generators for their electricity. Rainwater tanks provide for their daily water needs. Most of their food is either grown in their own gardens or sourced from local markets. By choosing to stay in this type of accommodation, you will be supporting the family owners directly and also the communities they live in. We found staying in local-style bungalows was also the best way to observe and learn about the local customs and ways of living in villages around Vanuatu. Below is a list of the green stays around Vanuatu we can recommend, as well as some other options we found during our travels but didn’t get the chance to stay at.
Green stays in or near Efate
Coral Sands Beach Bungalows on Airbnb, ‘Kenneth’s bungalow’ locally
Hosts: Kenneth and Anita
Location: Emua Village, about a 45 minute-drive north of Port Vila
Cost: 5,000 VT per night via Airbnb, and about 3,000 VT per night when booked directly.
Contact: Book via Airbnb or contact Kenneth on +678 5462052
Description: Beachside bungalow with one bedroom, double bed with a mosquito net, covered eating area, outside sink area, separate kitchen, separate bathroom and shower block.
You will like: You can see the ocean when you wake up in the morning. The bungalow is metres from the beach. There are coral reefs some distance from the shore that provide for good snorkelling. There is a shower located in a grotto with hot water during the day. There is a small store in the village with fresh bread in the morning and simple dry goods. There is also a roadside market where the village women sell pre-prepared meals, fruit and vegetables.
You may not like: There are no meals included in the price, but you can organise meals with your hosts for 1,000 VT per person. There are no restaurants in the village or within walking distance. The roadside market is closed on Sundays and public holidays. They can also run out of food early in the day.
Turtle Beach Bungalows, 'Charlie's bungalows' locally
Host: Charlie
Location: Pele Island, 15 minutes by boat from Emua Wharf (about a 45 minute-drive north of Port Vila)
Cost: 5,000 VT per night including breakfast
Contact: Book via Airbnb or contact Charlie on +678 771 7113
Description: Beachside bungalow with one bedroom. A separate bathroom and shower block.
You will like: Paradise on your doorstep with a beautiful white beach metres from the bungalow. Amazing coral reefs within a short distance from shore. Stand-up paddle boards available to use. Additional meals are 1,000 VT per person. There is a village within walking distance.
You may not like: Being dependent on your host and the nearby village for all meals.
Green stays in Espiritu Santo (Luganville)
Chez Rachel on Airbnb, ‘Pui Lodge’ locally
Hosts: Malakai and Rachel
Location: Show Ground, about a 10 minute-drive east of Luganville town centre
Cost: 3,000 VT directly for a private room (other options available via Airbnb including a bungalow)
Contact: Book via Airbnb or contact Malakai on +678 7729012
Description: Home stay in their house with a private room. Shared bathroom and shower. Large traditional-style house surrounded by gardens with an outdoor covered eating area.
You will like: Continental breakfast is included in the price. Additional meals are 1,000 VT per person (more for non plant-based meals). You can walk to the airport and catch a local bus (150 VT per person) or taxi (400 VT) to town.
You may not like: It takes about an hour to walk to town. There is no mobile phone reception when using Digicel. Lack of privacy when there are many other guests staying there. Chickens would sometimes jump on the roof of the house, making it difficult to sleep!
Sunrise Bungalows, ‘Little Paradise’ on Airbnb and Facebook
Host: Tarcisius
Location: Port Orly, about a one-hour drive north of Luganville
Cost: 5,000 VT directly for a bungalow
Contact: Book via Airbnb or contact Tarcisius on +678 5424893 or tarcisiusalguet@yahoo.com
Description: Self-contained bungalow with shower (including hot water if needed) and toilet, with a front porch overlooking the beach. Sleep on a double bed with a mosquito net.
You will like: Continental breakfast is included in the price. Additional meals are 800 VT per person for plant-based meals, up to 1,500 VT for non plant-based meals. There are a bar, market and stores located in the village. The beach is wide with white sand and the water is a beautiful turquoise colour. You can also walk across a sandbar at low tide to Malet island to enjoy snorkelling. There are various activities on offer, including hiring a local canoe (500 VT) or hiking with commentary on local flora and fauna.
You may not like: The bungalows are close to the village, which can be noisy with roosters crowing and people celebrating at all times of the night. The beds are short for anyone over six foot. Their plant-based meals are basic (we had to provide additional food from the market for variety).
Lonnoc Ocean View Bungalows
Host: James and Sylvie
Location: Lonnoc Beach, about a 45-minute drive north of Luganville
Cost: 5,000 VT directly for a bungalow
Contact: Book via Airbnb or contact the owner directly on +678 531 9517 (Note the wider family have other accommodation options at the same beach.)
Description: Self-contained bungalow with shower and toilet, with a front porch overlooking the beach. Sleep on a double bed with a mosquito net.
You will like: Continental breakfast is included in the price. Additional meals are 1,000 VT per person for plant-based meals, up to 1,800 VT for non plant-based meals. The beach is beautiful with white sand that continues into the ocean in patches (most beaches in Vanuatu are stony and full of soft coral). There are free kayaks that you can use to explore the bay and travel to nearby Champagne Beach. There is a bigger restaurant at the neighbouring bungalows with higher-priced but better quality meals (1,200 VT for plant-based). A third restaurant is also located further down the beach. The bungalows are some distance from the local village, which makes it peaceful and easy to sleep.
You may not like: Being dependent on the three restaurants for your meals. The closest village is some walking distance away, so it’s not easy to buy additional supplies. There are no power outlets in the bungalows.
Million Dollar View Bungalows
Host: Gilbert (on behalf of the land owners)
Location: Natongtong Landing, about a 10-minute drive east of Luganville (just before the turn off for Million Dollar Point)
Cost: 3,500 VT directly for a bungalow for two people; other configurations for bungalows and camping available
Contact: Book via Airbnb or contact the manager directly on +678 526 3132
Description: Bungalow with with a front porch overlooking the beach. Sleep on a double bed with a mosquito net. A pedestal fan was provided to stay cool. A separate toilet and shower block.
You will like: The restaurant had great vegan and vegetarian food for reasonable prices. The bungalows are located near Luganville. You also have easy and free access to one of the best snorkelling and diving places in Vanuatu - the historical Million Dollar Point. Gilbert was an enigmatic host and has created a collection of World War II relics in the restaurant.
You may not like: A main road is located right behind the bungalows, so it can get noisy. The toilet and shower block can get very dirty as it is used by people visiting the beach.
Green stay on Tanna Island
Treehouse Yasur Backpackers
Host: Jackson
Location: Mount Yasur, Tanna, Vanuatu
Cost: 5,000 VT per person
Contact: +678 737 9492
Description: Simple bungalow but perched on top of a 15-metre banyan tree. Balcony view of Mount Yasur. The treehouse has a twin room and a couple room for rent. Power outlets are available in the room. A separate shower and toilet block. Meals are served in a communal hut. Breakfast is included in the price. Lunch and dinner are also available for extra cost.
You will like: Waking up to the sound of the jungle. Watching the eruptions of Mt Yasur at night from your balcony (this is the closest accommodation to Mount Yasur). A ten-minute walk to the entrance of the volcano. One of the brothers of the family living near the treehouse (Philip) has extensive knowledge of the volcano and its effects on Tanna.
You may not like: Climbing down the stairs to use the bathroom. Relying on the family for all meals. The nearest town is an hour drive away.
Green stay on Gaua Island
Weul Bungalows
Hosts: Robert and Elena
Location: About a 15 minute-drive south from the air terminal
Cost: 5,000 VT directly for a bungalow
Contact: Book on arrival
Description: Traditional-style bungalow. Sleep on two single beds with mosquito nets. Separate kitchen and dining hall. Stand-alone shower and toilet block.
You will like: Price includes all meals, which are generous and varied. Hosts were happy to provide plant-based meals. The local village is peaceful and it’s easy to sleep. Best location to organise trips to the natural and cultural attractions of Gaua.
You may not like: Mobile reception is unavailable at the bungalow on Digicel (but you can walk to the centre of the village for reception). The beds are short for anyone over six foot.
Travel itinerary for Vanuatu
Read this article to discover our recommended 14-day travel itinerary of Vanuatu. (With 21-day and 7-day options also included!)
