Vanuatu is a beautiful island-country in Oceania, near New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. But even though this country has a lot to offer, it is not under tourists’ radar, as much as its neighbors are.

from world-class beaches and resorts to perfect weather and local traditions, Vanuatu fulfills all of your expectations from a cool island-country. If you are not sure if you should book your flight and hotel for Vanuatu, or even don’t know if Vanuatu is a country or not, keep reading. In this post, we’ll talk about the top 12 reasons why you should visit Vanuatu.

1- Heaven-like Beaches

Being made up of 83 islands in total, Vanuatu has countless beaches, all great examples of how heaven would look like! With white sands, bluest water ever, and stunning palm trees, Vanuatu beaches won’t let you down.

2- Vanuatu Cuisine

The main thing that makes Vanuatu cuisine standing out is using fresh local ingredients that rocks up the taste to a new level. Don’t forget to visit Port Vila Market round-the-clock from Monday through to Saturday. There, find the ingredients for traditional dishes such as lap lap, a staple meal of grated yams and coconut cooked in an underground oven.

Probably the only good heritage that colonial times left on Vanuatu is inspiring the local cuisine with French cooking skills that makes Vanuatuan cuisine even better.

3- Local Traditions

Although many Vanuatuan islands are modernized, the traces of local traditions would still be found in the villages. In villages you will find out about how villagers hunt, fish, use plants for and how they store food. The bonus part is that villagers are super friendly and their dishes tastes refreshingly delicious.

4- Island Hopping

Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands in total, 13 of them being inhabited. It’s fun to take a helicopter tour or hop in a boat to explore some of the world’s most beautiful islands in Oceania.

5- Local Drinks

The main local drink in Vanuatu is called Kava which has been around for more than 3000 years. Some travelers think it tastes like mud, but it’s totally worth trying one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world.

However, if you didn’t like the taste, opt for a cold refreshment and grab a bottle of the local Tusker beer.

6- Amazing Weather

From April to October, the Vanuatu weather is at its best with sunshine, clear skies and temperatures ranging between 18 – 28 °C (64-82 °F). The wet season runs from November to March and although there are showers, they don’t tend to last long or interrupt holiday plans.

7- Accessibility

If you live in Australia or New Zealand, then Vanuatu could play the role of an amazing getaway if you need a break from all the bells and whistles of the modern lifestyle. Depending on the area you live in, Flying to Vanuatu would only take about 2-4 hours.

8- People

The people of Vanuatu are warm and welcoming. The country is known as the ‘Isles of Smiles’ for a good reason. The locals make you feel at home, and are genuinely interested in talking to you, from the moment you set foot off the plane.

9- Snorkeling And Scuba Diving

With the clear water all around Vanuatu, a lot of travelers get tempted to do either scuba diving or snorkeling. There are also the many shipwrecks to be explored in this very clear water not to mention to abundance of marine life. For snorkelers it is clear vision all the way in idyllic conditions.

10- Bungee Jumping’s Birthplace

It is believed that the first bungee jumping in the world had happened in Vanuatu. The origins of Bungee jumping is from an age old ritual called the naghol, or land diving. Inspired by Vanuatuan naghol, a New Zealand entrepreneur called A. J. Hackett, popularized the extreme sport of bungee jumping.

11- Wedding & Honeymoon Destination

Are you dreaming of throwing your wedding party on a resort, right beside a gorgeous beach with white sand and blue water? Vanuatu is calling! This country is one of the best places to choose for your wedding and honeymoon destination.

12- Off The Beaten Path

Vanuatu is not flooded with mass tourism for now which is a great opportunity to visit this spectacular island-country before it gets spoiled like Fiji or the Caribbeans.