Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Vanuatu or if card payments are common. Advice?
Bring vatu cash for minibuses and taxis in Port Vila. ATMs from BSP and ANZ usually work with Visa, but Mastercard is less reliable. Public transport is 150-300 vatu per ride, always cash-only. Break large notes at supermarkets first because drivers rarely carry change.
My Revolut Mastercard got rejected at both BRED and ANZ ATMs in Port Vila. I had to exchange AUD at a poor rate near the market just to get some vatu. Public transport is cheap but only cash, and drivers won’t accept foreign currency. Lesson learned: always bring some cash backup.
I stayed at The Melanesian Hotel in Port Vila and took minibuses every day, paying 200 vatu cash each ride. My Wise Visa worked perfectly at BSP Bank on Kumul Highway, and I withdrew enough vatu without issues. Transport was simple and cheap - cash made it easy.
In Vanuatu, minibuses are the main form of transport, especially in Port Vila. They’re all cash-based, with fares usually 150-300 vatu depending on the trip. ATMs from ANZ, BSP, and BRED Bank in Port Vila work with Visa cards, but Mastercard can be unreliable. No buses or taxis take cards.