Vanuatu Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Vanuatu uses the vatu (VT or VUV), and travellers should carry cash even when staying in Port Vila. In October 2026, exchange rates were approximately 1 SGD = 90–95 VUV, although banks and card networks apply their own margins. Visa and Mastercard work at many hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and tour operators in Port Vila and Luganville, but outer islands and villages are predominantly cash-only. ATMs are available on Efate and Santo, while Vanuatu Tourism Office guidance says the outer islands do not have ATMs. Tipping and bargaining are not customary. For a smoother trip, carry small vatu notes, withdraw before travelling beyond Efate or Santo, and pay in vatu rather than accepting dynamic currency conversion.

The local currency is the Vanuatu vatu, and a practical 2026 planning rate is about 1 SGD = 90–95 VUV. National Bank of Vanuatu listed SGD buying rates around 90.65 VUV and selling rates around 94.87 VUV on 29 October 2026; BSP listed a similar selling rate of approximately 96.21 VUV. Rates change daily, so use these figures as a budgeting guide rather than a guaranteed rate. Vanuatu banknotes commonly used by visitors include VT200, VT500, VT1,000, VT2,000, VT5,000 and VT10,000, while coins are useful for smaller purchases. As a rough guide, VT1,000 is about SGD10.50–11, VT5,000 is about SGD53–56, and VT10,000 is about SGD105–111 at the quoted range. Exchange money at a bank or established foreign-exchange counter in Port Vila or Luganville, and compare the displayed rate, commission, and buy-back terms. Airports are convenient but may offer less competitive rates. Australian dollars are sometimes accepted by tourism businesses, but paying in vatu usually gives the clearest price. The Hello app can track expenses in VUV and SGD with automatic exchange-rate conversion, making it easier to see what each purchase really costs.

Withdraw or exchange most of your travel cash in Port Vila or Luganville before heading to a remote island. ATMs are concentrated on Efate and Santo, with banking services in Port Vila, around Bauerfield Airport, and Luganville; Vanuatu Tourism Office guidance states that outer islands do not have ATMs. Banks and ATM networks may include BSP, ANZ, BRED Bank, and National Bank of Vanuatu, but availability, opening hours, and withdrawal limits vary. Foreign-card ATM fees commonly range from about VT500–1,000 per transaction, before any fee charged by your home bank. Some travellers report typical withdrawal limits of approximately VT20,000–40,000, although the limit depends on the bank and card. To reduce fees, withdraw enough for several days rather than making multiple small withdrawals, but avoid carrying your entire trip budget in one wallet. Before confirming an ATM transaction, check the fee and choose to be charged in VUV, not SGD or another home currency. Declining dynamic currency conversion generally lets your card network or bank determine the exchange rate instead of the ATM operator. Keep an emergency reserve of cash separately from your daily wallet, particularly for trips to Tanna, Pentecost, Malekula, or smaller islands.

Cards are convenient in established businesses, but cash remains the dependable payment method across Vanuatu. Vanuatu Tourism Office information records more than 250 EFTPOS points around Port Vila and Luganville, mainly at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and selected activity providers. Visa and Mastercard are the safest cards to carry; some terminals also accept Amex, JCB, Cirrus, Plus, and international debit cards. Businesses may add a card surcharge of roughly 2–5%, while your card issuer may charge another 1–3% foreign-transaction fee. Contactless tap-to-pay is available at some modern terminals, but it is not universal, and connectivity or terminal outages can force a cash payment. Do not assume that WeChat Pay, PayPay, or other overseas digital wallets will work: these services are not a dependable everyday payment option for visitors in Vanuatu. Markets, truck taxis, village guesthouses, small cafés, local buses, and many outer-island operators usually expect vatu cash. Ask whether a card surcharge applies before tapping, and retain a little cash even after paying a deposit by card. If you need mobile data for maps, bookings, and banking alerts, an eSIM from Hello can provide connectivity as soon as you arrive, subject to local network coverage.

Tipping is not expected or customary in Vanuatu, and excellent service does not require adding a percentage to every bill. The Vanuatu Tourism Office says that tipping and bargaining are not practised, reflecting local customs in which prices are generally fixed and service is part of the agreed price. At restaurants, simply paying the bill is normal; rounding up or leaving a small amount for exceptional service is acceptable but optional. In tourist resorts, a modest VT200–500 gesture, a small rounding-up amount, or approximately 5–10% may be appreciated, but it should never feel compulsory. Ask whether a service charge is already included before adding anything. Bargaining is also not expected in regular shops or markets, so pay the marked price unless a vendor clearly invites negotiation. For village visits, respectful behaviour and a thoughtful gift—such as useful school supplies arranged appropriately through a local guide—may be more suitable than cash. Budget extra for transfers, tours, and drinks because island logistics can make tourism prices higher than expected. Carry small notes for bus fares, market purchases, and tips when you choose to give one; large VT10,000 notes can be difficult for small vendors to change.

The simplest Vanuatu money strategy is to combine one reliable card with enough vatu cash for the next several days.

Can I use Singapore dollars in Vanuatu? Some tourism businesses may accept Australian dollars or occasionally other foreign currencies, but SGD is not a practical everyday payment currency. Exchange into vatu and confirm the rate before paying.

Should I bring cash to Vanuatu? Yes. Cash is essential for outer islands, markets, truck taxis, village accommodation, small businesses, and locations without reliable card terminals. Withdraw before travelling beyond Efate or Santo.

Are credit cards accepted in Port Vila? Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted at larger hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and tour operators. Expect possible surcharges and keep cash as a backup.

Are there ATMs on Tanna or other outer islands? Do not rely on them. Official tourism guidance says ATMs are available on Efate and Santo, not the outer islands.

How much should I tip in Vanuatu? Nothing is required. Round up or leave a small amount only when service is exceptional or a resort’s policy makes it appropriate.

How can I track spending with different currencies? Hello’s app scans receipts in different languages and currencies, supports voice entries and bank-statement imports, and converts VUV expenses into SGD automatically. Expense splitting also handles multiple currencies when travelling with friends.

The best ways to avoid unnecessary costs are checking exchange terms, refusing unwanted currency conversion, and confirming prices before services begin. At ATMs and card terminals, always inspect the amount, currency, and fee before approving a transaction; choose VUV rather than home-currency conversion. Be cautious if someone offers an unusually favourable street exchange rate, asks to handle your card, or pressures you to make a payment immediately. Count cash discreetly after withdrawing and avoid displaying large amounts in busy areas. For taxis, truck taxis, airport transfers, boat trips, and excursions, confirm the fare, passenger basis, and whether fuel, transfers, or entrance fees are included. Save by using local buses or truck taxis where practical, buying water and snacks from supermarkets, and withdrawing larger amounts less frequently to limit fixed ATM fees. Carry a backup card separately from your main wallet and keep emergency cash in two locations. Use Hello’s budget tracking and AI categorisation to separate accommodation, transport, meals, activities, and fees; expense splitting can automatically convert shared costs between VUV and SGD. Before departure, download essential booking details and maps, then activate Hello’s connectivity plan in advance so you can access banking notifications, translation tools, and transport information after landing.