Category

Item

(Suggested Quantity) Recommendations or Comments

General Clothing

At least one dress outfit will be needed for the few, more formal occasions, such as your Swearing-in Ceremony. Women, a nice conservative dress. Men, nice pants and a button down shirt, with tie optional.

Belt

(1) Not leather

Footwear

Everyone in Vanuatu wears sandals or flip-flops and are available everywhere for less than $5. Runners should bring running or trail shoes. Hiking sandals (i.e. Tevas or Chacos) are popular with volunteers as well.

Hats & Bandanas

Wide brim hats or baseball type hats are useful for rain/sun. Few are available in Vanuatu. Good quality Bandanas(4-5) are useful, they are not easily found in Vanuatu.

Raingear

A poncho works very well for walking with a backpack on. It can rain very often in Vanuatu and many people just accept it and get wet. Raincoats are not easily obtainable and most Ni-Vanuatu do not use them, umbrellas are readily available and inexpensive. A rain fly for your backpack is recommended.

Underwear & Socks

(1-2 wks) Bring what is comfortable and durable. Many volunteers give up the practice of wearing underwear. Bring socks if you run, are bringing real shoes or get cold feet. (1-2 pair of quick dry, more if you run, difficult to replace)

Vila

Volunteers may wear "western" style clothing (jeans, etc.) more often in Vila. Short skirts and shorts are still not recommended for women. Remember most of your time will be spent at your site, so pack appropriately. (1) You will not regret bringing a pair of comfy denim jeans!!!

Winter

(1 each) Sweatshirt or fleece/light jacket, sweatpants/warm pants may seem odd things to pack for the South Pacific, however most volunteers are glad they brought them come June/July. Expensive and difficult to find locally.

Clothing for Men

Pants

(1) Lightweight, casual pants, if necessary for work. Convertible to shorts.

Shirts

(4-5) T-shirts or sleeveless (no thin-strap or stapless) shirts will be worn most often with skirts and board shorts. A button-down shirt or polo may be useful, depending on your profession.

Shorts

(3-5) Durable, quick-dry, board shorts are the best and double as your swim suit. (1) Pair of cargo shorts, (1) gym shorts or cotton shorts.

Clothing for Women

Dresses

(1-2) Casual, loose, long dresses, sleeveless is a plus. Most teachers and professional women wear island dresses, found locally. Very roomy but very hot! (1-2) Cute summer dresses for going out dancing in Port Vila.

Shirts

(4-5) T-shirts or sleeveless (no thin-strap or strapless) shirts will be worn most often with skirts and board shorts. A button-down shirt or polo may be useful, depending on your profession.

Shorts

 (2-3) Below the knee, quick-dry or board shorts. Ni-Vanuatu women only wear shorts around the house, in the capital, or under their island dresses. Good at night. (1) Gym shorts.

Skirts

 (3-5) Loose, calf-length or longer, not see-through, durable. Worn most often with t-shirts. Most girls prefer the skirt t-shirt combo.

Swimsuits

(1-2) On the island it is not culturally appropriate to wear a swim suit, so Volunteers wear board shorts and t-shirts over their swimsuits. However, in Port Vila you can wear your swimsuit/bikinis.

Slips & Bras

(1) Ni-Vanuatu women wear slips (petticoats) under island dresses, cheap ones found locally. (3-5) Sport bras or camisole-style bras work well. Bring what is most comfortable in hot weather. (2-3) Bras, difficult to find here.

Electronics

Batteries

Batteries are available here. If you are looking at solar power wait until you get to Vanuatu. Your site may have very little sun. Most volunteers find ways to charge their electronics in the village. If you decide later to buy solar high quality systems are available here at a reasonable price.

Laptops

If you bring your laptop keep in mind the hot and humid conditions. Most volunteers who have brought laptops have appreciated their use both on the island and in town. Great for writing up workshops and storing your photos and journal writings and watching AVI movies. If buying a laptop keep in mind battery life and size of the laptop. Peace Corps accepts no responsibility for the safety, security, maintenance and repair of your laptop.

Camera

If you have a small digital camera bring it. If you are going to buy a new one then think about Waterproof and Shock proof cameras. Bring an extra battery if it using a proprietary type battery. USB flash drives are a great way to store your photos. Many volunteers who have brought SLR/DSLR cameras have found them to be more trouble then they are worth.

Flashlights

LED Headlamps are the best, such as Petzel. Wind up torches are also available here, but better quality ones such as Sherpa should be brought from the US.

Music Devices

CD players, MP3 players, MiniDiscs, etc. Many volunteers use external amplified speakers, which work very well and amuse your neighbors. A spare music player is handy in the event that your first one breaks. They are expensive to replace in Vanuatu, and if it is not used you can usually sell it to another volunteer. Speakers are available here.

Plug Adaptors

Vanuatu uses Australia/NZ style plugs or in some places, French plugs.

Radio

A small battery operated or hand crank short-wave radio is nice to have, they are readily available in Vanuatu.  Some Ni-Vanuatu have radios or tape players.

Silica Gel / Otter Boxes / Dry Bags

Not readily available in Vanuatu. Remember: Vanuatu is a very wet, humid country. Volunteers that bring laptops, digital cameras, GPS locators, etc. must find a way to charge them and remove information, as well as store them from the humidity. Electronics are expensive or unavailable in Vanuatu. Silica gel can be found free at most retailers who sell shoes.

USB Flash Drive

(1-2) Very useful for transporting documents between offices, islands, etc. and storing your digital photos. The larger the memory the better. External hard drives are great for storing two years worth of photos and memories!

General Supplies

Zip-Lock Baggies

Bring mulitple sizes. Good to keep things dry, i.e., Books, papers, pens, clothing, electronics.

Books

The Peace Corps resource center has books for pleasure and for work. Most volunteers that bring books do not bring them home, they circulate among volunteers during service. You may want to bring certain books that you want to read and/or share. There is not a real book store in Vanuatu. A few places sell very expensive books and dictionaries. Teachers may want a grammar book. Children books can be useful for interacting with the children in your village.

Eyewear

Good-quality sunglasses are very useful here, but may be ruined, so use your discretion. Cheap ones are available here. Bring two pairs of prescription eyeglasses (if applicable).

Gifts

Thank you gifts for counterparts and training family are very appreciated and hard to find good quality, cheap things here. Inexpensive watches, playing cards, soccer balls (with needle), etc. T-Shirts with culturally appropriate, US decor/advertisement lettering and logos also make nice gifts.

Kitchen Supplies

It is not necessary to bring pots or pans, dishes or silverware. You can purchase pots and pans in Vanuatu. Most spices are available but expensive. Bring your favorites. Nalgene bottles with measurements on the side work well for measuring cups. A travel French Press or camping percolator for coffee drinkers and a good can opener. Also, a good peeler and pairing knife could be useful and a variety of ziplock bags are very helpful in storing goods.

Maps

Good World, U.S., and South Pacific region maps are good ideas, especially for schools or to show people. Make sure your maps are laminated; they are available in Vanuatu although they are expensive.

Pictures

It is nice to have pictures of your family, friends, house, street, city, etc. Your Ni-Vanuatu friends will love to look at pictures and people and things from all over the world. Think about all aspects of your life, your family, house, friends, and enviroment. Great converstation starters especially when you first get to site. Do not expect these photos to make it back to the US, so bring copies that you do not mind leaving.

Tools

Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman Tool is useful to many volunteers. They are not necessary but are not obtainable in Vanuatu. Hammers, etc. are available here.

Sleeping Gear

Plain bed sheets are available in Vanuatu as well as thick and thin blankets although fitted sheets are not. Peace Corps issues a mattress to every volunteer at the beginning of training. Mattresses in Vanuatu are about 2” thick foam pads, twin sized.

Travel Alarm

 Must use batteries or solar (watches with alarms can suffice)

Watch

Durable, Inexpensive, water proof/resistant

Backpacks

A sturdy backpack (with rain cover) or duffel bag for three- to four day trips and a day pack.

Office Supplies

Everything is available here.

Water

The water is for the most part clean and drinkable; you will not need a water filter here. Nalgene type bottles are not necessary but are helpful; especially bottles with measurements on the side are good for cooking.

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items

Feminine Protection

Peace Corps provides applicator-less tampons and pads during your service. Bring what you need for a month.

General

Good tweezers, hair-trimming scissors, and nail clippers

Prescription Medicines

Bring a 6 month supply of all prescription medicines you require.

Shower Items

Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothbrushes, etc. are available in Port Vila. The selection is not the same as in the U.S. and the price may be higher. Bringing a start up supply is a good idea. If you need something specific, bring it. Blade cartridges for your razor are available, but quite expensive. It is a good idea to bring a good supply.

Toothbrush holder

Good idea

Towels

(1-2) Quick dry towels work well, but may still mold. Inexpensive towels are available here and are much nicer to dry yourself with.

Other Meds

Most medicine needed is provided in a Peace Corps Medical Kit during Pre-Service Training (band aids, bug spray, ibuprofen, sunscreen, eye drops, and just about anything you could possibly need!) Peace Corps does not provide herbal medicine. If you have any questions, please contact the PCMO at pcmo@vu.peacecorps.gov

Recreational

Guitar

Both cheap and expensive guitars are available. Tuners are available at a cost.

Hammock

Expensive and very limited supply here, but a great way to relax between two palm trees! Eagle Nest with easy set up straps are great!

Snorkeling Gear

It is available here, but expensive and low quality.

**Available upon Arrival

Toilet tissue, toiletry items, sewing kit, hangers, clothesline, etc. EVERYTHING IS AVAILABLE HERE!!! It may come at a cost but you can find anything here at the local Chinese stores.

**Peace Corps Issued

Mattress, thin blanket, pillow, sheets, mosquito net, life jacket, insect repellent, medicines, first aid supplies, clothes pins, vitamins, bucket, kerosene lamp, and more!