Business
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,600 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,500 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (Vanuatu has no corporate income tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Territorial/Zero-tax (No personal income tax, no CGT, no wealth tax)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0%
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- There is no annual property tax; leasehold land involves annual ground rent
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Stamp Duty and 5% Registration fee on lease transfers
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% tax on worldwide income; however, residency permits (VIPA) are required for business activity
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD)
Food and Drink
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Luganville Public Market for fresh fruit; 'Island Food' stalls for vegetarian Lap Lap
- Best Dessert Spots
- Tanna Coffee Bakery for locally made pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Luganville Public Market for produce; LCM Store for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Non-existent locally; residents use Facebook 'Santo Buy & Sell' groups
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; self-shopping at Unity Shell or LCM
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Dusty' (Santo Hotel Bar) for a local experience and kava bars (Nakamals)
- Local Brewery
- Seven Seas (brewed in Port Vila but widely available in Santo)
- Wine Bars
- Barrier Beach Resort has the best selection of imported Australian/French wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Mama's Market Stalls (next to the main market area) for 500 VT plates
- Popular International Cuisine
- Hotel Santo (French/Chinese fusion) and Aore Island Restaurant
- Best Food Delivery App
- Not available. Direct phone orders to 'Natura Beach' or local pizza spots
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Santo Beef (world-renowned) and Lap Lap (root vegetable cake)
Culture and Attractions
- Art Galleries
- Small carving shops near the wharf selling traditional 'Tam-tams'
- Historic Buildings
- Old colonial buildings on the hill overlooking the Segond Channel
- Local Heritage
- Custom Landownership and 'Sand Drawing' (recognized by UNESCO)
- Must-See Landmarks
- SS President Coolidge (WWII shipwreck) and Million Dollar Point
- Museums & Art Venues
- South Pacific WWII Museum (Luganville)
- Historical Sites
- WWII Bomber strips and Quonset huts scattered around town
- Religious Sites
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Annual Events
- Vanuatu Independence Day (July 30th) with parades and boat racing
- Cultural Districts
- Vatthe Conservation Area for traditional custom village visits
- Theater Venues
- None; outdoor community stages used for special events
- Local Markets
- Luganville Public Market (open 24/7 Mon-Sat)
- Music Scene
- String bands performing at resorts and local Kava bars
- Street Art
- Luganville waterfront murals depicting island life
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at Lapita Cafe on traditional root crop preparation
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Matevulu Blue Hole and Nanda Blue Hole (crystal clear freshwater springs)
- National Parks Nearby
- Millennium Cave (requires guided trekking and canyoning)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal road from Luganville to Turtle Bay
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Million Dollar Point (underwater and shoreline viewpoints)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Loru Conservation Area (home to the endemic Vanuatu Megapode)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lonnoc Beach campsites
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Vanuatu Post (Main St) and DHL (via agent at the airport)
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer World (Luganville branch) for basic repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Santo Golf and Country Club
- Language Classes
- Informal Bislama lessons available via local tutors (approx. 1,000 VT/hr)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Sanma Regional Library
- Community Centers
- Unity Park (Waterfront) for local gatherings
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The Palms Casino (Port Vila only; Santo has no casinos)
Essentials
- City
- Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Sanma Province, Vanuatu
- Population
- Approximately 18,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Fiber in town center up to 50 Mbps; Starlink is highly recommended for stable work (approx. 7,000 VT/month)
- Currency & Banking
- Vanuatu Vatu (VUV). 1 USD ≈ 120 VT. Main banks: BSP and Bred Bank
- Tap Water
- Generally safe in Luganville (limestone filtered), but boiling or bottled water (Azure) is recommended for sensitive stomachs
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (Australian-style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Vodafone; 20GB data plans cost approx. 2,000 VT ($17 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Bred Bank offers the best online interface; Revolut/Wise work for ATM withdrawals locally
- Accommodation
- Boutique resorts (The Espiritu) and long-term guesthouses (Beachfront Resort)
- Cashless Friendly
- Mainly cash-based; larger hotels and supermarkets (LCM) accept Visa/Mastercard with 3-5% surcharges
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; direct bookings with locally managed bungalows like Aore Island Resort are common
- Budget Accommodation
- Unity Shell Guesthouse at approx. 3,500 VT ($30 USD) per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- East Coast Road (Champagne Beach area) or Aore Island
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Luganville Hill (for views and better airflow) or Beachfront Resort area
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; 'The Espiritu' hotel lobby serves as the de facto nomad hub
- Best Cafe for Work
- Attar Cafe on Main Street; reliable power and decent Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Luganville Expat 'Thirsty Thursday' meetups at the Santo Golf Club
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly trivia and BBQ nights at Beachfront Resort
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; look for 'T' on license plates. In-town trips cost a flat 200 VT ($1.70 USD)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Santo Island Car Rentals (Main St); mountain bikes approx. 2,000 VT/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Lonnoc Beach and Champagne Beach (approx. 50 mins from Luganville)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Vanuatu (Domestic links to Port Vila and Tanna)
- Top International Airline
- Air Vanuatu (direct from Brisbane) or Solomon Airlines
- Highway Access
- The East Coast Road is the primary sealed 'highway' connecting Luganville to the Blue Holes
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Luganville Public Market (Main terminus for local 'B' buses/vans)
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; pay drivers directly (150-500 VT depending on distance)
- Regional Travel
- Weekly cargo boats (Big Sista) to Port Vila; speedboats to Aore Island (1,000 VT)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Northern District Hospital (Luganville); basic care only. Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Barrier Beach Resort offers private yoga sessions and spa treatments
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Santo Gym (near the wharf); basic weight-lifting facility
- Laundry Services
- Most resorts provide it; 'City Laundry' near the market charges by the kilo