I’m no authority in what places are the must-dos. But I can tell you which are the ones I went to. I’ll sprinkle in some basic information along the way and tell you about my experience. Your trip will be different than mine. But I thought I’d share what I saw.

The gateway to one of Survivor’s iconic locations, Vanuatu, is Port Vila. It is the capital of the country and is located on the island of Efate.

Like most capital cities, commerce is highly concentrated in the region. Many locals study and work in the area. And markets are bustling with a wide variety of food, handicrafts and souvenirs.

For the tourist, attractions and activities are abundant. Lagoons, waterfalls, rivers, villages, and a whole lot more are within reach. Swimming, hiking, snorkelling, kayaking or simply relaxing are all on the table. To reach the other 80 islands of Vanuatu, some of which are home to volcanoes, and plenty of more water and jungle activities, Port Vila is the key.

The Survivor fan in me is elated. So I’ve done my best to make the experience count.

Side note: For a story from Port Vila, you can visit this link.

Here are five places I visited in Port Vila:

The Mele Cascades

The Mele Cascades is a series of waterfalls surrounded by a rainforest. Who needs a swimming pool when nature has done the work for mankind?

To get to the top of the waterfalls, there is a light hike required. I was with a guide. And guardrails are available for safety. My journey took about 30 minutes one way. If I can do it, 99% of the world can.

All things considered, that is a small price to pay for the views and the refreshing shower I inevitably got. 

The Blue Lagoon

The location sounds familiar. It shares the same name as a popular American 1980s movie. However, believe the two aren’t related.

The lagoon got its colourful description from its crystal clear waters. Though if you ask me, the reflection appeared to be more on the green side than blue. But who’s complaining? Not me, for sure.

Many dream to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. And that makes the Blue Lagoon an attractive option. Choices include swimming, snorkelling or just lying down in any spot to read a book and be one with nature. 

On the day you intend to visit, it’s better to check if cruise ships are docking on the island. The place can get crowded easily. However, there was no one except 2 other tourists during my trip at 8 in the morning.

Eden on the River

Eden on the River is an eco-resort at the heart of a rainforest.  For a holistic experience, lodging in one of their villas is an option. But day activities also work.

Zip-lining, paddle boarding and hiking are on the table. Wellness activities, such as meditation and yoga, are alternatives. And if none of these interest you, dances and cultural performances occasionally occur.

For a Survivor geek like me, this was my closest experience to an immunity or a reward challenge. So I crossed the hiking bridges like there was no tomorrow (channelling my inner Ozzy Lusth.)

The Chocolate Factory

The term “factory” sounds so industrial. The word “tour” seems a bit elaborate. But the fundamentals of how chocolate is made, and how taste varies, are covered in The Chocolate Factory experience.

While Hershey’s will give you videos, I saw actual cacao trees. Seeds are sampled on commercialised sites. Here, I saw the segregation of crops first hand. And while most of the inputs are grown on the other islands of Vanuatu, some intimacy is better over the ones that huge conglomerates offer. 

The highlight for me was trying the kava chocolate. Although the numbness lasted for only one minute, I managed to cross that off my list. 

The Ekasup Cultural Village

The uniqueness of the culture and the lifestyles of indigenous people are always intriguing to those immersed in modernity. So to scratch the itch, Ekasup Cultural Village acts as the gateway to the Vanuatuan customs and traditions.

Note that none of the people you get to interact with live in the area. People simply exhibit artefacts, display traditional practices, and talk through their way of life.

The thought that this is a show can be a bit sobering. But opportunities to make fire or taste local delicacies do not come by in most places.

I had to do most of the imagination myself. While the place was open during my trip, there were limited activities and engagement on the day I came. So a piece of warning – Internet opening hours aren’t always accurate or complete.

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The trip to Port Vila happened on May 2023.