There is a hospital in Port Vila as well as medical centres. Doctors ‘on-call’ will visit resorts. The chemists/pharmacies in Port Vila also have good knowledge regarding tropical ailments. On the outer islands there are small clinics and medical dispensaries. Health insurance is advised.
The cuisine of Vanuatu (known in Bislama as aelan kakae) incorporates fish, root vegetables such as taro and yams, fruits, and vegetables. Most island families grow food in their gardens, and food shortages are rare.
The climate is sub-tropical with approximately nine months of warm to hot rainy weather and the possibility of cyclones and three to four months of cooler drier weather characterized by winds from the southeast.