Vila Water Taxis to the Township

[Dizziedi]

I'm not sure whether anyone has posted regarding the Water Taxis in Vila.

 

We were there two weeks ago and they said they had started just that day:).

 

If you haven't heard about them, if you walk through the gate from the ship and go about 5-10m up on the left hand side, one of the market stalls has a sign on it and also someone out the front asking you if you want to go to Town for $5.00.

 

It was great - much better than mucking around trying to find a local.

 

It drops you at the Casino Hotel, next to the carpark and markets so it is very handy. You can get it back as well. I wouldn't suggest it for anyone with mobility issues though.

 

Cheers

Di

[Aus Traveller]

I'm not sure whether anyone has posted regarding the Water Taxis in Vila.

 

We were there two weeks ago and they said they had started just that day:).

 

If you haven't heard about them, if you walk through the gate from the ship and go about 5-10m up on the left hand side, one of the market stalls has a sign on it and also someone out the front asking you if you want to go to Town for $5.00.

 

It was great - much better than mucking around trying to find a local.

 

It drops you at the Casino Hotel, next to the carpark and markets so it is very handy. You can get it back as well. I wouldn't suggest it for anyone with mobility issues though.

 

Cheers

Di

That's very interesting. Thanks for posting the information. :)

[3littlepigs]

We thought it was a great way to get into town, much nicer than the usual buses or taxis.

They were also offering Hideaway island tours.

 

There was a bigger boat in town offering $10 trips back to the ship from the waterfront near the ladies pop up markets.

[3littlepigs]

Forgot to say...strongly agree on the mobility issue.

You have to be able to get up or down into the runabout.

[rkmw]

it was mentioned on facebook that the service was used in july

[wildweston]

I used them too. I got one with a cover over it for shade which was great, cost me $5 but I know others paid $10 :)

[cassamanda]

Great value at $5

 

Counted about 3 different water taxi operators - all spaced about 20 meters apart and they appear to go to different locations in the city between the Casino and the Markets. They were all offering various tours such as Hideaway, fishing etc but didn't check out the prices.

 

The cabs at the Casino were much cheaper than at the dock.

 

On the way back, give the water taxi at $10 the flick - it's the one closest to the markets in town. The next one along (near the bandstand thingo) is only $5 and has good access onto the boat and comes in at the stall called "Sunnys Sunnys" - they were also offering full body massage at $35.:p Opposite to the kids singing "You are My Sunshine":cool::) It's the only song they know - cute.

 

Hugh

[wildweston]

Great value at $5

 

Counted about 3 different water taxi operators - all spaced about 20 meters apart and they appear to go to different locations in the city between the Casino and the Markets. They were all offering various tours such as Hideaway, fishing etc but didn't check out the prices.

 

The cabs at the Casino were much cheaper than at the dock.

 

On the way back, give the water taxi at $10 the flick - it's the one closest to the markets in town. The next one along (near the bandstand thingo) is only $5 and has good access onto the boat and comes in at the stall called "Sunnys Sunnys" - they were also offering full body massage at $35.:p Opposite to the kids singing "You are My Sunshine":cool::) It's the only song they know - cute.

 

 

 

 

Hugh

 

Yes the exactly where I got my water taxi from. Didn't go the full body massage though !

[silverwillow]

Do they take Australian dollars? Does anyone recollect what the Hideaway island tours included? We are hoping to go there in the morning but are booked to do the Zego tour at 2pm so want to be back by the markets for that.

[wildweston]

Actually when I was on my last cruise about two weeks ago, everywhere we went they only wanted Australian dollars

[K-Roo-Zers]

Thanks for posting. We will be there in February and all the information from the poster has been really helpful. It will be our first time in Vila.

 

We have seen lots of Europe and Asia, but this will be our first time to Vila! Looking forward to it, and glad to hear they accept Aussie dollars.

 

Nicki

[silverwillow]

Thanks Cheryl :)

[wildweston]

Thanks Cheryl :)

 

Your welcome, also try to get some smaller notes and gold coins before you leave, much easier for them than $50 notes. :)

[Aus Traveller]

Your welcome, also try to get some smaller notes and gold coins before you leave, much easier for them than $50 notes. :)

They prefer notes to coins because they cannot bank coins.

 

In Vila, if someone smiles and holds out a handful of coins, they are not begging, just asking you if you will change them for them. If Chrissy (the 'Hospital Lady') is there, we usually change coins for her - I mean a hundred or two hundred dollars worth. The only way she can change the money is to bring it back to Australia to bank.

[bazzaw]

They prefer notes to coins because they cannot bank coins.

 

In Vila, if someone smiles and holds out a handful of coins, they are not begging, just asking you if you will change them for them. If Chrissy (the 'Hospital Lady') is there, we usually change coins for her - I mean a hundred or two hundred dollars worth. The only way she can change the money is to bring it back to Australia to bank.

 

 

Yes -- this is a good thing for people to know

 

Barry

[wildweston]

They prefer notes to coins because they cannot bank coins.

 

In Vila, if someone smiles and holds out a handful of coins, they are not begging, just asking you if you will change them for them. If Chrissy (the 'Hospital Lady') is there, we usually change coins for her - I mean a hundred or two hundred dollars worth. The only way she can change the money is to bring it back to Australia to bank.

 

Okay that's good to know, but I can't say I had any trouble with coins :)

[Aus Traveller]

Okay that's good to know, but I can't say I had any trouble with coins :)

You didn't have trouble with the coins, but the stall-holder who accepted them would. They can use some as change for later customers.

 

Often when I have been standing talking to Chrissy, stall holders come up and smile as they hold out some Aussie coins. She changes it to Vatu for them.