Tanna Coffee is just outside Port Vila, to the west
How to get to Tanna Coffee on Public Transport in Vanuatu
Getting to Tanna Coffee on public transport can seem daunting, but in this article, I’ll explain how to go about it and what to expect.
Tanna Coffee has the best coffee in Vanuatu, and their cafe is a great place to relax with an iced latte on the outskirts of Port Vila. Located close to Hideaway Island Resort, you can combine a trip to Tanna Coffee with some snorkelling on Hideaway’s pristine reef.
Public transport in Port Vila consists of small minibuses. Catching these might seem daunting at first, but as with most things, it’s okay once you experience it. It’s sometimes chaotic; there is no getting around that. But the locals are friendly, and if you ask for help, they’re usually more than obliging.
What do the bus stops and buses look like to get to Tanna Coffee on public transport?
The main bus stops in central Port Vila often have a blue sign with a bus symbol. These aren’t always obvious, however, and it’s often easier to go by the clusters of people waiting by the roadside.
A bus stop in downtown Port Vila
Outside the town centre, buses stop wherever needed, with no designated bus stops. This means they can pick up and drop off wherever; just flag a bus down when you see one coming.
Public buses in Vanuatu are mostly small minibuses. They all have the letter “B” first on the license plate, which makes them easy to spot before flagging them down.
A more obvious bus stop just outside downtown Port Vila
How do I flag a bus down to get to Tanna Coffee on public transport?
To flag a bus down in Vanuatu, all you have to do is hold your hand out before it reaches you. Buses don’t have set routes in Port Vila, so you need to flag a bus down and ask if it’s going to your destination. Like me, expect to be told ‘no’ a few times before successfully catching a bus.
With no set routes, the buses go where the passengers are going, and you’ll see a lot more of the city on their circuitous journeys. Don’t expect to travel directly; for Tanna Coffee, I had to take two buses out and one back. All the bus drivers spoke good English and knew where Tanna Coffee was.
Inside of a public bus in Port Vila, Vanuatu
How do I get off and pay for the bus when I get to Tanna Coffee on public transport?
I recommend downloading either Maps.me or Google Maps offline if you don’t have a SIM card, so that you can track your bus’s progress. The roads can wind through the city, and it’s easy to get lost.
Tanna Coffee Roastery in Port Vila, Vanuatu
Tanna Coffee Cafe in Port Vila, Vanuatu
You must let the driver know you want to be dropped off as you approach your stop. The other passengers should help, as they did with me, if the driver doesn’t hear.
Once you get out of the bus, the driver will let you know the cost. Payment is made in cash (preferably coins) through the front window. It was 150 Vatu to get to Tanna Coffee and 150 to return when I visited in June 2024.
The road to Tanna Coffee isn’t tarred, so the bus will likely drop you off at the end of the road. I then walked the rest of the way along the beach adjacent to the road. You’ll see the entrance to Tanna Coffee and the short driveway to the cafe.
Note: Public minibuses also travel from central Port Vila to the airport, but give yourself plenty of time before your flight if you’re taking this option.
Is it worth going to Tanna Coffee on public transport?
All in all, going to Tanna Coffee on public transport can be challenging. Still, it’s a fun adventure and a great way to get off the beaten path and experience local life.
Because there are no bus routes, you end up going through areas you wouldn’t normally see, where locals live. Not to mention, it’s also a cheap way to get to Tanna Coffee!
Visited: June 2024