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The least visited country in the world is said to be the tiny remote Pacific Island country of Tuvalu. Those who have visited Tahiti (one of the most popular destinations in the Pacific) will be taken aback by just how different the two locations are. Going to Tuvalu is an adventurous and rewarding experience - it is not a simple and straightforward affair like getting to Tahiti or Hawaii.
The main way to get to Tuvalu is via another Pacific Island country, Fiji. There are flights three times a week between the country with an ATR 72-600 aircraft. There is a flight from Hawaii to Fiji, but many of the flights connect through Australia. Have an unusual bucket list of destinations by taking the time and effort to visit the country that the fewest people get to see.
Tuvalu - The Tiny Remote Pacific Country
Tuvalu is one of the smallest and most remote countries in the world. And thanks to its massive isolation, it is one of the most authentic countries in the Pacific to visit. Tuvalu was formerly known as the Ellice Islands and is located around mid-way between Hawaii and Australia.
It is a peaceful and non-commercialized island with vast expanses of ocean. It is full of atolls, picturesque lagoons, coral reefs, and rich Polynesian island culture. It is made up of three reef islands and six atolls.
- Population: 10,500 People
- Language: Tuvaluan & English
- Capital: Funafuti
The country is very vulnerable to rising sea levels from climate change, with no point of the islands higher than 4.5 meters or 15 feet above sea level.
The main island is Funafuti which has over half of the country's population - around 6,000. Officially, the entire atoll of Funafuti is the capital.
Background & History Of Tuvalu
The Polynesians expanded from Samoa and Tonga to colonize the Tuvaluan atolls during the great age of Polynesian exploration. The first Europeans to see the archipelago were the Spanish in 1568. In the 1800s, the United Kingdom claimed the islands, and it became a fully independent country in 1978.
The United States has a history with the country as well. During World War Two, several thousand American troops were stationed there (then called the Ellice Islands). The Americans built airstrips on the islands that are still used today.
While it is the Solomon Islands which are the World War Two military hardware graveyard of the Pacific, visitors can see discarded WW2 military equipment in Tuvalu. See the remains of WW2 planes long abandoned in the scrub, the wreck of a landing craft, and the old runways. See a well-preserved underground bunker and more.
Expect Rudimentary But Authentic Services In Tuvalu
Tuvalu is considered one of the world's most peaceful but least developed countries. But life on these remote islands is simple and yet often harsh. The country has no rivers or streams and little soil. The country has earned some money by selling its internet suffix ".tv" for television broadcasters.
- Currency: Australian Dollars
- Visa Policy: 1 Month Visa Free (90 Days For Schengen Area Passports)
The currency in use in Tuvalu is Australian dollars. Visitors should bring traveler's checks or bring plenty of cash as there are no credit card services anywhere in Tuvalu. The country does have a bank - the National Bank of Tuvalu that is open 10.00 am to 2.00 pm Mondays through Thursdays and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Fridays.
There is internet available in the country, but expect it to be slow.
Accommodation On Tuvalu
Visitors need to keep in mind they are visiting a very small, very remote, and undeveloped country. So don't expect the accommodation and services to be on par with Tahiti and the like. Tourism here is still in its infancy. For more detailed information about visiting the country and organizing one's trip, one should check the country's website and email accommodation providers on the islands.
The list of accommodations in the country is:
- Afelita Island Resort (litapita@gmail.com)
- Afelita B&B (litapita@gmail.com)
- Fakasagi Lodge (info@timelesstuvalu.com)
- Funafala Guest House (info@timelesstuvalu.com)
- L’s Lodge (2017lslodge@gmail.com)
- Lanumoana Lodge (info@timelesstuvalu.com)
- Luta’s B&B (ph: 00 688 20794, mobile: 00 688 7003025)
It's not every day the exhaustive list of accommodations in a country can be detailed in a single article! Enjoy a very personal and friendly stay within Tuvalu with the locals.