Village Stays - Solomon Islands

Village stays are a great way to get to meet with a local community and immerse yourself in traditional life. If you're planning to do a visit stay, you usually want to stay for at least 3 nights, to make the trek out to the village worth your time. Expect that delays may occur on the way to the village, as it may be very remote, require a difficult drive or a difficult passage on banana boat. Bring a good book, and if your host tells you they'll meet you at 10am, be there at 10am but be prepared to wait a few hours! 

You also need to plan ahead of time, as many villages are completely off grid, and sometimes only one person in the village has a phone to communicate with Honiara. See more on Organising Village Stays below

Food in Villages 

Food in the villages is usually very simple, and you'll be lucky to have many fresh vegetables. Canned meat is common. Personally, I recommend bringing some vegetables from Honiara with you and offering to help the women cook, on the condition that they share the nutritious food with you. You'll catch them by surprise, make them laugh, and sharing a food is a great way to open conversation. When I'm travelling to villages, I also recommend bringing some sauces (even just soy sauce) that can last well in your bag. Spices and sauces are not very common, and plain rice with a potato variant may be a common meal. Sauces help make the dish a bit more tasty!

Bringing Gifts to Villages

I love to bring sharp kitchen knives when travelling to village - these are my favourite gifts. Sometimes the women already have good knives, but more often than not, these villages are remote and cash income is hard to come by. You can buy sharp kitchen knives from any of the large stores in downtown Honiara, especially opposite the Yacht Club, generally only for a few dollars. Sharp knives make for great gifts to the women, can be an excellent conversation starter, and can really help these beautiful ladies for months/years to come as they are responsible for preparing meals for their families even after you've departed! 

If you're looking for extra kitchenware, please keep in mind that kitchens are usually a fire on the ground in a wooden house made for a kitchen - so no electricity, and no gas. Chopping boards can be good, and fresh pots and pans with intact handles can be helpful, but knives are usually the big winner. 

If you want to bring gifts for the children, soccer balls are immensely popular, or skipping ropes. Any toy that's hard to break and can last a long time is preferable. I'm not a big fan of cricket/tennis bats as I've seen a village of kids beat a whole twelve pack of tennis balls out to sea in a single afternoon. 

If you're bringing educational materials, stick to wooden ones that are cyclone proof. AVOID STICKERS, PLASTIC, AND ANYTHING THAT ISN'T WATERPROOF. I once met a group of very well-meaning Australians who brought massive boxes of stickers, colouring books, and loose leaf sheets for village kids to learn with, but a cyclone hit less than a week later and all of this ended up strewn across the village, destroyed and unusable, and creating pollution. In many parts of the Pacific - especially in Vanuatu - entire villages have no books or paper because of the frequency of storms destroying the materials. Children's books and reading materials are always appreciated, especially as books can be hard to come by, but consider bringing some waterproof book sleeves to go with them. 

Other amazing options are instruments. If you're travelling to the Pacific from Australia, stop off in some "op shops" (such as Vinnies, Salvation Army, Red Cross, or simply search "op shop" in your Google Maps) and go to their instrument section. I often find xylophones, ukuleles, drums, egg shakers, tambourins, and all sorts of fun instruments. The kids will go crazy for musical instruments, and the parents love it too. I've brought ukuleles for children before, and then later found myself sitting around a fire with a man strumming the ukulele during the night only for the kids to pick it back up in the morning. Music brings people together, truly. 

You can find more information on how to do village stays ethically - both with assistance, or organising them yourself - on the Village Life page. 

Organising a Village Visits and Stays

To book a village stay, you'll likely need to contact the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau in Honiara, and they'll reach out to the villages for you. Some villages have Facebook pages and the ones that do are listed below, but most have limited access to wifi (or no access), but the Visitors' Bureau can often contact them for you. 

Very few villages host foreigners in their village, and the villages don't have western facilities, off-ground beds, or kitchens in the Western sense. However, if a village is comfortable having outsiders come and visit, they may partner with a nearby accommodation to organise tours. Or if someone from the village builds a bungalow or homestay nearby, that person may then facilitate village tours around their own village. 

It is not exhaustive. There are thousands of villages in the Solomon Islands. Each of these accommodations listed below are the ones that explicitly mentioned that they can organise village stays on the Accommodation in the Solomon Islands list. Keep in mind though, especially if you're travelling somewhere remote (i.e, outside of Honiara), almost every accomodation will be able to organise village visits - especially if they are locally owned. Reach out to these accommodations using the contact details below, and if you can't get ahold of them, reach out to the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau in Honiara and tell them which province or area you would like to organise a village stay for.

Are You Monolingual? Here's Some Advice

If you're monolingual (only speak one language), fear not! You can still visit villages, and someone may speak your language (i.e., a bit of English, or French, or Spanish), but you will need to be careful with your questions. Once you've learnt a second language yourself, you'll realise that if you don't understand what someone says, it's very natural to reply "yes". If you want to have a meaningful conversation when there is a language barrier, you should avoid complex words or phrases, and as much as possible avoid leading questions. If someone answers yes, but does not eloborate, they often don't understand. If you're asking a leading question - i.e., is this artwork symbolising the deep connection that the Buddha had with his father, and showing that his love for his family was the most valuable thing in the Buddha's life - a guide may not understand all you've said and just answer "yes", either because of your accent, the length of the question, the complexity of the grammar, the specificity of the vocabulary, or because he zoned out. The above example is something I heard a guide telling a tourist at Borobodur in Indonesia, and sure enough the guide didn't understand and simply said "yes". If you ask leading questions, you're more likely to get self-confirming misinformation that new and insightful information. 

Here's another interaction I've seen many times before, as well as even recently on a travel influencers' reels:

Foreigner: "What was your village like a hundred years ago?"
Villager: "Very different, we lived in peace alone. We had many different practices, like headhunting"
Foreigner: "I have heard of headhunting. I also read that your village practised cannibalism and glorified it, is that true?"
Villager: "Yes"
Foreigner: "Is that still true now? Have people in your village eaten other people? What about you, would you eat human meat?"
Villager: "Yes"
Foreigner: "What do you think about cannibalism?"
Villager: "It is a very old practice but it has not happened in over a hundred years. We respect our ancestors' ways but now we are catholic people, so culture has changed."

In the above example, the first question from the foreigner is open ended, can't be answered with yes, and has given the villager the tools to respond within their own vocabulary. 

In the second and third question, the underlined words are more complex words or grammar. You very rarely learn how to say "practised cannibalism" in school, and even the word "glorified" isn't very common. These confusing words may make it hard to understand if English isn't your first language. 

In the fourth question, the foreigner has asked something open ended. The question is short, not confusing, and the villager gives a better answer. 

Now that you've seen this, keep an eye on influencers travelling to the Pacific. Their instagram hooks are usually "I survived a cannibal village". Watch their videos and see how many of the questions and answers are meaningful - how often does the villager just reply "yes", and the influencer to run with it? You don't need to speak the local language to have a meaningful conversation, you just need to know how to ask the right questions!

Village Visits in the Central Province

Tulagi

Vanita Restaurant & Accommodation

Location: PO Box 14, Tulagi Station
Phone: (677) 32052 / 32166 / 84148
Email: vanita@solomon.com.sb
Vanita Restaurant & Accommodation offers budget-friendly single and double rooms with shared or private facilities. Village tours, accommodation, and airport transfers can be arranged upon request. The property also features a restaurant, bar, and dive shop.

Savo Island

Savo Sunset Lodge

Location: Savo Island
Phone: (677) 7468705
Email: sunsetlodgesavo@gmail.com
Facebook:  Savo Sunset Lodge
Savo Sunset Lodge offers budget single and double rooms with shared facilities, as well as self-contained rooms. The lodge also features a kitchen, bar, and offers tours, accommodation, and island transfers, along with a warm meet-and-greet service on arrival. It is located next to several villages which are an easy self-guided walk distance. 

Village Visits in the Western Province

Near Gizo 

Nyiami Village Stay - Ranongga Island

Location: Nyiami Village, Ranongga Island
Phone: (677) 747 8526
Email: cttanito@yahoo.com

Nyiami Village Stay offers accommodation in a traditional leaf house with shared facilities on Ranongga Island, located about 45 minutes by boat from Gizo. This village stay is ideal for bird-watching, bush walking, and enriching cultural experiences, offering guests a chance to immerse themselves in the local community.

Marovo Lagoon

Vuana Kino Home Stay

Location: P.O Box c/o Juliette Kimi, Marovo Lagoon
Mobile: (677) 7486693
Email: vanuakino.jkimi@gmail.com

Vuana Kino Home Stay offers village tours on request, meals provided, and transfers. Accommodation consists of bungalows with separate shared facilities, including a common kitchen for guests.

Village Visits in Isabel Province

Kagata Village Stay (& Kagata Surfing Frens)

Location: Barora Fa Island, Kia
Phone: (677) 748 8954
Email: l.leketo@gmail.com
Website: www.epodcentral.com.au/kagatasurfingfrens
Located about an hour by motorized canoe from Suavanao airport, this stay caters primarily to surfers. It offers three rooms and a dormitory with shared facilities, including meals and surfing guides. You can organise to visit the village nearby, and relax on the beach. Frens = friends!

Poro Mothers Union Accommodation 

Location: Poro Village
Phone: (677) 36048 / 7441045
Email: nrnkhine@gmail.com
Notes: You do not have to be a mother or a woman to stay here, there is accommodation options for all in Poro Village.

Poro Homestay

Location: Poro Village
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2836265333126654/?_rdr


Isaisao Homestay & Island Tours

Location: Kia Village
Phone: (677) 7822155 / 8715576
Email: mkhalegedi2014@adventure.isabel.com & isabel_adventure@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Isaisao-Tours-Island-Homes/100067036740029/ 

Village Visits in Choiseul Province

ES Lodge

Location: Taro Island
Telephone: (677) 63111

ES Lodge offers village and waterfall tours on request. It provides double and single rooms with shared facilities, a kitchen, bar, and cooking utensils.

Village Visits in Choiseul Province

Near Auki

BH Family Lodge

Location: Fasitoro, Auki
Telephone: (677) 40233
Mobile: (677) 7481034 / 7127342
Email: bhfamilylodge@gmail.com

A family-owned accommodation ideally situated in quiet suburbia in Fa’asitoro Heights, Auki. Approximately 20 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the wharf. BH Family Lodge offers a spacious, clean, and self-contained apartment, perfect for families, couples, or small groups. Catering available with delicious family-style meals. Guided tours for nature attractions like the lagoon, forest lake, cave, and Fiu River, as well as village tours, can be arranged.

Near Langalanga Lagoon

Busu Cultural Village and Home Stay

Location: PO Box 159, Auki
Telephone: (677) 40344
Mobile: (677) 7507906 or (677) 8406010

Rooms with shared facilities and a kitchenette. Experience the culture and tradition of Langalanga and learn how they make shell money.

Near Lau Lagoon

Lagoon Dwellers 

Email: laulagoon@gmail.com
Located on the shores of Lau Lagoon, 1.5 hours by motorized canoe from Auki. Lodge for up to 8 guests with shared facilities. Meals are provided. Cultural tours, village visits around the lagoon, and snorkeling trips can be arranged.

Near Malaita

Haodaikirio Homestay

Location: Adima Village
Mobile: (677) 7486100 / 7600971
Email: info@tourismsolomons.com.sb

Village Visits in Rennell and Bellona Province

On Rennell

Kiakoe Lakeside Lodge

Location: East Rennell
C/O: Tigoa Postal Agency

Village tours available on request. Meet & greet on arrival, with airport transfers arranged. Offers double & single basic rooms with shared facilities, a common kitchen, and free cooking utensils for guests. Conference facilities available.

Moreno Guest House

Location: Tigoa Airstrip, West Rennell
C/O: Tigoa Postal Agency

Village tours available on request. Offers double & single basic rooms with shared facilities, a common kitchen, and free cooking utensils for guests.

Nukuma’anu Guest House

Location: Tigoa, West Rennell

Village tours available on request. Meet & greet on arrival, with airport transfers arranged. Offers double & single basic rooms with shared facilities, a common kitchen, and free cooking utensils for guests. Conference room available.

On Bellona

Suani Guest House

Location: Tangakitonga Village, Central Bellona
Telephone: (677) 7380575
Email: info@tourismsolomons.com.sb

Village tours available on request. Offers double & single basic rooms with shared facilities, a common kitchen, and free cooking utensils for guests. Conference & workshop venues available.

Tatiana Homestay

Location: East Bellona
Mobile: (677) 7499030 / (677) 7774268
Email: tengemoana@gmail.com

Village tours available on request. Airport transfers arranged. Offers double & single basic rooms with shared facilities, a common kitchen, and free cooking utensils for guests. Conference facilities and bar available.

Tungua Eco-Lodge

Location: West Bellona
Mobile: (677) 7497253

Village tours available on request. Meet & greet on arrival, with airport transfers arranged. Offers double & single basic rooms with shared facilities, a common kitchen, and free cooking utensils for guests. Conference room available.