Nouméa Travel Guide

  Noumea City center
by antonio1
 
  • Noumea City center
      Noumea City center
    by antonio1
  •   Nouméa
    by hunwagner
  • View from my room
      View from my room
    by stevemt
  •   Favorites
    by antonio1
  •   Things to Do
    by Maximilian21
 

Pro

abott profile photo

 Fantastic atmosphere, great weather, lovely people 


Con

K.Knight profile photo

 Very, Very Expensive! 


In a nutshell

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 Superb city to spend time in while preparing for visits to the outer islands 

 

Explore Nouméa

Things to Do  

Baie des Citrons

Baie des Citrons, Nouméa

 hunwagner Says:  OK, enough of sightseeing! :-)For many visitors, Noumea's main attractions are the beaches.There are several of them, but as I am not a fan of beaches, I only checked out the two most popular ones. I must admit they are very good for beaches in a major city!Baie des Citrons... 

Go to one of the beaches

Go to one of the beaches, Nouméa

 Reviled Says:  The beaches are amazing here, and the best thing is, you can walk to some awesome beaches from the heart of the city, it may take you about half an hour, but it will give you a chance to take in the scenery. Most of the beaches are top less, so girls, it gives you a chance... 

Anse Vata

Anse Vata, Nouméa

 salisbury3933 Says:  The main tourist area in Noumea is Anse Vata, where a lot of the hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops are located.It also has a good beach, where people swim, snorkel, windsurf and so on. Even if you don't stay here, it's a short bus ride from town. 

Hotels  

Le Lagon

 87 Opinions

Restaurants  

FIESTA "CHEZ ALBAN": Good food at a good price

FIESTA "CHEZ ALBAN": Good food at a good price, Nouméa

 abott Says:  Great food, in a very good location. The restaurant is located on the Baie de Citrons just around from Anse Vata. This is the part of town where the locals eat. There is a great buzz to the place every night.This restaurant serves good quality food at very good prices.2... 

ThON STEAK: The best tuna and ox !

ThON STEAK: The best tuna and ox !, Nouméa

 thonsteak Says:  The restaurant is opposite the beach (Baie des Citrons), Steakhouse with amazing prices and quality. It's the best steak you will ever have with french fries.Also a great sashimi (tuna) with his special sauce. 

The McDonalds solution: Landing Sunday late in Noumea? No restaurant open!

The McDonalds solution: Landing Sunday late in Noumea? No restaurant open!, Nouméa

 drmjalba Says:  Landing on Sunday afternoon in Noumea? All restaurants and food stores are closed! So, what can you do? Where can you eat?There is only one answer: McDonalds is open until midnight on Sunday. It is located at the intersection of rue Foch and rue de Tourville, in Centreville... 

Transportation  

Avoid flying Air Calin to islands

Avoid flying Air Calin to islands, Nouméa

 toddytapper Says:  You may have confirmed reservations and tickets, but there is no guarantee you will get to your domestic destination with Air Caledonie. There are frequent strikes by airport personnel (baggage handlers, in particular), and there are strong labour unions in NC. There are... 

Airport transfer - avoid the taxi

Airport transfer - avoid the taxi, Nouméa

 abott Says:  When arriving into Noumea, if you haven't pre-arranged your airport transfers... be wary taking a taxi into Noumea from Tontouta International Airport. The airport is located 45 kilometres north of the city. A cab ride will cost you about $100AUD one way.A bus ride into the... 

Consider hiring a car

Consider hiring a car, Nouméa

 Reviled Says:  Depending on what your plans are I would suggest hiring a car as even though they have plenty of taxi's, finding one at the right time can prove to be difficult, buses can be even more difficult (especially if you cant speak french). Allthough most of the main attractions... 

Shopping  

Everywhere: Dont plan a shopping holiday

Everywhere: Dont plan a shopping holiday, Nouméa

 Reviled Says:  I wouldnt suggest planning a shopping trip to Noumea unless the only thing you want to buy is booze and cigarettes. People in New Caledonia dont pay any income tax, so they oay a higher rate of tax on everything that they buy, this makes it expensive for foreigners wanting... 

Noumea Municipal Market: Great Market

Noumea Municipal Market: Great Market, Nouméa

 salisbury3933 Says:   The market is more of a food market than anything although you can also buy clothes and souvenirs there.Fresh fruit and veg, baguettes, croissants and awesome seafood can all be had.Great way to stock up for a day at the beach! 

Local Customs  

Learn some French
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Firez 5 reviews

This is a French colony and the natives speak in their own local languages and French. At least be polite and try to learn some basic words/phrases instead of hoping/expected them to speak in English.

Written Jul 29, 2007

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Warnings and Dangers  

ALWAYS CARRY A RELIABLE MOSQUITO REPELLANT

ALWAYS CARRY A RELIABLE MOSQUITO REPELLANT, Nouméa

 DennyP Says:  NEW CALEDONIA When travelling here in these lovely Islands Always make sure that you are carrying AND using a reliable mosquito repellant. Anywhere in the Pacific Islands and also these tropical areas it is imperative to use a good repellant . A long sleeve shirt and... 

Scary,Filthy place

Scary,Filthy place, Nouméa

 lovalisa Says:  Noumea!Hey guys, i visited noumea on my pno cruise last september.Coinsidently enough we ened up being there on september 24th - new caladonean day . We went to the centre of the city, there was locals and celebrations EVERYWERE. My family & i had a horrible time. I remember... 

Unexpectedly, Taken Prisoner by Caledonians

Unexpectedly, Taken Prisoner by Caledonians, Nouméa

 drmjalba Says:  She knew about me that I would be arriving. I knew nothing about her, instead. And, suddenly, I was taken prisoner from the very moment of arriving on the airport. She asked me over the phone: Where I would go? In what hotel? And helpful people were planted on my way toward... 

Learn French or take someone who can!

Learn French or take someone who can!, Nouméa

 Reviled Says:  Your life in Noumea and your holiday will be made so much easier if you or someone with you can speak French, because even though everyone in New Caledonia apparantly learns how to speak english at school, the results seem to indicate otherwise, either they can all speak... 

Off The Beaten Path  

An interesting Gallery of Art: Naturami

An interesting Gallery of Art: Naturami, Nouméa

 drmjalba Says:  Open by two local married painters: Anne Marie d'Anglebermes and Patrick Duffieux Phone /Fax: (687)28 25 42Cell: 91 99 97 or 78 81 41Email: naturami.galerie@lagoon.ncAddress: Valleee des Colons - 81, rue Charleroi Baie de Sainte Marie. Transportation: #2 blue line bus at... 

Indonesian Monument

Indonesian Monument, Nouméa

 hunwagner Says:  This monument for the centennary of the local Indonesian community is of no interest to most visitors, but it was a surprise find for me and I still put it here for the benefit of my Indonesian friends! 

Favorites  

Local Money

Local Money, Nouméa

 antonio1 Says:  Local mpney are called Francs because New Caledonia is a french colony. With 1 euro you can buy 119.33 FPG.1 euro = 119.33 FPG The beach, the climate and the nature. Here you can feel no polution, you willfeel more in good health than other world cities. 

American Park

American Park, Nouméa

 salisbury3933 Says:  Although the monument here has been defaced a little, it's interesting to learn of the history of New Caledonia during WW2, and this little park commemorates the US army who had a base here during the war.The regard they were held in is shown by the naming of some of the... 

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Map of Nouméa