Vilanculos is a coastal town in Mozambique, lying in the Vilanculos District of Inhambane Province. Vilankulo is named after chief Vilankulo, and some of the "bairros" (suburbs) are named after his sons. During colonial times the name was changed to Vilanculos since the Portuguese do not use the letter K much, and commonly use the 'ssh' sound of the S. At independence the name was changed back to Vilankulo – with a K and no S. Today the district is called Vilanculos and the town Vilankulo, and many residents have Vilankulo as their last name.
Vilankulo has been growing extensively over the last decade, and has been the recipient of considerable inward investment into its tourism infrastructure. Dhows travel between the town and the Bazaruto Archipelago.
