Nadi International Airport is the main airport for Fiji, and Pacific Blue, Air New Zealand and Air Pacific all have regular flights between Fiji and Australia.
Culture and customs
Bula! (Hello or greeting) is heard everywhere in Fiji. Almost everyone in Fiji speaks English, but they will be delighted if you can say a few words in their language, such as :
Please yalo vinaka (yalo vee naka)
excuse me tulou (too low)
yes io(ee-o)
thank you vinaka (vee naka)
no seqa (senga)
For a full list of phrases in Fijian, visit Tropical Fiji.com.
You can also find information here about Fijian festivals, Fijian culture, and much more.
Practicalities – visas, vaccinations, and staying safe
SmartTraveller has a number of travel advisories for Fiji and currently rates the whole country as Exercise Caution, with Exercise Extreme Caution in the capital, Suva. It’s advisable to be cautious especially at night - avoid crime by staying in your hotel and do not venture into dark areas. It’s best to avoid travelling at night as well, because of crime, stray animals and the poor quality of the roads.
According to SmartTraveller, Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Visit the nearest Fiji consulate or embassy before you travel.
Travel Doctor has information on required vaccinations for Fiji. These vary according to the length of your stay but for trips less than 6 months, you should at least have current vaccination certificates for Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever – Transit and Tetanus.
Accommodation
Fiji can be quite expensive to visit, in particular for accommodation.
Locals advise that it’s best to book your accommodation before you travel, and avoid booking through agencies at airports, as they may steer you towards venues that pay high commissions rather than those that suit your needs. There are many places to book online ranging from 5-star to backpacker, such as:
Tourism Fiji
Fiji Resorts and Accommodation
Wotif
Fiji 4 less
TripAdvisor lists accommodation in Fiji, and you can read other travelers’ reviews before you book.
Currency
The currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar, which is accepted everywhere. The best currency to exchange from is Australian, New Zealand or US dollars. You can check the exchange rate here.
Weather
Fiji has a tropical marine climate, with a cyclone season between November to April. You can check the weather for when you’re planning to go here.
Food
Native Fijian food combines tropical fruit, coconut milk, seafood, rice and taro, and spices. According to iExplore, specialities include:
Kokoda (raw fish marinated in coconut cream and lime).
Rourou (a taro leaf dish soaked in coconut cream).
Tavioka (manioc or tapioca, often boiled, baked or grated and cooked in coconut
cream with sugar and mashed bananas).
Duruka (an unusual asparagus-like vegetable in season during April and May).
Lovo (a covered pit or underground oven used to cook meat, fish, and vegetables).
Most local restaurants include steak and seafood on the menu, and often a local speciality.
Things to do and see
Postcard-perfect Fiji is well-known for its beautiful beaches, colourful exotic birds and plants, waterfalls and coral reefs – so you can spend your time exploring, diving or snorkelling, hiking or even birdwatching. There are championship golf courses or whitewater rafting for the more energetic – or you can shop for souvenirs, local artefacts and arts, or clothes. For something a little less strenuous, you can visit the famous Mud Springs at Sabeto (Sabeto Hot Springs) for a healing soak, or just relax and enjoy a drink of the local Kava – a non-alcoholic mildly sedative drink.
Disclaimer
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