Social ConventionsFijians are a very welcoming people and visitors should not be afraid to accept hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable.
Tips about visiting villages: Before visiting, it is customary to purchase a bundle of unpounded
yaqona (kava) – the traditional
sevusevu (gift). When approaching the village, visitors should not enter immediately but wait until greeted. They will then be taken to the chief or
Turaga Ni Koro (headman), to whom the kava should be offered. Visitors who are accepted by the chief will be assigned a guide
and host. Once inside the village, please also note the following: visitors should dress modestly and not wear shorts or hats, and women should not have their shoulders bare; shoes should always be taken off when entering someone’s house or any other village building; visitors should speak softly and not raise their voices too much as this may be interpreted as expressing anger; visitors should show respect but be cautious about praise as Fijians will feel obliged to make a gift of an object if visitors show too much liking for it; Fijians will always, out of custom, ask visitors to stay or eat with them; visitors who spend a night in the village should reward their host with a useful gift of similar value for each member of the party; it is not recommended to give money.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline,
Air Pacific (FJ) (website:
www.airpacific.com), flies from Los Angeles, Sydney and Auckland. There are no direct flights from the UK;
Air New Zealand flies from London to Nadi via Los Angeles.
Air PassesVisit South the Pacific Pass: valid with
Solomon Airlines (IE), Air Vanuatu (NF), Air Nauru (ON), Qantas (QF), Air Niugini (PX), Aircalin (SB) and Air Pacific (FJ). The pass allows flexible island-hopping within the South Pacific, for up to 40% off normal airfares.
Boomerang Pass: can be used to explore the South West Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Two or more sectors must be purchased. Used in conjunction with
Qantas and
British Airways international tickets from the UK to Australia. The pass is also valid on
Air Pacific (FJ),
Air Vanuatu (NF) and
Polynesian Airlines (PH). For further information, contact one of the participating airlines.
Air New Zealand South Pacific Airpass: offers flights between 36 locations in the region. The fares vary according to four domestic and three international travel zones, and the pass must be bought in conjunction with an international ticket outside of the South Pacific or within 30 days of arrival
. Contact
Air New Zealand for details
.Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsNadi (NAN) is 8km (5 miles) north of Nadi town on Viti Levu island (website:
www.afl.com.fj) and is where most international flights arrive.
To/from the airport: Taxis and buses are available (journey time – 20 minutes).
Facilities: 24-hour bank/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, 24-hour bar, restaurants, 24-hour left luggage office, tourist information, post office and car hire.
Suva (SUV) is at Nausori, 16km (9 miles) from Suva (journey time – 30 minutes), and is the hub for internal flights.
To/from the airport: Taxis and car rental.
Facilities: Parking, duty-free shop, snack bar, and car hire.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Suva (website:
www.fijiports.com.fj) and
Lautoka (Viti Levu). Several passenger lines serve Fiji.
OverviewThe following items may be imported by persons 17 years of age and over into Fiji without incurring customs duty:
250 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g of tobacco goods;
2.25l of spirits or 4.5l of wine or beer;
114ml of perfume for personal use;
goods to the value of F$400.
Note: The Value Added Tax (VAT) on most items in the Fiji Islands is 12.5%.
The import of vegetables, seeds, meat and dairy products requires a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.
Prohibited ImportsThe import of meat and dairy products from Tasmania is not permitted.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirFiji’s domestic airlines,
Air Fiji (PC) (website:
www.airfiji.com.fj) and
Pacific Sun (website:
www.airpacific.com), operate shuttle services around the islands. The flight time from Nadi to Suva is approximately 30 minutes.
Turtle Airways (website:
www.turtleairways.com) flies to the privately-owned Turtle Island resort from Nadi.
Air PassesA
Discover Fiji pass is available with
Air Fiji (tel: 331 3666
or 331 5055; website:
www.airfiji.com.fj), which gives virtually unlimited flights for 30 days. It is only sold outside of Fiji in conjunction with an international flight ticket. Children over two and under 12 years of age pay 75% of the fare.
Getting Around by WaterMost resorts have their own boat transport, some have catamaran services. Government and local shipping companies operate passenger services linking the outer islands. Yachts and cabin cruisers are available for charter; enquire at the shipping agents, being sure to confirm all arrangements with the captain once the vessel is in port. A number of ferries operate between the major islands, including the
Patterson Brothers,
Beachcomber Cruises (tel: 666 1500; website:
www.beachcomberfiji.com) and
Consort Shipping.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left. Main roads are paved. Beware of livestock on the roads as they wander freely during the night, although it is best to avoid driving during the night altogether. When driving past villages, drivers are advised to slow down as locals use the roads as footpaths. The approximate driving time from Nadi to Suva is 3 hours. The main roads on Viti Levu follow the coast, linking the main centers.
Bus: The larger islands have good and inexpensive bus networks. The buses are open-windowed with tarpaulins at the ready if it rains; buses can be hailed between stops. Speedier options are
carriers (small trucks) between Suva and Nadi, and
minibuses between Suva and Lautoka. Express air-conditioned buses operate between Suva and Nadi and between Suva and Lautoka.
Taxi: Taxis are widely available. Drivers tend to only use their meter in Suva. Elsewhere, check with locals what an acceptable price should be before embarking on a taxi journey.
Car hire: International car hire companies are represented. Car hire can be relatively expensive; 4-wheel drive is recommended for islands other than Viti Levu. Limousines and chauffeurs are also available.
Regulations: The speed limit in built-up areas is 50kph (30mph) and 80kph (50mph) on highways. The minimum age for car hire is 21 or sometimes 25. Front seat passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
Documentation: Valid national or international driving license required. Third party insurance is compulsory.
Next Page »
