Nadi Airport is on the west coast of Viti Levu and receives over 90% of Fiji’s International Flights. Nausori Airport on the east coast of Viti Levu is popular with business people visiting Suva (30km south of Nausori). Air New Zealand, Air Pacific and Qantas are the main carriers with direct flights from Los Angeles, Hawaii, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tokyo. Korean Air offer direct flights from Seoul. Other regional airlines connect with the other south pacific islands including Royal Tongan Airlines. The high season for travel is between December and February when flights are get heavily booked.

Flying Times to Fiji

London Air New Zealand: 26 hrs
Los Angeles Air New Zealand: 12 hrs
Hawaii: 6 hrs
Tokyo: 11 hrs
Seoul: 10 hrs
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane: 3-4 hrs
Auckland:r 3 hrs
Wellington: 3 hrs
Tahiti: 3 hrs
Cook Island:3 hrs

Fijians still practise many traditional arts and crafts, some of which have endured the destructive impact of western influences and the relentless campaigning of the Christian missionaries, and some which have been modified and embellished to satisfy the demands of tourism.

Dance is still strong in Fiji and the narrative meke performances rest on strong oral traditions. Dances are passed down from generation to generation, and in their strict forms the dancers’ bodies are said to take on spirits of the netherworld. Mekes accompanied special events like births, deaths, calls to war, marriages and property exchanges. At times of war men would perform cibis with spears and clubs, while women performed deles or wates - dances which sexually humiliated enemy captives. Traditional Indian dances are still taught in Indian communities.

The missionaries brought hymns and choir singing to Fiji, and local church singing is truly divine. Popular local musical artists include Seru Serevi, Danny Costello, Michelle Rounds, Karuna Gopalan, Laisa Vulakoro, the Freelancers and the Black Roses. Cassettes of local music are available in Fijian stores. Music from ‘Bollywood’ films (Indian melodramas) is popular amongst Fiji Indians and local bands play covers of Indian songs. At Indian cultural centres performances and lessons are given in traditional Indian music featuring vocal, harmonium, tabla and sitar ensembles.

Fiji has been famous for pottery since the Lapita people began trading their wares deep into the South Pacific thousands of years ago. The most famous of the contemporary potters are Dian Tugea and Taraivini Wati, both of whom are featured in the Fiji Museum. Wood carving is still important, perhaps mostly because of the steady tourist demand for souvenirs to take home. Fijian carvers make war clubs, spears and cannibal forks. Drinking bowls, or tanoas, are still in daily use in Fijian households. Carvings in areas that have a Polynesian influence (from Tongan and Samoan settlers) feature inlays of shell and bone. Bark cloth, known in Fiji as masi, was traditionally made throughout the Pacific and was usually known as tapa. (more…)

Full country name: Republic of Fiji
Area: 18,333 sq km (7150 sq mi)
Population: 772,000
Capital city: Suva (population 141,000)
People: Indigenous Fijian 50%, Indian 45%
Languages: English is the official language, Fijian dialects are spoken by the indigenous Fijians (Bauan is the most spoken) and the Indian community speak Fiji-Hindi
Religion: 53% Christian, 38% Hindus, 8% Muslims, and 1% Sikhs
Government: Democracy
President: Ratu Josefa Iloilo Prime Minister: Laisenia Qarase
GDP: US$4.3 billion
GDP per head: US$5,700
Inflation: 1%
Major industries: Sugar, tourism, gold, fish, lumber and clothing
Major trading partners: Australia, Japan and New Zealand

There is a risk of waterborne diseases such as Leptospirosis, diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid. Drink only bottled water, take care not to swim with open cuts or to walk barefoot near open waterways used by farm animals. No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Fiji, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers entering Fiji within 10 days of having stayed overnight or longer in infected areas. The mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever, is a serious risk between November and April. Preventive measures include wearing long clothes and using insect repellent at all times. Medical facilities are adequate for uncomplicated treatment, but travel insurance with provision for medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand is advised. All food is considered safe.

The international country dialling code for Fiji is +679. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are no area codes. Most hotels have direct dialling facilities. Vodaphone Fiji Ltd has active GSM roaming agreements with most international networks. There are a few Internet cafes, but connection times are very slow.

Fiji enjoys a typical tropical climate, with a trade wind blowing across the islands to cool things down during most of the year. Maximum summer temperatures average 88ºF (31ºC), with the winter average not far different at 84ºF (29ºC). Rain can be expected at any time of year. The driest months are April, May, June and October.

Currency Information

Fijian Dollar (FJD; symbol F$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of F$50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of F$1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange

Exchange facilities are available at the airport, at trading banks and at most hotels. ATMs may not accept foreign credit cards.

Credit / Debit Card Information

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at a number of establishments. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, JCB International and MasterCard have representatives in Suva. American Express and Visa can replace lost and stolen credit cards and traveller’s cheques.

Travellers Cheque Advice

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Australian Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import of foreign or local currency, provided declared on arrival. Unspent local currency can be re-exchanged on departure up to the amount of foreign currency imported. The export of local currency is limited to F$500. The export of foreign currency as cash is limited to the equivalent of F$500.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0930-1500, Fri 0930-1600. Restricted Foreign Exchange Dealers (authorised to issue foreign currency and traveller’s cheques for travel-related purposes only): Mon-Fri 0830-1700, Sat 0830-1200.

Fiji is one of these paradise islands in the Pacific. But the island has more to offer than just beaches where you can bum, and water where you can snorkel.

There are many scenic and historic attractions in Fiji. The capital, Suva, has many old shops and markets with various foods, artefacts, handicrafts and especially seafood. Places of historic interest include the National Museum, situated in the lush surrounds of Thurston Gardens next to Government House and the old Parliament Buildings. Other sites of interest on Fiji include the Cultural Centre at Orchid Island, just outside of Suva, the mysterious earthworks at Taveuni and the old colonial houses (situated around Fiji).

Very typical for Fiji are three things : The first is the word “Bula”! This will probably be your first word when arriving in Fiji. Meaning “welcome” but also “be at ease”, it will most definitely make you feel both. Secondly it is common refrain repeated by all who travelled to Fiji, is that the islands of Fiji are not only among the most pristine in the world, but also inhabited by the friendliest people. And last but not least the world renowned Island Resorts, resorts on private islands, many of them within easy reach from the international airports of Nadi and Suva.

The ethnic variety of Fiji society can be seen mainly in the towns. There are powerfully built Fijians dressed in wrap-around sulus, numerous Indians, men in Western clothes, women wearing colourful saris and a scattering of European, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders. One tradition of both the Indians and Fijians is the practice of fire-walking. Fijian fire-walking has its origin in legend, while Indian fire-walking is done for religious reasons; although tourists can pay to see these ceremonies, the ritual remains a religious penance and not merely a tourist attraction. Cruises on large schooners or yachts to the different islands can be arranged, and tours around the main islands in comfortable coaches are also available.

For the hardier, hiking in the mountains with dramatic views of the islands is another option.

If you are interested to view the Map of Fiji, please do not hesitate to check out the Fiji Mapserver Website on http://map.mrd.gov.fj. Fiji is a very nice place to go and visit although it has many island i suggest that you try a cruise to visit all the islands.

Fiji is most easily reached by air - so flying is the fastest and most economical way of getting there. Fiji has international airports in Suva and Nadi. Flights to Nadi tend to be cheaper and are more frequent.

Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Fiji: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bangaldesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Germany, Micronesia, Finland, France, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein,Lesotho,Luxebourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand,Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Pacific Islands, Paraguay, Peru, the Phillipines, Poland,Portugal,Republic of Ireland, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand,Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay,Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Travellers from the above countries are granted a 4 month visitor visas upon arrival.

As most Fijians don’t own cars, public transport is plentiful and cheap, though slow and sometimes uncomfortable.

Within cities buses and taxis are the main mode of transport. Try to take a local bus at least once. The ride is bumpy and usually breezy (as most buses have no windows, just canvas blinds to keep out the rain) but lots of fun. Most bus drivers take great pride in their stereo systems and blare out Fijian or reggae music at top volume. A word of warning though - if you have long hair make sure you tie it back before the bus starts moving, otherwise you’ll be left looking very windblown.

Taxis are also a good way of getting around in cities, especially at night. As a general caution, one should not walk around at night alone in the cities, as muggings have been reported. All taxis have meters, but the Fijian Land Transport Authority only enforces the use of meters in Suva. In other towns and at airports you’ll need to agree to a price with the driver before you start your journey. In Suva taxi journeys are quite cheap. The most a taxi ride will cost you will be about FJ$5 and this will get you a long way.

Buses run regularly between cities and towns on the main island of Viti Levu. A bus trip between Nadi and Suva takes about five hours. Though more expensive, try to get an air-conditioned coach for this trip, your bottom and back will thank you for it.

Travel between islands is by ferry or plane.