Fiji — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Fijians are a very welcoming people and visitors often experience local hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable.
Tips for visiting villages: Before visiting on your own, 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; money is acceptable if it's offered as a goodbye sevusevu and not direct payment.
International Travel
Getting There By Air
The national airline, Air Pacific (FJ) (www.airpacific.com), flies from Los Angeles, Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland and many South Pacific countries. There are no direct flights from the UK; Air New Zealand flies from London to Nadi via Los Angeles.
Departure Tax
The F$40 international departure tax is included in ticket prices.
Main Airports
Nadi (NAN) is 8km (5 miles) north of Nadi town on Viti Levu island (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/bureau 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 hire. Facilities: Parking, duty-free shop, snack bar, and car hire.
Getting There By Water
Main ports: Suva and Lautoka (Viti Levu). Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, and Suva are ports of entry for cruising yachts. Several cruise ship lines serve Fiji.
Duty Free
Overview
The 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.
• Goods to the value of F$400 excluding personal effects.
Note: The Value Added Tax (VAT) on most items in the Fiji Islands is 12.5%.
Prohibited Imports
The import of vegetables, seeds, meat and dairy products requires a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests. The import of firearms and weapons, dangerous drugs and related utensils, live animals, products manufactured from endangered species, and biological specimens is also restricted.
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Air Fiji (PC) (www.airfiji.com.fj) and Pacific Sun (www.pacificsun.com.fj) operate shuttle services around the islands. The flight time from Nadi to Suva is approximately 30 minutes. Turtle Airways (www.turtleairways.com) operates a seaplane service to numerous resorts in the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups from Nadi.
Getting Around By Water
Most 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 South Sea Cruises (tel: 675 0500; www.ssc.com.fj), Awesome Adventures (tel: 675 0499; www.awesomefiji.com), Patterson Brothers, and Consort Shipping.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic 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 three hours. The main roads on Viti Levu follow the coast, linking the main centers.
Bus: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni 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 minibuses between Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. Express air-conditioned buses also operate between Suva, Nadi 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 (31mph) 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 included in car hire rates but collision insurance with rather high deductible amounts is extra.
