Fiji Travel Tips

Fijians are a very welcoming people and visitors should not be afraid to accept hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable.

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.

• 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.

Getting around

Buses

There are numerous modern, air-conditioned coaches serving resorts and major towns, however, many visitors like the adventure of using the local open-windowed buses so they can take in the sights and sounds of the passing scene. Canvas flaps are unfurled in the event of a rain shower. Local buses also allow the visitor a chance to mingle with the people of Fiji, who by choice and tradition, treat strangers with gracious hospitality.

Every town and village has a bus stop, since this is still the most common form of transportation in the islands. You can also hail any public bus from the roadside merely by waving to the driver.

Air conditioned coaches, chauffeur driven Limousines and professional services ensure the right choice can be made when dealing with Fiji's inbound tour operators.

Fiji's tour operators are also accommodation, tours and cruise booking agents with tour desks located in many of Fiji's hotels and resorts.

Taxis

Most people in Fiji do not own a car, so taxis are plentiful and fares are reasonable. For instance, FJ$2.50 will take you just about anywhere in the average town or city. Urban taxis have meters, with a flag at $1.50 and $2.00 after 10.00pm. But you will find smaller towns and rural area taxis use a fixed price system and almost everyone can tell you the price to local destination.

For long trips, bargain with the driver. Often he'll reduce the fare if you allow him to pick up other passengers going the same way. Some taxis can also be hired by the day or half day for a fixed price, often the equivalent of a rental car.

Rental Cars

A bona-fide tourist in Fiji may drive if in possession of a valid home country driving license for the same class of vehicle. The maximum speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h (30 mph) and on the highways it is 80 km/h (50 mph). Driving is on the left side of the road.

Rental cars are available at international airports and major resorts, and are easily arranged from all hotels and motels. There is good bitumen asphalt (hard top) highway from Rakiraki on the north-eastern tip of Viti Levu to Suva, via Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi and the Coral Coast.

Work now in progress will complete major sections of the highway from Rakiraki to Suva via Korovou, allowing for an easy (and spectacular) circumnavigation of the island. Rental cars are also available in Vanua Levu and some outer islands by arrangement.

Tours

For meetings, conference and incentives organisers, Fiji's tour operators offers services to suit your meeting or conference needs and provide unique experiences for your next incentive event.

Tour Operators

• APTC & Adventure Pacific Tours
• Sun Vacations Fiji Ltd
• Pacific Destinationz
• Rosie Holidays
• Coral Sun Fiji
• Tour Managers (Fiji) Ltd
• Coach Tours of Fiji
• Holiday Inn Suva
• Focus on Fiji Travel