17 FIJI TRAVEL TIPS: Everything You Need To Know Before Traveling to Fiji (What to do – and NOT to do!)

For many of us, Fiji is a true bucket list destination: just think of the swaying palm trees, sandy beaches, fresh fruit, lush forests, ahhhh… 

I could go on and on, but that’s for another post. If you’re planning a trip to Fiji (or are just daydreaming for now), there are probably a million things that you’re wondering: is Fiji expensive? Which islands in Fiji should I visit? What’s a kava ceremony?

I wanted to write a post that will help you out a bit and give my best travel travel tips to Fiji. Here you’ll find Fiji travel advice, what to expect, what NOT to do (which is equally as important! ), and travel advice that I wish I knew before my trip to Fiji. 

If you’re traveling to Fiji for the first time, some of these tips will be especially helpful on your vacation. Ready? Let’s go! 

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BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO FIJI … 

Tipping is Not Customary

Unlike other countries, tipping in Fiji is not expected and not required. That’s because Fiji is a communal society where everything is shared amongst its members.

If you’re planning to visit a resort in Fiji, you might be wondering about the tipping situation there. Don’t worry, they have it all figured out.  

Many of these hotels will have a “Christmas Fund” box where guests can leave tips, and the money will be evenly split among all of the staff members at the end of the year. You can usually find these boxes at the check-in desk, or ask the General Manager and they’ll be happy to show you. 

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SIM Cards in Fiji

Since Fiji is a small country, there are only two mobile providers: Digicel and Vodafone. 

Digicel offers tourists a generous welcome package that includes 1.5 GB and 10 minutes of talk time for a 2-day period so that you can get settled in. Best of all, it’s for free!

You can buy a Fiji SIM card in Nadi International Airport when you land, as well as in convenience stores, supermarkets, and Vodafone/Digitel stores on bigger islands. I bought a Vodafone SIM card that included 6 GB of data and 200 minutes of calls over a 2-week period for about $20 USD when I visited in 2020. 

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THE FIJIAN ISLANDS

PC – Ishan 

There Are a Lot of Islands…

Fiji is made up of about 330 islands, but only 100 of them are actually inhabited. 

Most travelers are only familiar with the two big islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and for good reason: You’re probably going to land at Nadi Airport on Viti Levu‎. 

Just like the Maldives, you have a lot of islands to choose from!

If you’re still undecided, here are a few of the best islands in Fiji for inspiration:

🌴 Kadavu – scuba diving (it has the world’s 4th largest reef!), eco-resorts, and wildlife 
🌴 The Yasawa Islands – great for kayaking, water sports, and exploring caves
🌴 Taveuni – hiking, waterfalls, and snorkeling
🌴 Mamanuca Islands – snorkeling, white sandy beaches, and plenty of sunshine

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… But Island Hopping Can Get Expensive 

If I could tell you the most important piece of advice for Fiji, it’s that going from island to island can get expensive. 

For example: If you’re traveling from Port Denarau (one of the biggest ports near Nadi airport) to the Yasawa Islands, it’ll cost you roughly $125 FJD ($55) for a one way ticket on a public ferry. If you have a larger group and want to reserve a private water taxi, that price jumps all the way up to $600 to $800 FJD ($265 to $355 USD) for a one-way trip.

If you’ve already booked your accommodation in Fiji and it’s not on a major island, you can message the hotel and ask if they offer transportation to and from the airport. The majority of hotels and resorts have some transfer system in place, and it can usually save you money in the long run.

If you want to explore the islands and go on day trips around Fiji, you can also book a catamaran tour like this one.  

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Budget or All-inclusive?

One of the first questions you might be wondering when planning a trip to Fiji is, is it better to splurge on an all-inclusive resort or travel on a budget to Fiji?

That can only be answered by you! ;)

In some cases, it can actually be cheaper to go with the all-inclusive option instead of doing it all yourself, especially if you plan to travel to more remote islands in Fiji. For example: we booked most of our trip to be at an all-inclusive resort in Fiji, and it was cheaper to buy the all-inclusive package instead of paying for the room and food separately. 

If you’re planning to stick closer to Suva, you have more options. In this case, you can spring for a cheaper hotel or hostel, and find budget-friendly cafes and restaurants. 

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Watch Out For Falling Coconuts

One of Fiji’s unique dangers to tourists is… falling coconuts

When we arrived at our resort island, one of the first things that the manager said was to watch out for falling coconuts. We thought she was kidding, but apparently not! Falling coconuts really can cause serious injury to the back, neck, shoulders and head, and on occasions, can even kill a person. 

Thankfully, our island’s scuba coconut master had a few tips: 

🥥 Be careful when going outside during high winds or storms, and always pay attention to the coconut color
🥥 Trees with green coconuts are still unripe and are okay to stand under
🥥 Trees with brown coconuts (the type you usually see in stores) should be avoided, as they’re ripe and can fall down at any time 

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Wet & Dry Season in Fiji

Speaking of storms, Fiji has two distinct seasons: wet and dry season.

The wet season runs from November through April and is characterized by rain and humidity. The dry season is from May to September and is said to be the best time to travel to Fiji thanks to less rainfall and cooler temperatures. 

If you’re worried about traveling during the wet season, don’t be! We traveled to Fiji right in the middle of the wet season in February and had no problems at all. Yes, there were periods of rain during three of the ten days that we were there, but they were over in less than 15 minutes. We could still do all of the activities we planned to do (such as kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, etc.) and it was cheaper overall because it wasn’t high tourist season. ;)

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The Infamous Island Time

If you’ve traveled to other islands before, you might know the concept of island time.

Some people love it, some people hate it, but I can guarantee that you’ll experience at least some form of it while you’re traveling to Fiji. 

Island time, simply put, is when everything moves at a slower pace than usual. Schedules are thrown out the window, people are more carefree, and there is no freaking out about time. 

Is your bus running 10 minutes late? Chalk it up to island time. 

Did you spend more time waiting for the check than you did waiting for your dinner? The restaurant is on island time.

Does the checkout line at the grocery store take for-eeeever? Island time.

Island time is a part of life in Fiji, and you may need to wait longer than you normally would back home for almost anything. But it’s also a great excuse for people who want to relax and escape their busy life! 

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FIJIAN CULTURE 

The Fijian Language 

Fiji has such a beautiful language that almost sounds like it’s a song instead of a method of communication.  

Fiji has three official languages: English, Fijian, and Hindustani (which is a mix of Hindu and Urdu).

However, what you see is not always what you get! For example, the word Nadi (the name of the town and airport in Fiji) is actually pronounced Nandi because there is a rule where words with a ‘d’ have an invisible ‘n’ before the letter. The island where we stayed, Beqa, is actually Benqa. 

Likewise, the letter “c” is pronounced more as a “th,” so when you want to say goodbye — “moce” — you’ll actually pronounce it more like “mow-thay.”

Fijians will light up when you use phrases in their native language… but they’ll be impressed when you can pronounce them like a native.

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A firewalking ceremony on Beqa Island 

Expect to get Bula’d a lot 

On the topic of words and languages, there’s one popular word that you’ll hear everywhere throughout the islands…

Bula!

The word Bula is similar to the Hawaiian word Aloha. It can mean anything from good health, have a good day, bless you, but it’s usually used for its original purpose: to say hello! The full phrase is “ni sa bula,” (a formal way to say hello), but most people shorten it to bula. 

Speaking of which… don’t forget to take time and say hi to the locals! Fijians are some of the friendliest people that I’ve met during my travels and are genuinely excited to see tourists visiting their island. 

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You Don’t Need Tinder In Fiji When You Have This…

If you’re single and ready to mingle, the Fijian people have a very easy way of figuring out who’s also looking: just check their ear!

If you see a frangipani behind their left ear, it means that person is single; if it’s behind their right ear, it means they’re taken or married.

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Come Visit a Village!

If you want to see the local side of Fiji, I highly recommend visiting a local village. The best way to do this is to arrange a visit through your hotel, resort, or through a tour company, as they’ll know the locals and can provide a better experience. 

Village visits can span anywhere from one hour to a few hours. You’ll usually enter the village and have a chance to meet the residents before being invited into their bure (a Fijian word for a wood-and-straw hut) to do a kava ceremony, dance, sing, and so on. 

Be sure to bring a gift as a token of appreciation — usually, your guide will offer the village chief a ‘sevusevu’ (gift) that consists of a tangled bundle of kava roots. You can also take some souvenirs from your country like coloring books or small toys for the kids, or clothing for the adults. 

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If you’re set on visiting a village in Fiji, here are a few other things to keep in mind:

 

Me, taking off my (giant) hat before going to a village 😛

The Village Dress Code

Speaking of villages… 

When you’re visiting a local Fijian village, it’s important to dress properly. First and foremost, make sure to remove your hat and sunglasses when entering the village, as it’s a sign of disrespect if you do so otherwise.  

When entering the house, remove your shoes and neatly put them away —  you can usually tell where to put them by looking at where there’s a pile of shoes, or simply follow what your guide is doing. 

Women should cover their shoulders and wear a long dress or skirt, while men should wear pants or long shorts. Your guide will tell you beforehand if you violate the dress code, and will usually have a few sulus (sarongs) on hand for you to cover up. 

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The Kava Ceremony

Now it’s time for the fun part — If you have the chance, I highly recommend doing a Fiji kava ceremony! 

It’s one of those things that you can only do in Fiji and an interesting way to see a Fijian tradition. 

Kava is a type of pepper root that is finely grounded and mixed with cold water. During the kava ceremony, there will be a “ceremony master” or chief that takes charge of the whole process. Everyone sits cross-legged while the chief prepares the ‘grog’ (kava powder mixed with water). When the drink is ready, the chief pours it into a bilo (a halved coconut shell) and passes it onto the first guest to drink.

When it is your turn to drink, the chief will usually ask if you want your kava drink as high tide (cup filled to the brim) or low tide (half a cup). You have to clap once, take the bowl from the chief, and drink the kava in one go. When there is no more kava in your bilo, clap three times while yelling ‘Bula!’ 

One of the first things that you’ll notice after gulping down the kava is a slight tingling sensation on your lips and tongue. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal! Kava has a special effect that relaxes the body and numbs the mouth.

The kava ceremony is a common part of life in Fiji and often happens when the village gathers together to socialize, tell stories, and for other important events. 

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WHAT TO PACK
& FIJIAN SOUVENIRS

Don’t Break Your Neck Over Neck breakers 

Have I caught your attention? ;)

A neck breaker is a popular Fijian souvenir that looks like a wooden axe with the tip split into two (you can see it on the right in the photo above). While I won’t go into the details of what it was used for (you can probably guess yourself *cough*), I will offer a quick tip…

Don’t pack neck breakers or cannibal forks into your carry-on luggage or you’ll have a few problems.  

When we were flying back home, we made the mistake of packing all of our souvenirs into our carry-ons. In my defense, we travel light and only use carry-on luggage, but I digress… 

Immediately after our luggage went through the scanner, an airport employee came over and asked if those were our bags. After confirming, she chuckled and said that the neck breakers and forks could be used as weapons () and that we would have to go back to the airline counter and check a bag if we wanted them to come home with us. Lesson learned — be sure to put all your “weapons” in a checked bag. 

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Don’t Forget the Adapter!

Fiji uses the Type I plug, which has two slanted pins and a straight grounder – it’s the same plug that’s used in Australia and New Zealand. If you don’t have electronics with the type I plug, you’ll need to buy an adapter for Fiji — I personally use and highly recommend these adapters.

TIP: If you travel around a lot, buy the 12 piece adapter set. They will cover every single plug around the world and are convenient – just chuck in your luggage and you’re ready to go. 

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That’s all for this week’s post! Have you been to Fiji before? And if so, did you try the kava? Let me know in the comments below!

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