Updated January 2023.
The Jet Set Hub
Fiji is an archipelago of 330 islands, with 1/3 of them permanently inhabited, and 500 islets, this Melanesian island country was formed by volcanoes. It is renowned for its tropical climate, beautiful scuba diving, and interesting attractions.
The main island is Viti Levu with the second largest island of Vanua Letu. Although the capital is Suva, the international airport is located closer to Nadi (pronounced Nan-dee), which is why it's considered a hub of planes.
Fiji's nickname of "Friendly Islands" stems from its people, who are especially welcoming and hospitable. This was marked in the journal of Captain William Bligh, the first Westerner to have arrived on Fiji, who received food and shelter upon his arrival.
Make sure to learn some of the local language. Say Bula (BOO-la) for hello and Vinaka (Vee-NAH-ka) for thank you.
The main island is Viti Levu with the second largest island of Vanua Letu. Although the capital is Suva, the international airport is located closer to Nadi (pronounced Nan-dee), which is why it's considered a hub of planes.
Fiji's nickname of "Friendly Islands" stems from its people, who are especially welcoming and hospitable. This was marked in the journal of Captain William Bligh, the first Westerner to have arrived on Fiji, who received food and shelter upon his arrival.
Make sure to learn some of the local language. Say Bula (BOO-la) for hello and Vinaka (Vee-NAH-ka) for thank you.
Overview
Path is ~ 2 miles of walking.
- 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM: Fiji Cultural Village - traditional village tour
- 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Garden of the Sleeping Giant - hiking trail and garden
- 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Sabeto Hot Spring - hot spring OR 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Nadi Market - local food market
- 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Nadi Handicraft Market - local artisan market
- 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM: Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple - largest Hindu temple in the Southern hemisphere
- 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Queens Road - shopping street
Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps! To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.
Travel Tips
Fiji is more of a resort destination rather than a "travel on your own" type of place. As such, it's recommended to not just spend one-day there, although there are plenty of layovers that land in Nadi, if one is trying to cross the Pacific.
To/From Airport
Taxis are the best/only way of getting out of the aiport and to whatever hotel/resort you stay at. If you're here for a quick layover, recommend staying at Fiji Gateway Hotel or Tokatoka Resort, both are a 5-minute walk from the airport.
Taxis are the best/only way of getting out of the aiport and to whatever hotel/resort you stay at. If you're here for a quick layover, recommend staying at Fiji Gateway Hotel or Tokatoka Resort, both are a 5-minute walk from the airport.
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Buses
One can take the bus, but it is not as regulated as other cities. They are small minivans that one can hop into and pay the price of 2 to 4 Fiji dollars to travel around the island, but it is a good way to get into the city or around the island based on the location advertised on the side of the bus. Otherwise, taxis are probably the best method to travel. |
Currency Exchange
The best place to exchange currency is at a hotel. They have slightly better rates than the airport and other resorts. Since taxis only take cash and from the airport, going anywhere can cost up to 40 Fiji dollars.
The best place to exchange currency is at a hotel. They have slightly better rates than the airport and other resorts. Since taxis only take cash and from the airport, going anywhere can cost up to 40 Fiji dollars.
SIM Cards
SIM Cards are sold right outside the Baggage Claim gates. The two companies are Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji. Both are about the same pricepoint, but differ based on length of stay. They both have good coverage, so the only thing that should make the difference would be the pricing. Generally, for shorter stays (<7 days), Digicel has better deals per GB of data, but also note that the SIM card stores may also not have the proper SIM card you are looking for, especially a 24-hour one.
SIM Cards are sold right outside the Baggage Claim gates. The two companies are Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji. Both are about the same pricepoint, but differ based on length of stay. They both have good coverage, so the only thing that should make the difference would be the pricing. Generally, for shorter stays (<7 days), Digicel has better deals per GB of data, but also note that the SIM card stores may also not have the proper SIM card you are looking for, especially a 24-hour one.
1-Day Plan
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM: Fiji Cultural Village
Book a day tour where they'll pick you up at the airport, provide a show, light lunch, and a trip back to the hotel.
Pay for a taxi driver who will drive you to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and can wait for you and then drive you to the Sabeto Hot Springs. Negotiate the price beforehand and make sure you have enough FJD!
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2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Garden of the Sleeping Giant Garden that includes 30-40 different types of orchids, canopy-covered boardwalk, and lily ponds in a rainforest setting. There is a beautiful lookout spot as well. A complimentary fruit drink is provided at the end of the tour.
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Taxi driver can continue down the road to the Sabeto Hot Spring or head back to the Nadi Market.
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3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Sabeto Hot Spring
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3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Nadi Market
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A relaxing spa and massage center where one can coat themselves in mud to undergo a natural mud wrap treatment, mud pool bath, and hot pool bath. They do have tour packages from hotels.
Sabeto Hot Springs (Source: sabetohotspringandmudpool.com)
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Local market for fresh produce with affordable prices. They do sell pre-made food and drinks if one wants a nice midday snack. It closes at 5 PM so make sure to be there before closing.
Nadi Market
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5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Nadi Handicraft Market Small strip of stalls where local artisans sell handicraft goods. They close at 6, so some stalls might be closing when one arrives. Most vendors only take Fiji dollars, but a few will accept card.
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Nadi Handicraft Market
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Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple
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5:45 PM - 6:30 PM: Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple Largest temple in the southern hemisphere dedicated to Hindu deities with colorful, traditional Dravidian styling. It requires conservative clothes (no skin showing except below the knees) for a tour.
The temple closes at 7/8 PM depending on the day. |
6:45 PM - 8:00 PM: Queens Road
Walk down queens road to browse the shops for clothing and souvenirs. One can also drop by restaurants and bars for food and drinks.
Resorts
Fiji remains a resort island destination, which means that while one can explore the town and do some shopping, more people would spend their time relaxing on the resort beaches, going into the water, or taking a boat between islands. Here are some places if you are here for a longer time to enjoy and unwind, especially at one of the resorts:
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Most of the resorts allow you to organize events and offer opportunities to explore the island, go scuba diving, or snorkeling:
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Activities
- Cloud 9: A 2-level floating platform with a bar and pizzeria, surrounded by picturesque scenery. One can listen to music, relax, and enjoy the water around it.
- Monuriki (Castaway Island): For fans of Tom Hanks or the movie Castaways, there is a chance to visit the island that the movie was filmed on.
Restaurants
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Eating in the town of Nadi is cheaper than eating at your resort restaurant, but it can be harder to get out.
Food and Restaurants
Drinks:
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Coconut by the beach
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