Books
The best source of literature comes from your chosen accommodation as most offer some style of book exchange. If they do not check out the duty free shops or high end department stores as some have a small selection of novels.

Post
The post system in Fiji is easy and accessible. It costs approximately F$.69 to North America and slightly more to the United Kingdom for a postcard or letter. Post Offices are open M-F 8am-4pm and Saturday from 9am until 12:00pm and are in all towns.

Telephone
There are public phones in most areas of Fiji however they all require a telecard (nice souvenirs). These cards come in denominations of $3, $5 and $10 and higher. Some have a strip and can be manually inserted into the phone but most have a number on the back that you scratch and dial in. Get the card with the PIN number that you need to scratch out on the back opposed to the ones with the card swipe as they can be used at ANY phone (residential or public). Just dial #101 and follow the instructions. It is a good idea to purchase one of these cards in case you are stuck in area that does not sell them or they are sold out. Making overseas calls collect or with a phone card is handy and FinTEL has a website that offers a list of numbers that will attach you to an international operator from any Fiji phone free of charge. You can use the telecards for direct calls but make sure you buy a high domination card as it is quite expensive to call overseas from Fiji.

Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Fiji and even if you offer a tip many people will not except. It is humbling to know that at present Fijian minimum wage is $12.00 FJD per day!!!

Taxi Tips
When taking a taxi always bargain the price prior to leaving and make sure that you sort out whether this is a return or one way affair. There have been a few cases where taxi drivers will indicate the one way fare and then demand more money to pay for his expenses in getting back to his origin. A simple solution is to insure that the taxi driver puts his taxi meter on.

Often taxis will pick people up for a reduced rate on the way back to their home base after dropping off a client. Most taxis will initially offer tourist prices. It is best to ask the resort/hostel as to the local fare structure.

Laundry
Laundry service is offered at most accommodations for a resonable charge. Be aware that not all people do the laundry as you like and speciality items should be done yourself. Many places line dry and your laundry make come back a little stiff. In Suva city, laundry is quite expensive. Sometimes, local Fijians who are keen to make some money will do it for you in their village.

Backpacking - Fiji Style

The weather is quite stable so pack for the tropics which means LIGHT! Most forgotten items can be purchased in Fiji from major town centres but it may be an alternative brand that you haven't heard of. So if you have a favourite hair product that you are low on, buy one prior to leaving home. Here are some suggestions:-

  • Mosquito repellant containing deet as its active ingredient
  • Sunscreen 30 + (the Fijian sun is always hotter than you think)
  • Pad-Lock with two keys
  • Flipflops, jandles, or thongs, walking shoes if you are planning on trekking
  • First aid kit
  • Camera & batteries
  • Sunglasses
  • Travel alarm
  • Light cotton clothing is most comfortable in the tropics, easy to wash and dries quickly
  • One warm shirt for cool nights in the highlands
  • Long pants to avoid mosquito bits
  • Sun hat
  • Raincoat
  • Respectable clothing (long skirt or shorts, pants, short sleeve top) when in non touristy areas and village visits
  • Spare contact lenses or prescription
  • Small towel
  • Sewing kit
  • Small day pack, pen & note pad, lonely planet fiji guide
  • Toiletry items
  • Zip lock bags
  • Photocopies of your passport & other VIP documents
  • Swiss armyknife
  • Waterproof luggage as small interisland boat journeys can be a little damp
  • Flashlight and extra batteries

These are a few of the basic items that YOU will require. Activity specific items include a mask and snorkel if you are diving or snorkelling, some SOLARREZ if you are surfing the reef breaks to fix dings you will likely fall upon and fishing lures and poles for fishing as most Fijians use hand lines.

As for all you happy campers...a light sleeping bag is sufficient for beach stays and a water proof lightweight tent is absolutely necessary for those intending to camp. A stove that burns kerosene is handy as kerosene is widely available throughout Fiji and not all backpackers accommodations have cooking facilities.

Weather & Temperature

The mild, stable weather of Fiji makes it easy to plan a trip year round. The islands are spread out over the ocean allowing for less rainfall than a massive landmass would produce. There are two seasons in Fiji. The dry, hot season, lasting from November through April and the warm, wet season, lasting from May through October. The main island of Viti Levu is dryer and more temperate on the west-side (Nadi side) where as the east end and capital of Suva is known for its wet and cloudy weather. The islands off the coast are generally sunny and more stable than the mainland particularly the Mamanuca Group off the west-side of Viti Levu.

Fiji enjoys compatible weather all the year with cooler conditions in the winter, May to October.

The water temperature in Fiji fluctuates very little (average around 26oC) making its crystal blue waters perfect for year round snorkelling and other water activities.

The threat of tropical storms such as a cyclone or hurricane is most prominent between November and April AKA the hurricane season. If such a storm occurs during your stay there, consult with local residents for the safety measures and keep updated via the local news as they pride themselves on keeping the people of Fiji informed when in crisis.

Visa, Money and Health Issues

Tourist Visas
When you arrive in Fiji, you are given a visitors card to fill out on the airplane which validates a four month stay for citizens of most countries (Tourist VISA). This visa can be extended for up to two months for a fee of around $93 FJD through the Immigration Department in Suva. For more information check out this link www.immigration.gov.fj

Money
The Fijian Dollar is worth 100 cents and coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 along with a $1 coin. The bills are in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100. There are bank machines in Suva, Nadi and Sigatoka however some debit cards do not work at selected banks. Try a few such as the Westpac and ANZ. Traveller's Cheques are always a good bet when travelling and credit cards are widely accepted on the mainland. Be aware that some islands and remote resorts do not have credit card capabilities and require cash transactions only. Check with your hostel receptions.

Travel Insurance
It is recommended by FiBA that you purchase adequate TRAVEL INSURANCE prior to departing. Consult with your travel agency or local insurance company for the best options for you. Basic healthcare is inexpensive and prescription drugs such as antibiotics are readily available and reasonably priced. ALERT: Many travel insurance policies have a section of exclusions that may includes SCUBA DIVING or other "extreme sports", read the fine print!

Can I drink the Water?
Generally water is safe to drink in most resorts and towns. Again check with your hostel. Some traveller's have had problems in the past so if you are the least bit skeptical, boil your water first or buy it.

Health Risks
There are few health problems for the visitor. Fiji is malaria free and there are no poisonous snakes or animals.

Creepy Crawly's
There is broad array of animal life in the country ranging from the mongoose to wild pigs. One of the amazing things about Fiji is that there are no venemous spiders or snakes inhabiting the islands, thus camping or any other outdoor activity is safe with respect to wildlife.

The sea life is diverse due to the reefs and deep sea water. The most common snake in Fiji is the banded sea snake (black and white striped) and it is likely that you will encounter it while snorkelling or diving, whilst potentially venomous, to date there have been no recorded cases of people been bitten.

Once You Land in Fiji's Airport...

As an experienced backpacker you know that most things from soda pop to taxi's to toilet paper costs more at the airport. After an often long, interrupted cramped flight, traveller's will often pay just about anything to get fed, get a bed and get out of the airport! This extra cost can be avoided by setting up your first nights accommodation from abroad. With the internet readily available and backpacker accommodations linked to this web, you can book a gateway hotel ahead of time and arrange for a transport vehicle to pick you up (see accommodation section for links).

If you do not set this up prior to departure, here are a few airport tips:
  • Check out the Free Phone Accommodation Board located after you clear customs and before entering arrival concourse.
  • There is a bank and money exchange terminal in the airport when you leave the gate. It is essential to have Fijian currency if you are taking a taxi or the local bus
  • A phone card can be purchased at local stores, look for a sign that says 'TELECARD'. The airport has been know to charge you $5.00 for a local call when a phone card for several minutes is the same price.
  • Keep an eye on your luggage at the airport and don't let others carry it as this service often has a price attached.
  • Know that Nadi has a large array of hotels/hostels/backpackers & even camping. You can stay in the city centre, outside Nadi by the beach or right at the airport (beyond the gates).