Undisturbed beaches stretching for miles on end, pristine waters teeming with marine-life and off the beaten track adventures that call out fun and enjoyment. Add to this the laughing, singing and friendly faces of the Fijian people and you have a tropical paradise that sees visitors returning year after year.
Fiji’s largest island is Viti Levu, which is home to Nadi International Airport and the Capital of Fiji – Suva. There’s such a diverse variety of experiences which one can enjoy from snorkelling with Manta Rays out in blue waters of the Yasawa Islands to enjoying mocktails on your floating bar, catching high adrenalin 4×4 buggie tracks of the highlands to enjoying a 40 foot waterfall experience to yourself. Fiji has such enriching experiences that they are one of a kind. Our people aspire to welcome visitors as family and share happiness with them.
Accommodation
Fiji has a diverse range of accommodation choices which can almost fulfill each and every need.
These range from backpacker dormitory style, 3 star suites, 5 star villa exclusiveness through to ultimate island luxury escapes.
Tour Managers Fiji provide a large collection of resorts or hotels (island or mainland properties) to choose from. Our reservation consultants are trained to provide the most up to date information for guests and offer the best value.
Fast facts about Fiji
- Fiji is officially called the Republic of Fiji.
- Fiji gained independence from the British Empire in 1970 after 96 years as a British colony.
- The capital and largest city in Fiji is Suva, on the island of Viti Levu followed by Lautoka.
- Fiji has a population of around nine hundred thousand (896,758) as of 2013.
- 87% of the population lives on the two biggest islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The islands are spread over 194,000 km² (75,000 mi²) of which just 10% is land.
- Major industries in Fiji are tourism and sugar. Exports also include garments, gold, timber and fish.
Fiji is free from malaria, yellow fever and major tropical diseases. Inoculations are only required if travelling from an infected area. There is an effective medical system in place with government and privately run hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, dental service and pharmacies. - The currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar.
- Fiji’s country code is +679. Many hotels and resorts have direct dialing facilities (IDD), and card phones are available in many shops and stores.
- We don’t encourage tipping, but you may, if you wish, offer extra payment for outstanding service.
- The electric current is 240 volts AC 50Hz. Fiji has three-pin power outlets, which are identical to Australia and New Zealand.
- A 9% Government Value Added Tax (VAT) is applicable to all goods and services in Fiji. Visitors staying in hotels and resorts are subject to 6% Service Turnover Tax (STT) and Environment & Climate Adaptation Levy of 10%.
- Rugby Union is the most popular sport in Fiji with Fiji being the Olympic champion in rugby 7s.
- Straddling the 180th meridian, Fiji has frequently been called “the crossroads of the Pacific”. In fact, the International Date Line has been adjusted so that the entire archipelago falls into the same time zone, 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. From November to February, Fiji moves one hour ahead with its own daylight savings.
Local Customs
It is important to dress modestly when away from hotels and resorts and particularly when visiting a Fijian village. Avoid wearing a hat in a village as it is considered an insult to the village chief. It is also insulting to touch someone’s head.
It’s best to not wear shoes if visiting someone’s house. When visiting a village it is customary to present an inexpensive gift of ‘yaqona’ or kava to the “Turaga Ni Koro”, the traditional head of the village. Be prepared to shake hands and answer personal questions as to where you are from, whether married; and, if so, how many children.
Shopping
Fiji has a wide range of shopping options from which a visitor can choose from. You’ll find classy boutique fronts, duty free outlets and modern supermarket facilities.
Most outlets accept major credit and debit cards and some will even accept the currency of your home country. Shopping hours are usually from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm Saturday, however many shopping destinations also offer late night and Sunday shopping options for your convenience.
Weather
Located in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji enjoys a tropical island climate year-round with most months getting up around 30°C (86 °F). Trade winds often blows from the south-east to keep even the most active visitors to our shores cool and comfortable.
The high mountain ranges in the middle of the larger islands mean that some parts of Fiji get slightly more rain than others. You’ll notice these ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ zones by the sudden change from grassy rocky peaks to jungle clad mountains as you fly over the larger islands.
With pleasant water temps all year round (27°C /81°F), ocean activities like swimming, Snorkeling and diving can be enjoyed in all seasons. Scuba divers enjoy increased visibility around coral reefs during the Fijian ‘winter’ months of May – October.
Fiji Language
Communicating in Fiji is easy! English is the official language of Fiji however Fijian and Hindustani are also widely used.
Most resort staff are multi-lingual and they delight in teaching visitors their traditional language. By the end of your visit Bula and vinaka will roll off your tongue like a local.
Some common words that perhaps could help you during your stay in Fiji:
yes – io – (ee-oh)
no – sega – (sayngah)
work – cakacaka – (thaka-thaka)
big, many – levu – (layvu)
boy, male – tagane – (tahng-ahnay)
cup – bilo – (bee-low)
eat – kana – (kahna)
fish – ika – (ee-kah)
food – kakana – (kakahna)
girl, female – yalewa – (yah-lay-wah)
handsome, beautiful – totoka – (toe-toe-kah)
happy, satisfied – marau – (mah-rau)
house vale – (va-lay)
kava – yaqona – (yang-go-nah)
kava bowl – tanoa – (tah-noah)
man – tagane – (tahng-ahnay)
man – turaga – (tu-rahng-ah)
money – ilavo – (ee-lah-vo)
sleeping house – bure – (bur-ay)
small – lailai – (lie-lie)
stone – vatu – (vah-too)
taro – dalo – (dahlo)
tobacco – tavako – (tah-vak-o)
today – nikua – (nickuah)
toilet – vale lailai – (vah-lay lie-lie)
tomorrow – ni mataka – (ni mahtahka)
village – koro – (koro)
woman – marama – (mah-rah-mah)
yesterday – nanoa – (na-noa)