FIJI TRAVEL GUIDE

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Geography: Fiji is a 333 ISLAND nation, with 7,055 sq.miles of land occupying an ocean area of 426,000 sq. miles, first charted by American Commodore Wilkes in 1839. The Fiji Islands are generally divided into three groups: the central islands including Viti Levu (4,112sq.miles) and Vanua Levu (2,432sq.miles) comprise the largest and most fertile land mass and population bases. The Lau (or Eastern) Islands are small, lying east of the main islands as far as Tonga. The Ra Islands, consisting of the Mamanucas and the Yasawas, lie west and northwest of Nadi and its international airport. 200 miles to the north is Rotuma, administratively part of Fiji but culturally separate.

Some of Viti Levu's finest beaches lie southeast of Nadi, accessible only via dirt tracks from Queens Rd, including the gorgeous Natadola, where tour operators offer day trips. The Coral Coast is an almost unbroken scimitar of palm-shadowed sand running to Pacific Harbor, a modern development with an 18-hole golf course, resorts, condos and a cultural center.

Language: English is the official language. The widely used Fijian language has many dialects and is commonly known as Bavan Fijian. 

Climate: Fiji enjoys a tropical oceanic climate, with gentle trade winds tempering the heat and humidity. Each of the main islands divided by mountain ranges has a "wet" side to the south and east, and a "dry" side to the north and west. Resorts tend to line the west and south coasts of the larger islands.

Seasons are reversed south of the equator. Summer months (November-April) have the greater rainfall, while winter (May-October) is drier. Temperatures range from an average of 75° Fahrenheit in July-August to 80° Fahrenheit in December-January. Fiji enjoys a warm, sunny climate without extremes of heat or cold. 
Best time to go: May through October when the temp. is mild

Getting There. Nadi International Airport is where most travelers arrive and it is 9km (6mi) from the Nadi city center. Nausori International Airport is Fiji's second international airport, 23km (14mi) north-east of Suva and accessible by taxi. From Fiji you can fly direct to anywhere around the Pacific Rim Flights from LAX are about 10 hours non-stop, but longer if you have a Hawaii stopover. 
When flying from Honolulu, Hawaii to Fiji,  non-stop flight travel is only available on Saturdays and Mondays - twice per week. It is also costlier to stopover in Hawaii on your way to Fiji.

Departure Tax: All departing passengers are required to pay a Fiji departure tax of $F20.00. It is a good idea to set aside a $20 Fijian note with your return ticket. Children fewer than twelve are exempt

Getting Around: Fiji, buses run virtually everywhere. Taxis are inexpensive and metered. Driving is on the LEFT Travel is cheap and enjoyable aboard open-air buses on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. A short ride from central bus stations to the suburbs costs almost nothing. For longer distances there's a choice between open-air buses, private air-conditioned cars or air-conditioned coaches. Taxis are plentiful and the government-set rates are very reasonable. Transfers within Fiji to various hotels and resorts can easily be arranged. We do not recommend rental cars in Fiji as taxis are so reasonable. Driving in Fiji can sometimes be tricky (they drive on the left, for example) and is best left to professionals. Ferries, which are inexpensive, frequent, reliable and very seaworthy operate from Viti Levu to many of the outer islands, transporting vehicles as well as passengers, but we do not recommend them.

Time: Although the 180th Meridian passes through the Fiji Group, the International Date Line is adjusted so that the entire archipelago falls into the same time zone; 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Documents: A valid passport is required for at least three months after departure from Fiji. Visa is granted on arrival to U.S citizens and is valid for four month

Tipping: No tipping is required in Fiji

Activities:  Fiji caters well for most outdoorsy types, as well as those who desire to do nothing but remain on/around the beach. There is  swimming, snorkeling or diving, and Fiji offers these as well as some excellent surfing, river rafting, wind surfing and sailing. There are fringing reefs all over the islands for splendid diving and snorkeling, but good surf breaks are fewer and farther between. The Mamanucas have some dedicated surfing resorts and good waves but you need a boat to get to the offshore reefs where they break. There are a few good breaks off Viti Levu including those near Sigatoka and the Suva lighthouse, and off Yanuca island On dry land you can go cycling, trekking and horse riding, or engage in the more cerebral 'activities' of bird-watching and exploring archaeological sites. Fiji is well set up for tourists and there are facilities everywhere offering equipment for hire, day tours and courses.

Electricity: To all the main centers is 240 volts, 50 Hertz AC. Individual Islands generate their own electricity.  Electricity is usually reliable in Fiji, and in most cases, tourists do not need to pack any power converters. Most bathrooms provide 117 volt shaver outlets in multiple plug configurations, and many resorts provide hair dryers.

Vaccinations:  Fiji is a very healthy country, free from most tropical diseases. Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccinations are only required if a traveler is entering from a designated infected area. Dengue fever - no prophylactic is available for this mosquito-spread disease. Avoid mosquito bites (especially during epidemics).

Food/Cuisine: Fiji's multi-cultural population is mirrored in its cuisine. Fijian cooking draws heavily on seafood, often cooked in lolo, or coconut cream. Pork, chicken, and root crops are common ingredients. Vegetarian meals are also widely available. The Indian influence comes in exotic curries served with a variety of condiments-some of the best Indian food anywhere is available in Fiji. Restaurants, clubs, and resorts throughout Fiji offer a wide range of food, liquor, and wines.

This and that:
* Direct tipping is not required or encouraged, but is usually appreciated. There is a small box at resorts where visitors may give a gratuity, which will be divided equally. Sometimes called the employees' Christmas Fund.
* Customary office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with an hour for lunch, usually 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Some businesses are not open on Sunday.
* English is the official language. Fijian and Hindi are spoken as well.* There is an endless range of accommodations, from hostels to deluxe first class.
* Mosquitoes are present in most parts of Fiji but are really only an annoyance during the wet season between December and April, and in this period only after heavy rains. Some areas can be particularly bad, especially those near the still waters of the mangrove forests. Affected resorts tend to spray the undergrowth to kill the mosquitoes and some resorts provide mosquito nets. The smaller offshore island resorts are mostly free from mosquitoes due to a constant sea breeze
* The country is free from malaria, yellow fever and most other diseases endemic in tropical countries. The exception is the occasional outbreak of dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes. Dengue outbreaks occur when the season is very wet, and are usually restricted to the populated towns. When an outbreak does occur, spraying is the one thing Fijians do quickly
* Water is safe to drink and few tourists suffer from stomach upsets. The only real threat is the Sun - sunstroke, prickly heat and other skin irritations are quite common, the latter especially so in the more humid season between December and April.

Money & Costs: One US dollar equals about apprx F$2 dollars. (FJD Fiji Dollar)
* Budget meal: US$3-5
* Moderate restaurant meal: US$10-15
* Top-end restaurant meal: US$20 and up * Budget bed: US$5-10
* Mid-range hotel: US$40-60 (double) * Top-end hotel: US$100-$500
It's quite possible to travel around the Fiji islands relatively cheaply, however because the country is so heavily geared for tourism it's also easy to spend loads of money. You can save money by coming to Fiji as a package tourist (especially if you have particular interests such as diving or kayaking), but organized tours are arranged around mid to upper-end accommodation-and-meal packages.

Getting Married or Vow Renewal Ceremony: We can arrange a wedding package at a selected resort for under US$ 600. This cost would include the license, minister, decorations, choir, photographer and cake, as well as breakfast/dinner for two.

The Most Romantic Resorts. These are private places that provide a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience where a couple can be pampered. Tree house bures, outdoor showers, thatch  well equipped bures, champagne, places that cater to your every romantic whim.
Matangi Island Resort -  unique Treehouse Bures. accommodations 
Rainbow Reef Resort - beachfront retreat world class diving and snorkeling.
Vatulele Island Resort  - voted one of the top resorts in the world
Namale Resort -  sanctuary of peaceful seclusion "soft adventure" and romance
Yasawa Island Resort - private island vacation of luxury 
Wakaya Club - five-square-mile Fijian island, relaxing and causual
Navini Island Resort - private island with only 20 pp on the island at one time
Taveuni Island Resort. - a utopia for nature lovers.