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Some parts of Fiji are only approximately four hours by plane from Australia. It's no wonder Australians flocked to Fiji; before the epidemic, Australians accounted for about half of the tourists visiting this group of South Pacific islands each year.
In this post, we will, among other travel advice, focus on what you should avoid while on the fun island. Let's get this started!
What To Avoid In Fiji
Skimpy outfits
While Fiji has a thriving western-focused tourism business, there is still a big emphasis on modesty regarding attire. Women are expected to conceal their shoulders in remote Fijian communities.
Visitors should do the same. Garments that cover the knees are also considered a must in some remote Fijian locations for both genders. In many situations, wearing anything on or above your head is also rude. Therefore, hats and sunglasses should be left at your hotel or holiday accommodation when traveling to remote Fijian villages.
Don't shop on Sundays
Christianity is the most popular religion in Fiji; most are devout Christians who value Sundays. On Sunday, everyone goes to church, with many men donning pristine white shirts and black sulus.
Sunday is a day when many companies are shut down or have reduced hours, so plan your purchases and critical activities for the next day of the week. Hinduism is the second most popular religion in Fiji, owing to the sizeable Fijian-Indian community. Expect plenty of festivities and midnight fireworks if you visit Fiji during the Diwali or Holi festivals.
Avoid staying under coconut trees
Rising cases of death have resulted from coconut fruits dropping from trees and hitting people. If you go outside when there are strong winds or storms, be careful and keep an eye on the color of the coconut.
Young coconut trees that are still green are safer to stay under compared to the trees that have brown coconut. Avoid brown coconuts, which are ripe and can drop at any time. Sudden drops can cause harm to you and sometimes death!
Don't drive on the right side
Most countries choose to drive on the right-hand side of the road. However, in Fiji, you should always stick to the left. It can be difficult for some drivers to follow this guideline, especially when traveling through villages where the roads are not as well maintained as in towns.
Some roads in the villages are also riddled with potholes and lack street lighting, making it difficult for touring vehicles in Fiji. Find an experienced local driver to securely transport you from one location to another.
Don't give gifts to children in the street
Giving presents and other items to children is one of the things not to do in Fiji. Instead of sweets, you provide supplies, little toys, and donations to schools, churches, and other organizations. Because tipping is also discouraged, you can donate to Christmas funds or provide an individual reward for a service that feels appropriate to you.
Avoid walking alone
Security in Fiji's larger cities is not as good as it once was, especially for visitors who are vulnerable to assaults. Sexual assaults are becoming more common on Fijian streets. It is in your best interest to prevent walking alone, especially for females who enjoy strolling in the early hours. Although the islands are secure, there are some hazardous areas.
You should keep all of your personal belongings safe and avoid bartering or exchanging anything with the locals. This is to prevent trading with low-quality or dangerous items. To have the best experience, we recommend hiring a guide who understands the rules of Fiji.
Drugs are outlawed
Having any form of a hard drug, such as heroin, cocaine, or cannabis, can lead to arrest. In Fiji, being intoxicated at an airport or aboard an aircraft is unlawful. When in doubt, proceed with care.
Things You Need To Know Before Traveling To Fiji
Weather
Fiji has a tropical and warm climate. All year round, average temperatures range between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius. The seasons are comparable to those in Australia, with warmer weather from November to April and cooler weather from May to October. The wet season in Fiji runs from November to April, coinciding with the country's summer. Rainfall is much more significant during this time, but downpours are usually restricted to an hour or two in the afternoons.
It's the perfect time to explore the lush countryside (if you can take yourself away from the pool): tropical flowers are in full bloom, and Fiji's waterfalls are at their most spectacular. Once edible sea worms, also referred to as "the caviar of the Pacific," emerge on coral reefs in October and November, it's your opportunity to enjoy a local delicacy. At Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that takes place every year in March, you can try traditional Indo-Fijian foods.
If you want to experience as much sunshine as possible during your visit, then the best time to travel to Fiji is during the dry season. The dry season runs from the months of May to October. However, the beaches are more crowded, and rates are higher as a result. The Uprising Music Festival, a reggae, hip-hop, dance, and other spectacular, is a big July draw, while the Hibiscus Festival is famous in August.
The family-friendly festival in Suva is jam-packed with rides, live music, and ethnic food. Every October 10 is National Fiji Day, commemorating the country's independence from British colonial authority. Diwali is a Hindu holiday that is also held in October. It is known for its fireworks, light shows, and delicious sweets.
Visa
People with valid Australian passports do not need a visa to visit Fiji for tourism. For stays of less than four months, you can get a visa when you arrive if you can prove that you have a return ticket and a place to stay.
Food
Fiji is a foodie's dream, offering a diverse variety of culinary experiences, from a combination of cuisine made by award-winning chefs in the luxury of Fiji's best resorts to genuine Fijian meals straight from the ocean (eat with your hands!). The food markets are a must-see if you want to try some of the freshest fruits and veggies you've ever tasted.
You could also eat some of your favorite foods, like wood-fired pizza, gourmet burgers, salads, and more, in a unique way, like at a floating pizza bar or "in the water" restaurant.
Covid vaccines
Ensure you have a vaccination certificate and proof of immunization before heading to the airport. You may require medical clearance to travel if you have tested positive for COVID-19. After May 2022, only those with a complete vaccination schedule can enter Fiji without requiring approval, quarantine, or a negative test.
Prepare for Fiji's biosecurity
To safeguard Fiji's privileged status as a free nation from significant pests and illnesses, you will be obliged to report anything you bring into the country that might endanger the Fiji environment.
When you arrive in Fiji, you will be required to complete a passenger arrival card with some simple "yes" or "no" questions concerning what you are carrying with you.
Plants, seeds, and animal products are often banned, but you must also tell biosecurity inspectors about any food or goods that have been used outside so they can look into you further.
Currency swap
At the time of this writing, one Australian dollar was equivalent to 1.47 Fijian dollars; to get the most recent exchange rates, please use a reliable currency converter. Even if you spend most of your time lounging in a hammock at an all-inclusive resort (which is quite likely), you should still bring some spending money in case you decide to go on any day trips to nearby towns.
Although there are ATMs in Nadi and several hotels, most people in the outlying villages still prefer to use cash.
Fiji lifestyle
The slower pace of life in Fiji does mean that some things take longer than they would in other places. Be patient and polite while waiting for service anywhere, and avoid raising your voice because locals might take it as rude.
Visitors are expected to behave appropriately by donning clothes that aren't too revealing. You are also likely to remove your shoes and hats before entering homes and flashing kind smiles at all the residents you meet. Ignoring one another is disrespectful.
How to move around
The island of Viti Levu is home to Nadi International Airport, the country's most popular airport, with the capacity to handle about 2.5 million passengers annually. Depending on your location, you can take a short domestic flight, a resort boat transfer, or a ferry to go to the second main island, Vanua Levu, and elsewhere in Fiji. On the larger islands, metered taxis are ubiquitous.
Medical needs
Fiji's medical facilities are not nearly as extensive as those in Australia, with remote hospitals often providing just essential services. Before you embark on your journey, ensure adequate travel insurance. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika virus and dengue fever have been previously reported in some parts of Fiji.
In rural areas, you should always utilize bug spray and wear long clothes as much as possible. There have also been measles outbreaks in Fiji in the past, so make sure your immunizations are up to date.
Kava, a traditional alcoholic beverage, may be hazardous. Experts advise Australians to avoid it, especially if they are using antidepressants. Drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes to reduce the danger of water-borne infections.
Learn some Fijian phrases and pronunciation
In Fiji, you'll hear a lot of "Bula!" Bula means "hello," and everyone in Fiji says it to everyone else. The kindness of Fiji is contagious, so by the conclusion of your stay, you'll be confidently shouting "Bula" at every opportunity. Another important term to know is "Vinaka," which means "thank you" and is followed by "Sa donu" to express "you're welcome."
Because English is widely spoken in Fiji, conversing in English will be simple. However, a few idiosyncrasies in the Fijian language are helpful to know, particularly when trying to grasp place name pronunciation.
Any word beginning with a "d," for example, has an unwritten "n" in front of it; thus, Nadi is pronounced, "Nandi." Another vital thing to remember regards the letter "c," which is pronounced "th," and therefore, the Mamanuca Islands are pronounced as "Mamanutha Islands."
Internet
If you have an Australian phone or a local SIM card, you'll have access to fast internet in populated regions, while connectivity in rural Fiji can be intermittent. Most hotels, restaurants, and other public venues have free Wi-Fi.
Gadgets
The voltage in Fiji is 240V, compared to 230V in Australia, and the frequency is 50Hz so that most equipment will function without any trouble. Because the electrical wall socket is the same as in Australia, no adaptor is required.
Drinking water
Fijian tap water differs from the brand-name bottled variety. Large hotels and popular tourist destinations like Nadi and Suva usually provide clean drinking water. However, some visitors have complained about the taste. Outside of these areas, you should probably avoid drinking tap water.
Safety
Fiji is a relatively safe destination to visit. Visitors to Fiji may become victims of minor crimes such as theft or ATM skimming. Avoid wandering alone at night in metropolitan areas, especially downtown Suva. Keep your car and expensive belongings out of sight.
Insurance coverage
Travelers to Fiji are strongly advised to get all-inclusive travel insurance, including medical coverage at home and abroad and the option for emergency repatriation. Beginning in May of 2022, widespread protection against COVID-19 on a global scale is obligatory. It's also an excellent idea to thoroughly examine if other COVID-related issues, such as flight delays and cancellations, are covered under your policy.
Where to stay
There is a wide variety of hotels and resorts to choose from in Fiji. The nicest beaches for tourists are Wailoaloa and Denarau Island, which are close to Nadi and only twenty minutes from the airport. Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are easily accessible from the mainland by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, as they are located directly off the western coast.
You may check into your accommodation a few hours after arrival at Nadi International Airport. The southernmost part of Viti Levu, known as the Coral Coast, is another popular vacation spot.
The trip takes around an hour from the airport, so it's best to plan transportation ahead of time. Suppose you're looking for a place to get away from it all, head to Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island. It's less crowded with tourists yet still has plenty of places to stay.
Mobile data and voice calls
Before landing in a foreign country, switch off data roaming and refuse incoming calls to keep your phone bill from skyrocketing. You can get a local SIM card at the airport if you're leaving Australia or an international SIM card before you leave. Or, you may put off dealing with reality until you get home.
Wi-Fi
Fiji is a place where you'll want to unplug the most. However, if you have fantastic Instagram pics to share, emails to check, or like to learn more about Wi-Fi in Fiji, here's something to keep in mind.
Free Wi-Fi is restricted to specific parts of resorts on the mainland and specific regions near Nadi and Suva. Your best choice for mobile internet access is to use mobile data.
Hire A Tour Guide For An Amazing Experience
Visiting the beautiful islands of Fiji is a fantastic experience. Fiji is blessed with a diverse natural endowment ranging from islands, museums, reefs, and caves... all for your entertainment and leisure. If you plan a tour or vacation to the island, we believe the information provided in this article will help you know what to do and what not to do.
Better still, hiring a professional tour guide or cruise liner company to help you plan your itinerary while on the island is the surest way to stay out of trouble, enjoy your stay, and guarantee the best return on your investment. Speak to an expert today.
