What To Do In Fiji For A Week

Time To Visit Fiji

Fiji comprises over 330 islands and has become a leading tourist destination for premium tourists. Fiji has just over 880,000 inhabitants and has English as its official language. Each year, over 800 thousand tourists make their way to this beautiful country, with Australia accounting for over 41% of these tourists.

So, if you plan on visiting Fiji, this article is for you. It will guide you on how to plan your visit and also offer tips on what to do in Fiji for a week.

Planning A Week's Vacation In Fiji?

First Day: Arrival at Nadi Airport and tour of the city

Greetings from Fiji's Vanua Levu! There are copious things to do in Nadi once you arrive at the airport and pick up your rental vehicle or bus ticket. Visiting various locations in Fiji is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and see the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple and the city's restaurants.

Once you're on the Nadi backroads, you can take a quick trip to the Sabeto Valley, which is home to hot baths and the Sleeping Giant's Garden.

Activities to enjoy in Nadi

Visit Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple

You'll find the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi Central. The bright colours and shape of the temple are eye-catching. You must pay FJ $5 and wear a sarong (sulu) while visiting the temple. Outside of the temple, you'll be able to take cool pictures. However, taking pictures inside is strictly prohibited.

Tour to Denarau Island

The five-star resort island and marina, which appear to be a world apart from Nadi, are actually only a short cab or bus journey away. Denarau Island features a few fantastic resorts to peruse and settle down for a drink, as well as its own tiny hamlet at the Denarau Marina, which is filled with cafés and stores.

Tour the Garden of the Sleeping Giant

You can see Fiji's biggest collection of orchids in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, wander through beautiful tropical woodlands, and drink free fruit juice. Exploring this small corner of paradise costs less than FJ $20, so it easily earns a position on the list of inexpensive things to do in Nadi.

Explore the Fiji Cultural Village

Fiji's Culture Village offers entrance into a traditional-style Fijian village for less than FJ $25. Here you will find thatched bures (houses) surrounded by beautiful tropical flora and woodland, providing an enjoyable opportunity to learn about Fiji's heritage. Tourists can learn about traditional arts and crafts here, like making tapa and pottery, as well as customs from their guide.

Second Day: Take a bus ride from Nadi to Rakiraki

Driving or taking the bus across Fiji's gorgeous Suncoast, which is known for its extended hours of sunshine, is an option. The route between the Church of the Black Christ and the Tomb of Udre Udre—the tomb of a once-feared cannibal—is ideal for anyone making a self-drive trip. The Ellington Wharf, near Rakiraki, has a boat to Nananu-i-Ra Island, which has various backpacker and low-cost resorts.

Places to visit on the second day

Explore the twin towns of Rakiraki and Lautoka

Rakiraki is the Suncoast's primary centre and is located halfway down Kings Road. In contrast, Lautoka is a significant town located on the west side of Viti Levu, 30 minutes drive from Nadi. Both cities have active Indo-Fijian shops, cafes, and, most importantly, superb vegetable markets.

Visiting a Fijian vegetable market, where people are willing to socialise and exchange cooking ideas, is a must-do in every Fiji town. Not to mention the spectacular display of colourful tropical fruits and veggies.

Hiking at the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park

Koroyanitu National Heritage Park, accessible from Lautoka, is a place of harsh inland natural beauty and cultural preservation in Viti Levu. Walking routes begin in Abaca Village, where a native will meet you and charge you a little fee—roughly FJ $15 for a map and FJ $25 for a guide. Then you may take one of the breathtaking walks this magnificent national park offers.

A 1-hour 30-minute loop trek leads to a beautiful waterfall and swimming spot. Hike up Mt Koroyanitu (Mt Evans), Fiji's fourth-highest peak, which takes roughly four hours to accomplish. Mount Batliamu, a three-five hour climb away, is another alternative.

Visit the Church of the Black Jesus

The Church of St. Francis Xavier, commonly known as the Naiserelagi Catholic Mission, is one of Suncoast's major tourist attractions. Because of the mural of a Fijian-inspired Christ created by French artist Jean Charlot, the church is known locally as the Church of the Black Christ. Visitors are always welcome, although a modest payment is always appreciated.

Tour some local restaurants

Food is an event in Fiji, whether it's sampling Fijian food at a village homestay or sampling some flavoursome Indo-Fijian delicacies in town. Additionally, you do not have to spend a fortune to dine properly on the Suncoast, with villages ranging from Lautoka to Rakiraki all offering wonderfully reasonable food.

Third Day: Make plans to see more of Rakiraki

Spend some additional time resting at Rakiraki/Suncoast and participating in things you might have missed the day before. If you're staying on Nananu-i-Ra Island, go on one of the mornings climbs for spectacular views of the mainland and the Nakauvadra Ranges.

There is also excellent snorkelling right outside McDonald's Nananu Beach Cottages, where there is a marine reserve. People who stay on the mainland can join Volivoli or Wananavu Beach Resorts on tours of nearby villages or day trips to nearby reefs.

Activities to explore in Rakiraki

A taxi trip around the Suncoast

Taxis are easily accessible in the towns of Lautoka, Rakiraki, and Ba, making short travels around the Suncoast simple and inexpensive. Taxis in these places do not have metres, so you must first negotiate a fee. Lastly, you can rent a car from Nadi and be free to go anywhere on the Suncoast.

Outer reefs snorkelling

While snorkelling along the shore near your cheap motel is sure to reveal a few aquatic animals, nothing matches a journey to the Suncoast's outer reefs. Visitors may visit the dive shops at the Volivoli Beach Resort and the Wananavu Beach Resort, which provides great boat rides to the coral gardens of the outer reefs. Snorkelling equipment and boat transportation will be supplied for a fee of FJ $40-$50.

Suncoast low-cost dining

If you ever need a cake, head to Ba, where it appears that all of their eateries specialise in cake design. The town also boasts some outstanding curry places and pizza bars, such as Indique's Restaurant, which serves vegetarian Indian dinners for FJ $5–$9 and Indian Thalis for FJ $9–$15.

Mummums Eats and Treats also sells Thali takeout packs for around FJ $5-$6. In Lautoka, similar meal options include Kruepa Vegetarian Restaurant, which serves FJ $10 Thalis. You will find a few other types of cuisine in Lautoka, such as Western food at the Blue Ginger Cafe, which frequently has good value lunch deals, including quesadillas, toasties, and spaghetti for under FJ $10.

Fourth Day: Take a trip from Rakiraki to Suva

After returning the boat to Ellington Wharf, take a scenic drive inland on the Viti Levu, passing through several small towns. If you have your own transportation, take the scenic drive. If you have your own transportation, consider making a diversion to Takalana Bay Retreat and consider treating yourself to a dolphin or snorkelling excursion to Moon Reef.

Ask one of the residents in Wailotua Hamlet (the westernmost village of the two with the same name) if you can have a tour to see the Wailotua Snake God Cave—you won't regret it, and it will only cost a few dollars! Your journey concludes at Suva, Fiji's capital city, where you should make time to visit the Fiji Museum and enjoy some food and drink.

Activities to explore in Suva

A tour of the Fiji Museum

The Fiji Museum is one of Suva's most famous destinations. The Fiji Museum, located in the scenic Thurston Gardens, mesmerises with its array of South Pacific artefacts reaching back 3,700 years!

Musical instruments, cooking utensils, whale tooth necklaces, cannibal forks, Fijian weaponry, and the magnificent Ratu Finau boat are just a few of the antiquities on display. Admission to the museum is less than FJ $10.

A stroll in the Colo-I-Suva Forest Park

Swim, observe the birds, enjoy a picnic, or take a leisurely stroll in Suva's own rainforest garden. The Colo-i-Suva Forest Park (pronounced tholo-ee-soo-VA) is a lush rainforest sanctuary teeming with streams, birds, and waterfalls.

Use the 6.5km of walking paths, including a stroll to Waisila Falls and the Upper and Lower Pool bathing holes. The park is on Princes Road, which may be reached via cab or the Tacirua bus.

Visit fun sites

Suva has its fair share of old structures and unique architectural items. The stately Fijian-style Parliament House (vale ne bose law), the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Suva Fiji Temple, the Mariamman Temple, and many more attractions are highlights. Finally, take a picture of the Grand Pacific Hotel facing Albert Park.

Visit the city parks

Suva provides various possibilities in its great parks if you're searching for a place to stroll, have a picnic, or are travelling with energetic children. Albert Park is one of the most popular places, with lots of space to play sports or watch locals play rugby.

Thurston Gardens, located near Albert Park, is another lovely place to stroll amid tropical trees and flowers. Ratu Skuna Park, My Suva Park, and Umaria Park are fantastic alternatives with children's playgrounds.

Fifth Day: Make a short drive from Suva to Pacific Harbour

Fiji's adventure headquarters, Pacific Harbour, is only a short distance from the administrative headquarters. White water rafting, shark diving, jet boating, ziplining, and other high-adrenaline sports are popular in the town. Obviously, these activities are not cheap, but some adventures are well worth the additional money.

Activities to explore in the Pacific Harbour

Visit the Arts Village

It is a must-do while visiting Pacific Harbour! After crossing a bridge over a lily pad pond, you'll find a retail centre with over 50 shops and 14 cafés, all done in Fijian and colonial style. Tsulu Backpackers is also located in the Arts Village and is a cultural attraction with a mock-up village and a show featuring Fijian meke dance, fire-walking, and other activities.

The entry charge to the cultural attraction is roughly FJ $60 per adult and FJ $30 per kid, so it won't break the bank if you get enticed.

Kayaking

When visiting Fiji on a budget, this is the activity to do. Explore the shore, enjoy the peacefulness of kayaking, and observe the fish in the beautiful blue water below. Kayaks are free to use at budget resorts such as the Uprising Beach Resort and Lawaki Beach House, as well as other Pacific Harbour establishments. Simply ask your resort about the finest spots to kayak.

Exploring Pacific Harbour Town and Navua

With its manicured lawns and cul-de-sacs, Pacific Harbour is unlike any other town in Fiji. However, adjacent Navua is more of a traditional Fijian village centred on the Navua River. These districts are worth exploring to visit the souvenir stores, restaurants, and produce markets to socialise with the locals. A stroll along the river is also nice.

View a rugby match

Pacific Harbour is the home of Fiji's most popular sport, rugby. The Pacific Harbour is the national training facility for the national rugby sevens team, with regular games held at the Uprising Beach Resort's rugby field. If you don't happen to catch a game on the field, you're likely to see some locals playing rugby on the beach.

Sixth Day: Migrate from Pacific Harbour to the Coral Coast

This includes a scenic drive along Fiji's renowned Coral Coast! You may discover 80km (50 miles) of bays and beaches along Queens Road. The Coral Coast has an excellent mix of tourist resorts with easy-to-plan activities and Fijian villages and towns, so you're never far from seeing the real Fiji.

Activities to explore on the Coral Coast

Participate in a Kava Ceremony

Witness a Fijian kava ceremony, a Fijian tradition in which new guests sip a narcotic drink with natives (or the resort staff). Kava ceremonies and "sessions" are held in resorts such as Mango Bay Resort, Crusoe's Retreat, and Bedarra Beach Inn, where guests can sample the drink and learn about the ceremony's procedure.

However, the most accurate kava ceremony is when you visit a community on a guided village tour or a homestay. Bring some yaqona (kava root) to offer as a sevusevu (a gift).

Visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

Get out of your resort and explore the diverse landscapes of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is preserved because of its unique natural and historical features.

Arrive at the visitor center, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and pay only FJ $10 per adult to enjoy the one to two-hour walking paths. The park's highlights include ancient sites and patches of forest for birdwatching.

Visit the Biausevu Waterfall

This stunning waterfall and swimming hole are prominent natural attractions to which many expensive trips carry people. It can, however, be done on the cheap. You can drive or take a taxi to the town of Biausevu, where locals will take you to the Biausevu Waterfall, also called the Savu Na Mate Lava Waterfall, for a small fee in Fijian dollars (cash).

Visit the Sigatoka shops and markets

Visiting neighbouring towns is another opportunity to get the best out of your resort. Sigatoka, the Coral Coast's core, is home to artisan shops and the Sigatoka Market. The market is a must-see for the variety of tropical fruits and veggies and to meet the friendly stallholders.

Local buses and taxis are inexpensive ways to travel to and from Sigatoka. Otherwise, check to see if your resort has a shuttle service.

Seventh Day: Journey back to Nadi International Airport

Drive to the Nadi Airport to return your rental vehicle or catch the bus to the end of your vacation in Fiji. You'll be able to conduct some last-minute souvenir shopping, eat a meal, and board an aircraft to your next destination right at the airport!

Price To Plan A One-Week Trip To The Fiji Islands

Budgeting roughly $1,400 per person for a week's worth of meals, sundowner culture, and gorgeous islands in the nation. You can achieve this by dining locally and doing self-guided excursions for as little as $700 a week. To get you through the week on a more forgiving budget, set aside $3,150 for each individual.

The Cost Of Transportation In Fiji

Fiji's public transportation is quite affordable. If you must go by bus, your journey may be lengthy. For instance, the bus ride from Suva Airport to the city takes 40 minutes. You can get there in roughly half the time with a cab (24 minutes).

Taxis

After public transportation, this is the cheapest way to get around. In Fiji Islands, including Yasawa island and Mamanuca islands, there are yellow airports and local taxis, which charge somewhat different rates. Local taxis cost FJ $1.50 ($0.98), while yellow taxis cost FJ $5 ($3.25).

Afterwards, a cab ride costs around FJ $1 per kilometre. Rural drivers may not always use metres, so you may have to negotiate the price of a ride before you get in the car. In Fiji, it is normal to hire a private driver for a single journey or for the duration of your vacation. For an idea of how much it costs to go from Nadi Airport to the city centre, $20 is a good starting point.

Rent a vehicle

In addition to the main city centres, large airports like Nadi and Suva provide car rentals. Renting a car for a week is $615, and you may find major brands like Avis and Hertz on the island.

Scooter

You may rent scooters for around $125 per day. You'll need a current motorcycle licence to rent a scooter in Fiji. An international licence is possible, but you may need to have it translated depending on where it came from. Only experienced drivers should go out on two wheels in Fiji due to the dangers of city traffic, especially in the major ones.

What Is The Standard Cost Of A Meal In Fiji?

As a luxury holiday destination, Fiji is considered pricey, but it's up to you to decide how much you want to spend. Visiting a bakery for a cheap breakfast or lunch is an option for those on a tight budget. Take the $3.25 takeout pies from Nadi's Hot Bread Kitchen, for example.

It's also possible to eat a basic lunch at a family-owned bistro without breaking the budget. The country is your oyster if you have enough money. At Bonefish Seafood Restaurant, you can expect to pay $25–$27 per person for a seafood supper.

Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter are two popular local beers, with prices ranging from $2 to $4, depending on where you buy them. Wine is imported to Fiji because the island does not produce any of its own. A bottle of wine will now cost at least $20.

Hire A Tour Guide While In Fiji

In this article, I have taken you through a seven-day Fiji itinerary adventure plan on the beautiful island. This begins with an arrival at Nadi's International Airport, through the beautiful islands of Rakiraki, Suva, Pacific Harbor, Coral Coast, and back to Nadi's International Airport.

However, Fiji is more than what you just read. There are many more places to explore and have fun with your loved ones or colleagues. So, if you want to optimise your Fiji visit and make the best out of it, it is best to talk to an expert tour guide who specialises in cruises or flights to help you plan your adventure to the fun island.