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Bula! Burn this word into your vocabulary. The brochures tell you it means Hello! Cheers! Welcome! But the only thing warmer than a sun-induced coma beneath a Fijian sky is the smile from locals as they cast a friendly bula your way. Most visitors head here for the sublime sun and sea. Lapped by cerulean waters, this archipelago encompasses more than 300 islands. Swim, surf, snorkel, kayak or simply wallow in the tepid waters.
Fiji’s rugged interior is a mass of emerald hills peppered with extinct volcanic craters, giant waterfalls and panoramic views. Explore mountain villages, archaeological sites and colourful Hindu temples, then fast-forward to the present in Suva’s multicultural melange. Shop for saris and sulu and dine on fiery curries or fragrant seafood.
Suva
Nestled into a yawning harbour, Suva (pronounced soo-va) is sticky with sweat and industry but it’s Fiji’s most concentrated confluence of ethnicities and cultures. Swimming in the urban milieu you’ll discover the influence of every island and background.
Downtown is a jigsaw of colonial buildings, modern shopping plazas, abundant eateries and a breezy esplanade. Dribbled along the hilly ascent behind the central business district are Suva’s suburbs, some of which have the best urban views in the country. When the sun is out the city is relaxed and ambient and you can easily fill a couple of days visiting the sights and shopping.
Nadi
Nadi (pronounced nan-di) is Fiji’s third-largest city and is the country’s tourism hub. While not the ideal destination in itself, it is a convenient base from which to organise your trip around Viti Levu or to the outer islands. The main street is packed with restaurants and souvenir shops, and the produce market and the Swami Temple are well worth a visit. Inland are the Nausori Highlands, and to the north lies the beautiful Sabeto mountain range.
Safety & Security
The Australian Government does not recommend travel to certain parts of Fiji. Travellers should check smartraveller.gov.au for current travel advice. Follow your instincts; if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with someone, leave. Don’t hitchhike. Avoid walking at night, particularly alone and especially in Nadi and Suva. Use your common sense and be cautious of any over-friendly approach, no matter who the person might be. Wearing a wedding ring may deter unwelcome comments or advances.
Remember: travellers are subject to the laws of the country they are visiting. Penalties for possession of drugs in Fiji can result in heavy fines or imprisonment. For example, possession of any amount of marijuana carries a mandatory three-month prison sentence.
Money
Currency The local currency is the Fiji dollar (F$). The dollar is broken down into 100 cents. Bank notes come in denominations of F$50, F$20, F$10, F$5 and F$2. There are coins to the value of F$1, F$0.50, F$0.20, F$0.10, F$0.05, F$0.02 and F$0.01. Even though Fiji is now a republic, notes and coins still have a picture of England’s Queen Elizabeth II on one side.
Changing money It’s a good idea to have a couple of options for accessing money – take a credit card, a debit card, some travellers cheques and a small amount of cash. Banks in larger places like Suva and Nadi can give cash advances on major credit cards and there are a growing number of ATMs around. However, if your plastic cards get swallowed by a machine you’ll need an alternative such as travellers cheques.
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