Fiji is located in the South Pacific, south west of Hawaii, northeast of Sydney, and due north of Auckland. It is about 10 hours flying time non-stop from Los Angeles.
Nadi International Airport is on the main island of Viti Levu, as is the Capital of Suva. The second largest island Vanua Levu lies to the north and there are more than 300 islands throughout the group comprising a total landmass of over 7000 square miles.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The primary airport for international flights is Nadi on the western side of Viti Levu. Suva airport, on the eastern side, handles regional international and domestic flights. There are also airports at Kadavu, Labasa, Lakemba, Levuka, Mana, Savusavu, Taveuni, Vatulele, and Yasawa however these domestic airports only operate during daylight hours.
Nadi Airport has public storage lockers and an arrivals duty free facility.
VISITOR VISAS
United States citizens are issued an automatic 30-day visitor visa upon arrival in Fiji.
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
Fiji has a strict anti drug and pornography policy. Visitors may import restricted amounts of the following items for personal use only.
| Item |
Limit |
| Cigarettes |
500 |
| Cigars |
50 |
| Spirits |
2 bottles (2 liters) |
| Wine |
2 bottles (2 liters) |
| Beer |
4 liters |
CLIMATE
Fiji enjoys a warm tropical climate all year. During the summer months of November through to April the average temperature is 86F. This is considered the ‘wet season’ for the eastern part of the country. From May to October the average temperature is a balmy 79F.
POPULATION
Fiji currently has a population of just over 800,000. Indigenous Fijians represent 50% and Indo Fijians 46% with the balance made up of other Pacific Islanders, Chinese, and Europeans.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Fiji is English however Fijian and Hindustani are also widely used. Most of the population is at least bi-lingual.
CURRENCY
The local currency is the Fijian Dollar, which can be purchased on arrival at the local bank in the customs arrival area. Hotels, resorts, most tourist facilities & shops accept major credit cards and travelers checks.
| Banking hours: |
Monday to Thursday |
9.30am to 3.00pm |
|
|
Friday |
9.30am to 4.00pm
|
BUSINESS HOURS
Normal business hours for Fiji commercial interests are:
Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 5.00pm
Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday 8.00am to 1.00pm
With the exception of the hotels and resorts and local airlines and travel related companies, most businesses are closed on Sundays.
SHOPPING
Fiji is duty free for a variety of luxury goods such as cameras, watches and jewelry, available at many duty free shops throughout the Country. Locally produced art, woodcarvings and clothing are also plentiful.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2008
| Date |
Holiday |
| January 1 |
New Years's Day |
| March 10 |
Commonwealth Day |
| March 17 |
Prophet Mohammed's Birthday |
| March 21 |
Good Friday |
| March 22 |
Easter Saturday |
| March 24 |
Easter Monday |
| May 30 |
Rastu Sir Lala Sukuna Day |
| June 16 |
Queen's Birthday |
| October 10 |
Fiji Day |
| October 28 |
Diwali Day |
| December 25 |
Christmas Day |
| December 26 |
Boxing Day |
ELECTRICITY
The primary electrical power is 240 volts. Most hotel bathrooms are equipped with 110-volt converters for hair dryers and electric shavers but for other items such as video camera batteries or lap top computers visitors will need a separate step down portable converter.
DRIVING
Driving is on the left hand side of the road and Fiji has a National speed limit of 80kms per hours (50mph). United States driving licenses are acceptable in Fiji and most of the main roads are paved.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
All major international rental car companies are represented in Fiji with rental locations in Nadi, Suva, and Sigatoka as well as a select number of coastal hotels on Viti Levu. Rental costs tend to be higher than those in the United States.
A number of local bus companies offer reasonably priced, regular scheduled service between the major town centers on both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
DRINKING WATER
While water is safe to drink on the main island of Viti Levu, bottled water is suggested for the other regions and smaller islands of Fiji.
HEALTH
Fiji is a very healthy nation and is free of most infectious tropical diseases, including malaria. Visitors do not require vaccinations.
There are three hospitals on the main island offering basic medical services. They are located in Suva, Nadi and Lautoka.
NIGHTLIFE
All hotels and smaller island resorts offer some level of nightlife activities usually with a local string band and on select nights a full Fijian Meke and Lovo dinner. The majority of larger hotels also offer a weekly firewalking performance and kava ceremony.
All hotels and resorts have at least one restaurant and bar.
DINING OUT
There are a variety of restaurants in the larger communities of Nadi and Suva, which offer a variety of menus, including European, French, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Fijian cuisine.
Beyond the main centers, all hotels and resorts have restaurants offering a variety of excellent food and service.
TIPPING
Tipping is not customary in Fiji and is not encouraged. Most hotels and resorts have a staff Christmas Fund that will accept donations for distribution to all staff at the end of each year.
The above information has been derived from various sources and Travel Arrangements Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the content.
