Few places on earth can be as picture perfect as this tropical paradise; ivory beaches and azure seas that fold peacefully into still, shallow lagoons, with clear blue skies undisturbed but for the perfect halo that gathers over a snow-capped, conical volcano. Kick back with a cocktail and soak up the sun, go diving amid soft coral and radiant tropical fish, or explore the remote out islands to find your own little Lost World. Whichever you choose, Fiji is a paradise in waiting.
You’ll get a warm welcome on arrival, too. The traditional ceremony is a long-standing feature of the culture, once used to talk to gods. The kava drink you share with you host puts you in a state of tranquillity unlikely to wear off until you’ve left the island for good. There’ll be singing, and plenty of it – Fijians are an extremely musical people and it seems they were all born to the accompaniment of a slowly lilting guitar and ukulele.
Explore the beaches and you’ll encounter straw-roofed huts nestled amid lazy palm copses, with stunning views of Mount Fiji in the interior. The Fiji Museum at Suva is well worth a visit and the town is the perfect place to learn more of this fascinating culture. Hikes in the interior reveal babbling mountain streams and hidden glades that wouldn’t look out of place in Peter Pan’s Neverland.
Getting there
Most visitors land on Nadi, though there are a few international flights to Tuvalu from nearby countries such as New Zealand. There are no scheduled sea routes.
Getting around
The larger islands have extensive bus networks, though getting around on the smaller ones can be a challenge. A combination of regular ferries and small local boats link the islands themselves; note that it is illegal to show up uninvited at some of the more remote locations.
Local information
Language: English, Bau Fijian and Hindi
Time: UTC+12
Climate: Tropical. Hot and wet throughout year. Temperature: Max 30°C (January), Min 20°C (August). Rainfall: Max 320mm (January), Min 50mm (May).
Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)
Business etiquette: Business dress is casual except on very formal occasions. Time should be invested in relationship development from the beginning. Some social occasions are ceremonial and it is offensive not to attend. Deadlines and schedules are less important than many other countries and you should expect meetings to start late and overrun.
Tipping: Tipping is not encouraged.
Duty free: 250 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g tobacco; 2.25l of spirits or 4.5l of wine or beer; gifts to F$400.
Safety: Avoid military stations and concentrations of military personnel.
Laws: The protection normally afforded by law has been undermined by military activity. It is illegal to be intoxicated at an airport.
Healthcare: Vaccinations required for hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. There are a number of good quality medical facilities but doctors and hospitals both expect immediate cash payment.
Socket type: Type I
