Most businesses operate Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm. Supermarkets and souvenir shops are open 7 days a week. All tourism related industries operate 6-7 days a week. Several tours that involve a village visit will not operate on a Sunday for religious reasons.

Fiji enjoys a tropical maritime climate without great extremes. The cooler dry season is from May to October and the warm wetter season from November to April. Warm season temperatures average 30 degrees Celsius and the cool season average is 26 degrees. The wet season lasts from November to March and the dry season falls between April and October.

Lightweight informal summer ware is the usual year-round attire. Light tropical style dresses for the ladies and comfortable summer casuals for the men. Perhaps a jacket or light jumper is advisable for the odd cool evening. Bathing suits and bikinis are fine to wear at resorts and beaches, but is offensive to locals on village visits and shopping in town.

All telephone fax and email communication both locally and internationally is readily available from most Hotels in Fiji. Email cafes have started to appear in the major cities and on island resorts. Reception is good and direct dialing to all overseas destinations is available.

Fiji has its own currency. The national money is Fijian dollars and cents and the current exchange rate operates at roughly US$0.50 forFJ$1.00.

Fiji restaurants and hotels cater to almost any taste or dietary requirement. We get a lot of fresh imported vegetables and have a wide variety of local fruit and vegetables.

Visitors need light casual clothing suitable for the tropical climes of Fiji although during the dry season nighttime temperatures can drop to the late teens or early 20s (c) and a light sweater may be needed. Revealing clothing is frowned up on in public places, particularly IN VILLAGES.

International driving permits and overseas driving licenses are recognized in Fiji for a period of six months. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road and most main roads are paved and in good condition.

Electricity in all resorts is 240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. Some resorts and live-aboard may have 110 volt outlets for use as well.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visas are issued on arrival for nationals of most countries. Visitors will be issued with a tourist visa on arrival. All visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least three (3) months after departure from Fiji, onward or return air tickets and sufficient funds to cover their stay.

Located in the heart of the Pacific, Fiji has 333 islands. The two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu make up 85% of the total landmass. Many of Fiji’s islands are surrounded by reefs and lagoons that provide visitors with spectacular underwater scenery. Fiji’s capital and largest city, Suva, is located on the southeastern side of Viti Levu, linked to the international airport by air and road.

Fiji is free from most tropical diseases, including malaria and inoculations are not required unless visitors are entering from an infected area. Drinking water in cities and resorts is regularly tested and safe to drink. Medical services are available in the main towns. No inoculations are required and travel insurance is recommended. Regular checks with your doctors and travel agents are recommended.

The Fiji Islands are situated at approximately 180 degrees longitude and 16 degrees south.

FLYING TIMES

Australia – 4 hours to the South West 

New Zealand – 3 hours to the South 

Los Angeles – 10 hours to the Northeast 

English is the principal language and is widely spoken. Fijian and Hindustani are also spoken.

Tapa is Fiji’s most traditional product, as well as woven baskets and mats. Bargaining is still conducted at the markets and in some duty-free shops, larger stores have fixed pricing. Business hours are from Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm; Friday till 6 pm and Saturday 8 am to 1 pm.

The Fiji Island is readily accessible by air, ideal for stopover travelers as well as visitors who have chosen this destination for a well-earned holiday or for business purposes. Fiji is close to its South Pacific neighbors and is accessible to major to Northern Hemisphere cities. Direct flights link Fiji with the Pacific Rim cities of Los Angeles, Sydney, Brisbane, Tokyo and Auckland with easy onward connections worldwide.

TIME ZONES

Although the 180th Meridian passes through the Fiji group, the International Dateline is adjusted so that the entire archipelago falls into the same time zone; 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Tipping is not widely practiced and is at your discretion. All Goods and Services incur VAT.