Fiji probably evokes feelings of happiness in one`s mind, with vivid pictures in one`s head of happy and friendly locals and beautiful sandy beaches with clear blue waters. Many of these beaches are on private islands owned by luxury hotels and resort chains. Fiji is known for its extensive coral reef system and over 1,500 different types of tropical fish. It is also well-known for its outdoor activities, ranging from diving and snorkeling to hiking and riding in all-terrain vehicles (as part of a tour or for leisure). Since it is so closely tied to the sea, Fiji is of course known for its wonderful and abundant fresh seafood. It is also well-known and regarded for its promotion of Polynesian and Fijian arts and culture, which will be on display every day you`re in the islands. (We can`t forget Fiji water, bottled from the Yaqara River in northern Viti Levu!)

The two largest islands in Fiji are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. People arriving in Fiji typically arrive on the island of Viti Levu, where the capital, Suva, is located, as well as the town of Nadi; the breathtaking Coral Coast region along the island`s southwestern coast; and the resort town of Pacific Harbour further east. Just offshore Nadi, you will find the beautiful Mamanuca Islands, and about 10 miles off the northwest coast of Viti Levu, you can enjoy the white sands of the Yasawa Islands.

We recommend approximately 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Nadi.

We recommend seeing the Fiji Islands by ferry or air. Taxis and rental car companies are available on all major islands, making it easy for people to explore once you get to where you need to go.

By Ferry: The most authentic way to see the Fiji Islands is by ferry. Ferries are a great way to island-hop from Viti Levu to a lot of different islands and resorts in the Fijian chain. The largest ferry port is in Denarau, southwest of Nadi, and connects Viti Levu with the Mamanuca Islands, the Yasawa Islands, and various island resorts along the way.

By Air: One other popular way to see Fiji is to island-hop by plane. Domestic flights are served by Fiji Link and Northern Air, and a trio of smaller companies offer charter flights to reach smaller islands and resorts.

Fiji`s currency is the Fijian dollar (written in shorthand as FJ$). U.S. dollars are not legal tender, but you will find many shops will accept U.S. dollars (albeit with worse exchange rates than if you would pay in the local currency). Try your best to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared somewhere along the way to exchange your dollars for Fijian dollars. Currency exchange desks can be found at many locations throughout the country. For more information, see Tipping in Fiji.

Fiji has three official languages: English, Fijian, and Hindi. Schoolchildren whose first languages are Fijian and Hindi learn English to mastery before continuing on with an education conducted entirely in English, and as a result, nearly everyone in Fiji can speak English. It is not necessary to learn extra phrases while vacationing here, but it could not hurt to learn basic phrases in Fijian, such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Don`t worry about temperatures being too cold even though it`s winter in Fiji; skies will be sunny and highs average in the upper 70s. If you want to visit during American winter, note that from December to April, it is cyclone season, and as a result humidity and temperatures are higher and rain chances are higher, especially during the afternoons. Lots of vacationers from Australia and New Zealand arrive in December and January. Nadi and the Mamanuca Islands are drier on average than the Coral Coast and Suva.

Tipping in Fiji is very uncommon and not encouraged as staff in the service environment are not used to receiving tips. Tips are certainly not expected in this country and the Fijians like to share everything, some service establishments may feature a `Staff Christmas Fund` box where tips would be a great way to show your appreciation for service, where the tips are divided up and split between the staff.