Fiji Travellers Tips
Airports
Nadi International Airport (NAN) is situated 9km north of Nadi town.
Nausori International Airport (SUV) is situated 23km northeast of downtown Suva. Fiji’s international airline is Air Pacific, www.airpacific.com
Average Temperatures
Coastal winter daytime temperatures average 25-26ºC and are seldom lower than 20ºC overnight. Coastal summer daytime temperatures average 30ºC and are generally no lower than 23ºC overnight. The water temperature is 25ºC to 29ºC all year.
Banks and Financial Services
ANZ and Westpac provide ATM facilities in the main centres throughout Viti Levu. There are ANZ branches in Ba, Centrepoint (Suva), Labasa, Lami, Lautoka, Nadi, Namaka, Nausori, Nausori Airport (Suva), Samabula, Savusavu, Sigatoka, Tavua, USP Campus Suva. The ANZ Contact Centre is open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, ANZ Phone Banking (24hrs 7 days a week). Freephone 132 411. The Bank of Baroda has branches in all main centres.
Business and Conference Facilities
Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands, Nadi, Coral Coast, Pacific Harbour, Savusavu and Suva regions offer business and conference facilities in Fiji. Facilities include conference and ballroom venues capable of seating up to 600 people, smaller venues for 10 to 100, outdoor venues able to cater for 3000 and business centres with phone, fax, email and copying services. For details, contact the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau Office, phone 679 672 2433 or visit www.flavoursoffiji.com
Business Hours
Shopping hours are generally Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm with Friday closing at 6pm. Saturday business hours are from 8am to 1pm.
Climate
During the drier winter months of May to November, visitors can expect fine warm days. In the wetter summer months of December to April, the humidity is higher and nights and days are warmer. The interior of the main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu experience cooler night-time temperatures.
Communications
• In 2002, Fiji adopted 7-digit telephone numbers.
• The international country IDD code for Fiji is 679. There are no area codes.
• Telecom Fiji provides the local telephone services. Pay phones are located in urban centres with telephone cards available from post offices, service stations and the outer islands.
• Domestic calls cost about 20 cents per/min; local calls (Suva area) are 12 cents per/min.
• Most hotels with phones in the rooms have direct dialing facilities. (Some island resorts are phone-free but have telecommunications in the office area.)
• International phone calls from hotel rooms average $4 per/min.
• Vodafone mobile services are used in Fiji. Email and fax are available at most resorts.
Currency
The currency used is the Fiji dollar.
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c & $1.
Notes: $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100.
There is no limit to the amount of money that can be brought into the country.
Dress
Dress is generally casual, however, evening dining may require something slightly more formal. Sandals, dress shorts and a polo shirt would be adequate. Visitors to Fiji should bring light, loose fitting clothing. Bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts and ‘sulus’ (sarongs) are a must for both men and women. Long sleeves may be needed in the evening during winter months. Topless or nude sunbathing is not acceptable. Skimpy beachwear is not acceptable outside the resort, on local beaches or in towns. It is important to dress modestly when visiting a village.
Duty Free Allowances
Dutiable goods not exceeding F$400 per passenger. Each passenger of 17 years or more may bring the following goods into Fiji, duty and VAT free, provided the goods are accompanied and are not for sale.
Cigarettes not exceeding 250 sticks, cigars not exceeding 250 grams net weight, tobacco not exceeding 250 grams net weight or any combination of the above, provided the total net weight does not exceed 250 grams.
Spirits not exceeding 2.25 litres, wines not exceeding 4.5 litres, or beer not exceeding 4.5 litres.
Electricity
The electrical current in Fiji is 240 volts, AC 50hz. Fiji has 3-pin power outlets like New Zealand and Australia. Leading hotels and resorts offer power outlets for 240v or 110v shavers, hair dryers, etc.
Emergency Services
If you’re staying at a resort, the emergency contact is the central office, generally ‘0’ on the phone system. On islands, they are equipped to handle fire and medical emergencies and are always the first point of contact.
Outside resorts, emergency contacts are as follows...
MAIN EMERGENCY ORGANISATIONS - PHONE
Fire & Ambulance 911
Police & Crime Stoppers 917
Geographical Location
The Fiji Islands are situated in the tropical belt of the South Pacific.
Latitude: 12º S-21º S.
Longitude: 176º E-178º W.
Health
If staying at a resort, the resort management should be the first point of contact.
A full list of doctors is available in the Fiji Telephone Directory on Page 3. A full list of dentists is in the Yellow Pages under ‘Dentists’.
A full list of chemists and pharmacies is in the Yellow Pages under ‘Chemists’. .Internet Cafés
Most resorts and hotels, including backpackers, provide access to the internet.
Esquires Coffee House at Nadi International Airport has internet access at ISDN speeds, and is open 24 hours. The café is open to the public as well as ticketed passengers, phone (679) 672 6888.
Language
Fiji is an English speaking country. Both main cultures speak extensively in their own languages – Fijian and Hindi. All Fijians are bilingual.
Money Transfer & Exchange Services
Resorts will exchange currency and main resorts, hotels and shops take the major credit cards, but markets, taxis, buses and smaller accommodation places take Fiji dollars only. The Outer Islands have no ATMs and some Outer Island resorts do not accept credit cards.
Religion and Church
Visitors will see Christian churches, Mosques, Sikh and Hindu temples in the towns and the countryside. The majority of Fijians are of the Wesleyan persuasion. Visitors are welcome at Sunday worship throughout the Fiji Islands.
Taxes
All purchases in Fiji attract a 12.5% VAT charge. The price charged is generally inclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise.
Time (local)
12 hours ahead of GMT (sharing the timezone with New Zealand) and 20 hours ahead of US Pacific Time.
Visa and Entry Requirements
A four-month entry visa is granted on arrival to nationals of 109 countries. Nationals of other countries require pre-arranged visas that can be applied for at the nearest Fiji High Commission. Check www.fiji.org.nz, www.immigration.gov.fj, or www.BulaFiji.com for a full exemption listing and visa application forms. Four-month entry visas are for holiday purposes only. Business purpose visas are issued for 14 days. Passports must be valid for a minimum of three months beyond the intended duration of stay. Contact the Department of Immigration, Suva, phone 331 2622.
Visitor Information
Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8am to 4.30pm; Fri from 8am to 4pm; Sat from 8am to 12 noon.
PO Box 9217, Thomson Street, Suva.
Phone (679) 330 2433
Fax (679) 330 0986/330 2751
Email infodesk@fijifvb.gov.fj
Web www.BulaFiji.com
Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau Head Office
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4.30pm, and Friday at 4pm.
Suite 107, Colonial Plaza, Nadi.
PO Box 9217, Nadi Airport.
Phone (679) 672 2433
Fax (679) 672 0141
Email marketing@bulafiji.com