Fiji Islands

Entry Requirements

Fiji welcomes visitors and to facilitate easy entry, everything has been done to make the process as pleasant as possible. A valid passport for at least 3 months beyond the intended travel to another country which he/she is authorized to enter is required.

Visa Exemption

The following classes of persons when landing in Fiji are exempted from the necessity of having visas in their passports made by an overseas representative or by a passport officer:

  1. Nationals or citizens of Austria, Belgium, Commonwealth countries, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Republic of Ireland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United States of America, West Germany, Russia.
  2. Nationals or citizens of any country not specified in paragraph (1) who hold an outward ticket for travel from Fiji to a destination in another country for which they hold any necessary visa and who are continuing their journey from the port or airport of disembarkation in Fiji to such destination on any ship or aircraft the scheduled time of departure whereof is not more than three hours after the time of such disembarkation.

Customs at International Airports

Fiji Customs operates a Dual Channel System, the Red and Green Channels – for expeditious clearance of air travelers. If you have any prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods exceeding your duty / VAT free concessions, you should seek Customs Clearance at Red Channel. If you do not have any prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods exceeding your Duty / VAT concessions, you should proceed through the Green Channel. (Note: Your baggage may be examined by Customs whether you take the Red or Green Channel. If this occurs, you will be required to open and repack your baggage)

Dutiable Goods

Fiscal duty and VAT are levied on all goods in excess of concessions. Fiscal duty rates vary depending on the goods, whereas VAT is uniformly applied at 12.5% VAT on a base which includes the value of goods plus any fiscal duty payable.

Time Zone

When it is 9am in Fiji, it is 9pm previous day in London, 4pm previous day in New York, 1pm previous day in Los Angeles, 6am same day Tokyo, 9am same day in Auckland, 7am same day in Sydney. When your country is on daylight savings, add 1 hour to the above times.

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Duty / VAT Free Concessions

A bona fide passenger finally disembarking in Fiji is entitled to the following Duty and VAT free concessions.  Dutiable goods accompanying passengers (other than alcohol and tobacco products) not exceeding F$400.00 in value is not for commercial use.  The following goods which are owned by passengers and are not intended as gifts or for sale:

Articles taken out of Fiji on departure on which duty and tax have been paid. The goods should not be for sale and must be accompanied at the time of final disembarkation in Fiji. Each passenger of 17 years or more, may also bring the following goods into Fiji, duty and VAT free, provided they are accompanied and are not for sale:

Health Quarantine

Fiji is free from Malaria, yellow fever and major tropical diseases that are endemic to most tropical countries. It has an effective medical system in place although local people still believe in the efficiency of age old herbal remedies. Fresh water reticulated in Suva, Lautoka and the other major towns has been treated and is safe to drink from the tap. This also applies to hotels and resort. Some resorts use artesian water for bathing, but providing drinking water separately. If this is the case, visitors will be advised.

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccinations are only required if coming from an infected area as designated by the World Health Organization. Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over 1 year of age coming from an infected area. Hospitals are located in the major centers and there are health centers in rural areas. Hotels and Resorts usually have a qualified nurse on the premises and a doctor on call.

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Tipping

Tipping is not encouraged in Fiji and it is left to the individual to determine whether to make a gratuity or not. Some resorts operate a staff Christmas Fund. Though tipping is not a local custom, you will find local people tipping. This has much to do with the social attitudes as it does recognition of the excellence in service. Fijians usually exchange gift of food, clothing, “yaqona”, “tabua”, kerosene, and even money during important social occasions, so that tipping can be seen in the light of sharing. It can denote a person of affluence who is generous. But it must be emphasized that at all times it is a question of individual choice.

Climate

Fiji enjoys a South Sea tropical climate. It is thus a perfect holiday destination, especially for those trying to escape the severe Northern Hemisphere winters. Maximum summer temperatures average 31 Degrees Celsius (88’F) and the mean minimum is 22 Degrees Celsius (72’F). The winter average maximum is 29’ Degrees Celsius (84’F)

Attire

Visitors to Fiji should bring a light tropical wardrobe. Bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and as they will soon discover “sulus” (known also throughout the Pacific as pareau, lavalava or sarong) are a must for both men and women. The wrap around “sulu” is Fiji’s most distinctive and versatile form of dress. It is women who obtain the most benefit from the “sulu”. There are at least ten different ways in which it can be used, even for evening wear. Ask your resort staff for hints on trying and wearing your “sulu”. Visitors are also asked not to offend local sensibilities. Wearing bikini and ultra-briefs, swimming costumes is fine at the resort but not when visiting villages of shopping in town. At such times is easy to take a sulu to use as a wrap-around so no offence is caused. Both men and women should be careful to respect local feelings.

Communications

Most hotels have direct dialing facilities. Check with the operators for long distance and international charges, which may also be found in the telephone directory. Please note that the international country IDD code is 679. There are no area codes in Fiji. Thus when dialing any part of Fiji, the procedure would be: access code (679) plus the Fiji subscriber number.

Mobile Phones

Vodafone Fiji operates a GSM digital mobile communication service. It has roaming agreements with Australian (GSM) operators namely Telstra, Optus and Vodafone Pty, and New Zealand operator – BellSouth plus UK operator Vodafone Ltd UK. All mobile customers are advised to check with their network operators for their roaming status before traveling to Fiji.

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Air & Sea Port

Fiji has 2 International Airports – Nadi, the principal gateway and Nausori near Suva. There are also several domestic airports throughout the country. Travel between the two main lands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu is either air or sea. The major ports are Suva, Lautoka, Levuka and Savusavu and Kadavu and Malau in Labasa, with Suva being the largest port of all. Lautoka is the main port for Western Viti Levu and has facilities for bulk loading of sugar and pine chips.

Currency

The Fiji dollar is the basic unit of currency, available in denominations off $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 50c, and $1. There is no limit to the amount of money to be brought in. Visitors are allowed to take out currency up to the amount imported.

Credit Card

Major credit cards are welcome by most hotels, restaurants, shops, rental car agencies, tours, cruises and travel agents. American Express Diners Club, Visa, JCB International and MasterCard are represented in Suva. American Express and VISA can replace lost credit cards and travelers cheques.

Banking

Fiji is well represented by banking groups. These include: The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), Bank of Baroda, Colonial National Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation. All groups have Head Offices in Suva with branches and agencies throughout Fiji. Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:30am to 4:00pm on Fridays. All banks are closed on Public Holidays.

Geography

Latitude: 12’S – 21’S
Longitude: 17’E – 178’W
Land Area: 18,333 square kilometers
Population: Approx 892,000
Major Towns: Suva City, Lautoka City, Nadi Town, Ba Town, Labasa Town.

Religion

A multi-cultural nation, Fiji is represented by major religions of the world. Visitors will see Christian Churches, Mosques, Sikh and Hindu temples in the towns and countryside. The majority of Fijians are of the Wesleyan Persian, but all the other Christian denominations are represented. Visitors are welcome at Sunday worship throughout the Fiji Islands.

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Electricity

The electrical current in Fiji is 240 volts AC 50 Hz. Fiji has 3 pin power outlets identical to Australia and New Zealand. If your applications are 110V, check for a 110/240V switch; if there is none, you will need a voltage converter. Leading hotels and resorts offer universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers, hair dryers, etc.

Food & Restaurants

Fiji features four main styles of cuisine: Continental, spicy Indian, native Fijian and Asian which includes Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Each of the above has many variations. Fijian, Indian and Chinese foods are very much a part of everyday life and reflect the cultural and ethnic background of the people of Fiji Islands. The food is available not only in hotels and resorts, but also in local restaurants. Fiji cuisine is often featured on “Island Nights” at hotels where food is cooked in an oven and presented buffet style, complete with traditional entertainment.

Etiquette in a Fijian Village

Village life is central to Fijian culture. When visiting a village it is customary to present a gift of “yaqona”, which is also known as “Kava”. This gift, called sevusevu is not expensive – a half kilo costs approximately F$15 – F$20. It is presented to the Turage Ni Koro, the traditional head of a village. It is usually done in the headperson’s house and will be attended by whoever is on hand. Pounded into powder, it will be mixed with water and served. Be prepared to shake hands and answer personal questions as to where you are from, whether married and if so how many children, boys, girls, etc. It is important to dress modestly when away from the hotel and especially when visiting a village. Always carry a “Sulu” (wrap-around also known as a sarong, lavalava, pareu) to cover bathing togs, short dresses or halter tops. Fijians are the friendliest people in the world. Your respect for their customs and traditions will not only make you a welcome guest in their village and homes, but add another dimension to your Fijian holiday.

Language

Fiji is an English-speaking country although the two major races – Fijians and Indians speak in their dialect. Hotel staffs are fluent in English.

Photography

The Fiji Islands are a photographer’s paradise. As a general rule, people do not object to having their photographs taken (although as a courtesy, you should always ask).

There is an endless list of subjects: traditional ceremonies including dances, villages, landscapes, seascapes, and the ever changing panorama as you follow the highways and byways, and even views of gem-like islands and breathtaking turquoise coral lagoons as you travel by air. For the diver, a profusion of soft corals and reef fishes for a record of memorable experience.

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