Fiji

Places

There are around 300 islands in Fiji. The main island, Viti Levu (Big Fiji) has two international airports. Most visitors arrive in Nadi, on the western coast of the island. This is the "tourist end" of Fiji. The other international airport is near the capital, Suva, on the south-eastern end of the island. This is the business centre, and also where most of the couchsurfing hosts live.

Fiji is divided into 14 provinces, however it is more useful for visitors to think of the country in terms of "tourism areas".

• Nadi. Home of the largest airport, where most visitors arrive. Nadi township and the surrounding area has many hotels and backpacker hostels. Denarau Island, between the airport and Nadi town, has several 5-star resorts, and has a marina where boats leave for cruises and accessing nearby islands.
• Mamanuca Islands. A cluster of islands west of Nadi, full of resorts. Some are exclusive and very expensive, others are built for backpackers or more budget-sensitive travelers. Most are accessed from the Denarau marina, while some are accessed by boat from further south of Nadi.
• Yasawa Islands. This is a chain of islands north of the Mamanucas. Frequented by backpackers more than the Mamanucas, the resorts here tend to be a little cheaper. Some boats depart from Port Denarau (in particular the Yasawa Flyer and Captain Cook Cruises), while some leave from the Port of Lautoka, a city a little way north of Nadi (in particular the Blue Lagoon Cruises).
• Coral Coast. Located along the south-western edge of the main island there are many resorts suitable for various budgets.
• Pacific Harbour/Deuba/Beqa. This area, also on the southern side of the main island, but further east towards Suva, also has places to stay and caters for both large and small budgets. Protruding from a circular reef system formed by an ancient volcano is Beqa Island, home of the Fiji firewalkers.
• Suva. The political an business capital of Fiji. Overlooked by many visitors due to a lack of nice sandy beaches and more abundant rain than other areas, it is nonetheless an interesting place with other features and the best place to find fellow couchsurfers. The Nausori airport is around 20km from Suva city.
• Northern Viti Levu. There are some tourist locations on the north coast, particularly near the town of Rakiraki.
• Vanua Levu. The second largest island in Fiji, north of Viti Levu. The main tourist area is Savusavu (known as the 'hidden paradise' of Fiji), around the middle of the southern coast. The largest town is Labasa, on the opposite coast. Access is by plane (from Nadi or Nausori airports), or by boat (from Lautoka, Suva, Natovi, or Rakiraki).
• Taveuni. The 'garden island' is to the east of Vanua Levu and is the third (fourth???) largest island in Fiji. It is a volcanic island, and you can walk to the extinct crater - the only place where Fiji's national flower grows. Flights leave from Nadi (via Labasa or Savusavu) and Nausori, and transport ship leaves from Suva via Natovi and Savusavu.
• Kadavu. The last of the 'big' islands in Fiji is to the south of Suva. Access by ship has been unreliable in recent times. Flights leave from Suva and Nadi. There are very few roads on Kadavu, and transport from the airport to resorts is usually by small outboard boat.
• Ovalau. Ovalau is located to the east of the main island. Levuka, the largest town, was the capital of Fiji in colonial days, and the streetscape still has many heritage-listed buildings from that era. A bus/ship service operates from Suva, and daily leave from Nausori.
• Outer Islands. All other areas of Fiji can be classified as 'outer islands', with far less infrastructure for tourism, and often have access difficulties with limited transport options.

Easy couches

CouchSurfers

Most of Fiji's couchsurfers are in the Suva area, on the opposite side of the main island from the main international airport at Nadi.

Getting to Suva. Here are the main options:

• Bus. Buses and coaches depart from Nadi Airport and Nadi town regularly throughout the day. Cost ranges from around $7 (old bus with no air-con and less than comfortable seats) through to around $15 (modern coach with air-con and nice seats). Traveling time is around 3 hours from Nadi Airport, with stops in Nadi Town, Sigatoka, and Navua. Buses arrive at the market in Suva, or at local hotels.
• Taxi. Negotiate price before starting your journey. Nadi Airport to Suva should be around $80, but drivers will generally start negotiations around $200 if you don't look like a local. Travel time is around 2.5 hours. The quality of both the vehicle and driver can vary substantially.
• Mini bus. These are 10-15 seater vans. While all road travel could be considered high risk by 1st world standards, mini buses have a reputation for the most unsafe driving practices, and some visitors have reported losing valuables (e.g. cameras and wallets) while traveling in them. They will cost you around $15 and give you the ride of your life, if you are game.
• Air. Around $130, and you'll need another $20 for a taxi from Nausori to Suva at the other end.

Trivia

wikitravel:Fiji