Your Dream Vacation is Here
FIJI Created by: Romika Kumar
FIJI
- Transportation
- Hotel/ Accommodations
- Food & Beverage/ Restaurants
- Recreation/ Entertainment
- Itinerary
- Reference
Introduction Location: FIJI
Fiji is situated in the South Pacific about 1,100 nautical miles northeast of New Zealand, between Vanuatu in the west and Tonga in the east, and Tuvalu in the north of Fiji. Fiji has more than 322 islands. There are two main islands – Viti Levu and Vanua Levu with a population of almost 85% of the total population of Fiji.
History
Most of the islands in Fiji were formed through volcanic activity and Fiji had been inhabited 150 million years ago. It was first settled by Austronesians and later by Melanesians and with some Polynesian influence. In the 17th century, Europeans started visiting Fiji and the British colonized Fiji in 1874. In 1970 Fiji was able to gain independence and become the Dominion of Fiji. Later, Fiji became the Republic of Fiji. During the British colonization, Indians were brought from India to work and that is why 40% of Fiji`s population is Indian. It can also be said that Fiji is a multi-racial country. One of the biggest events in Fiji happened in 2003 was the South Pacific Games. More than 20 countries participated. Fiji is also known for its local crafts and the most famous FIJI WATER.
Weather
Fiji has only two seasons – summer and spring. During the summer, the temperature can be as high as 36 degrees Celsius. This is also the cyclone season which begins in November and ends in April. There are also chances of hurricanes, but guests are taken care of during those times. The summer is the time when tourists visit Fiji and the peak season for tourist is from April to August. In December visitor arrivals spike up too because of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Tourism
The tourism industry has become the largest source of foreign exchange and it contributes 17.0 percent to GDP and provides more than 30,000 jobs. Tourism relies mainly on the private sector which increased drastically over the years and it will continue to grow. A lot of Australian people come to Fiji every year. Also, the highest number of tourists come from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. With foreign exchange, Fiji has its own currency but is not as strong as Australian and US dollars. Tourists get a good amount of money with currency exchange. The reason why tourists come to Fiji is because of its white sandy beaches and tropical climate where there are a lot of beautiful tall trees and flowers. One other reason why tourists visit Fiji is that Fijians are known to be the most welcoming and loving people and so it is a good place for family vacations. The other reason is the fun-filled activities that can be done while in Fiji and some examples are skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, and mountain biking. Fiji also has some great shopping places for beautiful souvenirs and handicrafts. It is the perfect holiday destination.
Transportation
Air
There is one international airport located in Fiji and there are also many other domestic airports around the Island. The Nadi international airport has flights coming in from Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and the very own national carrier travels around the globe.
Water
There are two major ports located in the two main cities of Fiji. There are also many other small ports are available. This type of transportation is very convenient for guests to move around the resorts and smaller islands.
With the three ways of transportation available in the area, there are many options to choose from. The bus services run daily -seven days a week. The shuttles or taxis are available at any time of the day and night. Private rentals are also very convenient and there are many options and cheaper ones as well to choose from. Depending on the distances available, there are people who opt to walk a lot too. Water transportation is widely used also because it is the only way guests travel to and from resorts and islands which are located far from the cities. Transportation is also a key factor in helping people move goods and services from one area to the other.
Ground
When tourists need transportation, there are many buses, taxis and private rentals available for traveling from one place to the other. The very famous Rosie tours have their own transportation system which is very helpful when traveling around the Island.
Getting Around FIJI
When tourists want to visit the outer islands such as ‘Eua, boats usually take a couple of minutes or hours depending on the location that tourists are traveling to. If tourists wish to travel to the smaller islands close to Tongatapu, the trip lasts only a couple of minutes. Tourists who know their way around Tonga can take rental cars to travel around. Other tourists usually get taxis or shuttles. Tourists who stay near the capital like to walk around. It is cheap to pay for a taxi and bus, but rental cars and other forms of transportation usually cost more.
Hotel / Accommodation
There many kinds of accommodation available in Fiji like hotels, resorts, apartments, budget hotels, and Airbnb. Besides these accommodations, there are many services and customer preferences available like restaurants, spas, beaches near resorts and many kinds of fun activities provided to guests. The accommodations are portrayed in a way that the guests feel at home and to be comfortable with learning about the Fijian culture.
HOTELS / RESORTS
| Name | Category | Cost | Amenities | Audience | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa | Resort | 168 Fijian dollars per night. | Swimming pool, spa, good fitness center, restaurant, private beach area, room service. | Families and couples | 5 stars |
Bamboo backpackers | Budget hotel | 29 Fijian dollars per night. | Airport shuttle, swimming pool, beachfront, bar, restaurant, good breakfast. | Especially for couples | 2.5 stars |
Fiji Gateway Hotel | Hotel | 104 Fijian dollars per night. | Free airport shuttle, swimming pool, facilities for disabled guests, free parking, bar, breakfast. | Couples and families | 3 stars |
Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa | Resort | 248 Fijian dollars per night. | Swimming pool, spa, airport shuttle, room service, beachfront, bar, and good breakfast. | Couples and families | 5 stars |
The Palms Apartment | Apartments | 268 Fijian dollars per night. | Swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, family rooms, restaurant, and good fitness center. | Couples and families | 1 star |
Namosi Eco Retreat | Airbnb | 125 Fijian dollars per night | Breakfast and kitchen | Singles and couples. | - |
Food & Beverage / Restaurants
Fiji is known for many things and one of them is its authentic food and taste. Since it is a multi-racial country, there are a lot of different kinds of food available to satisfy people’s hunger. The most famous cuisine is Indian cuisine and Fijian cuisine which are widely available in Fiji. Food and beverage are taken very seriously in Fiji because everyone likes to eat and there are so many food lovers. There are many restaurants in Fiji. The Fijian very old and famous dish is the Lovo which is cooked under the ground and food is marinated and wrapped carefully and placed in a ground oven to be cooked. The famous Indian chicken or lamb curry is also something that has to be tried and it is usually loved by everyone. The only thing that the travelers must keep in mind when eating in places, especially at someone’s house, that they will be offered to eat a big sized meal.
Quick Service Restaurants:
| Name | Cuisine | Meals | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wicked Walu Seafood Restaurant | Fijian cuisine | Fresh seafood grills
Lunch and dinner. | Indoor experience also does take-outs. | Prices range from 20 to 40 dollars. |
3 hungry bears | Fijian and Chinese cuisine | Lunch and dinner
Pizza and steaks also available | Take- out and indoor experience. | Prices range from 15 to 45 dollars. |
Mama pizza | Western food | Pizza and fries | Take-out | Prices range from 20 to 40 dollars |
Casual Restaurants:
| Name | Cuisine | Meals | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pizza King | Western food | Pizza, burger, and fries. | Take out and eat-in | Price range from 10 to 30 dollars. |
Hard rock cafe | Western food | Burgers fries and steaks | Eat-in and take outs | Prices range from 20 to 40 dollars. |
Lautoka hotel | Fijian gourmet dishes and a wide selection of international dishes. | Fijian dishes, pasta, and pizza. | Eat-in and take out. | Prices range from 15 to 45 dollars. |
Fine Dining Restaurants:
| Name | Cuisine | Meals | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seduce restaurant and bar | Fijian cuisine | Fijian influenced dishes and wines to match them. | Only dinner | Price ranges from 50 to 100 dollars |
Golden Cowrie Coastal Italian | Italian classic cuisine | Homemade pasta and locally- sourced fish and meat. | Breakfast only for adults and dinner for adults and children over the age of 7. | Prices range from 60 to 150 dollars. |
Ivi Restaurant | Pacific continental cuisine | Local seafood, beef mignon, and prosciutto-wrapped chicken supreme. Wine selection | Open for dinners only | Prices range from 70 to 200 dollars |
Recreation / Entertainment
Fiji is blessed with a great natural environment and many people are attracted to this natural setting. The entertainment options are limitless because of the many available choices of recreation provided. Fiji also has some exquisite beaches with palm trees, soft sand, and ideal swimming and boating conditions. Some of the best beaches are Natadola, Matana, and Volivoli. Snorkeling and scuba-diving are some of the most popular Fiji activities where you can explore the depths of the Pacific Ocean to see many enchanting sea creatures. While being under the water you can see coral reefs and abundance of sea vegetation. There is also an international golf tournament that attracts international players and golfing enthusiasts from around the world.
Water Activities:
- Snorkeling and diving
- surfing and beaches
- water sports
Natural Wonders:
- Hot springs
- Kula Eco Park
- Canopy tour
Sports Recreation:
- Golfing
- Spas
Arts, Culture, Entertainment:
- Historic museum
- Traditional Souvenirs and handy-craft shopping
Itinerary
A Family Itinerary
Day 1 :
Morning: Kula Eco Park
One of the most attractive sites of Fiji is the Fiji mini zoo. It is home to many kinds of land and sea creatures. A wide range of bird species and famous crusted Iguana are some of the animals that can be seen here. Brunch can also be eaten on the way back from the best restaurants along the highway.
Afternoon: Spa and body massage
Spa and body massages are available in many resorts and hotels. The staff is very friendly and professional so do not hesitate to take the opportunity of getting a spa for yourself and your spouse.
Day 2 :
Enjoy the day at the beach. The guests can go snorkeling or surfing in the Mamanucas. They can also just enjoy the sun and relax at the beach. Private candlelight dinner near the beach can also be arranged at the resort.
Day 3 :
Do not forget to visit the souvenir and handcrafting shops to choose gifts for your friends and family. There are some very good shopping places like Jack’s handcrafts or resort gift shops where you can buy some souvenirs. There is a possibility to end the afternoon with golfing since there are good golfing terrains with international standards.
Source:
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g294331-Fiji-Hotels.html
- https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/fiji/articles/fiji-s-10-best-local-restaurants-a-gourmet-dining-guide/
- https://hotels.com/go/fiji/things-to-do-fiji?rdrId=281
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji