Fiji

Climate in Fiji

The weather in Fiji is one of the reasons it is such an attractive beach holiday destination. Fiji enjoys a typical tropical climate, with trade winds usually blowing across the islands to cool things down. Maximum summer temperatures average 88F (31C), with the winter average not very different at 84F (29C). Fiji usually experiences its hottest weather between December and April, and its coolest temperatures between May and November.

Rain can be expected at any time of year but the wet season is technically from November to April. The rainy season in Fiji doesn’t rule out travel though, as most of the rain comes in brief showers that can be refreshing in the heat. Fiji does occasionally experience cyclones, which occur during the wet season. The weather on Fiji’s smaller islands tends to be milder, and they typically receive less rain than the main islands. The driest months are April, May, June and October.

The best time to visit Fiji is any time between late March and early December. June to October, the winter months, can also be a pleasant time to visit, as it is still warm but there is less humidity. The sea temperature in Fiji is pleasant year-round.

Health Notes when travelling to Fiji

No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Fiji, except for proof of yellow fever vaccination if travellers are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever or have transited for longer than 12 hours through an airport in a country where yellow fever occurs. Although they are not required, vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B may be recommended by a doctor for travel to Fiji.

Visitors should practice strict food, water and personal hygiene precautions to prevent typhoid as well as other diarrhoeal diseases. A typhoid vaccine is recommended, except short-term visitors who dine only at major restaurants and hotels, such as cruise passengers. Visitors should drink only bottled water or boil water before drinking if none is available.

The mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever, is a serious risk between November and April. Preventive measures include wearing long-sleeved clothes and using insect repellent at all times. The medical facilities in Fiji are adequate for uncomplicated treatment, but travel insurance with provision for medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand is advised.

Safety Notes when travelling to Fiji

There isn’t much serious crime in Fiji but petty theft is fairly common. Visitors should be careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and other popular tourist destinations. Pickpockets are active at bus stations and taxi ranks, and women on their own should be cautious.

Though the security situation is stable, Fiji has seen periods of political instability in the past, and visitors should avoid public demonstrations, political rallies and large gatherings of people. They should remain aware of the political situation when visiting.

Visitors should also take care when swimming, as there are rip tides and dangerous wildlife such as sharks along the reefs and river estuaries. Roads can be poorly lit and maintained, so visitors should avoid road travel outside urban areas at night.

Customs in Fiji

Visitors to Fiji should be careful not to offend local sensitivities. Wearing bikinis and swimming costumes is acceptable at the resorts, but not when visiting villages or shopping in town. Modesty is a value of the island’s cultures, so a sulu (a sarong that can be worn by men and women) is useful as a wrap-around in order to avoid offending locals when wearing shorts or sleeveless tops away from hotels or resorts. Topless bathing and nudity in public is forbidden.

A popular excursion for visitors to Fiji is a visit to one of the traditional villages. Guests in villages should show respect and avoid wearing hats, as they are a sign of disrespect, and remove shoes before entering a house. When visiting a village it is customary to present a gift of kava (the national drink). Visitors should avoid overly praising an object, as Fijians will feel obliged to give it as a gift. Pointing is considered rude and touching of another’s head is a local taboo, often receiving some shocked stares from the locals.

Fijians are usually either Christian or Hindu and typically conservative. Travellers should be surprised to find businesses closed on a Sunday. Homosexual acts conducted in private between consenting adults were legalised in 2010, but LGBT visitors should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly in rural communities.

Duty Free in Fiji

Travellers to Fiji over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 250g of cigars or 250 cigarettes or a combination of tobacco products not exceeding 250g. Travellers cannot exceed 2.25 litres of spirits, or 4.5 litres of wine or beer, or any combination exceeding the prescribed limit for any one of these categories. Visitors may bring other permissible items, so long as these items do not exceed the value of FJD 1000 per person. Firearms and ammunition require official police permission.

Doing Business in Fiji

A fairly casual but neat approach to dress is generally appropriate and Fijians prefer using first names as opposed to titles. Patience is necessary as meetings rarely start at scheduled times, though as Western business influence has increased in Fiji, this is not always the case anymore. Business hours are generally from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Kava (the national drink) may be presented as a customary offering and alcohol is often consumed at business gatherings.

Communication in Fiji

The international country dialling code for Fiji is +679. The outgoing code is 00(or 05) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). WiFi is increasingly widespread in Nadi and Suva, though hotels may not offer it as standard and will often charge a fee to get online. WiFi is likely to be more expensive or restricted on island resorts.

Tipping in Fiji

Tipping is not encouraged in Fiji but small tips are appreciated for good service. Some resorts operate a staff Christmas fund where tips are shared, instead of tipping staff daily.

Passport/Visa Note

All foreign passengers to Fiji must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in the country, a return or onward ticket to a country where they have right of entry, sufficient funds to cover the period of stay in Fiji, and confirmed accommodation. Visitor permits are obtainable on arrival, and are valid for up to four months. Visitors can apply for two-month permit extensions (for an aggregate of six months).

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if visitors are arriving from a country where there is a risk of transmission, or have transited through an airport located in a country with a risk of transmission. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passport have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Entry requirements for Canadians:

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Fiji. No visa is required for stays of up to four months; a visitor permit can be obtained on arrival.

Tourist Offices

Tourism Fiji, Nadi: http://www.fiji.travel/us/destinations/nadi

Fiji Embassies

In the United States:

Embassy of Fiji, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Canada): +1 202 466 8320.

In the United Kingdom:

Embassy of Fiji, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 20 7584 3661.

In Australia:

High Commission of Fiji, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6260 5115.

In New Zealand:

High Commission of Fiji, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 473 5401.

In South Africa:

Fijian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (also responsible for South Africa): +27 11 557 7305

Foreign Embassies in Fiji

American Embassy

United States Embassy, Suva: +679 331 4466.

Canadian Embassy

Consulate of Canada, Nadi: +679 992 4999.

British Embassy

British High Commission, Suva: +679 322 9100.

Australian Embassy

Australian High Commission, Suva: +679 338 2211.

Irish Embassy

Irish Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for Fiji): +61 2 6214 0000

New Zealand Embassy

New Zealand High Commission, Suva: +679 331 1422.

South African Embassy

South African High Commission, Suva: +679 331 1087