The Fiji archipelago has over 300 islands scattered across 200,000 square miles of ocean. Total land area is about 2,800 square miles.

climate and weather communications culture, religion & language
currency customs dress driving and car rental electricity
geography and fiji map location population quarantine
tipping travel insurance

Weather:
In a word, Tropical, with the best months being March through to November. Maximum temperatures rarely move out of the 31°C to 26°C range all year round. As you can see, winter is a term, not a season. A cooling trade wind blows from the east south-east for most of the year. It usually drops to a whisper in the evening and picks up again by mid-morning.

Rainfall is highly variable and strongly influenced by topography, with the prevailing south-east trade winds bringing moisture onshore and causing heavy showers in the mountain regions. The wet season is from November to April and results from the southerly movements of the South Pacific Convergence Zone. The wet season is characterised by heavy, brief local showers and contributes most of Fiji's annual rainfall. Annual rainfall on the main islands is between 2000mm and 3000mm on the coast and low lying areas, and up to 6000mm in the mountains. The smaller islands receive various amounts according to their location and size, ranging from 1500mm to 3500mm.

Cyclones are mostly confined to the period November to April, with greatest frequency in January and February. On average, some ten to fifteen cyclones per decade affect some part of Fiji, and two to four do severe damage. The dominant north-west to south-east tracks gives some increased risk of damage in the outlying north-west island groups.

Communications:
Most hotels have direct dialing facilities. For inbound calls, the international IDD country code for Fiji is 679 and there are no area codes. Outbound international calls from Fiji use a dial out code of 05 followed by the country code and telephone number for the number being dialled.

Vodafone Fiji Ltd, a subsidiary of Telecom Fiji Ltd, operates a GSM digital mobile communications service.

Visitors from many countries, and subscribing to various networks, can use their own GSM handsets in Fiji. Mobile customers are advised to check with their network operators for their roaming status before travelling, as roaming capability must be 'turned on' in your home country. Some areas do not have a reception but recently, during the making of the Tom Hanks' movie, Castaway, Steven Spielberg paid to have receivers put in the Mamanucas so the reception now for mobiles is quite extensive.

Culture, Religion & Language:
Fiji is a country rich in traditional culture and uses a native language that defines happiness. Their religious and cultural ceremonies are unlike any other that you may have experienced. English is the official language. Fijian and Hindustani are spoken as well. (click here for more info)

Currency:
The Fijian dollar has standard decimal denominations between 1¢ and $50. Anything below $2 is a coin and $2 and above is a note. There is no limit to the amount of money to be brought in and visitors are allowed to take out currency up to the amount imported. To check the current exchange rate, click here

Customs:
Fiji has two international airports - Nadi, the principle gateway and Nausori, near Suva. Fiji Customs operates a Duel Channel System - the Red and Green Channels - for clearance of air travellers.

Red Channel: If you have any prohibited or restricted goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your duty/VAT free allowance.

Green Channel: If you do not have any prohibited, restricted or commercial goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your duty/VAT concessions.

Note: Your baggage may be examined by Customs whether you take the Red or Green Channels.

Dress:
Casual for both night and day. Pack t-shirts, shorts, light cotton dresses and swimwear. Jeans will be too hot and uncomfortable. For cooler evenings or for out on the water, a jacket is a good idea. Sunscreens and hats are a must and joggers or sandals are good protection for walking and swimming around coral. If you do happen to cut yourself on coral, lemon or lime juice will relieve the pain - as will hydrogen peroxide.

"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. For women there at least ten different ways it can be used, even for evening wear. Ask your resort staff for hints on tying and wearing your sulu. Visitors are asked to be careful not to offend local sensibilities. Wearing bikinis and ultra-brief swimming costumes is fine at a resort but not when visiting villages or shopping in town. This is where a sulu comes in handy.

Driving and Car Rental
Avis is Fiji's leading car rental company serving both the leisure and business traveller with eight locations around Viti Levu. This includes Nadi International Airport, which operates a 24 hours service. Avis is conveniently located close for your holiday or business needs.

The Avis fleet consists of late model, low kilometer vehicles ranging from the economical Toyota Echo through to the luxury Toyota Camry and the eight-seater Toyota Kijang family wagon.
RENTAL LOCATIONS:
Nadi
Nadi International Airport
Sheraton Fiji Resort

Coral Coast
Shangri-La's Fijian Resort

Korolevu
Korotogo

Suva
Foster Road, Walu Bay
Nausori Airport

Electricity:
The current in Fiji is 240 volts AC 50Hz with three-pin power points - the same as in Australia and New Zealand. Leading hotels and resorts offer universal outlets for 240v or 110v appliances, or 110V adapters. Many island resorts generate their own electricity, and sometimes when the generators kick in and out, the bedside digital clocks will reset back to 12:00. If you think you'll need a reliable timepiece to make connections etc, it may be wise to pack a travel alarm clock.

Geography:
Fiji is a land of blue-green lagoons, lush rainforests, pine forests, mountains and a 1000 miles of white, sandy beaches. There are 330 pieces of land big enough to be called islands scattered across 200,000 square miles of ocean, and several thousand others considered too small for human habitation. Of the 330 islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu make up 85% of the total land mass, and only just over 100 of the islands are actually inhabited. Click here for a Fiji Islands map.

The larger islands are mainly of volcanic origin with high rugged terrain. The smaller islands are coral, limestone, or sand cays, with small pockets of tropical vegetation. Many islands have surrounding coral reefs and lagoons. For more information on Fiji regions click here

Population:
Fiji's population of around 800,000 people is made up of indigenous Fijians (50%), Indians (47%) with Europeans, Chinese and South Pacific Islanders making up the remaining 3%.

Quarantine:
The following items must be declared:
Food of any kind.
Plants or parts of plants - live or dead, including seeds, bulbs, nuts and wooden articles.
Earth, rock, soil or mineral samples.
Animals or parts of animals - live or dead including coral, shells and goods made from protected wildlife.
Equipment used with horses or other animals.
Biological specimens or tissues - human or animal.

Tipping:
Tipping is not encouraged anywhere in Fiji. Tip with a smile and 'vinaka', which is Fijian for 'thank you'. Though tipping is not local custom, you may see examples of what looks like tipping. Fijians ritually exchange gifts of food, clothing, kerosene, and even money during important social occasions but it's more an act of sharing.

Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend Travel Insurance for all parties. click here for more info

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