We suggest that you take at least a week or two to travel around Fiji. It really doesn’t matter where you start your journey but the easiest is to start in Nadi – home to the international airport on the island of Viti Levu, where you can take a few days out at the beautiful Denarau Beach before taking a tour of the Navala Village in the Ba highlands of the island – whose traditional thatched roofed houses are some of the few remaining in Fiji. Afterwards a trip to River Fiji and the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pools can be a rewarding and wonderfully relaxing experience, and if you feel like exploring more of inlands of the island then head to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant which covers 20 hectares and is full of indigenous orchids and a beautiful lily pond. Fiji’s capital Suva is on the southeast coast of the island and if you visit make sure you take a look around the Fiji Museum and for the nature lovers – the Colo-I-Suva Forest Park that is a 2.5-SQ-KM oasis made up of lush rainforest and vivid flora and fauna. For the romantics – take a boat to idyllic Mana Island for a few days of breathtaking scenery and exotic isolation. Though if that’s a little too isolated then try Denarau Island – which is simply perfect for honeymoons.

Fiji has plenty of festivals throughout the year though our favourites are the Bula Festival, which is held across several days in mid-July to celebrate the island nation’s heritage, and the Hibiscus Festival, which is held in several areas around Fiji during August. In addition to a Miss Hibiscus competition, there are also exhibitions of local arts, crafts, sports, music, food, dance, and music.

White Sand Beaches

There are many wonderful reasons to visit Fiji – but above all else the beaches remain, and will remain the country’s biggest and most beautiful draw. Most islands have inviting lagoons that lap onto coral sands that in turn are draped by coconut palms. Some of our favourites include the awe-inspiring Paradise beach in Viti Levu and Denarau beach in Nadi.

Etiquette

Fiji is a communal society – everything is shared and as such tipping is neither required nor expected in most cases. In lieu of tipping individuals at resorts, each resort will have a “Staff Christmas Fund” box available so their guests can contribute to the staff as a whole. This goes for restaurants too as well as tour guides – though we do suggest tipping for exceptional service though some Fijians may still politely reject the offer. ‘

When away from a resort, women should avoid baring their shoulders and both men and women should not wear shorts (or miniskirts). The best advice is to carry a sulu (a Fijian sarong) or two to cover bare shoulders or legs. If you visit a traditional Fijian village then don’t wear hats and do not touch anyone’s head – it is considered a sign or disrespect. If you’re a photographer (Fiji is wonderfully photogenic) remember that it is considered polite to ask a person’s permission first, as many Fijians are quite modest.