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Fiji can be a very expensive country to travel, but as I found out, it is possible to travel cheaply! After managing to explore Fiji for myself without breaking the bank, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for traveling Fiji on a budget so you can do the same!
Fiji is not a cheap destination to travel. In fact, it is surprisingly expensive with lots of prices being similar to those in New Zealand or Australia! However, there are a few tips that I discovered on my recent trip to Fiji that will help you save some money while in Fiji.
If you’re smart and careful, you can still see and do all of the best things to do in Fiji without breaking the bank!
These tips are things I wish I would’ve known before my trip to Fiji! So here we go, my top 10 tips for traveling Fiji on a budget!
1. Sleep on the main island of Viti Levu
Fiji is an island nation composed of over 300 islands! Deciding where to stay in Fiji is a big factor when trying to stay on budget during your travels.
The largest island, or what many call the “main island”, Viti Levu, is where the international airports are and the majority of main facilities.
Although staying a few nights on one of the many tiny remote islands in Fiji is tempting, if you are traveling Fiji on a budget, then this might be something you need to give a miss. First of all, the ferries to get to the islands are very expensive and cost from $100-200 FJN each way!
Also, the hotels on the remote islands are more expensive than the ones on Viti Levu. Not to mention, because of their isolated location, food and drink prices are also inflated.
If you book your accommodation on Viti Levu in Fiji, then you’ll have access to local restaurants and grocery stores. You can also do a day trip out to a remote island for as little as $100 FJN including activities and transport! Visiting these remote islands on a day trip as opposed to spending a few nights is a huge budget-saver and definitely an important option to consider if you’re traveling Fiji on a budget!
With all of that said, there are a couple of places where you can stay for pretty affordable prices on the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands (keep reading for my suggested hotels in the next section.)
Where to Stay in Fiji on a Budget
To help you out, I’ve included a few really great budget-friendly places to stay both on Viti Levu, and on the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands. This way, you can easily book cheap accommodation for your trip!
- Bamboo Backpackers – Located in Nadi, this hostel offers dorms for as little as $15 FJD a night and private rooms from $55 FJD. They are right on Wailoaloa Beach and also have a pool and onsire restaurant and bar (that’s always really lively!)
- Smugglers Cove Hotel – Located right on Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi, this small boutique hotel is the perfect combination of comfort and affordability. It features an on-site restaurant with delicious food and cheap drinks! I’ve personally stayed here and really enjoyed it. Standard rooms with airconditioing and a private ensuite start from around $100 FJD a night.
- White Sandy Beach Lodge – Budget options are hard to find on the Yasawa Islands, but luckily White Sandy Beach Lodge exists! For less than $40 FJD a night you can get a dorm bed here. You’ll have to take the Yasawa Flyer ferry from Port Denarau to get here, the ride should take about 3.5 hours and cost about $180 FJD for a one-way trip.
- Beachcomber Island Resort – This reosrt is located in the Mamanuca Islands. Here, dorm beds go for as little as $85 FJD per night. The resort is located on its own private island and is within a marine sanctuary, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling or diving.
Hot tip: If you decide to spend a couple of nights on one of the remote islands around Fiji, beware of costly food and beverage packages! Many of the island hotels make you purchase their food package as there is nowhere else to buy food around – and it isn’t cheap! Before booking, be sure to find out if a food package is mandatory as they can cost around $135 USD per person per day on top of the hotel cost! The hotels that I recommended above do not have these meal packages, but you will have to eat at their restaurants. Bring some snacks with you to avoid paying for three meals a day.
2. Pay with cash
In Fiji, cash speaks! Credit card and EFTPOS machines are frequent but they often incur a 3-5% charge.
When at local shops it’s also easier to negotiate prices with cash as the locals prefer to take cash.
My best advice is to bring FJD cash with you (exchange your money at home before leaving or at the airport) or to exchange some when you arrive. Alternatively, you can withdraw some cash at ATMs but this also has a surcharge and they are not always readily available.
Arriving in Fiji with cash is often an underestimated tip, but if I had been prepared, I would’ve saved hundreds on credit card surcharges and ATM fees!
3. Take local transport
Taxis are pricey in Fiji! Yellow taxis start at $5 FJN and the meter goes up very quickly. The less official taxis are a little bit cheaper and fares are negotiated as a set price. However, they are still extremely expensive in comparison to local transport.
The local buses in Fiji cost only a couple of dollars and go all around the island of Viti Levu! I got all the way from Nadi Airport to Pacific Harbour (a 3.5-hour ride) for only $12 FJN!
Do be aware though, the local buses can be slow and often run late. They do have a schedule but don’t seem to follow it very well. You know how it is, “Fiji time” is a real thing!
I also must give you the heads up that the local buses don’t have air conditioning and can be very full. Try and get a window seat if you can, and also be prepared for a sweaty ride.
Other than that, the local buses are safe and the best option for traveling around Fiji on a budget. Plus, the locals are very friendly and I actually met a couple of very friendly people while on local buses!
4. Shop at local markets and grocery stores
Buying snacks, water, and alcohol at the local grocery stores will save you a ton! Hotels and small grocery stores in tourist areas overcharge for these items.
Also, if your hotel has a kettle and a refrigerator then you can buy some fruit and other food items that are easy to make. I often ate instant oatmeal in my hotel room for breakfast using just the kettle. I also brought fresh fruit from the markets that made a perfect snack! Instant noodle cups are also a good idea.
Hot Tip: Head to the Nadi Produce Market to stock up on delicious local fruit. Not only is it cheap, but it’s super fun and one of the best things to do in Nadi!
Related Read: Find out why we love cooking in hostels and some of the meals that we frequently make.
5. Bring alcohol and food with you
If you’re coming for a short holiday and have room in your suitcase then it is worth stocking up at home before coming to Fiji.
Buying some duty-free alcohol at your departure airport is a fantastic idea to save some serious money! For instance, I bought a 1-liter bottle of vodka at the Auckland airport for $32 NZD. In Fiji, the same bottle cost $189 FJN (about $130 NZD)!
Alcohol is very expensive in Fiji because it is so heavily taxed. So if you want to drink, bring some with you!
Other luxury grocery items in Fiji can also be pricey. Some of the food items I brought with me included chocolate, chips, and other pre-packaged snacks like crackers. Bringing these types of things won’t save you as much as alcohol, but it is still helpful when you’re traveling Fiji on a very tight budget!
6. Take advantage of free events
Many bars, restaurants, and hotels have free entertainment in the evenings. You can watch traditional dancers, singers, or even try “Kava” (traditional Fijian drink) for free! If you are really lucky, you might even be able to catch a fire dance performance for free!
In Nadi, there is a beach called Wailoaloa Beach that is lined with affordable hotels and hostels. In the evenings, this area becomes very lively and there is always some sort of entertainment happening. It is a great area to stay in Fiji for a few nights if you ask me!
Lots of larger resorts also offer nightly entertainment for their guests. Just be sure to ask reception about their entertainment schedule when you arrive to avoid missing out.
Hotel recommendation: Wailoaloa Beach is the perfect place to stay in Fiji if you’re on a budget. As I said, there is lots of free entertainment and affordable hotels and restaurants. The Smugglers Cove is where I stayed and I loved it! But if you want something even cheaper, then Bamboo Backpackers is the place for you!
7. Travel with friends
Traveling in a group will also help you travel Fiji on a budget. You will be able to share hotel rooms, taxis, and negotiate better tour deals! When booking tours in Fiji or buying items at souvenir shops always ask for a discount if you buy multiple!
If you’re a solo traveler looking to meet others to travel within Fiji, check out the Fiji Backpacker Group on Facebook. Here, you can meet other budget travelers and even share some costs as needed!
Related Read: The Truth about Hostels (and why we still love them!)
8. Drink minimally
Like I said before, alcohol is very expensive in Fiji. It is almost all imported and there is a high tax on it. At the grocery store expect to pay $3 FJN for a beer or local cooler. Expect to pay around $20 FJN for wine or $100 FJN or more for spirits!
In bars and restaurants, drinks can easily cost upwards of $10 FJN with cocktails costing $20 FJN or more! The cheapest drink I found at a bar was $6 FJN for a Fiji Gold beer.
Bring your alcohol with you or just keep the drinking to a minimum to save your wallet!
Budget-saving tip: If you do want to have a few drinks out, make sure to go during happy hour! Almost all bars in Fiji offer a daily happy hour around 4 or 5pm. You’ll find heavily discounted beers and cocktails during this time of day!
9. Use the website “Book Me”
The website “Book Me” is popular in New Zealand, but it is also getting very popular in Fiji! I bought a day trip to a remote island (Robinson Crusoe) with transport included for 50% off the normal price on Book Me!
There are tons of tour deals on this website and even some restaurants. It’s definitely worth checking out if you want to book any excursions or tours while in Fiji.
10. Make use of your negotiation skills
Negotiating is considered a talent in Fiji. Bartering on the price of something before purchasing is considered normal. So, to save yourself some money while traveling Fiji on a budget, be sure to always negotiate on a price before paying!
In markets, at roadside vendors, with taxi drivers, and even when booking tour packages it is okay to try and barter yourself a better deal. In fact, most of the time it is expected that you will do so.
Places like grocery stores or hotels have set prices though and you shouldn’t try and negotiate there.
Related Read: If you want somewhere cheap to visit, consider heading to Fiji’s capital city, Suva. There are lots of fun things to do and see in Suva and it’s significantly cheaper in terms of shopping and accomodation than other places in Fiji.
Where to Stay in Fiji
There are so many great areas to stay around Fiji. You can choose to stay on the main Island of Viti Levu or venture out to the smaller surrounding islands. With so many choices, it can be hard to narrow it down. To help, these are my top picks for each area in Fiji that fit a range of budgets.
Nadi – The Ramada
Located right on Wailoaloa Beach, the Ramada is the most luxurious hotel in this area. It features an exclusive pool and restaurant for guest use only. It is the tallest building in the area offering incredible views of the coastline and sunsets!
Because of its close proximity to the airport (only a 15-minute drive), many people stay here for a night before or after their flight. It’s a good place to spend some time before catching a ferry out to an island. A King Studio Room with a sea view goes for around $200 USD.
Check availability and book a stay at the Ramada here!
Port Denarau – Radisson Blu Fiji Resort
The Radisson Blu Resort is just stunning, and for what you get, the price is very reasonable too. This resort is just huge offering tons of activities for both families as well as couples. There is an adults-only pool as well as an area specifically for kids. It is beachfront and offers spa services as well.
Rooms here start from around $400 USD per night and range from standard hotel-style rooms with king beds or two queens, up to two-bedroom suites. Some rooms feature courtyard views while others have a view of the lagoon. All rooms have a balcony and minibar.
Check availability and prices at the Radisson Blue Resort here!
Yasawa Islands – Barefoot Manta Island Resort
Barefoot Manta Island Resort is perfect for those wanting a real island getaway experience without paying huge amounts of money. Surrounded by a vibrant protected coral reef, this is the best place to go for ocean lovers. You can even swim with Manta Rays just off the shore from May- October!
They offer dorm beds for only $29 USD a night. There are also private beachfront bungalows available starting at around $200 USD per night.
You can easily get to Barefoot Manta Island Resort on the Yasawa Flyer ferry that departs Port Denarau regularly. The ride should take about 3 hours.
Check prices and availability for Barefoot Manta Island Resort here!
Mamanuca Islands – Beachcomber Island Resort
Beachcomber Island Resort is one of the most popular island resorts to stay in Fiji. Its affordable pricing mixed with its close proximity to Viti Levu make it one of the best places to stay in Fiji.
You can reach the Beachcomber Resort from Port Denarau by riding the Yasawa Flyer ferry. The ride should take about 2 hours.
There are many different rooms and bungalows to choose from – something for every budget! Remember all these prices also include ALL your meals. Dorm beds go for as little as $60 USD per night, whereas you can get a standard twin room for $225 USD. For those willing to spend a little more, their Oceanfront Bungalow will cost about $250 USD per night.
Check prices and availability at Beachcomber Island Resort here!
Coral Coast – Maui Palms
Mixing beach life and luxury, the Maui Palms is perfect for those wanting a bit of pampering on their holiday. There are lots of on-site activities and the snorkeling right in front of the resort is great. Expect an infinity pool, games room, bar, restaurant, and beautiful ocean-view villas with private balconies!
The location on the Coral Coast means you don’t need a boat to get there but can still experience some of the tranquility and beautiful beaches you might find on the smaller islands. There are also a few restaurants nearby, so you won’t be confined to the hotel.
Rooms and villas here start at around $250 USD and up.
Check prices and availability for the Maui Palms here!
If you’re looking for more info about where to stay in Fiji, be sure to read our blog. It includes detailed info on each area, the best things to do nearby, prices, getting to hotels, and so much more.
Before you go…
Yes, Fiji is expensive. But what you need to understand is that their economy relies on tourism and the prices really help them out. Many of the prices are geared towards wealthy tourists, not budget travelers so you must be smart to travel cheaply in Fiji!
While the prices in Fiji can be frustrating, if you prepare properly and make the right choices you will be able to travel Fiji on a budget and still have a fantastic time!
Of course, if you found this blog helpful, be sure to read some of our other Fiji travel blogs including one about the 33 BEST things to do in Fiji, how to plan a honeymoon in Fiji, or an ultimate guide on where to stay in Fiji!
-Bailey
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Source: destinationlesstravel.com
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
