How to Find Cheap Hotels in Fiji

Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific located between Hawaii and Australia. Here you will find an island paradise that is great for weddings, honeymoons and family vacations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Proof that you have enough money to cover your expenses while staying in the country
• A computer with Internet access
• Special permission if you plan on docking a yacht in one of Fiji's ports
• A valid passport

Know Your Destination

1. Hop from island to island: Fiji has over 300 of them for you to explore.
2. Say "Bula!"' While English is widely spoken on Fiji, you will hear this traditional greeting often.
3. Snorkel, dive, swim, surf, or sail in Fiji's tropical waters. The region is home to some of the most vibrant living coral reefs on the planet.

Organize Your Fiji Transportation

4. Choose from two different international airports. Nadi tends to be the main airport for international flights, but Nausri, which is closer to the city of Suva, is a second option.
5. Travel cheap on the public bus. Few roads traverse the center of the main island, so if you want to get from one end to the other, you'll have to go around.
6. Take a ferry or charter plane to get between islands.

Choose Your Lodging in Fiji

7. To book accommodations, contact The Fiji Islands Visitor's Bureau at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). It helps to explore outlying islands. Unless you have business in Nadi or Suva, staying on one of Fiji's smaller isles usually makes for a better vacation.
8. Find cheap accommodations in Denarau Island, which offers accommodations set in water gardens. This area is where most cruises dock and take on passengers, so it is a great place to stay before you leave on a cruise, or a great place to recover from a cruise before you fly home.
9. Check out options for cheap accommodations on the Coal Coast. This area offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as well as easy access to the world's largest single reef system.
10. Soak up history in the town of Levuka, Fiji's old capital. Once a favorite stopping-off point for pirates, Levuka has retained its colonial flavor. The Royal Hotel, near the center of town, is the oldest hotel in Fiji and is rumored to be haunted. Cheap rooms are available in the sprawling, well-kept building.
11. Seek out a resort catering to budget travelers or backpackers. While some islands in Fiji are entirely taken up by lavish private resorts, others feature hostel-style accommodations with very cheap rates. You might sacrifice a bit of privacy, but you'll still have access to beautiful remote beaches and world-class diving.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're taking an inter-island shuttle, be sure the boat is safe, sturdy, and not overloaded. Some ferries in Fiji are little more than old fishing boats and have been known to capsize in bad weather.
• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Don't tip. This is not a custom that residents of this island embrace.
• Exchange your money for Fijian Dollars. The exchange rate varies, but it is typically around 1 U.S. dollar for 1.7 Fijian dollars.
• Some of the terrain in Fiji is unstable and can be hazardous if you don't know the area. Talk to a local guide for advice on what areas to avoid in order to hike safely through the wild areas of this country.
• It is also recommended that you always hike with someone, and that you don't stray from trails.
• It is a good idea to get traveler's insurance to protect yourself in case you are faced with a theft or medical emergency while traveling to Fiji.