Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Backpacking at the islands?? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
capich 03:45 UTC 21 Dec 2002 | I was planning an around the world trip next year. I wanted to travel very cheep and stay in hostels, etc. I was wondering if traveling to the South Pacific Islands is possible on a limited budget? If so which islands? Is there cheep places to stay? Any help is greatly appreciated Thank you |
afriedma 11:33 UTC 21 Dec 2002 | Provided that you can pay the airfare, you can stay fairly cheaply in some places. There are several backpacker places in Nadi, on the main island of Viti Levu, Fiji. We liked Sunseekers, which has large dorm rooms as well as private rooms. Located in walking distance to downtown Nadi, where you can take buses to other locations around Viti Levu. There are a few backpackers places in Nuku'alofa on the main island of Tongatapu, Tonga. One good one is Toni's Guest House, right next to the Catholic Basilica (which has a great cheap restaurant in its basement). French Polynesia is tougher, but there are a couple of backpacker/camping places at Haaru, on Moorea. Its a quick ferry from Papeete on Tahiti, then a bus ride to Moorea Camping or Nelson's. Both are right on a nice beach. The Cook Islands are our favorite, but we never stayed at any of the hostels there (we rented a bungalow). I understand that there are a couple of good ones near Muri Beach. Given the choice, if cost was the ultimate consideration, I would go to Fiji first. It is generally cheaper in terms of food and transportation, and there are quite a few things to do even if you never leave Viti Levu. | 1
mcgills99 03:16 UTC 23 Dec 2002 | Suggest Fiji as it is geared upo for backpacking. Dorms are around $20, camping about $10 (Fiji Dollars) Food is cheap if you eat what the locals eat - fruit and veg and some fish etc. Some places like nananu-I-Ra nananu island lodge is where I stayed) are on big properties with papaya, breadfruit, guavas and mangoes, coconuts and bananas growing wild so you can help yourself. Also can buy fish from local fishermen. See Fiji backpackers Association or Fiji Visitors Bureau In Cooks there are a lot of small self contained places and in French Polynesia stay at Pensions. It can be done very cheaply but still without missing out. | 2
catskills 04:23 UTC 23 Dec 2002 | I'm glad you said cheap!I never hear people talk about bushwacking-bring your tent and see the natives in their own enviroment.I sailed across the Pacific from Panama to New Zealand on three sailboats ranging in size from 42-50 footers and taking a total of 86 days at sea from April-November.I also had my bicycle and all the bags and a tent.The key word here is tent.I think a bicycle has a big advantage over someone on foot but you could get a much better feel for a place on foot and stop thinking about a "backpacker" place to stay.If you got off the plane in Tonga tomorrow why not walk around the island.People in the outer villages will insist you stay with them-atleast they did with me.Don't be a sponge or bludge-bring some coffee or Milo and donate for food.I'll bet I drank kava the native way in Tonga in a village 4-5 times.I stayed in Tahiti one month and rode around the island 3 times.I camped near a small village on one of the deadends near Taravao.A villager started to wave his hands when I started to put my tent up-like a dummy I didn't realize the danger in putting a tent up under a cocoanut palm.The villager was concerned I might get hurt.At Papeete I had my favorite camping spot above the city.I went exploring one late afternoon and went up a paved road into the mountains.The road turned to dirt-no houses were up here.The view down on the city was as beautiful as the price.The prices in Tahiti will knock your socks off -but I stayed for one month and spent -0- on accomodation.You did say cheap.Meet the people and have fun! | 3