Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# DECISSIONS. DECISSIONS!!! Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
lyndelle 07:04 UTC 29 Mar 2013 | Guys, I need a weeks break out of Brisbane. I waas thinking of either Fiji or Samoa. I need it to be affordable and im happy to stay in almost any accomodation to make the experience enjoyable. I really want to do a LOT of nothing but on a budget! I usually research and plan EVERYTHING when i go OS but this time, im even considering a PACKAGE DEAL so i dont have to do a thing....but pack. Again, i was looking into Fiji or Samoa BUT if you want to suggest any other destiantion which would fit the bill, im keen and eager to hear about it! Thanks for reading this GIBBSY |
tch7 00:18 UTC 30 Mar 2013 | Fiji has a much more developed tourism industry, so it's easier to just show up and not have to worry about a thing. Costs are similar between the two countries, and among the cheapest in the South Pacific. I have nothing but great things to say about Fiji. Samoa, on the other hand, is somewhere I never care to return to. | 1
lagoon 03:55 UTC 30 Mar 2013 | Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands, may interest you. It's a pretty island, with a good mix of nice accommodation, mainly beachfront. Currency is NZ dollars. Weekly direct flight from Sydney, and return. For budget accommodation options, look at Rarotonga Backpackers on a beachfront location in Arorangi (west side, glorious sunsets), or in Muri (east side) at either Vara's on the beach or Are Mango ( a little more upscale). Airport transfers arranged by accommodators. Good island bus service. Activities include lagoon cruising, snorkelling, swimming, hiking, Polynesian island nights, lazing on a beautiful sandy beach. | 2
ozziegiraffe 13:53 UTC 30 Mar 2013 | Vanuatu also offers good basic package deals and is probably closer to Brisbane than Fiji or Cook Islands. | 3
Laszlo 09:47 UTC 01 Apr 2013 | I also vote for Fiji over Samoa, in every respect. If you can find a package for an affordable price, the suggestion of Vanuatu is worth considerig, too. It is a lovely country that I prefer to Fiji overall, but if staying only on the main island of either, I must say Fiji offers much more to see and do. Without a package, Vanuatu is much pricier than Fiji though. | 4