Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

ATM machines in Fiji, and keeping the valuables safe

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

I swear I've seen this topic posted before, but can't dig it up in a search (maybe fell off the edge?) and have nothing on it in my own notes of past posts.
I figure there are ATM machines on Viti Levu in the larger towns (Suva, Nadi), but elsewhere in the country?

As I'm intending to be in the country for a few months, I have to consider how to keep the cash supply up, and I hope I don't have to make trips just to use an ATM.
I am pretty skeptic on the practice of using a hotel safe (anywhere), and usually don't keep much cash in my pouch, so I'm concerned about it in this case. The stories that come up about the loose interpretation of ownership is uncomfortable as well.
Also, how acceptable is credit card use? In many parts of the world I've had innkeepers give me good discounts if I paid cash, but if I wanted to pay by cc they would say I have to pay the full, posted price.

There are 19 ATM locations in Suva, 2 in Sigatoka, 4 in Nadi, 3 in Lautoka, 1 in Savu Savu, 1 in Labasa, 1 in Levuka. This is partially my knowledge partially a listing from a travellers guide called Explore Fiji - which is distributed all over Fiji. I still recommend having some cash as back up somewhere stashed away, it happens that ATMs run dry.

Credit Cards cost the shopkeeper/innkeeper (especially the smaller ones) unfortunately quite a bit of his/her income (commission to the Credit Card facility, plus a telephone call which is NOT necessarily toll free, to authorize, plus more work, and you pay the commission also, when you draw from the ATM and sometimes it's even more), so it is common practise that you get a discounted cash rate, but you will be charged in full paying with credit card.

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