Extended trip to Fiji

My wife and are planning a trip to Fiji from Sept 1 thru Nov and we would like to experience the Fijian culture outside of the normal tourist places. Does anyone have any suggestions of which island, where to stay etc? We saw an ad online for an opportunity to stay with a family and work part time on their farm, has anyone done this? If so, how was it? Another question, what kind of documentation does customs request regarding your income? How much money do they want u to have? Thank u for ur advice!

To work in Fiji (like most other countries) you will need a work permit, may be a problem for the type of work you mentioned. Working voluntary is also a problem as you may be taking a paid job away from someone. Paid work for farm help, you are looking at F$15-F$20 a full day.
I think on your travel documents that one fills in on the plane it states the limit you can bring in.

If I remember correctly its something like $10,000.00. I dont think they bother if you have less.

Thank u for your response. I have now seen homestays online (since I did this post), does anyone have a recommendation?

Check your private message.

The customs questions are only in regard to cash.
There is no restriction on how much you can spend once here and you can draw cash via ATMs.
As Childchi has said, if you wish to work and get paid there are all sorts of hoops to jump through to get a work permit and it would not be worth the effort for a short period.
Formal volunteering also requires permissions that may not be worth the effort.

Cheers,
Peter

enter as a turist you be given a 4 month visa, dont mention any work or business or you will be given a 1 week visa only.
you need to provide an address of stay on customs arrival form.
cash over F$ 10000 must be declared to customs, better use use cards on atm.

3 month maybe split between 2 or 3 locations, find a cottage or small house to rent around savusavu, on ovalau or taveuni. those places are not too turisty and have some infrastruture like shops and banks.... , while providing opportunity to get to know locals and experince fijian culture...

re homestays

consider Danny's on the Coral Coast great way to experience the culture and people of Fiji

google - Danny's Village Homestay Fiji

food is awesome, people are fantastic, accommodation is good (not hotel standard) great place to meet the people of Fiji

If you can make it to Savusavu, you'll find the place a lot less touristy than the west coast and very friendly. Ask around for a homestay around town, or try place called Olivia's which is a 20-min bus ride out of town, on the coast. Work is not really an option, for both legalities and wages point of view, but if you can get into the local, laid-back frame of mind, you'll make many friends and inevitibly find a home stay to experience the local culture. Keep in mind, as in many other places, that although the locals will appear as wondeful hosts, they are probably giving you much that they cannot really afford, because sharing and hospitality is part of the culture. Please be sure to make it up for them in any way you feel is most appropriate and remember that financially we probably have so much more than they do.