Help! Couple backpacking Fiji 14 days

Hi there,

We are a young couple from the UK heading to Fiji 31st January to 14th February. As we are heading to Fiji as part of a RTW trip, we are looking for cheap accommodation however would like to share a private room rather than use dorms etc.

Can anyone help recommend a rough itinerary for us e.g. how much time to spend in Nadi, and which islands to visit? We are looking to find out a bit about Fji and its culture, people but of course spend time relaxing on the beach, watersports etc.

Also should we book things in advance or is it OK to turn up and haggle accommodation on the day. My brother visited Fiji in 2009 and used this approach, however I am much more of an 'organiser' so this leaves me a little nervous that all the good places will be full! Our budget for the two weeks is around £1000 for two people, although ideally we'd spend less.

Any information for two Fiji newbies gladly received.

Nadi? About 4 hours. Enough to walk from the bus stop to the Indian Temple, and back to the bus stop.
1 week in the Yasawas. 2 places. Maybe Octopus and another further up north closer to the caves.
Take a bus around Viti Levu. Allow 3 days plus a day in Suva and a day in Lautoka and a couple of hours in RakiRaki. Maybe see if you can get over to Levuka, the old capital.

Cheers,
Peter

looking to find out a bit about Fji and its culture, people

Nadi? Even less than 4 hours!

What I'd do is take a bus as quickly as possible to Suva, stay there for a couple of days. From there I'd go to Ovalau island. Between a homestay, time in Levuka, a jungle walk, and some resort time on either lagoon island of Caqalai or Leleuvia, and your 2 weeks are covered.

I have difficulty recommending amount of time anywhere. I don't usually take trips that way. I try to set a priority and go there first, then stay as long as my interest is maintained, or curiosity about somewhere else increases.

If you've had your fill of Ovalau island and environs within a week, then I'd bus back towards the Nadi airport along the north coast road (King's road). There's another resort area at Nananu i ra (near Rakiraki) if you want more beach time. Maybe overnight in another north coast town. I'd finish in Lautoka, giving the Yasawas a complete miss. There are a couple of inland tours (hikes, homestays) that you can try, with Lautoka as a base.

I'd keep an eye on the weather forecasts.

should we book things in advance

It depends on your itinerary (bargaining room prices didn't strike me as a common practice). It's not necessary to reserve in the towns, so long as you don't care where you're staying. If you aim for a resort island, then the options are limited, and it's better to reserve in advance. Also, whenever you want to stay somewhere in particular, even in towns, it's better to reserve in advance, esp. the better budget places .. if the plan is to stay somewhere anyway, might as well book and not leave yourself open to surprises. South Seas hotel in Suva, for example, or the Royal hotel in Levuka, an old-style colonial experience. Chances are that there'd be a vacancy on any random day showing up. But, why wait if you plan to go there?

Hi Fiona,

We loved Fiji!

Can anyone help recommend a rough itinerary for us

As the other guys have said, get out of Nadi as soon as possible. There is nothing there of interest though I appreciate you might want to stay a night before you move on.

Day 1: Nadi, Rabosea B&B is great but, as I said, only stay in Nadi if you arrive late and/or need to catch your breath.
Day 2, 3: If you dive, take the bus to Pacific Harbour and stay at Tsulu to do some shark diving. If not, I'd spend these extra days between Taveuni and the Mamanucas.
Day 4, 5: Suva, we stayed with a couple called Lea and Salesi on Airbnb.
Day 6, 7: Savusavu, Savusavu Budget Lodge. Nice town, gives you a chance to meet some locals. Mama's Country Kitchen does great cheap food.
Day 8-10: Taveuni. We stayed at Beverley's Campground but it was very basic so I would suggest the nearby Maravu Lodge. Gorgeous island. Not as easy to get to as everything else but worth the journey.
Days 11-14: Travel back to Nadi (presuming you're travelling out of there as opposed to Suva) and finish up somewhere in the Mamanucas and/or Yasawas. Unfortunately, I can't recommend a hostel here as we were on commission for a bridal magazine so got to stay at a hotel way out of the typical backpacker budget!

Also should we book things in advance or is it OK to turn up

I always book ahead but a day or two is usually enough.

Have a great time!

Kia, Atlas and Boots

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