Help. Where can I stay in Fiji?

Hello everyone,

I am going to Fiji and stay for about a week.

I was wondering where can I go, close to Nadi, reachable by public transportation. I do not have much time so I would prefer to stay in 1 or 2 places close to Nadi.

I definitely do not want to stay in a resot. I was thinking of a town next to the beach, plenty of locals and maybe some backpackers. I am more interested in taking photos (people, culture, markets not just the perfect sunset/sunrise) rather than party and laying on the beach.

Is that too much to ask? Am I going to the wrong place? What would you recommend???

Thanks lots

Mila

You could stay in Lautoka, an interesting town about a 30 minute busride north of Nadi. Not many backpackers around, or any other tourists for that matter. Lautoka isn't on a beach worth mentioning, although on the coast. The closest which locals seem to go to is about 8 km away - I can't recall the name of the place. It's also a decent place to use as a base for an inland tour of 'traditional' villages.

Saweni Beach is the nicest beach near Lautoka. The Melanesian Hotel, about halfway between the Airport and Nadi Town is quite nice. No beach though. plenty of locals1