Taxi or transport from Nadi to Warwick/Coral Coast

Hello all! I have been reading through alot of threads here and haven't found exactly what I am looking for.
We will be arriving at Nadi 5:10 AM and need to get to the Warwick Hotel. We will be staying there 4 nights before coming back to Port Denarau and catching the flyer out to the Yasawas.

The private transfers the Warwick can set up for us cost F$135 each way, for a total of F$270. Is there a way to hire a taxi that can take us to a few stops on the way to the Warwick that is cheaper... ie to see the sand dunes, stop in Sigatoka for food/alcohol, etc? Really not sure how much we are going to feel like doing after a 10 hour flight, but we'll see.

Another option I thought about is to rent a car, but is there a way to drop it off at Warwick and not have to drive it back to Nadi?

Are there any other options I am missing? I would rather it be private transfers as I want to at least stop for food/drinks before arriving at the hotel... plus I want to be comfortable, not worry about the bags, and see the sites on the way.

I am also curious of opinions of Warwick hotel... we also thought about Mango Resort for more of an authentic experience, but also figured that we would get that in the Yasawas. We plan on doing day trips(rafting, waterfalls, etc.)almost everyday while in Viti Levu, so not sure the place we stay matters much. Would the Warwick be a better option for better food/drinks? What about price of food there compared to Mango? Are there other restuarants close by off the resort that can be easily reached?

Another BIG question I have is safety while there on Coral Coast and in the Yasawas. I don't really care as I have traveled to some 3rd world countries, but my fiance is worried about it and wanted me to check.

Thanks in advance!!
Cheers!

You might like to check out www.viator.com - they offer shared taxi transportation. You just give them arrival and hotel information and they will arrange for pick up at the airport and drop off at your hotel (the Warwick is on their list). We have not used this service but have used them to book tours in other places and were not disappointed with the service. You might be able to do stops on the way but it will depend on whether there are other passengers. We used the services of Suncoast Taxi, but we were going to Ellington Wharf - the opposite direction from where you are going. Suncoast are located in Rakiraki so I'm not sure they would go as far as the Warwick. If you are interested in contacting them, PM me and I'll get you their contact number.

With regard to safety - we had no concerns and felt perfectly secure during our time in Fiji - just take the same precautions you normally would.

Travel around Fiji is very safe - much more so than "3rd world countries"

Rental cars can often be rented "one way". I believe that the Warwick has a car rental desk - call them.
Check with a major rental company (I like Avis) about 1 way rental - it will surely cost less than FJD$270 for the day !!
Driving in Fiji is not difficult - especially in the daytime.

Oh yes, Id imagine that food will be dearer at Warwick than Mango - this is normal in most places - the fancier the hotel, the dearer the food. Mind, you are not forced to eat the Warwick just because you sleep there. I recall that there are some other places to eat not far from the Warwick.- some walkable and also , some places will pick you up if you call them.

1st with safety ...you will have no problems at all so do not worry at all.

you are looking for the traditional fijian experience then you need to consider Danny's Village Homestay on the Coral Coast 20mins from the Warrick

see this link for photos

http://www.fijihomestays.com/fiji_homestays_photos.htm

I stay here with my family and it was fantastic. You can do all sorts of local Coral Coast tours with the guys at Danny's like Water Falls Tours, Market tours, School Tours trips to the sand dunes all at very low prices compared to the local tourist operators...remember these guys are locals and know where you want to see

here is a youtube clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOpSIfP-CjM

re transport to the coral coast

you say your flight gets in at 5:10AM

there are two bus companies that pick up from the Nadi Airport

make sure you catch the express bus and not the local bus as the local bus will stop at every stop along the way and it will take nearly 4 or 5 hours to get to the Warrick

PACIFIC BUSES: first express bus from Nadi Airport is at 7:00AM it will take you about 2.5hours to get to the Warrick

The pick up point for this bus is right outside the airline check in area of the airport. When you come out of the arrivals hall onto the main road outside the airport hang a right and follow the footpath to the Arrivals area of the airport. It will only take you about 3mins to walk it.

It will cost you about F$12.00 per person one way to the Warrick. Make sure you tell the bus driver and ticket boy you want the express bus and you want to get off at the Warrick Resort...then sit back and enjoy the ride.

the next bus after the 7:00AM is the 7:25AM

the other bus company is called SUNBEAM BUSES and their first bus leaves the Nadi Airport at 9:00AM

I hope this information is useful for you.

Thanks for the replies, yall are awesome! That is why I love coming here... I have been doing extensive research for months and that is the first I have heard of the Viator company.

The Express bus option is also great and very cheap. My only question is if we would be able to stop at a market to buy water/drinks/etc. before arriving at the Warwick? Or is there places close enough to the Warwick that once we arrive, can go back to pick up these items... where is the closest market? I guess from reading, I get the impression that the Warwick, or other coral coast hotels, are far away from everything and kinda secluded.

One more question: We need to get back to Port Denarau to catch the 8:30AM Yasawa Flyer from the Warwick. Would a bus leave early enough to get us there in time, or will we have to go ahead and book a private taxi for that? I guess we would need to be leaving around 5:30AM to get there in time? How early should we get to the Port to make it on the Flyer in time? Would the Viator shared bus be an option that early?

Sorry about the "3rd world country" comment, I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I was at work and in a hurry when I wrote that post. I was not in any way comparing Fiji to a 3rd world country. I was just saying that I have been to some rough places and not a pansie and I am not at all worried about safety in a place like Fiji.... but I just needed to find out about it because my fiance is worried.

Thanks again for all of the replies!

Oh yeah, what does "dearer" mean? I am assuming it means "more expensive" or "nicer"?

I have seen people discussing the Danny's Homestay, and it looks great! My only reservation on it is that this is our honeymoon and I was wanting something kinda nice to stay. If I was traveling alone like i used to ,I would definatley be staying there. I did read on the website that they have a day "tour" thing. They would come by and get you from the hotel and show you around the village, etc. Is this worth it at all?

Another question I am trying to figure out is what to do on the Sunday we are on Viti Levu. We arrive on a Thursday morning, and have all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Viti Levu, before catching the Flyer to Nanuya Island Resort first thing Monday morning. We were wanting to spend alot of time in the highlands and tropical forest while on Viti Levu. One day we want to do the Upper Navua rafting tour, I also saw a Discover Fiji tour of the Namosi Highlands, that I think focuses more on culture than adventure? There is also a cave tour, Suva or Sigatoka tour. I have heard that Sundays are slow. What is available to do on Sundays that would maximize our time on Viti Levu. We might catch a church service that morning, but not sure what to do afterwards. Would that be a good day with Danny's tour? I heard about the hot springs, could this be visited this day? I also would like to see the sand dunes... would this be a good day to check out Sigatoka and the dunes, or would most of the town be shut down?

I also do not have to do organized tours... if there is a more local way of doing something I am all for it. I read one article that someone wrote about that here here on the Thorntree that was helpful.

Sorry for the rambling... just lots of questions!

Thanks again in advance!

" Or is there places close enough to the Warwick that once we arrive" - the best bet is to go to Sigatoka -about 15 mins by taxi. There is a market and a supermarket (Morris Headstrom, I think) , shops and cafes. I always stock up on food and drinks there - MUCH cheaper than anywhere near the Coast.

Easy question... how much would a taxi be from the Warwick to Rivers Fiji in Pacific Harbour. I have been told it is only a 5km trip.

Thanks!

re. your question about getting back to Port Denarau for 8:30am

Am pretty sure the bus isn't an option, as there isn't an early enough bus. Also, the Queen's road bus doesn't go to Port Denarau - you'll have to get off near Nadi and get another local bus, or a taxi. You should also factor in a buffer for "Fiji time", as things rarely happen according to schedule. For example, my bus was old, had a lot of trouble getting up hills, yet still managed to get pulled over by the police for speeding - all leading to a 2hr trip that took closer to 3hrs!

Beachouse has a bus schedule - this wasn't exactly accurate when I was there a month ago, but will give you an idea of the times. http://www.fijibeachouse.com/fijibustimetables.html

You'll probably have to either arrange an early taxi, or head back to Nadi the night before and spend a night there. The Yasawa flyer leaves just once a day, so you don't want to miss that boat!

Why bother with the bus. With 4 of you , not only is it safer (timewise) but economical to take a taxi 9you will need to haggle on the price - they wont use the meter.

Firstly Fiji is not a third world country. Its just not a very rich country. Taxi fare you quoted to the Warwick is standard as it is a 2hr drive. When you arrive at 5am, ask the ladies at the arrival desk when you come out of customs, what time does the Coral Sun , or Sunbeam bus leaves and where from. I think it leaves at 7am from the departure terminal. It will cost you only $12 and they stop at all the hotels and resorts. Also whenever you get into a taxi ask if they have their meters on, that way you wont get ripped off.
Mango bay is really nice and cost wise reasonable, but the Warwick is fantastic but expensive.

Enjoy your stay.