Teacher Budget - Fiji 4 weeks in July

My girlfriend and I are looking to travel in Fiji for the month of July (about 4 weeks), and are wondering how we can do so on a budget.
I spent 4 months in India, Nepal and Thailand for $1000 including everything but airfare, but don't think that's realistic here.

Have a good 3 week itinerary? ...A family member is already giving us a week at a time share (Naigani), so we're thinking of places to go/stay after July 9th until about July 29th.

Getting There:
What is the best (cheapest/most major) airport to fly into from the Vancouver, B.C. or California areas?

_Where to go and how:_
Where are the best places to visit? We'd like to spend ample time on beaches, of course, but would also like to do a few scenic hikes.

Is it best to rent a car or take busses around? I'm not especially excited about renting a car, as I think that would limit our flexibility in island-hopping, but am interested in more experienced travelers' ideas.

What is the cheapest form of transportation between islands? I've heard of the ____ Flyer (can't remember the spelling right now), but that seems pretty steep.

Accommodations:
Is it possible to stay some place on the beach for $20 US per night ($10 each), or is that ridiculous? I don't have a feel for Fiji at all! :)

Is it worth it to take a tent? Are there places where you can camp for free?

Food
What is the best way to eat for cheap? What is a "cheap" price in Fiji? (US dollars helps, or I can convert).

Do you have recommendations for good places to eat for various islands?

Where are the best places to visit?
The Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups are wonderful - great beaches, snorkeling, hiking, etc. South Sea Cruises and the Yasawa Flyer are expensive, but it's the best option overall for getting around.
On the mainland (Viti Levu) there aren't any great beaches. There is some good hiking near Abaca and elsewhere in the highlands. The Sigatoka sand dunes are interesting.
Vanua Levu reputably has some great hiking options, but flying there won't be too kind on your budget.

I'd probably spend two weeks in the Yasawas, and one on the mainland.

Is it best to rent a car or take busses around?
Buses are super cheap and pretty good, but renting a car would give you much more freedom and allow you to pack more in. If you spend a week on Viti Levu, buses would be good enough to get to see most of the island.

What is the cheapest form of transportation between islands?
If you visit multiple islands, the Yasawa Flyer is easily the most reliable option and very convenient. Cheaper options are scarce and not really a great idea, especially in rough seas.

Is it possible to stay some place on the beach for $20 US per night ($10 each), or is that ridiculous?
Not very realistic. Cheapest place in the islands I stayed (dorm) was F$70/night including 3 meals. On the mainland, it was F$30/night including breakfast (toast). I'd recommend a total daily budget of US $50-75 for all expenses.

Is it worth it to take a tent? Are there places where you can camp for free?
Few places offer camping, and it's usually only about $F5 cheaper than a dorm bed, so it's not really a good idea..

What is the best way to eat for cheap? What is a "cheap" price in Fiji? (US dollars helps, or I can convert).
Markets/grocery stores are the cheapest option. A cheap quickie meal out is F$5-10, and a decent meal is F$10-20.
In the islands, you have to get compulsory meal packages with your accommodation (generally F$30-F$70).

Do you have recommendations for good places to eat for various islands?
You only have a choice on the mainland, and food is not a strength of Fiji. Bluewater Lodge in Nadi had good, high quality dinners for F$10 to F$20. In the islands, the best food I had was at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, but that came with the hefty F$70/day meal package.

The very touristy Yasawa and Mamanuca groups are actually among the more expensive parts of Fiji for budget travellers - you get more for less on the bigger islands where there are facilities for locals, too.

This site lists some budget places starting from as little as F$19.00 per person.

Camping for free is not usually recommended in the Pacific islands where all land is usually privately owned. I believe a few cheaper campsites exist, but I wouldn't base my trip around those - unlike in say, New Caledonia.

The Yasawa Flyer mentioned above is actually an expensive tourist shuttle boat service.
The cheapest way to get around is by local passenger ferries or cargo ships, of which there are plenty in Fiji.

Actually, most of these things are described in guidebooks, so get one I found this one way better than LP!

Overall, I'd still suggest that you budget at least US$30/person/day though you might scrape by on a bit less.

one place you might try while on Viti Levu (the main island where Nadi Airport is) is the Coral Coast about 2hrs drive from Nadi Airport

you can catch a bus from the Nadi Airport for about FJD$12.00 per person one way to the coral coast. It is a great deal of fun catching the bus with the locals. You cannot go wrong and there is always someone there to help you along the way.

you can get a village stay for US$65.00 per night which includes all meals and accomodation in your own cabin right on the beach. This way you can meet the real Fijian people and get to know them and Fiji the country.

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

you mentioned hikes...coral coast has lots and there is the Biausevu Waterfall walk you can do and you can also do a local school tour which is an awesome experience to see how children go to school in Fiji.

if you are not to keen about a village stay you can stay in more resort style backpackers accommodation at

http://www.fijibeachouse.com/

this is a great place to kick back, relax and catch some rays with tourist from all over the world.

hope these two options are of use to you

Vinaka

Edited by: nztourist

With regard to getting there: The main airports are Nadi and Suva. If you go to their airport websites you should be able to have a look at arrival and departure schedules. You will get a list of airlines and where they are flying from - it is best to check for the weekly schedule as some airlines only fly on certain days. Check the websites of the airlines that interest you to see if they have any specials for your travel time.

Try Air Pacific for flights to Fiji from Vancouver. Unfortunately they no longer fly direct to Nadi (via Hawaii), you'll have to transfer at LAX. Fiji Travel (which has moved from Vancouver to Surrey) sometimes offers discounted tickets (I've used them before and got good prices) but in order to get a good deal you need to pay cash. I know that not advisable but I've done that before with them and it worked out fine.

I have travelled to Asia and done budget also and you just wont get anything like that in Fiji.

My recommendations are that you stick to the mainland and that will automatically keep your budget down. There are some great spots on the mainland so you wont miss out.

Head to the Coral Coast and check out The beachouse. Last I checked it was $35 FJD per night for a dorm and that included breakfast and afternoon tea. They have a kitchen for cooking or a restaurant for budget meals.
Its on the main road but the property goes up to the beach so its nice and quiet.
Their website explains how to get there by bus keeping your costs down.

They are centrally located so you can get around easily to local attractions. I will add a link of things I like to do when in Fiji.

I find that advertised homestay prices are too high especially when traveling in groups. So I recommend that you do a village day visit instead, meet some locals and see what they can offer.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1882156

Let us know how you go :-)