Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Vacation info? Fiji and surrounding islands extended stay

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

Hello,

I am looking around the South Pacific for a place to holiday for 6 - 12 weeks and relax. Maybe do some island hoping. I have done a bit of research on Fiji and it would appear at first glance, to be "budget friendly" and a good place to start. I am a fairly experienced traveler preferring off the beaten path... I also live in a very small, rural mountain town and try to avoid extended stays in cities. My hopes are to make a base in Fiji, head around from there to Samoa, Tahiti, specifically Bora Bora.

Can anyone make suggestions? Possibly a good place to begin?

Bula and Welcome to ThornTree,

Not knowing where you're coming from or what your interests are, it's taking a bit of imagination
on what you really want from your R&R in the South Pacific. Fiji is a great place, not only because of
the beauty of the islands, but because of the beauty of the Fijian people-- they are some of the most
wonderful people on the planet. Fiji offers a lot more for the budget-minded visitor than Tahiti, certainly.
To my knowledge, there are no longer any air-passes allowing you to get to Tahiti and other South
Pacific destinations at a discount. If you have to buy air tickets from Nadi to Papeete and then on to Bora Bora, you
are probably looking at about $1800 return. And once in Bora Bora, lodging and dining costs are very
high. Samoa is more budget-friendly than Tahiti, to be sure. With more than 300 islands, and having
personally spent a month just visiting six of them, I know you can spend your entire 6-12 weeks with-

out running out of islands to visit!

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Fiji is a great place for a holiday. It's currently under military rule which has done little for the economy as you'd imagine and the currency devaluation of a few years back hurt the locals all the more. So it's not a cheap place to be as soon as you stay and do touristy things. Staying locally on the main islands would be cheaper but that's not the postcard Fiji you really would be seeking I imagine.

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Just go-transportation is cheap but slow people are friendly everyone speaks some form of English and food is delicious no better place for you than Fiji.

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As Kenco mentioned, recommendations really need to be suited to your interests. How will you spend your time in Fiji and other south pacific countries?

Fiji is good for the budget traveler. Many dorm accomodations with kitchens, and bus service is reliable.

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Hi Pls check your PM,thanks.

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Thanks for the replies. Decided to go budget Belize, caye caulker for a few months. For airfare to Tahiti, you can fly to and cover housing for two months at same cost there. Was a no brainer,

Edited by: rrwoodro

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