Where to stay in Fiji - Solo backpacker seeking peace and seclusion !!

Hi

I am off to Fiji next year for 3 weeks and am in the throws of planning my trip

I am 40 and will be travelling alone with a backpack.

Am looking for a couple of places in Fiji to spend some time, somewhere that is quiet and peaceful and where I can enjoy a true Fijian experience. Somewhere with beautiful beaches and not too pricey.

Any advice would be great

Cheers
Mark

This is not from personal experience, but I know several people who have been to Octopus Resort and very much enjoyed it. Beautiful beach and acccommodation for all budgets (from dorms to suites) http://www.octopusresort.com/rooms.htm

I too would recommend a resort in the Yasawas, such as Octopus, as a place to stay on a first visit to Fiji. If you want a private room you will have to pay a fair bit. Generally speaking Fiji, or most places in the Pacific, are not cheap - you need to budget similar to what you would spend in the West.

Ovalau island is much less touristed than the Yasawas, and more low-key, lower-budget. Levuka, main town, is a colonial era treasure, almost unique in Fiji. BoBo's farm is a good homestay on the island. There are two lagoon 'resorts' of Caqalai and Leleuvia. Jungle hikes, etc .. there's enough to see and do for several days.

South end of Taveuni is another possibility. North end resort area (Matei) is mainly upper budget ambiance. A couple of the main towns on west side of island are interesting for local color. East side, around Bouma, Lavena, etc. is more for jungle walks in the national park.

I'm not much of a fan of beaches generally, so cannot assess what your criteria might be regarding 'beautiful beaches'. Palm-backed stretches of white coral sand practically defines the lagoon islands at Ovalau, but the beaches are almost hidden at high tide and at low tide the coral lagoon itself is exposed - something that I find more interesting than a beach. I also developed an addiction to hammocks-in-the-shade.

I would recommend Leluvia Island. It's small, beautiful, nice food, lovely staff, good beaches and snorkelling and well priced. It's also fairly easy to access from Suva. I've been twice and would go again. Have a look at reviews. Suva expats like this place!

I enjoyed Leluvia, it's a small island but very well run place, no village on it but you can take a boat to one close by. I really like Nananu I ra but once again no village life. It's owned by a few descendants of the colonial owner who have cottages that you can stay in, plenty of walks. Have a look at Vatia Eco something ...Near Ba. It's on my list but haven't stayed there yet.

I stayed at Nananu-I-ra. Bus to Lautoka, purchased groceries there then bused to Rakiraki. It was very quiet. Lovely water. I'm not sure if there is a Fijian village on the island. There were a couple small resorts. The one next door had 1 couple staying at it and my resort had me and another couple. I stayed in the 4 bed dorm. The 1st night there were 2 others with me but after that I was alone for the rest of the week. The couple were staying in a private cottage. There were meals provided for an extra cost. I brought my own groceries as there was a kitchenette in the dorm. My bed was $10/ night. It was very clean. You could walk around the whole island in a few hours. I was there in February a few years back.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.