If you like the beach and you are one of the tourists who do not conceive a vacation that is not by the sea, with sun and sand then ... did you try the Fiji Islands? Yes, they are not around the corner but the trip is well worth it.
The islands make up an insular republic and are in oceania, they are the approximate size of Slovenia and as you will see in this post and in the photographs that accompany it, they are difficult to forget. Jungles, turquoise sea, heat, corals, white sand mangroves and luxury hotels but also for backpackers. To travel!
Fiji Islands
Fiji is basically made up of two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and some other smaller islands around such as Koro, Kadavu, Gau and Taveuni. In general they are volcanic islands and if we are more specific in their location on the globe we will say that they are islands that belong to the group of those of melanesia and found near Tonga and Vanuatu.
Conclusion mountainous islands, with peaks of more than 900 meters of altitude and some fertile plains. Also have mangroves, forests, coral reefs under the waters and a rich flora and fauna. Everything proliferates thanks to humid climate that reigns even though the heat is not excessive at all. The coolest months are from May to November with temperatures between 19 and 29 ºC and between December and April it calculates between 22 and 33 ºC.
It is advisable to go far from the rainy season, between June to October. Right in the European summer! Take advantage! Some more data? It is worth saying that the islands are free from malaria, yellow fever or other tropical diseases. Lucky! On the other hand, here people are modest and traditional, so not so much in hotels but if you travel to a village, try to be modest.
The currency is the Fiji dollar with bills of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 and some coins. Banks open at 9:30 am and close at 4 pm although there are money exchange agencies that work 24 hours a day at Nadi airport. The current is 240 volts, at 50 Hz. The plugs are 3-prong the same as those used in Australia.
How to get to Fiji and how to get around
By plane from any part of the world. From Los Angeles there are 10 hours of flight, for example. The international airport is the Nadi airport and it's on the island of Viti Levu. When you arrive automatically a four month visa validity, although it is almost general, it is always advisable to check that your country is on that list, obviously.
Once here getting around is easy and cheap. The main islands have a good bus network and to move between islands the ferry is used. There are also taxis and you can rent a car to explore at least the two largest islands, which account for 90% of the road network. Besides the ferry there are also small planes or boats to go to and from the islands around.
There are also two domestic airlines that operate between the most important islands and even have services to other more distant islands although they are less frequent. If you like cruises you can always hire one to let them take you. On the tourism website you have all this information and super complete.
Things to do in Fiji
You will enter Fiji through the Nadi airport in the city of the same name located on the west coast of the island of Viti levu. There are many hotels here and you can schedule the rest of your trip after touring it.
Many tourists usually jump to the Denarau Island, located in front of the coast, a island resort complete that is connected to the main island by a short embankment. Between Nadi and Denarau there are barely 10 kilometers and the island contains no more and no less than eight huge resorts, beautiful beaches and even an 18-hole golf course.
Pools, international quality restaurants, shops, nature excursions and everything a tourist wants to relax. You can arrive by taxi or take advantage of the hotel's transport service and it is from here that you can also jump to the Mamanuca or Yasawa Islands with cruises and ferries operating every day.
All the Mamanuca Islands They are the closest group of islands to Nadi Airport and they are the best postcard of Fiji: turquoise waters, white beaches, palm trees with coconuts. If you like water sports it is a good place too and the same if yours is scuba diving and snorkelling. Here there are accommodations of all kinds, from lodges to places for backpackers who just want to surf.
North of the Mamanucas are the Yasawa Islands, a destination no shops or banks, something more rugged and far from civilization. Once these islands were only accessible for cruise ships and nobody could stay but with a good program of ecotourism promoted by the government that has changed and everyone can enjoy its great beaches.
While there are some luxurious resorts here now actually this is a simpler destination, ideal for backpackers as there are accommodations directly managed by local people.
Yasawa are popular for making snorkel, sail, kayak, swim, fish, visit villages, or grill. On the northern part of the island there are caves and if you are not scared by sharks and stingrays then you can dive under the waters of the nearby islands of Kuata or Drawaqa. Finally, reaching the Yasawa involves either a half-hour seaplane trip from Nadi or an easy ferry ride.
Now when you look at a map besides the island Viti Levu next to it is the island of Vanua Levu, an island less touristy but just as interesting. It has its capital in Savusavu and it is a natural paradise. You can stay in really beautiful B & Bs, backpacker hotels or resorts built on the coast.
In general, these are in the more touristy areas, centered around diving excursions: in Natewa Bay you can swim with dolphins, in the Wasali Nature Reserve you can go hiking and enjoy fantastic views or rent a car and do the Hibiscus Highway. .
From Nadi to this island you can get there by plane or by ferry. On the island it is best to move by bus, there is a service that connects the city of Savusavu with that of Labasa or you can also move by taxi. Finally, nothing to leave the Fiji Islands without visiting and enjoying the Coral Coast: 80 kilometers of white beaches and hidden bays on the south coast of Viti Levu.