Fiji Backpacking Guide
including fiji backpacker resorts review
|
 |
Fiji Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Fiji Backpacking
Guide
|
 |
Fiji backpacking is the most extensive in the South Pacific
Over 30 islands with budget accommodation
Adventure travel, beach resorts and stunning scenery
Traditional villages, local culture and friendly people
Extensive transport network
If you're visiting Fiji as a backpacker, my first advice is to make sure you have enough time to travel about. Most backpackers plan a quick 5 day trip - it's simply not enough time to get to the best spots around the islands. If you're thinking about exploring the Northern, Southern or Lomaiviti islands you'll need at least 2 weeks to make it worthwhile.
There are backpacker hostels all around the Fiji islands - some are lively and others laid back - prices start at about F$50 for a beach hut, F$10 for a dorm bed and F$5 for camping. Camping in the wild is not encouraged and should not be considered unless first consulting with the local Fijian chief. Land issues in Fiji are not only contentious but are dear to the heart of the Fijian people. A Fijian person allowing you to camp on their land would be considered ill-mannered by their fellow Fijians for not allowing you to sleep in their home.
Some of the more popular backpacker routes are described below:
Circle Viti Levu -
best for adventure
The main island of Viti Levu has some good varied attractions. It takes an entire day to go all the way around the island by bus without stopping so you want at least five days to see the island. Heading south from Nadi, it's about an hour to the Coral Coast. There are several small beach bungalows and budget hostels here to spend a few days relaxing. The Beachouse is the most popular spot and trips into the rainforest can be arranged. Leaving the Coral Coast, it's about two hours to Suva, the capital. Suva is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with an excellent cinema, lively bars and nightclubs, but no beach, although the harbour setting is attractive. Slightly inland is Colo-i-Suva where you can visit the rainforest and stay at the Raintree Lodge.
the beachouse
|
|
suva market
|
A side trip from Suva to visit Ovalau (old colonial capital, lush rainforest with hiking trails, natural swimming pools) and the tiny offshore coral island of Leluvia with its beach party atmosphere and great snorkelling is recommended. Heading north on Viti Levu, there's not a great deal to see (mangrove coastline, no beaches) until you reach Rakiraki, departing point for Nananu-i-Ra island. This small island is good for exploring, has lots of lovely beaches and several backpacker hostels. The atmosphere is very laid back and informal as the island is freehold and there are no Fijian villages and therefore no restricted protocol to follow. Leaving Rakiraki, it's a four hour bus journey back to Nadi with little on the way worth stopping for.
Search for Fiji Backpacker Resorts
Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands Circuit
best for beaches and chilling
These offshore island off the west coast of Nadi are the stuff of tropical dreams. It's possible to go island hopping all the way through the two groups of islands. The nearest coral island is Beachcomber, just 15 minutes by boat, and this is the very commercialised party all hours island with organised themes. South Sea Island is another tiny coral island but is more down to earth. The first island of the Yasawa Group is Kuata, about 45 minutes by boat, and from here you can island hop along 10 different islands, each with small thatch bungalows beside gorgeous sandy beaches. The bungalows are mostly run by local Fijians and they will take you on village visits, fishing trips and yaqona parties. All islands are serviced by fast catamaran or local fishing boats.
yasawa beach
|
|
fishing village
|
The Northern Islands Tour -
best for hiking and scuba diving
Vanua Levu and Taveuni in the north are large islands with a focus on eco-tourism, the rainforest and scuba diving. There are several nature reserves and National Parks with walking trails, waterfalls and blowholes to visit. The diving here is of world recognition (soft corals are unbelievable) and snorkelling is fantastic right off the beaches. The islands are less developed than the main island of Viti Levu and the local Fijian villages tend to be a lot friendlier and welcoming to outsiders. Taveuni has several small backpacker resorts and campsites where you can pitch your tent by the beach.
taveuni waterfall
|
|
northern islands
|
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Backpacking
Fiji Backpacking
Samoa Backpacking
Tonga Backpacking
Tahiti Backpacking
Hawaii Backpacking
|
|
|
|
|
