A couple of months back, I was itching for another trip. Since I’ve already crossed off all countries on my travel bucket list, I had no place in mind. One evening, I just did a random search for cheap flights to any country I’ve never been to. And there it was. A cheap roundtrip flight to Fiji on one of the random dates I’ve selected. I’ve never been to any of the pacific island nations (Hawaii doesn’t count, it’s part of the USA 😅), so yeah I got pretty excited. I purchased the ticket which was on sale even if I didn’t know much about the country. A couple of days later I started doing some research. I then realized that Fiji is an expensive destination. My usual travel budget wouldn’t be sufficient.

Fiji is known as a honeymoon destination. Thus, you’d see so many luxury resorts. This also means it may not be ideal for solo travelers. It’s hard to make friends when most of your fellow travelers are couples. The country has gained popularity in recent years too because Survivor (USA) is now being shot there every year since 2016, as well as this other show called Love Island (never seen an episode of this one 😝). I guess that further jacked up the prices? Maybe.

I started to regret booking that flight. Fortunately, after doing a more extensive research I’ve learned that there are ways around this. A trip to Fiji doesn’t have to break the bank. It doesn’t have to be a lonely trip either. You can meet fellow solo travelers if you’re traveling alone. Here’s how.

First off: that flight to Fiji. International flights either land in Suva or Nadi. Suva is the capital. If you’re not going to Fiji for business, I see no reason to go to the capital. People head to Fiji for those gorgeous beaches, right? Sure there’s Pacific Harbour which is about a hour away from Suva. Aside from that, there’s not much else. On the other hand if your flight lands in Nadi, there are lots of options. You could remain on the mainland (Viti Levu) where there are lots of beautiful beaches just an hour or two from Nadi, or you can head to the gorgeous Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. So yeah, it’s a no brainer. Choose a flight that lands in Nadi. From the airport, it’s easy to take a bus that goes downtown. Then it’s easy to get a taxi from the bus station to wherever it is you’re staying. If you’re staying somewhere downtown, a taxi from the bus station shouldn’t cost more than 10 Fijian Dollars (about 5 US Dollars). 2 Fijian Dollars is roughly 1 US Dollar so it’s easy to convert.

At the airport, there are currency exchange counters and ATMs so it’s easy to get cash. Majority of establishments accept credit cards, but you’re still gonna need cash for public transport and for giving tips. You’ll also need cash if you’re gonna buy stuff like souvenirs from street vendors. Take note that there’s always a surcharge whenever you use a credit card for payment in Fiji— it’s usually around 3%. Kinda annoying, but it is what it is. If you need a local SIM card, it’s easy to get one at the airport too. Local prepaid SIM plans are way cheaper compared to international eSIM plans so I suggest getting one if you need to stay connected. I paid USD 35 for the plan that includes 125 GB (an overkill, I know). International eSIM providers would only give you 5 GB at the same price. I’ve been told Vodafone has the widest coverage, but take note that this doesn’t mean they have coverage everywhere. In Wayasewa Island for instance, Vodafone had no coverage– but Digicel had. You can’t really go wrong with either network, they both have extensive coverage. Your choice would depend on where you’ll be staying. In the mainland it won’t be a problem. But if you’re heading to the smaller islands, only one of these networks may have coverage. If you don’t need to stay connected at all times, you won’t really need a local SIM unless you need to contact local drivers for transportation. This is necessary if you plan on going out at night in Nadi. During the day time there are lots of local buses and taxis out on the streets. At nighttime? Not so much.

Now since we’re talking about traveling in Fiji on a tight budget, we’ll focus on areas with cheap accommodations. Wailoloa Beach is a popular beach in Nadi. There are many hotels close to this beach, as well as several hostels. I could only recommend two. I stayed at Smuggler’s Cove and it’s only 10 US Dollars a night in the 34 bed dorm. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Sure it’s basically one room, but there are multiple partitions. Each partition has 4 dorm beds so it’s not that chaotic. You’d still get some privacy. The best part? The rooms have air conditioning! That’s great because it gets incredibly hot and humid in Nadi. Smuggler’s Cove is actually a hotel with dorm rooms. The restaurant/ bar is downstairs and it serves good food. This is a popular nightlife spot, so it can get pretty noisy. A lot of locals and tourists staying at the other nearby hotels hang out here at night. If you want to party, it’s great. If you want a quiet place though, it’s not ideal. Another hostel that people are recommending is Bamboo Travelers. I didn’t stay here but I’ve met several travelers who were highly recommending it. The cheapest dorm beds also go for 10 US dollars a night, but these dorm rooms aren’t airconditioned. At night some travelers also stay up late drinking so this place might not also be ideal if you want a quiet night. There are a couple more hostels in the area but I’ve heard the other ones are horrible. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, the best option would be to stay in a homestay. You’d find a couple on AirBnb and they charge USD 20-40 a night for a private room. Not only would you enjoy a quiet and relaxing night, you’d also get to know a local family.

But then again, if you’re heading to Fiji for the beaches, I wouldn’t just stay in Nadi. Wailoloa Beach is pretty nice, but it’s far from the best that the country offers. If you plan on remaining in the mainland, no problem. The Coral Coast is only about 2 hours away from Nadi and the beaches there are so much better. It’s not all expensive resorts there. One resort has dorm beds for only USD 30 a night. It’s called The Fiji Beachouse. It’s real easy to get there too. From the airport, just hop on a bus heading to Suva. The express buses are airconditioned and the seats are comfy. A single one way journey only costs FJD 18. I’ve read on several websites that you need to purchase a bus card, but that’s not the case based on my own experience. I’ve taken several buses in Fiji and they all accepted cash whenever I told them I didn’t have a bus card (though you can purchase one at the Vodafone store at the airport if you want to). Just tell the driver you’re staying at Fiji Beachouse and they’ll drop you off in front of the property. Before heading there though, get as much cash that you think you’ll need because there are no ATMs close to this resort. They accept credit cards but you’ll need cash to pay for bus rides and taxis if you plan on exploring nearby areas.

The place has a nice, chill vibe. There’s a good mix of solo travelers, couples, and families. Tours are offered daily. They have their own restaurant and bar onsite which serves good food that are reasonably priced (about FJD 15-30). There’s free basic breakfast (toast, jam, and fruits), so that’s one meal you don’t have to worry about. If you want cheaper meals, you can take short bus ride to Sigatoka. Simply hop on a bus that passes through Queen’s Road that is heading to Nadi, and get off at Sigatoka. From here you can also visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. Either hop on another bus heading to Nadi or take a taxi from town. Entrance costs FJD 10. Personally I found it underwhelming, but it was nice to get out of the resort and explore nearby areas. Be careful if you’re gonna try to swim at the beach here though. The waves are real strong and there’s a strong undertow!

Another nearby attraction is the Biausevu Waterfall. This one isn’t directly accessible via public transport. If you take a bus heading to Sigatoka, you can tell the driver to drop you off at the Biausevu Road Junction. From here, you can wait for a taxi. Taxis don’t pass frequently though, and it may be too far to walk. I’d suggest hiring a private driver for the day and split the cost with other travelers. At the village, you just need to pay FJD 25 per person for the guide (yes a guide is required). There’s a short Kava ceremony before the guide takes you to the waterfall. It’s an easy 30 minute hike. You need to cross a couple of streams so I chose to wear flip flops. There are picnic areas by the falls so you can pack a meal and have lunch here.

Kava is a drink made from the roots of the Kava plant. Locals drink this during cultural ceremonies and local gatherings. It’s a central nervous system depressant so it has a relaxing effect. If you drink too much it’s gonna make you drowsy. I’d say it’s similar to drinking beer, only this tastes worse 💀. It tastes bitter, and it has a weird texture, kinda like drinking water mixed with some soil 😅. The way they prepare it also seem unsanitary, but as they say— we only live once, so might as well try drinking Kava when you’re in Fiji.

I loved my stay at The Fiji Beachouse. There’s an incredibly social atmosphere. The staff were incredibly friendly too. I loved it so much, I extended my stay twice. I highly recommend staying here if you want to visit Fiji and you’re traveling on a budget.

Now although the Coral Coast is beautiful, it’s not the best that Fiji can offer. If you want to see the best of Fiji, you should head to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. There are cheap accommodations in these islands so that’s not the problem if you want to keep costs down. The problem is getting to these islands. The main mode of transportation is via South Sea Cruises, and their rates aren’t exactly cheap. So yeah, this may not be an option for those traveling on a very tight budget.

https://southseacruisesfiji.com/

But ask yourself… if you’re going all the way to Fiji, wouldn’t it make sense to pay a little more so you could see the most beautiful parts of the country? You’ve already spent a lot of money for the flight, why not spend a couple hundred more. It’s advisable to book online in advance if you’re coming from the mainland because tickets do get sold out. If you’re coming from one of the islands though, in my experience they’ll let you board even if the ferry is full 😆.

What’s convenient about this ferry, there’s free transfers between most hotels and resorts in Nadi and Port Denarau. There’s even a bus transfer to the airport. This is convenient if your flight back is late at night— you don’t have to spend your last night in Nadi. If you visit the official website, you’re going to see that they offer the so called “Bula Pass“. This gives you an unlimited number of rides for a certain number of days. Depending on the season, the 5 day Bula Pass costs FJD 600 more or less, while the 15 day pass costs FJD 800-900. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you plan on visiting many islands. Each island has a lot to offer, and I’d recommend staying for about 2-3 nights each on the bigger islands. There are many hiking trails, different diving spots, local villages— there’s a lot that you can see and do. You can easily visit the smaller neighboring islands too. Unless you only spend one night on each island, that 5 day Bula Pass isn’t worth it. And I definitely won’t recommend staying on an island for only one night. There’s not enough time to see the sights. There’s not enough to time to relax either. Why even visit an idyllic destination like Fiji if you’re just gonna rush things. It’s best to take things slow and take it all in.

What if the South Sea Cruises ferry is fully booked? It actually was on the day I planned on leaving, so I had to look for other options. Turtle Airways offers direct flights from Nadi to several Islands. It’s way more expensive though, so scrap that. One local i asked recommended the Tavewa Seabus. This one departs from Lautoka instead of Port Denarau. They’ll also pick you up for free in Nadi so you don’t have to worry about getting to Lautoka. Their rates are cheaper… because this isn’t a fancy ferry. They also carry lots of cargo. In fact, they’re the ones who deliver food and supplies to many of the resorts in the Mamanucas and Yasawas. It’s way faster though. For instance, The Yasawa Flyer (South Sea Cruises) gets to Nacula Island at around 1 PM. TheTavewa Seabus gets there at around 10 AM. It has less stops, but I’ve been told they can make a stop on an island not in their itinerary as long as it’s on the way. I’d recommend calling them for instant confirmation (+679 999 5524). It took a while before they replied via email. You pay before boarding, and yes they accept credit cards.

I have to mention though that I can’t recommend visiting these islands if you or anyone you’re traveling with has mobility issues. See, these ferries do not dock near the islands because of shallow reefs. You get picked up at the ferry by small boats arranged by each accommodation (so it’s important that you have a confirmed booking, otherwise no one’s gonna pick you up from the ferry). It’s doable if you can still walk albeit with difficulty, but this won’t be possible for people who need wheelchairs.

Now that you’ve decided to head to the islands, it’s time to pick which ones to visit so you can book your ferry tickets. If you plan on visiting the more popular resorts, their dorm rooms do get sold out so it’s best to book early. Check the fine print. A lot of accommodations in Fiji have mandatory meal plans. This means that if you’re going to stay at these places, you are required to pay for three meals each day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). In a lot of these places, these meal plans aren’t cheap, so you better check how much it would really cost to stay in a certain place per day. Dorm beds may be cheap, but I’ve seen places that charge an extra USD 100-150 per day because of the meal plans. There’s actually a good reason for these meal plans. In many of these accommodations, there aren’t any places where you can buy food nearby. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, check first if you can afford to pay for these meal plans. If not, look for places that do not require a meal plan. These places usually have their own restaurants wherein you can order whatever you want from the menu. And you can also bring your own food so you’re not required to order from them.

Which islands are the cheapest to get to? Obviously, the Mamanuca Islands area cheaper because they’re closer to Nadi. Among these islands, Mana Island attracts budget travelers because it has a number of cheap hostels. Mana Island is where they’ve been filming the US edition of Survivor for the past couple of years, so if you still watch Survivor this should be on your list. Before you book your trip though, check if they’re filming Survivor (Typically from April to July each year). Most of the island would be off limits if they’re filming so you won’t be able to explore much. Also, the hostels on the island are in pretty bad condition according to travelers I’ve spoken to.

The Mamanuca Islands are beautiful but since they’re relatively close to Nadi, these islands tend to be really touristy and dare I say… inauthentic. If you wanna avoid the crowds and if you’re looking for a more authentic Fijian experience, pay a little more for the ferry and head further north. Sure you’d be spending an additional 100 Fijian Dollars each way on the average, but it’s gonna be totally worth it. The Yasawa Islands are where it’s at. These islands are more remote, they’re arguably more beautiful, and they’re too far from Nadi for day trips so there will definitely be less people.

As I’ve mentioned above, the dorm rooms in popular accommodations get fully booked especially during peak season so you have to book in advance. If you want to keep expenses minimal, skip these resorts. There are lots of homestays available, and you don’t need to book way in advance. You can find these homestays listed on AirBnb and Booking.com. And if you’re already on certain island, you can just show up and ask if there’s an available bed for you. Homestays usually have at least one room with bunk beds for travelers, so you can still meet fellow travelers at homestays. I’ve stayed at several homestays, and I have to say that this is the reason why my trip to Fiji is my best trip ever. I’ve never really done this before— staying with local families for several days at a time. This way, I got to know the locals more. I got completely immersed in the local culture. I became a part of their daily routine, and I felt like I was part of their families. I’ve gone fishing with them, gone diving with them, hiked with them, played rugby with them, cooked meals with them, drank Kava with them, gazed at stars with them, talked about nothing and everything… it felt real different when you’re not treated as a temporary visitor. They treated me as a local. As a friend. As family.

Now I know this isn’t for everyone. Keep in mind that accommodations are very basic, as well as food. Homestays usually have mandatory meal plans, but these shouldn’t cost much… definitely way cheaper than the mandatory meals at the resorts. Do not expect Wi-Fi. You may encounter lots of critters inside these houses. Running water and electricity may not be available 24/7. Many accommodations use rain water stored in tanks for drinking and washing, but don’t be surprised if saltwater comes out of the shower. And since running water may not be available at all times, the toilets may stink and get clogged… it could get pretty grim. If you don’t think you can handle this, there’s another option. Look for accommodations and resorts that are run by locals. These won’t be as fancy as those resorts owned by foreigners, but you’d get a more authentic experience. These are definitely cheaper too. I’ve met locals who work both at resorts owned by foreigners and Fijians. They’ve told me that in places owned and run by locals, they could talk to guests freely, and even make friends. At those resorts owned by foreigners, they’ve been instructed to keep interactions and conversations with guests at the very minimum. So don’t be surprised if you hear nothing much aside from “bula!” from locals who work at the fancy resorts.

I’ve stayed at 2 accommodations that are locally owned and I would highly recommend both. One is Safe Landing in Nacula Island which is owned by a Fijian. The other one is Waya LaiLai Resort in Wayasewa Island which is managed by locals from the nearby village. Both islands are also really beautiful with lots of thing you can do, so you can’t go wrong in choosing these islands. If you know that old movie “Blue Lagoon“, that was shot in Nanuya Island which is close to Nacula. Keep in mind that these aren’t luxury resorts. Water and electricity won’t be available 24/7, WiFi is spotty, they may not be able to provide special meals if you’re on a restricted diet, and a lot of things need to be repaired or replaced… but if you’re looking for an authentic Fijian experience yet you’re not quite ready to stay in a homestay, places like these are the way to go.

I would love to go back to Fiji. 2 1/2 weeks simply isn’t enough time to explore the country. Fiji is undeniably beautiful, but I don’t want to go back for that reason alone. Lots of countries have breathtaking natural beauty. Often, it’s the people you meet in certain countries that sets that country apart. Maybe it’s recency bias, but right now I would honestly say that Fijians in general are the nicest and most hospitable people I’ve ever met. They’re Fiji‘s greatest treasure.