Hostels in Fiji

Fiji is an archipelagic collection of about 330 islands and more than 500 islets in the South Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 1,100 nautical miles north of New Zealand. Its nearest neighbours include Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, and New Caledonia. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; they are the most populated and also the ones that most tourists can easily access. The capital is Suva; other cities include Nasinu, Lautoka, and Nadi.

Fiji (and other South Pacific Islands) were among the last bits of land to be inhabited, around 1500 BCE. Europeans began visiting Fiji in the 17th century and the British claimed it as a territory in 1874. It was a Crown colony until 1970 when it gained independence as a Commonwealth country; it became a republic in 1987 after several coups. Much of the population is of Indian descent; many Indians came to work the sugarcane plantations in the 1800s and stayed. As a result, there are some phenomenal Hindu temples across the country.

The currency in Fiji is the Fijian dollar. Fiji is one of the South Pacific’s most developed economies, thanks to tourism and agricultural resources like fish, minerals, and forest. The international airport in Nadi sees flights from New Zealand, the United States, Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Travellers visiting Fiji can then hop on smaller flights to further islands or to Suva, the capital, on the other side of Viti Levu. There are also interisland ferries, with buses another major transport link between the islands.

The climate in Fiji is tropical marine. Hurricanes and tropical cyclones occur here, with the most recent Cyclone Winston (2016) causing severe damage across the archipelago. The hot, humid season is also the more rainy of the two seasons, occurring from November to April. A cooler, drier season happens from May to October.

The inland regions of the two main islands are inhospitable; a majority of the population - and therefore most of the tourism opportunities - are along the coastal regions. Fiji’s white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and coral reefs are top tourist destinations. In general, much of the accommodation in Fiji is mid-range, with top resorts and budget accommodation rounding out the sector.

Hostels, like the traditional European-style hostels, are fairly easy to find in Fiji. The majority are on the main island of Viti Levu, along the coast. Backpacking in Fiji is easier than in many other island nations as it is a stopover for a lot of international flights.

Once you have your hostel accommodation sorted, you can explore the paradise that is Fiji. Hikers will find a lot of outdoor opportunities on the islands, such as Taveuni Island and the Bouma National Heritage Park. Interested visitors can stop at the Tavoro waterfalls and swimming holes; they begin at the visitors centre and then the trail continues. Avid hikers can do the Vidawa rainforest trail as well. Do not miss the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, either; this is a gorgeous maze of lily ponds, orchids, and more. Fiji has long been known for its coral reefs and is one of the best places in the world to scuba dive. Explore the Beqa Lagoon and its many underwater sites (over 100 dive spots!)

Whatever you find in Fiji, you’ll feel right at home. Bula!

Handwritten by local expert for Fiji hostels Jakob Lombardi