About Fiji

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

＜Latest Price(US$)＞

■Total：93.7%
■Males：95.5%
■Females：91.9%

The climate is mild throughout the year. The average temperature is 23℃～28℃ in a month. Humidity is around 80%. There are 2 seasons that are dry season and rainy season. In the dry season, sometimes heavy rain comes. In Nadi and Lautoka areas, it has relatively less rain compared with east of the Island where the capital is located.

In the winter season, you may need a cardigan with long sleeves to cope with the chill during the night and early morning.

Fiji Islands have three official languages that are recognized by their constitution; English, Fijian and Hindustani. English is the main medium of communication. It is the language the government uses and is the main language of education, commerce and the courts.

The Fijian Dollar is the official currency in Fiji.
One Fijian Dollar (FJD, symbol F$) = 100 cents.
Exchange facilities are available at the airport, trading banks and at the majority of hotels. ATM's may not accept foreign credit cards．

There are some customs in Fiji Islands.
The following are some of them.

・You should dress conservatively in Fiji Islands, especially in churches and the other holy places.
・You must not be topless on the beach.
・You must not touch the heads of children.

Tap water is drinkable.

You should prepare your own drinking water, as there are traces of salt in the tap water on the island. Drinking water can be bought in supermarkets.

A variety of local and imported spirits and beers is available in bottle shops, most restaurants, and some supermarkets.
Fiji Bitter and Fiji Gold are locally brewed beers.
There are a lot of bars and clubs where you can enjoy drinking.
However, you should take care of yourself when you go out at night.

There is a variety of cigarettes available such as Benson & Hedges, Rothmans and Pall Mall, although the prices are very expensive in comparison with the local cost of living.

SUKI is a local cigarette brand that looks illegal because of its appearance.
You should take care when smoking it as the taste is very strong.

You can try local food including Fijian and Indian cuisine.
There are many kinds of restaurants such as Italian, Chinese and Japanese close to our school.
However if you would like to live more economically in Fiji Islands, you can buy fresh vegetables and meat at low prices at the local market.
If you wish to introduce your traditional food to the local people in Fiji, you are more than welcome to do so！

If you would like to experience Fijian food, you could try in hotels and restaurants, or you could be invited to a Fijian house. Typical Fijian foods are:

・Rourou : Boiled fish, meat and dalo (traditional vegetables) with coconut cream
・Lovo : Food cooked on hot stones in an underground oven.
・Kokoda : Raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut cream, served with chilli and onion.

The main staple foods in Fiji Islands are dalo, rice and cassava.

Half of the restaurants in Fiji Islands are Indian.
You could enjoy Indian food such as roti, rice or cassava with various types of Indian curry, at reasonable prices.

All of the power supply in Fiji Islands is 240V, 50Hz.
The shape of the electricity outlet in Fiji is shown on the right　⇒
In case you are taking an electrical product from your country to
Fiji Islands, you will be able to use it with the relevant transformer and attachment.

The most popular transportations are local buses and taxis.
The price of local buses around Nadi town costs 0.2~0.6US$(0.5~1FJ$).
The bus from Nadi to Lautoka costs about 1US$(2FJ$).
You might have to negotiate with the taxi driver before getting in.
The price of the taxi costs 5~10times more than local buses.
When you go to any surrounding islands, you would have to take a boat which should cost more than 25US$(50FJ$), although the price is negotiable with the boat driver.

There are public hospitals in the centre of Nadi and Lautoka..
Fiji Islands is a welfare country, therefore things such as medical bills are free in the public hospitals. There are also many private clinics. In these clinics, medical bills are not free but patients do not need to wait for long unlike public hospitals.
If you have travel insurance, the medical expenses can be covered. Procedures to claim the insurance depend on insurance company, so you should ask your insurance company if necessary.

You are allowed to bring 220 cigarettes, cigars (about 220g) or tobacco (about 500g), and 2L of liqueur or spirits, 2L of wine or 4L of beer into Fiji Islands without tax.

Tipping is not customary in Fiji Islands. However in the instances when you receive special services, you might provide a tip as a sign of your appreciation.
In general, you could express your gratitude with household goods and items (eg. Food, dalo, ice cream etc..)

In many shops, credit cards(mainly VISA or Master) are available.
However, in local small restaurants or shops, credit cards are not acceptable.
You should ask if the card is acceptable before purchasing.

There are Westpac bank, ANZ bank and Colonial bank in Fiji Islands. Ask your bank company whether you can use your international bank card for those bank.