travelling to fiji solo

Solo Travel Fiji: Comprehensive Guide to Fun and Safe Travel

Dreaming of solo trips to island destinations? Look no further than Fiji! This tropical paradise not only offers breathtaking natural beauty but also provides a safe and welcoming environment for solo travellers . With its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and lush landscapes, Fiji is the perfect playground for those seeking thrilling solo escapades. 

But it’s not just about the scenery – travelling alone in Fiji allows you to immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and experience the warm hospitality of the Fijian people firsthand. So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and get ready for unforgettable tourism through this idyllic South Pacific gem. Fiji awaits with open arms!

Benefits of Solo Travel Fiji: Exploring at Your Own Pace

Freedom to explore the islands.

One of the greatest advantages of solo travel is the freedom it offers to cruise travellers. As a solo traveller, you have complete control over your group tours itinerary and can explore the islands at your own leisure. No more worrying about accommodating someone else’s preferences or compromising on destinations. You get to call the shots and create an adventure that suits your individual taste in tourism.

Imagine waking up on a solo trip to Fiji, an island destination, with no set plans. Ready to embark on a day filled with endless possibilities, you have the luxury of time on your side. Whether you want to spend hours lounging on pristine beaches, snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs, or hiking through lush rainforests, the choice is entirely yours. Embrace this newfound freedom and let each day unfold naturally as you uncover all that Fiji has to offer on your cruise and hike trips.

Customizable Itinerary for Solo Travelers

One of the perks of solo travel in Fiji is being able to customize your itinerary according to your interests and preferences. Are you a hiking enthusiast seeking thrilling adventures? Or perhaps a nature lover yearning for peaceful encounters with wildlife? Whatever your passions may be, solo trips allow you to curate an experience tailored specifically for you. Whether it’s hiking or going on a cruise, Fiji has something for every traveller.

Start by exploring popular tourist spots like Nadi or Suva if you’re craving a mix of cultural experiences and urban exploration during your cruise. Then venture off the beaten path to discover hidden gems that only fellow travellers know about on your trips. Dive into crystal-clear lagoons teeming with colorful marine life or hike up majestic mountains for breathtaking panoramic views, making the most of your day explorer adventures. The beauty of solo travel lies in its flexibility – go where your heart desires and immerse yourself fully in what captivates you most.

Solitude and Tranquility

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of solitude during trips can be challenging but essential for rejuvenation. Solo travellers hiking in Fiji provides the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and embrace tranquility. Imagine hiking along secluded beaches with only the sound of crashing waves and gentle sea breezes as your companions.

As a solo traveler, you can seek out peaceful beach retreats where you can unwind and recharge. Fiji offers numerous private resorts and serene accommodations nestled away from the crowds, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in relaxation. Indulge in spa treatments, hike by the ocean, or simply take long walks on deserted shores. This is your time to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself and nature.

Discovering Hidden Gems

With solo travel in Fiji, travellers have the freedom to go off the beaten path and discover hidden gems that are often overlooked by group tours or guided excursions. These hidden treasures offer a glimpse into Fiji’s authentic culture, untouched landscapes, and warm-hearted locals. Whether it’s a hike through Nadi or other trips, solo travellers can truly experience all that Fiji has to offer.

Take a boat ride to remote islands like Taveuni or Kadavu for unforgettable hikes through pristine rainforests. Solo travellers can explore dense jungles, encounter rare bird species, and swim beneath enchanting waterfalls on these trips. Engage with local communities in traditional villages and learn about their customs firsthand. By venturing beyond tourist hotspots, you’ll unlock a side of Fiji that many never get to experience. Don’t miss out on the beach adventures awaiting you!

Top Attractions for Solo Travelers in Fiji

Embark on a captivating Coral Coast tour, where you can witness breathtaking landscapes and vibrant marine life. The Coral Coast is a stunning stretch of coastline located on the main island of Viti Levu. It boasts pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and an abundance of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish.

As you explore the Coral Coast, solo travellers will be mesmerized by its natural beauty. Picture yourself strolling along the powdery white sand beaches, feeling the warm sun on your skin, and listening to the gentle waves crashing against the shore. The turquoise waters invite you to take a refreshing dip or try out exciting water sports like snorkeling or kayaking. Remember to get travel insurance before your trip.

One highlight of the Coral Coast tour for solo travellers is visiting Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. These majestic beach dunes offer a unique landscape that contrasts with the lush vegetation found elsewhere in Fiji. Take a leisurely walk through this protected area and marvel at its impressive sand formations while enjoying panoramic views of the ocean.

Another must-visit attraction along the Coral Coast for solo travellers is Kula Eco Park. This conservation park provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with Fiji’s native wildlife on the beach. Wander through lush rainforest trails as you encounter colorful parrots, playful lemurs, and even endangered iguanas. It’s an excellent chance for solo travellers to learn about Fiji’s diverse ecosystem while supporting conservation efforts.

Take part in a village school tour  to immerse yourself in Fijian culture and interact with local children. This experience offers a unique insight into everyday life in rural Fiji while giving back to local communities.

During your village school tour, you’ll have the chance to meet enthusiastic students who are eager to share their culture with visitors. Engage in cultural activities such as traditional dancing or weaving sessions led by local experts. This hands-on experience allows you to learn about Fijian customs and traditions directly from those who practice them.

Participating in a village school tour provides an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of Fijian children. By visiting their schools, you contribute to educational initiatives and help support infrastructure development in these remote communities. It’s a rewarding way to give back while gaining a deeper understanding of Fiji’s rich cultural heritage.

Experience the thrill of a scenic flight over Nadi’s heart-shaped island , offering panoramic views that will leave you mesmerized. This unique aerial adventure showcases Fiji’s natural beauty from an entirely new perspective.

As you soar above Nadi, be prepared to witness the breathtaking heart-shaped island below. The vibrant turquoise waters surrounding this romantic formation create an unforgettable sight. Your pilot will provide interesting commentary throughout the flight, sharing fascinating facts about the region’s geography and history.

The scenic flight also offers stunning views of other nearby islands and coral reefs, allowing you to appreciate the immense beauty of Fiji’s archipelago. From above, you’ll gain a true sense of just how vast and diverse this tropical paradise truly is.

Planning Your Solo Vacation in Fiji: Best Time to Visit and Duration of Stay

It’s essential to consider the best time to visit and how long you should stay. This will ensure that you make the most of your trip and have an unforgettable experience. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Best Time to Visit Fiji as a Solo Traveler

The best time to visit Fiji as a solo traveler is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During these months, the weather conditions are generally pleasant with lower humidity levels and less rainfall. This means you can enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about sudden downpours or excessive heat.

Visiting Fiji during the dry season also allows you to explore its stunning islands and pristine beaches fully. You’ll have ample opportunities for snorkeling, diving, hiking, or simply relaxing by the turquoise waters. The clear skies during this period offer breathtaking views and perfect conditions for capturing memorable photographs.

Duration of Stay

To truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Fiji and make the most of your solo adventure, plan your stay for at least one week or longer if possible. This will give you enough time to explore different islands, indulge in various water sports activities, and discover the vibrant Fijian culture.

During your extended stay, you can hop on a boat tour and visit popular destinations like Yasawa Islands or Mamanuca Islands . These picturesque locations offer stunning landscapes with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, and lush greenery that will leave you mesmerized.

Consider Shoulder Seasons for Better Deals

While visiting Fiji during peak tourist seasons can be exciting due to its lively atmosphere, shoulder seasons such as April/May or September/October offer several advantages for solo travelers. These periods are considered off-peak but still provide favorable weather conditions with fewer crowds.

Choosing to visit Fiji during the shoulder seasons allows you to enjoy a more tranquil and peaceful experience. You’ll have fewer tourists competing for prime spots, making it easier to find accommodations that suit your preferences. Many resorts and hotels offer better deals during these times, allowing you to save some money while enjoying all that Fiji has to offer.

Accommodation Options for Solo Travelers in Fiji: Hostels vs Luxury Resorts

Budget-friendly socializing at hostels.

If you’re a solo traveler looking to meet fellow explorers and create lasting memories during your trip to Fiji, opting for budget-friendly hostels is an excellent choice. These accommodations not only provide an affordable stay but also offer a vibrant social atmosphere that encourages interaction among guests.

At hostels in Fiji, you’ll find dorm rooms where you can bunk with other travelers, sharing stories and experiences while forging new friendships. The communal areas such as lounges or outdoor spaces are perfect spots to mingle, exchange travel tips, and even plan exciting adventures together.

Hostels in Fiji often organize group activities and events, ranging from beach barbecues to island hopping excursions. These opportunities allow solo travelers to connect with like-minded individuals who share their love for exploration. By choosing a hostel, you open yourself up to the possibility of forming lifelong friendships while immersing yourself in the local culture.

Indulge in Luxury at Resorts

On the other end of the spectrum, solo travelers seeking privacy, exclusivity, and unparalleled comfort may opt for luxurious resorts scattered throughout Fiji’s breathtaking landscapes. These high-end accommodations boast world-class amenities and stunning beachfront locations that cater to the discerning traveler.

By staying at a luxury resort in Fiji, you give yourself permission to indulge in relaxation and pampering. Imagine waking up to panoramic ocean views from your private villa or enjoying rejuvenating spa treatments amidst lush tropical surroundings. The attentive staff ensures that every aspect of your stay is tailored to perfection.

Luxury resorts offer various accommodation options designed with solo travelers in mind. You can choose from elegantly appointed suites or private villas equipped with modern conveniences and lavish furnishings. Some resorts even provide exclusive access to secluded beaches or private pools, allowing you to unwind without any distractions.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

As a solo traveler in Fiji, the key is to choose accommodations that suit your preferences and budget. Whether you opt for a hostel or a luxury resort, both options have their own unique advantages and cater to different travel styles.

If you’re seeking affordability, socializing opportunities, and a vibrant atmosphere, hostels are the way to go. On the other hand, if you desire privacy, exclusivity, and top-notch amenities, luxury resorts will provide an unforgettable experience.

Consider these factors when deciding on accommodation:

• Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on accommodation during your solo trip.
• Social Interaction: Assess whether meeting fellow travelers and engaging in group activities is important to you.
• Privacy: Decide if having your own space away from others is essential for your comfort.
• Amenities: Consider the facilities and services offered by each type of accommodation.
• Location: Evaluate whether being close to popular attractions or secluded beaches is more appealing.

Ultimately, the choice between hostels and luxury resorts rests upon your personal preferences and what you hope to gain from your solo travel adventure in Fiji. So pack your bags, embark on this remarkable journey alone, and immerse yourself in all that this tropical paradise has to offer.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers in Fiji

As a solo female traveler in Fiji, it is important to prioritize your safety and take necessary precautions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

Dress Modestly and Respectfully

One way to avoid unwanted attention as a solo female traveler is by dressing modestly and respectfully. While Fiji has a relaxed and tropical atmosphere, it is still advisable to dress conservatively, especially when visiting local villages or religious sites. Opt for clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, as this shows respect for the local culture and helps you blend in with the surroundings. Check out our travel essentials for women if you are looking for inspiration!

Stay Vigilant and Be Cautious of Your Surroundings

When exploring unfamiliar areas alone, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. This includes keeping an eye on your belongings at all times, especially in crowded places like markets or public transportation. Avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics that might attract unnecessary attention. Trusting your instincts is also vital – if something feels off or uncomfortable, it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Utilize Reputable Transportation Options

To enhance safety during your solo trip to Fiji, make use of reputable transportation options. Stick with licensed taxis or pre-arranged transfers provided by trusted tour operators or accommodations. If you plan on renting a car, ensure that you are familiar with local driving laws and road conditions beforehand. Avoid hitchhiking or accepting rides from strangers as much as possible.

Avoid Walking Alone at Night

While Fiji generally has a friendly reputation, it’s wise to avoid walking alone at night as a solo female traveler. Stick to well-lit areas with other people around if you need to venture out after dark. If you’re staying in remote areas where transportation may be limited, consider arranging for a reliable driver or using secure transport services offered by reputable companies.

Remember that these tips are not meant to discourage solo travel but rather to empower you with the knowledge and awareness necessary for a safe journey. By following these precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of Fiji while minimizing potential risks.

Immersing in Fijian Culture as a Solo Traveler: Meeting the Locals and Learning the Language

Engage with friendly locals to learn about their traditions, customs, and way of life while traveling solo in Fiji. The beauty of solo travel is that it allows you to connect with people on a deeper level, immersing yourself in their culture and experiences. As you explore the stunning locations that Fiji has to offer, take the time to interact with the locals and gain insights into their rich heritage.

One of the best ways to experience Fijian culture firsthand is by participating in cultural activities. Traditional ceremonies are an integral part of Fijian life, and many villages welcome visitors who wish to witness these special events. By attending these ceremonies, you can witness age-old rituals, dances, and songs that have been passed down through generations. It’s a chance to truly understand the significance behind each movement and melody.

Visiting local villages is another fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Fijian culture. These villages provide a glimpse into everyday life for Fijians, allowing you to observe their daily routines and customs up close. You may have the chance to see artisans creating traditional crafts or witness women weaving intricate mats using natural materials like pandanus leaves. Exploring village life gives you a unique perspective on how Fijians live harmoniously with nature.

To make your interactions even more meaningful during your solo adventure in Fiji, learning basic Fijian phrases can go a long way. While English is widely spoken throughout Fiji, locals appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language. Start with simple greetings like “Bula” (hello) or “Vinaka” (thank you), which will instantly put a smile on people’s faces. As you progress, try learning phrases related to food, directions, or asking about someone’s day. Speaking even a few words in Fijian shows respect and a genuine interest in the local culture.

As you engage with the locals, don’t be afraid to ask questions and show curiosity about their way of life. Fijians are known for their warm hospitality and are often more than happy to share stories and insights. Take the opportunity to learn about traditional practices like kava ceremonies or fishing techniques that have been passed down through generations. By actively participating in conversations with locals, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Fijian culture.

A Fantastic Fiji Holiday for Solo Travelers

In conclusion, solo travel in Fiji offers a fantastic opportunity to explore at your own pace and immerse yourself in the beauty of the islands. With top attractions such as the Coral Coast & Village School Tour and the Nadi Heart Island Scenic Flight, solo travelers can create unforgettable memories.

When planning your solo vacation in Fiji, consider the best time to visit and how long you want to stay. Whether you choose to stay in hostels or luxury resorts, there are accommodation options that cater to solo travelers’ preferences.

Safety is always a priority, especially for solo female travelers. By following some essential tips, you can ensure a secure and worry-free experience in Fiji. Don’t miss out on immersing yourself in Fijian culture by meeting locals and learning their language.

To make the most of your trip, remember these key points: explore at your own pace, discover top attractions like the Coral Coast & Village School Tour and Nadi Heart Island Scenic Flight, plan your visit based on the best time and duration of stay, choose accommodation that suits your preferences (hostels or luxury resorts), prioritize safety as a solo female traveler, and embrace Fijian culture through interactions with locals.

So why wait? Start planning your dream solo trip to Fiji today! Experience the stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and unique cultural experiences that await you. Don’t miss out on this incredible adventure – book your flight now!

Frequently Asked Questions for Solo Travel Fiji

Is it safe for me to travel alone in fiji.

Fiji is generally a safe destination for solo travelers. However, it’s important to take precautions like staying aware of your surroundings and avoiding isolated areas at night.

What are some must-visit attractions for solo travelers in Fiji?

Some top attractions include taking part in the Coral Coast & Village School Tour for an authentic cultural experience, and going on the Nadi Heart Island Scenic Flight for breathtaking views of the islands.

When is the best time to visit Fiji as a solo traveler?

The best time to visit Fiji is during its dry season from May to October when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is minimal.

Should I stay in hostels or luxury resorts as a solo traveler in Fiji?

Both options have their advantages. Hostels offer affordability and opportunities to meet fellow travelers, while luxury resorts provide comfort and exclusive amenities.

How can I immerse myself in Fijian culture as a solo traveler?

To immerse yourself in Fijian culture, interact with locals, participate in cultural activities, try traditional food, and learn basic phrases of the Fijian language.

Are there any specific safety tips for solo female travelers in Fiji?

Solo female travelers should take extra precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night, dressing modestly, and being cautious when accepting invitations from strangers.

Can I find tour operators or group activities suitable for solo travelers in Fiji?

Yes, there are tour operators that cater specifically to solo travelers in Fiji. They offer group activities where you can meet other like-minded individuals and explore the islands together.

• A Solo Travellers Guide To...

A Solo Traveller's Guide To Fiji

With its island getaways and luxury resorts, it would be easy to mistake Fiji for a couple’s destination. Sure, it’s great for honeymooners and family vacations but the Fiji Islands also offer plenty of options for solo travellers to stay, relax, party with friends or meet others.

Where to stay.

Avoid family resorts. In fact, most of the resorts are either family or couple-orientated. If you’re after some solo travel time with the chance of meeting other like-minded people, then consider other accommodation options.

Nadi’s Wailoaloa Beach is often the first port of call for backpackers and solo travellers. With its affordable dorm rooms at Smugglers Cove and Bamboo , social beachfront vibe and regular nighttime fire and poi dancers, the area is perfect for making new friends.

If you want more nature and seclusion while still meeting new faces, try the Fiji Beachouse along the Coral Coast. With communal dining areas and daily activities such as surfing, island trips and jungle walks available, this boutique backpackers is a great set-up for solo travellers and offers plenty to keep you occupied when not lying in the beachfront hammocks.

Islands in the Mamanucas such as Beachcomber and Bounty offer great vibes for solos, while the more expensive island destinations like the Yasawas are more likely to attract couples and honeymooners.

Where to meet people

In addition to places with dorm-style accommodation, there are plenty of place and activities that are conducive to striking up conversations with strangers. Again, it’s best to step out of the main resorts. If you want friends to explore with, choose activities with group tours. Try a stand-up paddleboard day trip or sunset tour, head out on a river safari or join a beachfront horse-riding tour.

Dive and snorkel trips are perfect for meeting others as they’re usually quite intimate with only a handful of people on the boat – and everyone wants to share their stories when they get out of the water. The best island trips for solo travellers are sailing trips such as those run by Coral Cats . The smaller number of passengers on board are more conducive to solo travel and offer a mix of snorkelling adventures and ultimate relaxation on the bean bags of the catamaran.

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Where to relax

If you want to relax on an island by yourself, choose the likes of South Sea Island or Tivua Island. These islands, as well as others, have little huts with chairs and bean bags to relax on or hammocks under the trees. For those wanting a wellness retreat, the small boutique resort of Navutu in the Yasawas offers a detox programme as well as yoga, meditation and even auriculotherapy – which treats health conditions through stimulating the outer ear.

Koro Sun Resort in Savusavu on the island of Vanua Levu also offers a number of wellness retreats through the year, from workshops for artists to paddleboard yoga retreats.

Where to go for drinks

Bamboo at Wailoaloa is a sure bet on a Friday or Saturday night and there are always kava ceremonies taking place there or down at Smugglers Cove if you want to join one.

If you’re up for some clubbing, or want to find someone to play a game of pool with, head to Ed’s Bar in Martintar near Nadi. Thursday night is Ladies Night and always busy with people making the most of the 2 for 1 drinks offer. If daytime drinks are more you thing, head offshore to the islands. Beachcomber Island has a DJ next to the bar which plays all afternoon and there’s space for dancing between snorkel excursions.

Cloud9 is a floating bar and pizzeria set in the middle of turquoise waters in the Mamanucas. Jump off the top level into the ocean, dance to the music from the surround sound system or simply chill on the hanging chairs with some drinks.

Practical tips

While Fiji is generally considered a safe place to travel, it’s important to be aware of some safety concerns. Females shouldn’t walk around at night by themselves or even in a small group. It’s best to take a taxi to and from your destination after dark –and that goes for men too.

People are very friendly in Fiji and will always greet everyone who passes by, with “Bula!” and will be always wanting to help tourists. But take normal safety precautions and don’t go wandering into unfamiliar areas by yourself – if anything, out of respect for the local area rather than for safety.

Keep in mind the time of year you are travelling – the ‘winter’ or dry season is typically from May to October. January to March is the wet season and also the hottest time of year to visit. Expect regular afternoon thunderstorms if you are travelling during the rainy season and don’t forget to bring insect repellent.

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Anna Sherchand

Solo Female Travel Blog

Fiji Solo Travel Guide 2023

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If you are here I assume you decided Fiji is a good idea for solo female travelers and I agree with you 🙂 I also used to think only couples go to Fiji or honeymooners, and those with family and kids. It’s all about that package deals with flight and hotels, kid’s club, romantic walks on the beach, buffet meals, and breakfast on beds. Except, if as a solo traveler you can afford it all, more power to you. Welcome to the Fiji Solo travel guide, continue reading as I cover everything you need to know before you go.

Traveling to one of “the tropical islands” alone is a great idea. I mean, if you are looking for serene tranquility, cultural authenticity, and natural beauty, then Fiji is the best choice.

Fiji is a gorgeous country with its 333 islands and is known as the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’. It is punctuated with loads of scenic landscapes and other geographical features such as turquoise oceans and the Great Astrolabe Reef. So an underwater adventure could be a highlight reel when visiting Fiji. If you’re a keen diver, a must experience would be diving with hundreds of different species of fish and coral. Alternatively, if you are not keen on water, there are equally fun non-water activities available which I will elaborate on further down below.

• Traveling to Fiji alone

Fiji solo travel guide 2023

How to get to fiji, how to get around fiji, how many days in fiji is enough, what are fiji covid entry requirements, where to stay in fiji, do i need a visa for fiji, when is the best time to visit fiji, is fiji safe for a solo female traveler, local currency, people, language, and more, must-have travel app for fiji, what to eat in fiji, can you drink in fiji, fiji itinerary 2023: guide on things to do, 1. tivua island fiji, 2. mount batilamu hike, 4. viti levu: mud pool, temple, and sleeping giant garden, 5. captain cook cruises sunset dinner cruise in fiji.

• 6. Viti Levu: Navua River Tubing7. Nadi Zip Line & Cave Tour

8. Nadi Sunset Dinner Cruise with Lobster

9. nadi heart island 25-minute scenic flight, 10. fiji untold broadway show entrance ticket, 11. from denarau: serenity island sailing and snorkeling trip, day trips/multi-night trips, 1. natadola beach and veisabasaba village day tour, 2. coral coast & village school tour from nadi or denarau, 3. visit the town of sigatoka, best place to watch sunsets in fiji.

• Let me know in the comments:

Traveling alone is quite different, as opposed to moving with a tour company. Hence if you are traveling alone, you have the choice to travel however you want via flight, bus, ferry, train, or cruise ship. It all depends on your preferred mode of traveling and budget.

Let’s start with how to get there, Fiji entry requirements, where to stay/what to do/eat/drink, and day trips followed by the Fijian islands. 

If Fiji is your sole destination then it is most recommended to travel by plane. There are two ways to get to Fiji from Australia and around the world. 1. Stopover in New Zealand and fly to Nadi, Fiji or fly over from Australian cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Jetstar, Virgin, and Qantas fly to Fiji directly now 2022.

The major airport and gateway to the islands of Fiji are Nadi International Airport. Nadi is located on the west coast of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji, whereas Suva, the capital city is practically on the opposite side of the island.

The second option is to get on the cruises to arrive in Fiji, just make sure while booking that the cruise not only passes through but actually docks in Fiji and that you will have the opportunity to get off the ship and explore. If you have a large travel budget, consider chartering a yacht. Sailing from Australia to Fiji is a popular vacation option. Make sure to book through a reputable company in advance. (Some of the airlines that provide inter-island travel are Turtle Airways, Air Fiji, and Pacific Sun)

As mentioned above there are hundreds of islands and if you are interested in exploring them, a boat/ seaplane might be a perfect idea for your trip. For example, you could also take a look at some cruise lines that offer stops in Fiji or book a cruise that passes through the South Pacific Islands. There are many cruise lines that debark from Sydney, Australia. Check out Captain Cook Cruises, South Sea Cruises, and Blue Lagoon Cruises.

The easiest way to get around the country is to fly with Pacific Sun. That being said, buses are the way most locals get around and use ferries for island hopping.

Cabs/taxis in Fiji are more expensive than riding the bus but while taxis are required to run on meters within most of Fiji’s towns, long-distance trips are available where the fare can often be negotiated.

Uber is currently unavailable in Fiji but taxis are available and affordable.

I usually go with the flow with some rough ideas from bloggers on what to do but over the years I have learned that figuring out why you want to go to a certain destination will make it easier to plan the rest of your trip. For example, if you want to travel to Fiji for an adventure in nature, or you will want to make a plan to visit some of the more remote islands. Or perhaps you have enough time to plan a bit of both worlds?

Regardless, I would say a week is a minimum time to spend on your Fiji solo travel. You will most likely start your journey in Nadi, explore major spots, and activities then get around the islands or capital Suva for a multi-night trip.

Return tickets

Covid travel insurance

Covid vaccination certificate (2 doses are enough)

Confirmation of RAT test booked (Please click on this link:  www.entrytestfiji.com  and choose your accommodation provider to pre-book your RAT test. The test has to be done within 72 hours of arrival.)

There are numerous choices when it comes to accommodation in Fiji from all five stars hotels to hostels. Make sure to book with a legit website such as Booking.com You can tap/click on these blue links to open up the suggested accommodations. Where to stay in Fiji purely depends on where you are going in FIJI. To make it as simple as possible for you. Most travelers tend to spend a few days in Nandi when they arrive then off to the islands and spend the last day or two in Nandi again before departing. Below are my recommendations for Nadi but when it comes to island recommendations it really depends on which island you are going to and since there are 300 plus islands I will leave that with you to DYOR. In the islands, you might like bure accommodation too (these are vales (Vah-lays), “houses” in Fijian, are set along beaches, or are tucked among lush foliage)

I met fellow travelers on my Fiji solo travel in Bluewater Lodge which offered private and dorm rooms with a pool at the back, and a small garden and was minutes away from the Wailoulou beach. It was tucked away in the back street but 2 mins away from the bars and restaurants. Another similar hostel is Smugglers Cove Beach Resort right the front of Wailoulou Beach which offers a free kayak also. Both hostels are easier to meet people and plenty of places to eat around. I recommend Matasawa Resort next door for food, they had tasty meals with affordable pricing. The cheapest place was Bamboo backpackers where they offered the capsule pods.

If you are into a bit more sophisticated accommodation, I recommend Ramada (4-star hotel) or Hotel Bulabard , Sailors Beach (all in front of Wailoulou Beach) If you want to be near port Denar and after some private time, check out Club Fiji Resort , Novotel Nadi , Mecure Nadi or DoubleTree by Hilton .

Looking for something fancy? Stay in one of these over-the-water bungalows Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa. Musket Cove or Laucala Island Resort.

If your passport is from Australia, you can stay up to 90 days in Fiji just with a visa on arrival stamp. That said, the authorities may ask for the return air or ferry ticket. That being said, I highly recommend checking the official website online or with your local embassy to find out if your country requires a Fijian visa.

The best times to visit Fiji are between May to October when it is dry and mild weather because November through April is Fiji’s wet season (or “typhoon season”), and the weather is characterized by hot humid, and short storms. That said if you book your flights between mid-October to mid-November that would most likely be the best time to visit Fiji as you’ll save the most on airfare and accommodations with low prices, fewer crowds, and weather conditions are dry, settled, and pleasantly warm.

First of all, let’s establish the understanding of solo traveling is brutality! It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it. If you are okay with it, you will adapt, and you will survive.

So I felt safe even hiking solo for 4-5 hours return to Bati Lamu but sadly my phone was stolen at the Wailoulou beach when I went for a quick swim. so look after your belongings carefully. There was no one at the beach when I went for a quick dip but when I returned it was missing. I filed a police report too but have no hope of getting it back.

That being said, People in Fiji are generally friendly regardless of where you come from and the violent crime rate is quite low. Unless there is a drastic change in the country’s political situation, pandemic, or some natural disaster it is safe to travel to Fiji. Just remember to apply a general rule of thumb i.e. Don’t walk down that dark alleyway on your own, respect the culture, don’t argue about religion, dress modestly, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid but be cautious.

The local currency is called the FijianDollar, with the international currency code FJD or FJ$. You could withdraw FJD from ATMs. However, remember to consider bank fees from your bank and the ATM withdrawal fee while you do your budget.

Fijian people share a common Fijian culture and Native Fijians speak Fijian as their first language, Indo-Fijians speak Hindi as their first language, and both groups speak English as a second language. So almost everyone I met spoke English from shop attendants to taxi drivers.

If you are an English speaker, getting around the islands of Fiji is fairly simple. Unlike many developing countries you don’t need yellow fever or cholera vaccinations when visiting Fiji.

There’s free Wi-Fi access available throughout the Nadi Airport terminal. It is available for 2 hours or 1GB. Most hotels and some hostels also offer the same but if you’ll be in Fiji for a while or think you’ll use the internet a lot, buying a sim with data would be worthwhile.

Look out for Fijian SIM cards recommend Digicel or Vodaphone that are available at Nadi International Airport, at convenience stores, supermarkets, and the operator’s stores. You can get 75 GB for 10 days for 15 FJD! Alternatively, your phone provider may offer roaming for $5 per day as Vodafone AUS does.

The only travel app I used the most during my Fiji solo travel was Google Maps. Perfect for ease of finding routes, offline use, drive, calendar for time management, and storing pictures. Don’t forget to backup pictures!

About 40% of Fijians are of Indian descent so it is common to find Fijian meals influenced by Indian cuisines. Here are my recommendations on must-try food in Fiji starting with Lovo (a banquet cooked using an earth oven), Kokoda (a raw fish salad), Fiji chop suey (chicken satay with veggies sort of came with rice), Cassava (traditional moist cake), Taro (a yam-like staple of Fijian cuisine), Duruka (Fijian asparagus), Nama (a yam-like staple of Fijian cuisine), Fijian Roti ( flatbread), Fish Suruwa (fish curry), Topoi (Fijian dumplings), Baigan Valo, Babakau, Palusami (mashed taro leaves with coconut cream), Rourou (taro leaves), Topoi, Coconut Bread​, Lolo Buns​ and Babakau (fried bread made from a mixture of simple ingredients, such as flour, sugar, water, and yeast)

Avoid eating or playing with reef fish if possible as they have been associated with sickness, not just in Fiji but in many of the South Pacific Islands. This type of fish lives in shallower areas and feeds off the coral, which at certain times of the year can have a toxic bloom on them, infecting the fish.

For the best deals on fresh fruit and vegetables check out the local food markets and roadside stalls in Nadi town.

Fiji is liberal meaning as long as you aren’t driving, are above 18 years old, and you can behave yourself, you can drink almost wherever you want. Adding to that any licensed venue of course.

Try Fiji Bitter – beer, and Kava (the traditional drink brewed from a tree root) It’s a staple in this island’s food and drinks culture. It’s made from the yaqona roots of the pepper plant and mixed with water. This drink has an earthy and peppery taste.

Tivua Island by Captain Cook Cruise was one of the highlights of my FIJI solo travel not only because of how easy it was to spend a beautiful day on a faraway island with zero hassle but also because it was worth it in every way.

Round trip transfers from my hotel were included (most Nadi and Denarau hotels). As you enter the vessel, you are greeted with some lovely guitar, songs, and fresh juice followed by the morning tea with some snacks.

As I got busy soaking in the FIJI sun forgetting about the 1-degree cold in Melbourne, I missed the Kava ceremony! So, keep an eye on the activities happenings inside the boat, and don’t miss out on the traditional Fijian drink and Fijian entertainment.

There is also a bar onsite so plenty of beer, wine, and soft drinks to go around.

When you arrive at Tivua Island, you can swim in the tropical waters, explore the island, or simply relax on a pristine sandy beach. If you’re feeling energetic, there’s a selection of water activities available, including snorkeling, diving, and kayaking.

You can also indulge in a delicious buffet BBQ lunch before sailing back to Nadi.

Don’t miss out on the glass bottom boat tour escorted by a marine biologist or enjoy the complimentary hammocks.

Then if everyone is up to it, it would be fun to play Beach volleyball too. (crew versus passengers)

There can also be seasonal bird and turtle nesting activities. Watch out for baby sharks near the pier! So much on offer for a day trip, I wouldn’t be surprised if you book a second visit!

If you follow me on Instagram you know I absolutely enjoy hiking and trekking. So, I wanted to include one of the best hikes Fiji had to offer for that well-rounded travel experience.

Originally I was planning on hiking the tallest mountain in Fiji Mount Tomanivi but after contacting the agent, I was advised that the hiking trail was closed but could do it solo if I want. The problem was I had to fly to Suva for this hike and I was time-poor at the same time.

Luckily I came to learn about the Mt Batilamu hike through another traveler and I was all up for it the very next day!

Pls note not even many local people know about this hike as in I asked reception at Smugglers/Bluewater to book a taxi to get to the village and they had no idea! Mt Batilamu is located in the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park.

Generally, it is considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 2 min to complete. So I would say buffer it to 5 hours and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring, I didn’t at all. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

So the best way to get this hike done is to book an experienced taxi driver to drop you at the ABACA village.

Once you arrive, there is a Lil box house where you pay the entry fee of $25 FJD, sign the guest book, and start hiking. There is an option to pay for a guide at $20FJD pp and a FIJIAN meal afterward in the village for $30 FJD pp. If you meet Mary tell her I said Hello!

The taxi that was booked for me through the Bluewater lodge did not drop me at the ABACA village because there was a creek on the way and the driver did not want to cross it! The water was not even deep, it was your palm length deep! Very poor service and I wouldn’t recommend booking taxis through them although it was an ok place to stay if you are traveling on a budget.

There were also 3 other people in the car along with me and they all decided not to walk extra hours to the village so I hiked on my own.

I was mindful of the time because from the creek to the village was about 8-9km then the ACTUAL hike to Batilamu -4-5 hours return from the village.

So I was hiking as fast as I could but after hiking for about 2.5 hours I was picked up by a Village teacher Emy and her husband and 2 kids! Very thankful for that car ride because it def shorten the 8km uphill walk for me and I was able to start my hike to MT Batilamu quicker. They gave me their number but since my phone got stolen I no longer have it, unfortunately.

That said, I am positive you can hire a proper vehicle to drive up to the ABACA village and make a deal prior so that the vehicle will wait for you till you return from the hike. If you would like to know how much it was dm me on Insta.

Cross the river, then highlands and 2 different forests, arriving at the hut up the hill with a pretty view where you can stay overnight and then from there 10 mins more to the viewpoint. So up to you if you would like to stay overnight which I reckon would be cool but note there is no electricity but phone reception was available and so was a mattress, blankets, gas, tea, coffee, rice, etc.

It was a challenging day for me to start with as the original car dropped me almost 8-9k out of the village and I walked a few hours on the way before getting a lift. So, had already used a lot of my energy climbing uphill towards the village then once I started the actual hiking I was feeling the burning FIJIAN sun as well!

So the advice is to start as early as you can, so you can avoid hiking in the mid-day sun. Nevertheless, I am super grateful I reached the viewpoint and came back down safely to meet all the villagers and live to tell a tale!

If you are into nature, not afraid of a challenging hike, or want something different than the island experience I highly recommend this hike during your Fiji solo travel.

Have more time, check out the surrounding Savuioni waterfall for $35pp, and the Tunutunu waterfall for $25pp.

The next highlight of my Fiji Solo travel was this floating bar called Cloud 9. The return boat transfer is included from Port Denarau and you have access to sunbeds and day beds. You can also preselect the $60 bar tab if you wish, there is also pizza on offer but what I liked the most about that whole thing is the location!

Surrounded by beautiful turquoise water, swimming with the turtles, drinking with your new and old friends. Such good times! If you prefer less crowd and more photo opportunities I would say book the morning session but if you want to pre-drink prior, book the afternoon session so that way you are already hyped and also get to enjoy the sunsets!

Also If you haven’t watched the movie Rose island, you have to! I watched this on my flight to FIJI and I reckon they probably got this idea from here!

That said, the only cons were the cocktails. I ordered Espresso Martini and it came in a Lil glass with literally ice, coffee liqueur, and vodka thrown in it. There was no right martini glass nor a proper fluffy bend of cocktail – v poor and charged $28 for it. Also tried Pina Colada and again had no work done to it. Very bland.

After that, it was no more cocktails for us and we just ordered a bottle of sparkling Rose, a few beers, and pizza.

Overall, a great experience to be on a floating bar.

Have more time? Also, recommend Malamala beach club or Seventh heaven .

Feel free to click on the links above to learn more about the activity and what is included and not. I skipped this activity because I have experienced mud pools in one too many countries but if you haven’t I recommend it. It is quite an experience!

6. Viti Levu: Navua River Tubing 7. Nadi Zip Line & Cave Tour

During your Fiji solo travel, if you have a spare day or two, it is a perfect opportunity to get out of the city to see more of what Fiji has to offer. You can even visit the outskirt pacific harbor islands Such as The Mamanuca Islands , The Yasawa Islands , Vanua Levu, The Bouma National Heritage Park hikes in Taveuni Island, Wakaya Island, or Denarau Island. Go snorkeling and diving or chase waterfalls and go on hikes.

If you don’t feel like exploring alone, you can join any of the private or group tours below.

Recommend the ‘river safari’, a day trip to the heart of Fiji – a remote riverside village – via the fun of a jet boat. It’s a shot of adrenalin with a chaser of culture.

Viti Levu, Venture into the jungles of Fiji and discover the beautiful waterfalls of the Colo-I-Suva Nature Reserve whilst having fun. You can also join the tubing tour on the pristine Navua River.

If you have been following me for a while then you know, I absolutely love watching sunsets in every new country. So here are some of my recommendations on the best places to watch sunsets in your Fiji Solo travel.

• Sunset strip, Sigatoka, Coral Coast, Viti Levu
• Natadola Bay, Coral Coast, Viti Levu
• Denarau, Nadi, Viti Levu
• Vuda, Viti Levu
• Wailoulou Beach, Nadi, Viti Levu
• Wayasewa, (Wayalailai) Yasawa Islands
• Tokoriki Island Beqa Lagoon
• Sunset Beach, Mana Island, Mamanuca Islands
• Malolo Island, Mamanuca Islands
• Malolo Lailai Island, Mamanuca Islands
• Qalito Island, Mamanuca Islands

Alternatively, book yourself a Captain Cook Sunset Dinner Cruise

I hope this Fiji solo travel guide gave you an insight into traveling Fiji alone. Discover and indulge in ‘Bula Time’, which basically means doing sweet nothing in a tropical paradise. Happy Travels!

Let me know in the comments :

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8 thoughts on “ Fiji Solo Travel Guide 2023 ”

I never knew all of this about Fiji. I especially love the food and drinks part. I will add this destination to my bucket list!

Hope you get to visit asap Yemi!

Thanks so much for this detailed travel guide prepared, I have saved it as my reference when preparing for my own travel in the future. Cheers

Glad it was useful, hope you get to visit soon Sienny!

This is so cool and loves the green lands. I would love to visit this place one day. Thank you for sharing!

Glad it was handy! Hope you make it there soon!

Wow I’d love to go to Fiji – good to know Uber isn’t working so you can prepare your budget for cabs! I’m bookmarking this just for the list of where to catch the best sunset alone! But love all your tips, I’d love to do the Tivua island and river safari too!

Glad it resonates with you, hope you will make it there soon! Enjoy!

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Is Fiji a Good Destination For Solo Travel?

For some reason, I had these ridiculous visions of being the only solo traveller in Fiji. I pictured myself tragically sitting at a beachside table for one, honeymooning couples canoodling by candlelight all around me. 

Fortunately I was wrong.

Adventure seekers of all ages – young digital nomads, young-at-heart flashpackers, groups of mates and indeed solo travellers – were everywhere. That age-old stereotype that Fiji is only for families, the newlywed and nearly-dead was utterly debunked on day one of my trip.

What surprised me the most about this cluster of over 300 Pacific paradise islands is that there is actually a distinctive backpacker trail in Fiji.

Yes you can absolutely get a dose of alone time and jet off to an obscure and quiet island if that’s what you wanted. But there are loads of common tourist routes where you can meet like-minded travellers as well.

In Nadi – Fiji’s launching pad of sorts – solo backpackers converge on Wailoaloa Beach near the airport for a day or two, make friends and make plans. The most common tourist routes are to the Yasawa Islands , Mamanuca Islands or along the Coral Coast of the mainland, Viti Levu.

Typically most travellers are from nearby Australia and New Zealand. Many of whom I met had actually snuck off to Fiji to work remotely without their bosses knowing!

So, is Fiji good for solo travel? The short answer from my experience: yes! In fact, many people choose Fiji as their first ever solo destination for many reasons.

Here is a little bit more information as to why and what you need to consider for Fiji solo travel.

*This post may contain affiliate links meaning should you purchase a product via this link, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my privacy and disclosure policy for more.*

Why Fiji is Good for solo travel:

1. genuinely warm & welcoming fijian culture.

When I was researching the history and culture of Fiji, I admit that reading about cannibalism and ancient warriors made me feel a little uneasy. How safe would Fiji realistically be for a solo female traveller?

Ok, it sounds silly because that’s way in the past. But sometimes countries can have leftover attitudes, and I wondered whether there would be remnants of a macho or misogynistic culture. As a woman alone, that can sometimes make things a bit uncomfortable.

Well, it turns out that couldn’t be further from the truth. Fijian’s are probably the most friendly, down-to-earth and welcoming locals I have ever met on my travels – both men and women. You can’t walk past someone without them giving you a cheery “bula!” and a genuine smile.

The Fijian’s are absolute hospitality professionals who go over and above to make you feel like Fiji is a home away from home.

The moment you arrive, you’ll be sung a welcome song to greet you and from then on, everyone knows you by name. It really makes you feel so valued.

As cheesy as it sounds, Fijian’s get to know you personally and become a friend. They fill your holiday with fun, kindness and laughter. It’s no wonder they’re known as some of the friendliest people in the world!

This is especially why many women choose Fiji as a solo travel destination as females need not worry about being harassed or feeling unsafe. Fijian culture is fairly respectful towards women. Community and family are important and community shame is a big deterrent.

On a visit to Fiji, a female should always be cautious of men who are a little too friendly though. You may well get someone trying it on who’ll declare they undying love for you!

Women should exercise the normal level of caution as a foreigner in an unknown place, such as not walking alone at night.

2. Sociable hostel life, at luxury resorts

Fiji is known for luxury beach resorts. It’s one reason why it’s such a popular honeymoon destination.

But the best thing about many of the resorts is that they also have dorm rooms (in paradise!) for those on a budget, or those who can’t justify a luxury bure every night, like a solo backpacker!

It actually surprised me just how many resorts in Fiji have dorm rooms and facilities built with people other than couples in mind.

Along the Coral Coast I would recommend staying at Beachouse Resort , in the Yasawa Islands, Barefoot Manta and in Nadi, Bluewater Lodge , Bamboo Backpackers , or Smugglers Cove . 

Love them or hate them, dorm rooms are the best way to meet other solo travellers. Typically wherever there are hostels, there are backpackers.

Even if you’re not a fan of a shared sleeping space, staying in private accommodation somewhere that also has dorm rooms onsite, generally means you can still meet these solo travellers in the communal areas and during organised activities. A sociable hostel is one of my go-to tips for first time solo travellers .

For a personalised and more down-to-earth experience, where you’ll learn about the culture and Fijian way of life more intimately, I’d also recommend at least a few nights in a homestay. 

3. Low crime rates

Like everywhere, Fiji does have crime but it likely has much less than where you are from! 

According to the Global Organised Crime Index , Fiji is ranked 148th out of 193 countries in their criminality score, which is pretty low!

The most pervasive criminal market in Fiji is drugs and drug smuggling, often run by organised networks. Fiji’s location between Latin America and the destination markets, such as Australia and New Zealand make it a drug transport hub. In fact, the other most prominent illegal activities such as logging and smuggling are also largely due to its strategic location in the Pacific.

These types of crime are organised and should not affect tourists. Just steer clear of drugs!

Most of the crime affecting tourists would be petty and opportunist such as theft. And theft does happen especially as there is a wealth disparity. Ensure you keep your belongings safe and exercise the normal travel precautions, such as not flashing valuables or leaving them out of sight.

It’s also comforting to know gun ownership in Fiji is some of the lowest in the world and random violent crimes are far and few between.

4. Group tours or solo time, you choose!

A holiday to Fiji is all about enjoying Fiji Time – the laid back way of life, sun, sea and beaches. I can assure you it will be indulgent and relaxing, but there are also cultural and water-based activities to get involved in for a hit of adrenaline too.

Most resorts have free or cheap gear to rent such as snorkels, SUP boards and kayaks. They’re ideal for indulging in some solo time from the very beach of the resort.

However there are also some awesome group activities to partake in as well. 

Resorts often have an activity board with scheduled daily group entertainment. They ensure there’s always something going on so you’re not bored. They can be anything from traditional jewellery making, dance shows, kava ceremonies, demonstrations, sunrise hikes and village visits. They’re a great way to socialise and meet people staying in the same accommodation.

There are also group tours off the island organised by the resort or with external tour providers. You can search on Viator to compare the best Fiji tour operators. Think experiences like diving with sharks or visiting caves, local villages and waterfalls! 

If you’re going to the Yasawa Islands I would recommend staying at Barefoot Manta and joining a boat trip to go snorkelling with manta rays , only a few hundred metres from the shore. It was undoubtedly the highlight of my trip!

Either way, solo travellers to Fiji will enjoy the balance of social time from group tours and solo recharge time on the resort’s beach.

5. A Good Party Scene

If having some drinks and a dance is your kind of thing, Fiji has some renowned party islands such as Beachcomber in the Mamanucas. It has a sociable vibe for solo travellers to meet and party with other backpackers.

There are also some fun bars and nightclubs in places such as downtown Nadi and the capital, Suva.

I would recommend Ice Bar in Nadi for a fun night of dancing in a grungy (albeit very hot and sweaty) environment with a mix of locals and tourists. I ended up there on multiple occasions (without planning to!) with groups of other travellers and locals I met at my accommodation and on Wailoaloa Beach.

6. Close to Australia & New Zealand

Well, when I say close, it’s a 3-5 hour flight from either Australia or New Zealand to Nadi. In Australia terms, that’s extremely close considering that’s about as long as it can take to fly across the country, and not even leave it!

Many young travellers choose to visit Fiji either before or after backpacking to either of these countries, or moving there on a Working Holiday Visa .

So why is this good for a solo traveller? Fiji isn’t an obscure island in the middle of nowhere. It’s a popular holiday destination for people in Oceania meaning there’ll be lots of other like-minded tourists to meet, solo or otherwise.

7. It’s Geared Towards Tourism

Fiji is absolutely set up for tourism. And in more ways that many countries known as being a popular holiday spot are! I guess it’s not surprising considering nearly 40% of their GDP is contributed by the travel & tourism sector.

Travelling around Fiji is easy. There’s no dodgy old ferries that stink of fumes and chug along at a pace you could row at. Think brand new high speed catamarans and extremely organised pick-ups and drop-offs. There are also many tour providers that will take you pretty much anywhere you’d want to go as a tourist.

Infrastructure is generally really good in Fiji, although the Wi-Fi can be a little sketchy at times. If you want to see a more authentic and ‘real’ insight into how Fijian people live, book a few nights in a homestay.

The side of Fiji you see as a tourist is definitely a polished and squeaky-clean version. But that being said, it’s stress-free and as a solo traveller, you don’t have to worry about getting from A to B, or incurring an additional expense for being alone.

Tips for solo travel in Fiji:

Fiji solo travel will prove to be extremely rewarding, relaxing and fun. Here are some tips to make the most of a solo trip to Fiji:

– Spare some time for Nadi (Wailoaloa Beach) to meet people

If you have time, I would highly recommend spending a few days in Nadi before you head off elsewhere in Fiji. Some people say it’s overrated or boring (I’d disagree), but just two days gives you enough time to get into Fiji time and meet other solo travellers who may well become your travel companions!

– Choose accommodation wisely

Avoid anywhere without dorm rooms and resorts that are marketed as couple or family oriented. Even if you don’t stay in a dorm room, you’ll realise just how sociable Fiji can be by choosing accommodation set up for a ‘younger’ audience.

Beware of places that may charge a ‘singles’ surcharge. However if you follow the above advice and look for places good for solo travellers, you won’t encounter these charges.

– Use public Transport

The transport in Fiji isn’t exactly cheap however public transport is reasonable. For island hopping, there are public ferries you can buy tickets for online, at the ferry terminal or through your accommodation. If you are going to multiple islands in the Mamanucas or Yasawa’s, it’s worth doing the maths to see if a Bula Pass is cheaper.

Buses in Fiji are the main form of public transport on the mainlands. They are quite cheap and convenient. Buses are worth taking solo instead of private transport, such as a taxi.

– Prepare for Mandatory ‘Meal Plans’

On top of your room rate, you will be expected to pay for a daily meal plan, which is often $119FJD per person. This is often because there are no other places to eat where you stay as they’re private island resorts. So instead of racking up a bill, you are expected to pay upfront to select from a small daily menu. Extras such as drinks are paid before check out. Make sure you include the cost of meal plans into any pre-travel budgeting.

This guide to solo travel in Fiji is based on my experience combined with research on the safety statistics of the country. I hope you have found it useful and it will encourage you to visit this wonderful Pacific destination – and alone! Happy travels!

Fiji solo travel is rewarding and easy, if you know these insider tips!

MORE POSTS ABOUT FIJI:

• Staying In A Treehouse Bure In Fiji
• Swimming With Majestic Manta Rays In Fiji
• What It’s Like To Travel To Fiji In 2022
• An Awesome 10 Day Yasawa Islands Itinerary

PIN FOR LATER:

Going to Fiji Soon? Don’t forget these essentials!

Flights : compare and search for the cheapest flights using Skyscanner

Accommodation : hotels to hostels, glamping to apartments, I always use Booking.com

Tours : to find the best group tours and activities (with up to 20% off), use Viator

Visa : don’t forget to  check the entry requirements  for the passport you are travelling with on the Fiji government website

Inspiration : how about Lonely Planet’s Guide to Fiji , or to kick-start your next adventure, Lonely Planet’s top 500 places to see… ranked ?

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16 thoughts on “Is Fiji a Good Destination For Solo Travel?”

I always thought the same about Fiji as you did – thanks for dispelling this and now I’m putting it on my solo travel list. Thanks for the inspiration.

Good to know Fiji is a great place for solo travelers, now I need to plan a trip there! 😀

I have been to Fiji twice (with family). It really is a good and safe holiday destination. The people are genuine and I always felt safe.

I always thought of Fiji as a place to get married and a family holiday destination. It’s good to have a different perspective. I would never have gone to Fiji as a solo traveller but would now seriously consider it.

As a solo traveller myself, I definitely wouldn’t have considered Fiji – I just assumed it would all be couples and honeymooners. Guess I can start looking at flights!

I don’t really travel solo, but I always choose safe destinations and Fiji certainly looks like a great place for everyone! And looks like you enjoyed your time there, so that’s very inspiring 😍

A solo trip to Fiji would be the DREAM – thanks so much for sharing just how possible it is!

I live in Oz and have never made my way to Fiji but always wanted to! I had no idea about the mandatory meal plans, it makes sense but would definitely be an expensive surprise when I arrived if I had no idrea!!

So interesting to know that Fiji is not only for families, the newlywed and the nearly dead. Great to know you found lots of fellow travellers. I was surprised when I read that many of the resorts also had dorm rooms. And that there is typically a daily fee for the mandatory meal plans. Lots I didn’t know about Fiji.

I went to Fiji in 2019 on a solo trip and to date, it’s still one of my best travel memories – couldn’t agree with this more!

I love how Fiji is described as being so friendly, it definitely makes it a destination for solo travellers to seek out, and what’s not to love! Great guide of things to see, do and stay.

I haven’t done a serious solo trip yet, but after reading this I think Fiji would be an excellent option for my first one. Thank you so much for all of the helpful tips. I’m definitely saving this for later!

I was there a month ago stayed all-around viti levu was very nice and friendly vibe all across the board 👌 can’t go wrong had a good time

That’s so cool, and I am very glad you had such a great time! Thanks for your comment Vijay 🙂

For any other fellow female solo travelers out there, you guys can try joining Facebook groups of solo woman travelers. Glad to know Fiji is safe for solo travelers, added onto my bucket list

Great post! I really enjoyed the insights you shared. Looking forward to reading more of your work in the future. Keep it up!

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Solo Travel in Fiji

If you love to hit the road and encounter new experiences and cultures, but always find yourself waiting for others to join, why not go alone? Travel has changed a lot in the last 50 years, making solo travel safer and more accessible than ever before, with discounted accommodation and touring options. Travelling solo is fun, easy, and designed to get the most out of your holiday, and the best part? – do whatever you want when you want!

A Fiji holiday is a fantastic destination for solo travellers, and we have compiled just some of the reasons you should check out Fiji on your own terms, in your own time.

Captivating, Cultural and Life changing

Fiji is such a diverse destination that Fiji holidays offer an abundance of experiences and attractions, making it an ideal choice for solo travellers seeking adventure , relaxation, and cultural immersion.

With its stunning natural beauty, warm hospitality, and diverse range of activities, Fiji provides an unforgettable getaway for those who choose to explore it independently. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why travelling to Fiji is an excellent choice for solo travellers, highlighting its unique features and attractions.

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Fiji for your holida y is the country's breath-taking natural landscapes. Fiji is renowned for its pristine beaches with turquoise waters, palm-fringed islands, and vibrant coral reefs. Picture yourself strolling along the powdery white sands, soaking up the sun's warmth, and taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters. Whether you choose to relax on the beach or engage in thrilling water sports like snorkelling or scuba diving, Fiji's natural beauty will leave you mesmerised.

Better yet, Fiji offers a huge variety of outdoor activities that cater to all types of adventurers . If you're seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences, you can explore the lush rainforests by zip-lining through the treetops or go river rafting down the challenging rapids. For those who prefer a more serene experience, hiking trails lead to picturesque waterfalls and hidden swimming holes, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of nature.

Exploring Fiji's diverse landscapes as a solo traveller allows you to set your own pace, indulge in self-reflection, and discover your own hidden gems.

Safety First

Safety can be a significant concern for solo adventurers, and this destination provides a reassuring environment for those embarking on Fiji solo travel. The country has a low crime rate, and Fijians are renowned for their friendliness and willingness to assist visitors. Of course, it is always important to exercise caution and take necessary precautions while travelling alone, as you would in any destination.

Something for Everyone

Fiji's unique blend of relaxation, adventure, natural beauty, cultural immersion, and warm hospitality makes it an extraordinary destination Whether you seek solitude and self-reflection or to connect with like-minded travellers, Fiji offers an ideal setting to fulfil your travel dreams. The combination of stunning landscapes, thrilling activities, welcoming locals, and a safe environment ensures an enriching and unforgettable journey for solo travellers.

Not Convinced to Solo Travel in Fiji Yet?

Check out some further reading on Solo Travel in Fiji , and some of the activities you can do in our South Pacific neighbour country.

At Spacifica Travel , we pride ourselves in offering something for everyone, especially adventure seekers!

Fine! You’ve convinced me! How do I get to Paradise?

All you need to do is get in touch with the team at Spacifica Travel, many of who have travelled Fiji solo before, so they can give you some of the best first hand experiences you shouldn’t miss. Get in touch , and say ‘Bula!’ before you know it.

Photos courtesy of Koro Sun & Fiji Tourism

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Where To Stay In Fiji For Solo Travellers: Your Ultimate Guide

Introduction.

Deciding  where to stay in Fiji for solo travellers  can be exciting and daunting. This tropical paradise, nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, offers a myriad of options for accommodation, each with its unique charm and appeal. As a solo traveller, you’re not just looking for a place to rest your head at night; you’re seeking a base from where you can explore the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality that Fiji is renowned for.

Fiji is an archipelago of more than  330 islands , each offering a unique experience. From the bustling markets and cosmopolitan vibe of Suva , the capital city on the island of Viti Levu , to the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups , there’s a place for every type of solo traveller in Fiji.

Choosing the right place to stay is crucial to your experience. It can mean the difference between a good vacation and an unforgettable one. In this guide, we’ll explore the best places to stay in Fiji for solo travellers, considering budget, location, amenities, and safety. Whether you’re a first-time solo traveller or a seasoned globetrotter, this guide will help you make an informed decision and ensure your trip to Fiji is everything you want it to be.

1. Why Fiji is a Great Destination for Solo Travellers

Fiji is a dream destination for many, and solo travellers are no exception. The islands offer a unique blend of fascinating culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and many activities catering to various interests.

Friendly and Welcoming Culture

Fijians are renowned for their hospitality and friendliness. As a solo traveller, you’ll be greeted with warm smiles and open arms, making you feel at home upon arrival. The locals are genuinely interested in sharing their culture and traditions with visitors, providing a rich cultural experience beyond typical tourist attractions.

Safety is a top priority for solo travellers, and Fiji doesn’t disappoint . It’s considered one of the safest destinations in the South Pacific for solo travellers. Of course, like anywhere else, it’s important to take standard safety precautions, especially when travelling alone. But overall, you can feel secure exploring the islands and immersing yourself in the local culture. How to stay safe in Fiji – https://fijipocketguide.com/

Activities Galore

Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a culture enthusiast, Fiji has something for you. The islands offer a wide range of activities that cater to solo travellers. You can explore the vibrant coral reefs through snorkelling or scuba diving, hike through lush rainforests, surf world-class waves, or immerse yourself in Fijian culture through village tours and traditional ceremonies. Discover Fiji’s Fun Side Here!

Ease of Meeting Other Travellers

Fiji is a popular destination for travellers worldwide, making it easy to meet fellow adventurers. Many resorts and hostels offer communal spaces and organise group activities, providing ample opportunities to connect with other travellers. Start Your Accommodation Search Here!

In the next section, we’ll delve into the factors to consider when choosing where to stay in Fiji as a solo traveller.

2. Factors to Consider When Choosing Where to Stay in Fiji

Choosing the right place to stay can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially when travelling solo. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding where to stay in Fiji as a solo traveller:

Your budget is one of the most important factors to consider. Fiji offers various budget accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels . Consider how much you’re willing to spend on accommodation, considering that you’ll also need to budget for meals, activities, and transportation.

Fiji comprises over 330 islands, each offering a unique experience. Do you want to stay in a bustling city like Suva, with its vibrant nightlife and cultural attractions? Or would you prefer the tranquil beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Mamanuca Islands? Your interests and what you want from your trip will help determine your best location.

Consider what amenities are important to you. Do you want a place with a pool, a gym, or a spa? Are you looking for a place that offers organised activities or tours? Do you need a reliable Wi-Fi connection? Make a list of your must-have amenities to help narrow down your options.

Type of Accommodation

The type of accommodation you choose can significantly influence your travel experience. Are you looking for the luxury and convenience of a resort, the affordability and social atmosphere of a hostel , or the comfort and privacy of a vacation rental ? Each accommodation type offers different benefits and drawbacks, so consider what’s most important to you.

In the next section, considering these factors, we’ll explore some top accommodation options for solo travellers in Fiji.

3. Top Accommodation Options for Solo Travellers in Fiji

Fiji offers various accommodation options to suit different tastes and budgets. Here are some of the top choices for solo travellers:

Fiji is famous for its luxury resorts, many on their private islands. Resorts offer a range of amenities, including pools, spas, restaurants, and organised activities. They also often provide package deals that include meals and activities, which can be a convenient option for solo travellers. View top resorts .

Pros:  Luxury amenities, organised activities, all-inclusive options.  Cons:  It can be expensive, less opportunity for authentic local experiences.

There are many hotels in Fiji, ranging from luxury to budget options. Hotels are suitable for those who want a comfortable stay with standard amenities, such as room service, Wi-Fi, and often a pool or fitness centre. View hotels .

Pros:  Range of price options, standard amenities, reliable service.  Cons:  Less personal, fewer opportunities for social interaction.

Hostels are an excellent option for budget-conscious solo travellers. They offer to meet other travellers in communal spaces and often organise group activities. Many hostels in Fiji also provide private rooms for those who want more privacy. View hostels .

Pros:  Affordable, social atmosphere, opportunities to meet other travellers.  Cons:  Less privacy and amenities can be essential.

4. Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals like those found on Airbnb offer a home-away-from-home experience. That can be a good option for those who want more privacy and the ability to cook their meals.

Pros:  Privacy, ability to self-cater, range of price options.  Cons:  No on-site services or amenities; the quality can vary.

5. Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and breakfasts offer a more personal experience than hotels or resorts. They are often family-run and offer a chance to experience Fijian hospitality firsthand.

Pros:  Personal service, home-cooked meals, authentic experience.  Cons:  Limited amenities, fewer locations to choose from.

4. Highlight Top Brands/Services in Fiji

Several brands and services can enhance your experience when planning a solo Fiji trip. Here are some top recommendations:

1. Fiji Airways

Fiji’s national airline offers direct flights from several international destinations and inter-island flights within Fiji. Their service is known for its warm Fijian hospitality.

2. Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

This resort is located on the Coral Coast and offers luxury and cultural experiences. It’s known for its Meimei service, dedicated nanny service, and Bebe Spa, boasting stunning views.

3. Bamboo Backpackers

This popular hostel in Nadi is an excellent choice for solo travellers on a budget. They offer free airport pick-up, communal activities, and a beachfront location.

4. Rosie Holidays

A leading tour company in Fiji, Rosie Holidays offers a variety of tour packages and experiences, from village tours to shark diving. They also provide customised solo travel packages.

5. Awesome Adventures Fiji

This company specialises in travel packages for the Yasawa Islands . They offer a range of options, including island hopping passes and all-inclusive packages, making it easy for solo travellers to explore these stunning islands.

For those who prefer a more home-like atmosphere, Airbnb offers a wide range of vacation rentals throughout Fiji. That can be a great way to experience local life and have more independence during your stay.

7. Tanoa Hotel Group

A locally owned and operated hotel group with several locations throughout Fiji. Known for their warm hospitality and comfortable accommodations, they offer a range of options for solo travellers.

In the next section, we’ll provide some general tips for solo travellers in Fiji to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

5. Tips for Solo Travellers in Fiji

Travelling solo in Fiji can be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:

1. Respect Local Customs and Traditions

Fijian culture is vibrant, and respecting local customs is essential. Dress modestly when visiting villages, always ask permission before taking photos, and be aware that it’s considered rude to touch someone’s head in Fijian culture.

2. Stay Hydrated and Protect Yourself from the Sun

Fiji’s tropical climate can be hot and humid. Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and protect yourself from the Sun with a hat and sunglasses.

3. Use Reliable Transportation

Using reliable transportation When travelling between or within larger islands like Viti Levu . Fiji Airways, local buses , and licensed taxis are good options. Avoid unofficial taxis or rides.

4. Be Aware of ‘Kava’ Ceremonies

Kava is a traditional Fijian drink with a mild sedative effect. It’s often shared in social settings or ceremonies. While it’s safe to consume, be aware of its impact and always feel comfortable to decline if you prefer not to partake.

5. Connect with Other Travellers

One of the joys of solo travel is meeting new people. Be bold about striking up conversations with other travellers. You might make some lifelong friends!

6. Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

While Fiji is generally safe, monitoring your belongings is always wise, especially in crowded markets or bus stations.

7. Enjoy Your Own Company

Finally, remember to enjoy your own company. Solo travel is a unique opportunity to get to know yourself better, so embrace the solitude and enjoy your company.

In conclusion, we’ll wrap up the guide and encourage you to plan your solo trip to Fiji.

Deciding where to stay in Fiji for solo travellers is an exciting part of the journey towards an unforgettable adventure. With its friendly culture, stunning landscapes, and comprehensive accommodation options, Fiji is a paradise for solo travellers.

Whether you choose the luxury of a resort, the social atmosphere of a hostel, or the comfort of a vacation rental, you’re sure to find a place that feels like a home away from home. And with Fiji’s top brands and services, you can confidently plan your trip, knowing you’ll be well taken care of.

Solo travel is about embracing new experiences, meeting new people, and enjoying your company. So, take the plunge, plan your solo trip to Fiji, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Fiji’s warm, sunny beaches and welcoming locals are waiting for you. Safe travels!

FAQs for Solo Travellers in Fiji

Yes, Fiji is generally considered safe for solo travellers. However, it’s important to take standard safety precautions like any travel destination. Avoid isolated areas, especially at night, and monitor your belongings.

The best time to visit Fiji is during the dry season, from May to October. During this time, the weather is more relaxed and less humid, and there’s less chance of rain.

The currency used in Fiji is the Fijian Dollar (FJD).

Visitors from many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK, do not need a visa for stays of up to four months. However, before your trip, you should always check the latest visa requirements with your local Fijian embassy or consulate.

In most resorts and urban areas, tap water is safe to drink. However, in rural areas, it’s recommended to drink bottled water.

The official languages in Fiji are English, Fijian, and Hindi. English is widely spoken, so solo travellers should be refined in communication.

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, resorts, cafes, and restaurants. However, the speed and reliability can vary, especially on the smaller islands.

Fiji uses type I power plugs like Australia and New Zealand. The standard voltage is 240 V, and the average frequency is 50 Hz.

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A Solo Traveler’s Guide To A Fantastic Fiji Holiday

Posted on Last updated: December 13, 2023

Would you like to pursue your wanderlust by going to a tropical island to take a breather? The rigors of daily life could take a toll on people’s mental well-being, which is why unwinding through travel is essential. It’s an opportunity to rest your mind, body, and soul, all while experiencing emotions outside the monotony of daily life.

The world has no shortage of tropical getaways, one of which is Fiji in the South Pacific. If this destination has been on your travel list for some time, now’s a good time to try some of the best adventures in Fiji . Although a famous destination for weddings and honeymoons, it’s also ideal for a solo traveler like you. Aside from many mind-blowing tourist spots, Fiji holidays let you experience life-changing activities and meet new friends like the local Fijian people.

Here’s an in-depth guide on spending your vacation in Fiji and making the most out of your limited time.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet? The Insurance companies I recommend are  Hey Mondo and Safety Wing Hey Mondo  is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing  is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy. Read my full  travel insurance post  here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

Getting Around Fiji 

After taking care of all your bookings, flights, and travel documents, it’s paramount to know how to get around Fiji. Understanding the different transportation options allows for a smoother solo travel experience.

Boat  

It’s no surprise that sea travel is one of the common options, given that Fiji is a country of 333 islands. You can catch a local ferry to explore different places like Ovalau , Kadavu , Vanua Levu , and Viti Levu and nearby islands. A cruise or yacht tour is also an option for those who want to tour in style.

Domestic flights  

On Viti Levu , the largest of Fiji’s islands, Nadi is the primary gateway to the rest of the country. Nadi International Airport has domestic flights to the smaller airports all over Fiji, making tours to remote areas possible. In just two hours on the plane, you can admire more destinations on your Fiji holidays. Combined with these airport travel tips, you’ll arrive at your destination without any hassle.

Car rentals

There’s no denying the benefits of driving your way around an unfamiliar place. You can explore Fiji’s main islands by renting a quality car at reasonable rates from reliable rental companies. Make sure to prepare your international driver’s license and travel insurance beforehand. 

Last but not least, using buses is a great and affordable way to explore Fiji. You can find a convenient bus system in large islands like Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. The price for bus fares is pretty low, with a one-way trip from Suva to Nausori costing two Fijian dollars (GBP£0.69). There are also bus tours if you want to be on a fixed itinerary for the day. 

Experiencing Various Activities 

You definitely need to spend more than a week in Fiji if you wish to experience all the various activities it has to offer. You can choose from multiple holiday packages, either pre-arrival or once you arrive. Here are some must-try activities to get the most out of your Fiji vacation. 

Zipline 

You can visit Viti Levu if you’re keen on ziplining, with more than a dozen zipline courses . There are actually more than ten different zip line adventures for you to try. The Garden of the Sleeping Giant alone offers five zipline courses for you to try. 

Diving And Snorkeling 

Fiji is undoubtedly one of the most diverse diving and snorkeling destinations on Earth. Besides being the world’s soft-coral capital, it also has several marine sanctuaries. Many resorts and diving institutions offer scuba diving and snorkeling activities so try them out. 

Surfing 

Since you’ve reached Fiji’s clear waters, why don’t you try surfing while you’re there? Visit their famous surfing destinations like Lighthouse Rights and Cloudbreak. Although these two areas are intended for professional surfers, you might want to head to Sigatoka if you’re still an amateur.

Hiking 

Exotic birds and plants are aplenty in Fiji’s rainforest parks. Many hiking trails lead to creeks, natural pools, and other water bodies. 

City Tour 

Don’t leave Fiji without enjoying a city tour at Suva . Aside from being the country’s capital city, Suva is Fiji’s mecca for its cosmopolitan. There are rich places to explore in the city, like local marketplaces, museums, and botanical gardens. 

Being Acquainted With The Locals 

If you’re curious how the local people are in Fiji, one thing that sums up their overall personalities is that they’re friendly. Expect heart-warming smiles from many Fijians throughout your trip. Some locals even sing a Fijian welcome song in the airport, as is tradition for visitors. 

Conclusion 

There’s no doubt that Fiji should be on any traveler’s bucket list. With this guide, you can maximize your solo travel experience and create beautiful memories in Fiji.

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How to Visit Fiji Without Breaking the Bank

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My friend and I headed to Fiji as part of a world trip and had the best time despite the prices coming as a bit of a shock. We’d expected Australia and New Zealand to involve a huge hike in living costs compared to Asia, but predicted Fiji would be a return to lower prices and a relaxed way of life.

It was certainly super relaxing, but cheap? Not so much. Fiji might just be the perfect honeymoon destination and for that reason, accommodation and food prices are inflated. The tourist infrastructure keeps locals and foreigners a little more separate than in some places and accommodation tends to be out of town. As a result, pricey food in Western-style resort restaurants are often the only way of getting your meals, and budget backpacker hostels are few and far between. Saying that, visiting Fiji was worth every penny we spent (and we spent many). The beaches are out of this world and the slow, friendly pace of life is infectious. I’d recommend you to go, but take heed of a few tips and tricks and do your homework before arriving.

Dorm rooms within resorts

This is the best way to save money in Fiji. When we arrived in Nadi (the main point of entry for travellers) we noted the lack of hostels and worried we’d have to stay somewhere pricey. Luckily, we realised dorm rooms did exist – inside the resorts. We found £5 per night bunks at Smugglers Cove where, as guests, we got access to the same swimming pool, beach and breakfast buffet that the guests in higher-priced private rooms did. Yes please!

Choosing your islands

Most travellers to Fiji don’t spend long on the mainland, for good reason – paradise islands are just a boat ride away. There are two main clusters of islands popular with visitors:

• The Mamanuca Islands – these are the closest to Nadi and picture-perfect . Think white beaches, lots of sealife, blue skies and palm trees.
• The Yasawas Islands – north of the Mamanucas, these islands take longer to get to and the ride is more expensive. Until the 1950s they were restricted to cruise ships only and for that reason they’re way less built up.

We initially assumed we’d hop between loads of islands and daydreamed over the exotic-looking Yasawas. It turned out the journey from Nadi was almost £100 each way making the cluster of volcanic islands a more pricey destination to visit.

One of the best things about the Mamanucas for backpackers, or indeed anyone, is their close proximity to Nadi and the fact that they’re cheap and easy to get to.

Looking for liveaboard experiences in Fiji? Check this guide to finding the best liveaboard in Fiji including price comparisons .

We got a return boat trip to one of the cluster, Mana Island, for around £20 each way, meaning we saved about £160 each on transport simply by visiting the Mamanucas rather than the Yasawas. I’ve heard the Yasawas are somewhat more rugged and volcanic but we had no regrets. Mana Island was one of the most picture-perfect places I’ve ever been and I definitely left a piece of my heart behind.

Quality over quantity

Since travel between the islands isn’t cheap, choosing one or two and making the most of them is more budget-savvy than moving about every two days. Most of the islands offer all the pastimes you’d imagine tropical islands to so once we set up base on Mana Island, there didn’t seem to be a huge rush to move on to the next one.

In Fiji there’s never actually a great rush to do anything and the well-respected custom of ‘Fiji time’ allows people to be up to several hours late without it being considered rude.

Fiji time well and truly set in for us and two days on Mana Island quickly became three, four, then five. We decided to save money and travel time by making the most of Mana’s beaches, diving and snorkelling, meaning our ‘island hopping’ experience consisted of hopping from the mainland to Mana and back again. But we were happy with that. Spending a bit longer meant we bonded with the staff and locals and found a spot we could really call home.

Make the most of catering

Unlike many traveller-friendly destinations, it isn’t easy to eat cheaply in Fiji. The focus on resorts means you won’t be walking distance to local restaurants, so usually your meals will be provided by your accommodation. Whether you stay in dorm or private rooms, catering packages tend to be in place meaning you’ll pay a set price to include board and three meals per day (drinks are usually excluded).

Usually, these packages work out cheaper than ordering off the menu so opt in if you’re looking to save the pennies. As long as you’re not fussy (sometimes there isn’t any choice, just a meal of the day) you’ll be well fed, and our resort even put on the occasional traditional Fijian night meaning we got to try the local cuisine. I’d have been gutted to leave Fiji without having tucked in!

Book in advance

At risk of contradicting my earlier point about going for quality over quantity in terms of islands, if you’re insistent on seeing lots of islands, package deals do provide discounts. We hadn’t realised Fiji was the package deal kind of place and had assumed our usual style of rocking up would do. It did, but we ended up going to fewer islands as a result. Packages that include accommodation and travel to various islands start at a few hundred pounds from companies like Feejee Experience . Visiting the same places and booking as you go will undoubtedly be more expensive, so do your research in advance.

Snorkelling over diving

There are many places where you have to go deep to see the best marine life but Fiji isn’t one of them. We spotted both sharks and turtles whilst snorkelling and some of the brightest and most beautiful fish and corals tend to be in the shallows, close to the shore. Dives cost around £20-£30 if you’re Open Water qualified and considerably more if you’re not, but grab a snorkel and an afternoon of water-based entertainment is free.

Befriend the locals

Following my above point about seeing the sea life for free, also check when the staff are headed out fishing. By day four on Mana Island we were basically locals and the staff at our resort allowed us to climb aboard their boat and do some snorkelling as they caught fish for dinner. We spotted sharks and turtles and it didn’t cost us a penny!

Gus, our friendly hostel host, became a favourite Fijian character for my friend and I and he often took us on walks around the island. We visited the local school, the Sunday church ceremony, went on a tour of the island’s medicinal plants, and were even treated to his one-man evening entertainment shows including gigs, fire shows and crab races. I doubt we’d have had such an entertaining time without spending money had it not been for befriending locals such as Gus!

So there you have it. Budget a little more tightly to include Fiji in your travel plans and you definitely won’t regret it! Send any more money-saving tips my way 🙂

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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Fiji Solo Female Travel Safety Tips and Advice

This post may contain affiliate links. For full information, please see our  disclaimer here and our Privacy Policy here .

Welcome to the Solo Female Travel Safety Tips and Advice page for Fiji !

This page is brought to you by Solo Female Travelers Tours , our curated small group trips for women, by women.

On this page you will find first-hand, unbiased, and real  safety tips, advice and reviews  from women traveling solo, submitted directly from their personal experiences in the country.

Their opinions are unfiltered and submitted independently as part of the Solo Female Travel Safety Index , a ranking of 210 countries and regions based on how safe they are for women traveling solo.

The safety scores range from 1 to 4 with 1 being the safest and 4 being the most dangerous for solo female travelers.

You don’t need to login to read the below reviews. But do sign up or login to share your solo travel experiences, country safety rating and comments.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE – LEAVE YOUR SAFETY REVIEWS! We can make the world a safer place for women traveling solo together. Sign up to our portal and leave your reviews NOW. Share your experience with other solo female travelers and help us empower more women through travel.

Fiji Country data

We have compiled a few data points below that can help you better understand Fiji and have more context when thinking about travel safety.

Official country name: Republic of Fiji.

Etymology: The Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi, and in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation, which was promulgated by explorer Captain James Cook, the designation became Fiji.

Country map

Locator map

Capital: Suva (on Viti Levu).

Independence / foundation: The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements in place to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups.

Population: 947,760.

Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD) 1 USD = 2.23 - 2.28 FJD 1 EUR = 2.43 - 2.48 FJD

Time zone: UTC+12

Languages spoken: English (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official).

Religions: Protestant 45% (Methodist 34%, Assembly of God 6%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, and Anglican

Climate: Tropical marine climate with only slight seasonal temperature variation.

Real GDP (ppp – purchasing power parity): $11.5 billion.

Real GDP per capita (ppp): $12,400.

Main airports: Nadi International Airport.

World heritage sites in Fiji

There are over 1,100 world heritage sites spread across more than 165 countries. New ones are added every year, and some may be removed from the list for various reasons.

Number of UNESCO listed sites : 1.

Top world heritage sites :

Interesting facts about Fiji

Further reading : N/A.

Fiji Travel tips

Socket type: I. Guide to socket types .

Weekend days: Saturday and Sunday.

Driving: Cars drive on the Left.

Local taxi apps: No taxi/ride hailing apps available.

Travel Guides: Lonely Planet .

Languages spoken : English (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official).

Basic words and phrases in the main language:

Find a hotel in Fiji

Book tours and activities :

More about Fiji on Solo Female Travelers

Did you spot any errors? We do our best to keep this information updated and accurate, but things change. If you saw anything that is not right, let us know so we can fix it: [email protected] .

About the Solo Female Travel Safety Index

Safety matters to solo female travelers, you told us so in our annual  Solo Female Travel Survey , where year after year, women prove that this is their most important concern when traveling solo.

We wanted to do something about it, so we built these country-specific pages where you can find reviews and scores for 7 key variables affecting the safety of women traveling solo.

• Risk of scam
• Risk of theft
• Risk of harassment
• Attitudes towards women
• UK Travel Advisory
• US Travel advisory
• Global Peace Index (GPI)

Informing OSAC

The Solo Female Travel Safety Score is used by the Overseas Security Advisory Council for including safety concerns for women travelers in their country security reports; OSAC is a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and private-sector security community.

How to use the Safety Index

On this page, you will find the country score and the personal opinions on safety of other women traveling solo.

You can sort the comments by:

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Home » Oceania » Backpacking Fiji: an EPIC Budget Travel Guide! (2024)

Backpacking Fiji: an EPIC Budget Travel Guide! (2024)

Picture this;  You’re lying on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the expansive, turquoise shores. You hear the distance call of a conch shell being blown as you take a sip of your cocktail. You can feel the soft, warmth of the sun kiss your skin as you soak it all in.   

Sounds pretty damn good, right? Well, let me introduce you to Fiji. 

Nestled into the vast, blue Pacific Ocean are Fiji’s 330-odd tropic islands. The islands of Fiji are home to friendly locals, mouthwatering street food, dazzling beaches and lush green nature. 

Fiji is well established amongst tourists; especially those with deeper pockets, looking for a luxury, tropical holiday. Fiji has no shortage of incredible hotels and resorts for all you flashpackers.

But backpacking Fiji is also possible on a budget. Getting wildly off-the-beaten path is not too hard. Most of the outer islands saw the 21st century and said nah, I’ll take the village life, thanks. 

If you manage to find yourself on a sailboat, you can get pretty remote and find yourself in what feels like an alternate time period, drinking kawa with village chiefs and hiking uninhabited islands. 

Backpacking Fiji can be an EPIC adventure – you just need to know what to prepare and plan for. With so many possibilities, it can be hard to know where to start. 

Lucky for you (and me!), I’ve explored Fiji’s incredible little islands and put together this ultimate guide on everything you need to know about backpacking Fiji . 

Whether you’re up for surfing, partying, or diving into nature far away from other humans – I’m here to help you put together the ideal plan for you! I’ve got some handy tips and MAJOR inspo to get you pumped and prepared.

So, let’s dive into it. 

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Why Go Backpacking in Fiji?

Fiji is a destination that you cannot help but be swept away by. Of course, it’s beautiful .

There are 330 islands – some inhabited, and some uninhabited – that are ringed by coral reefs and covered in lush greenery. The sunset makes you shiver and consider moving your life out here, to the middle of the Pacific Ocean . This is taking backpacking Oceania to a whole new level.

Beyond lazing in a hammock and drinking coconuts, riding waves, and diving the reefs, there’s also a fascinating mix of cultures.

Alongside Fijian, one of the national languages in Hindi! This hints at Fiji’s long and diverse history that has largely played out away from the eye of the mainstream.

The thing about Fiji is time slows down . I don’t know if it’s the tropics or the endless jokes told by the locals, but something about Fiji has you sleeping in till midday. Then you’re indulging in afternoon kava (a mildly trippy cultural drink), surfing, fresh fish, and a healthy dose of sunshine. The days just seem to whittle away.

With round the world tickets often including a stopover in Fiji – plus cheap flights from Australia and New Zealand – Fiji has been a hotspot for backpackers for a couple of generations. Backpacking Fiji might not be as cheap as, say, Vietnam, but dorm beds can still be found for around $10 USD ! 

You can always stick to the fairly well-beaten path and have a good time in Fiji. Or, you can sail in and live the boat life .

The sailor has a whole other side of Fiji to explore. One of the traditional ways of life, kava ceremonies, and careful negotiations of customs.

Whether you come for an affordable surfing holiday or a season of kava drinking and seafood collecting, Fiji will leave a big, sandy footprint on your heart!

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Fiji

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I’d recommend having at least 2 – 3 weeks to explore Fiji! Even if you just stick to the main tourist destinations, you need a good chunk of time to really sink your teeth into this beautiful country. 

Backpacking Fiji: 3 Week Itinerary

In my opinion, you can’t cram an epic Fiji itinerary into anything less than 3 weeks. It’s like trying to squish a sleeping bag back into its original cover: sure it can be done, but goddamnit it’s a pain! 

One of the biggest drawcards to backpacking Fiji is the slow pace of life. And how are you going to get the full Fiji time experience if you’re busy ticking things off your to-do list?

You’ll likely fly into Nadi – and it’s worth checking out the town for a couple of days. If nothing else, Nadi has EPIC street food and interesting temples to explore. But pretty quickly, you’re going to want to swap mainland life for islands life; that’s what Fiji is all about, no?

So get yourself a Bula pass which allows you to hop on and off the inter-island ferries and get exploring the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands . Depending on what style of travel you’re into, you will stay longer on different islands. If partying is your thing, then you’ll extend your stay on Beachcomber Island .

If you’re after a slower pace of living, then Waya Island will be right up your alley. Round off your 3 weeks by dipping your toes in the water of the Coral Coast . If you haven’t hiked quite to your heart’s content, there are jungles here that are sure to entice you. 

Make sure you don’t leave Fiji without trying a littttttttle kava! 😉

Backpacking Fiji: 1 Month Itinerary

Settling in for a month allows you time to find epic places to stay in Fiji – both on and off the tourist trail.

You’ll still fly into Nadi and get to enjoy the mouth-watering fish curry while soaking up some sun and city sights. But of course, you’ll want to be heading to the islands that you came here for!

Denarau Island is reclaimed from mangroves, but other than that fun fact, the backpacker is probably going to feel a little adrift here. This island is like one massive resort replete with a golf course and tubby, middle-aged men on vacation. However, it’s still beautiful and has good sea connections to the Yasawas and Mamanuca Islands . 

With a month up your sleeve, you can settle into the island time and get your sun tanning on! You can also take better advantage of the weather windows and catch some epic waves. Most surfers will want to spend at least a month in Fiji trying out the best breaks during their optimum weather windows. 

A couple of nights on Beachcomber Island are great for letting off some steam and indulging in a few too many cups of kava! When you’re done partying and flirting with the backpackers on their gap year, it’s time to head back to the mainland. 

Lautoka and Sigatoka are full of epic, sweaty hikes. You can crush these jungle trails and balance out some of that indulgent drinking! 😉 But if you have come here with your surfboard, you can always hit some of the mainland breaks too. 

If you haven’t learned how to surf, Sigatoka is the place to do it. The waves aren’t quite so monstrous as out in the Mamanucas, and there are plenty of decent surf schools about. 

Between the surf, the sun, and the beers, a month backpacking Fiji will happen slowly and then all at once!  

Sailing Fiji: 3 Month Itinerary

Ah, the sailors. They’ve got nothing but time – until cyclone season kicks them up the butt and it’s time to move on!

After sailing across the Pacific , sailors will find themselves with a glut of Pacific paradises to explore. And yet most of them spend a considerable time in Fiji! Why’s that?

It’s damn fine – that’s why! When sailing in following the trades, your first port of call is likely going to be Savusavu .

Venua Levu is not quite so touristy as Viti Levu and has more of a rough and wild feeling. The sailors will enjoy getting their land legs back as they hike through old sugarcane trails and steaming jungles. 

Sailing toward Viti Levu, it makes sense to stop in at Makogai and Levuka Islands . Makogai Island has some epic dive sites full of soft coral and octopi. While there is also epic diving and sailing to be done around Levuka, it’s most interesting because it’s the old colonial capital. There is an eerie, but enjoyable, vibe to the island that’s wicked to lean into. 

Rounding off your time in Fiji in the Mamanucas and the Yasawa Islands is a must. The famous surf breaks and sailing clubs are here. The islands are on the dry side of Fiji so the weather is always good. There are plenty of good anchorages and the good times keep rolling. 

After Fiji, you’ll probably sail onwards from Tonga, but hey, if you get stuck a little longer in Fiji – no one could blame you!

Want to save money on accommodation?

We got you. For reals.

Fiji is not massive – it’s roughly (just under) the size of Israel. But its landmasses are separated by stretches of reef filled ocean.

While this makes for stunning postcards and dope surfing, it does make it a little challenging to get around! Luckily, there are many ferries and even seaplanes to help you travel to Fiji. With a little planning and knowledge of the best places to visit in Fiji , you can make sure you hit all the best spots – and find off the beaten path adventures.

Just give yourself plenty of time in each place and don’t expect transport to run on time, necessarily. No one has anywhere, in particular, to be in Fiji. They are the ultimate practitioners of the art of slow travel .

So, no matter where you choose to visit – you’re sure to drink some kava and have lots of slow conversations with the locals! Your top places to visit in Fiji are going to depend on what kind of travel you love. Luckily, backpacking Fiji lives up to its paradisical reputation: it has a little something for everyone!

Most backpackers will spend their time on the main island of Viti Levu, but there are certainly some stunning places to explore beyond this island.

Backpacking Nadi

When flying into Fiji, you are most likely going to fly into Nadi. It’s not Fiji’s capital, but it is the centre of tourism . If you’re stepping off the plane from somewhere frigid and grey in Europe, Nadi is going to hit you like a ton of bricks. 

It’s delightfully warm. And while some people find the humidity a little suffocating, I think of it more like a big, deep embrace.

The colours of Nadi will also hit you: the temples, the cloudless sky, and of course the beautiful ocean. Fijians will immediately go about welcoming you and there’s a feeling of oh shit I’m in the Pacific !

Nadi has several good backpacker hostels, mostly near Wailoaloa beach . While this beach is beautiful to the uninitiated, grey Europeans, by Fijian standards it’s pretty meh . Some people find Nadi a bit of a headache; there are resorts and traffic to contend with while you’re adjusting to the tropical climate.

But there’s still heaps of great things to do while in Nadi. The population is mostly Indo-Fijians, and the city is home to the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. And let’s face it, the beaches are still incredibly dreamy!

However long you stay in Nadi, you have to pass through here if you’re flying in. You might as well lean into the bustle and enjoy the incredible street food. How often are you in a city full of multicoloured buildings that sell kava, roti, and sunscreen all in one store?

Backpacking Suva

Suva was chosen as the capital of Fiji by the British. So it tracks that Suva is the rainiest place in Fiji. The British just needed those grey skies to feel at home. 

There isn’t heaps of tourist infrastructure in Suva, and it has more of the markings of a slightly wayward and multicultural city than it does of Pacific paradise. It has been nicknamed the ‘New York of the Pacific’. But with all the transport running on ‘Fiji time’ and the frequent power outages, I’m not sure it tracks!

Suva is super diverse though, and you can find yourself amazing roti and curry for less than a dollar on the streets. The city is sort of like if you tried to glue together old colonial buildings, rundown markets, glistening NGOs, a somewhat seedy nightlife, and a big helping of village spirit all together. It’s wonderful madness that you can’t help falling in love with!

If you end up staying and backpacking Fiji for quite a while, then I’d recommend spending more time in Suva. If you’re just here to for a quick backpacking trip, I’d probably skip it. While I found the museums, the local dance classes, the chaotic traffic, and the Bula spirit captivating, Suva is not what you think of when you think “ Pacific getaway .”

That being said, there are some beautiful beaches and excellent SCUBA diving to the north of the city. The Colo-i-Suva National Park nearby is also worth checking out!

Backpacking Coral Coast

This is a stretch of coast on the main island of Viti Levu south of Nadi. It’s not got the resort vibes of Nadi, or the bustling and strangely rainy vibes of Suva. It’s pure Pacific magic at its best.

Here is where you can child in the sun all day, catching up on some journaling and R and R. Or you can learn to surf on some of the breaks more suited to beginners. That being said, the surf can still get to 6 – 8 feet, so there’s a lot of fun to be had for surfers of any level!

Plus, the water temperature hardly ever drops below 23 degrees so you don’t have to worry about thick, movement restricting wetsuits! This is more a benefit for those that choose to go SCUBA diving at one of the Coral Coast’s many unique dive sites. The soft coral dominated reefs, warm currents, and lack of overexploitation means these reefs teem with life . 

If water sports aren’t your things, there are treks, quad biking, or even cooking classes to be had. The locals of the Coral Coast are very welcoming and go above and beyond for visitors. You don’t quite understand Fijian hospitality until you’ve been chatting with locals and invited to dinner every other night of your stay!

Backpacking the Yasawa Islands

The Yasawa Islands are a short ferry or seaplane ride from Viti Levu. They’re super popular with both backpackers and sailors – for good reasons! The towering volcanic peaks and quintessential beauty of the beaches make them a popular destination for sun lovers and adventure seekers alike.

But the Yasawa Islands weren’t open to tourism until the 1980s. Even today, they are not overly developed. There’s still a strong community and culture among the locals.

You don’t feel like you’ve stepped into another resort town that might as well be anywhere in the world. You feel like you’re firmly in Fiji .

The Yasawa Islands are also quite easy to travel for the backpacker. You simply have to buy a Bula Pass which allows you to hop on and off the ferries that connect the islands. The ferries are subject to Fiji Time, so don’t expect to be anywhere in a rush! 

In my opinion, this balance of affordable tourism, and a splash of chaos, make the Yasawa Islands an attractive place to travel. Of course, once you’re here, there’s endless surfing as well as diving, hiking, and hammock chilling.

Backpacking the Mamanuca Islands

This chain of islands is just south of Nadi, and is again, a deservedly very popular place to visit!

Sailors will know the Mamanuca’s for the famous Musket Grove Marina . This is a very well known meeting spot for cruisers who have spent a season in Fiji, and for those coming over from the Pacific Crossing. Many of the Mamanuca Islands don’t have the best anchorages or are privately owned islands, so cruisers may not spend all that much time here. 

Surfers on the other hand will likely head straight to the Mamanucas, quit their jobs, and never leave. World-class breaks like Cloudbreak , Restaurants , and Lighthouse , all have their home nearby to one of the Mamanuca Islands. There are also heaps of lesser-known breaks, secret spots, or spots that work when the moon is just right – so it pays to do a bit of exploring!

Then the backpackers will be all over the cheap dorms, learning to SCUBA dive, and chilling in the sun. With regular ferries between the main islands and Nadi, it’s easy and affordable to get out here and soak up some sunshine.

Getting to the Mamanucas and their shallow, picturesque reefs is once again a feeling of, oh shit, so this is what Fiji’s all about . Life is slow and things fall into place here.

Backpacking Vanua Levu

Vanua Levu, alongside Viti Levu, is the other main island in Fiji . While the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands are popular with tourists, most locals don’t live there.

Coming to Vanua Levu is left off a lot of itineraries, and the tourism industry has been slower to sink its teeth into the island. I think that makes for a more rewarding travel experience.

The roads aren’t in as good condition, the hot springs are devoid of people, and there is an element of wilderness to the whole island. This does mean that you need to have a bit more planning, and your wits about you though. 

The main town of Savusavu is becoming quite a popular resort town, so backpackers may want to shy away from here due to the prices. Sailors will also be wary of Vanua Levu due to the notorious barrier reefs that have claimed many a-ship. With so many people either shying away from the island or sticking to the major centres, you can have the whole wild interior to yourself.

If you go to some of the villages on the interior of the island, you’ll be expected to bring a gift of kava to present to the chief (known as sevusevu). The main centres like Labasa and Savusavu will stand in stark contrast to village life.

Under the paradise surface, there are a lot of complicated politics in Fiji. You’ll probably notice that many of the people in the city centres will be of Indian descent, but in the villages, they’ll exclusively be Fijian. 

Then there are the negotiations with Kiribati to purchase land in Vanua Levu to accommodate their population as climate change slowly claims more and more of Kiribati itself. So yeah, there’s a lot going on here.

So this might not be the first pick for a backpacker. But if you do end up staying for a while in Fiji, I’d recommend coming out here. And yes, enjoying the diving and the sailing, but also getting under the surface of the country and understanding what makes it tick.

Backpacking Ovalau

This island is a 12-minute flight, or morning ferry ride, away from Viti Levu. It’s not expensive to get to, and you can find reasonably priced accommodation when you get there. It’s home to the old British capital of Fiji – Levuka . And yet hardly any backpackers come out here!

Ovalau in some ways can feel like it’s trapped in the past. The colonial buildings are in slight disrepair, and there’s a lot of talk about preserving the way Fiji used to be. But of course, everyone has a different idea about exactly what Fiji used to be.

But in other ways, Ovalau becomes a highlight of your trip all too easily. The locals are so friendly, and there aren’t enough cliches in the writer handbook to describe their hospitality.

If you look different, people will stop and talk to you – out of curiosity and nothing more! You can never really get lost here, as someone will always point you in the direction you want to go.

Sailors will be relieved to know that Ovalau’s anchorages don’t live up to their infamous rolly reputation. Yes, there are better anchorages in Fiji, but these aren’t that bad! And Ovalau is really a must-do for all visitors to Fiji.

You can go fishing in the rock pools here and swim with an enormous diversity of marine life. But you can also simply sit in town and have a yarn. I swear I haven’t talked with so many strangers in my life until I came to Ovalau!

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Fiji – The Eastern Islands

Fiji as a destination is fairly off the beaten path. But within Fiji, there is a fairly well-worn series of destinations that people go to.

Most people stick to exploring the Coral Coast and Nadi on Viti Levu before going to the Yasawa or Mamanuca islands. This is all very well and good, but if you want to see the other Fiji, the Fiji that pushes you, then you need to stray off the beaten path .

Luckily, it’s not too hard! Even Suva – the country’s capital – is off its tourist beat.

The old capital on Ovalau is also an experience in the “ other Fiji “. But, especially if you arrive by sailboat, it’s worth making Vanua Levu your base for exploring the Eastern Islands.

The Eastern Islands are less inhabited , and village life is very important. Some of the islands aren’t inhabited at all. It’s wild, a little risky to sail in terms of navigating the barrier reefs, but oh-so-worth-it. An offbeat adventure to barely inhabited islands in the middle of the Pacific is the ultimate calling for intrepid travellers!

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Being an island nation, many of the best things to do in Fiji are unsurprisingly based around the water. But there are also jungles, amazing food, and cultural icons to explore too.

My favourite part about visiting Fiji was that no matter what you ended up doing with your day, everyone was so friendly and accommodating that you always had a good time. Especially in the outer islands, it’s all too common to be invited around for dinner or to go fishing. People will come and chat with you just because . 

So while it’s tempting to try and do everything, take a leaf out of the locals’ book and slow down – you’re on Fiji time after all.

1. Drink Kava

This mildly intoxicating drink is used ceremonially in Fiji. It’s pretty bitter-tasting, but especially in the outer islands, is customary to drink when you arrive at a new village. If you’re not keen on some of the slightly hallucinogenic effects, be sure to ask for your cup to be “low tide”.

It does taste like dirty water, or watery dirt – depending on who you ask. But who said medicine ever tasted good? 😉

2. Go Diving

I mean, 330 islands in the middle of the Pacific are ringed by coral reefs – it’d be mad if they didn’t have good diving! But truly, Fiji is blessed with unspoiled marine life. Keep an eye out for turtles, barracuda, rays, and sharks.

Also, the sheer diversity of soft coral is rather incredible! If you’re not into SCUBA diving, you can always learn to freedive in the pristine waters.

Fiji has the type of diving that will turn even the most cynical into conservationists.

3. Learn to Surf

Fiji has a reputation for being Surfing Level: Advanced Only. This is largely thanks to one of its most famous breaks – Cloudbreak – that has swells of up to 20 feet. But, there are lots of great beginner breaks, especially along the Coral Coast.

If you travel to Fiji during the off-season, you’ll likely have the breaks to yourself as well!

4. Go Fishing

There are many fishing charters in Fiji – including spearfishing specialists as well as catch and release ones. I’d recommend going with a charter partly because if you don’t have a boat, this will be the only way to get close to the fish!

But also, if you are fishing near reefs, you need to make sure you’re targeting the right species. Many fish carry ciguatera – which can cause some heavy food poisoning – which is f*cking gnarly.

5. Take a Local Ferry

Getting between islands is pretty straightforward. You can either take a seaplane or a ferry. Now, aside from saving money, taking a local ferry is a surefire way to find your sea legs! It might be best to take sea sickness medication before you go on the ferry if you’re prone to seasickness.

But how can you say you’ve backpacked the islands if you haven’t taken a ferry AKA the ultimate island transport ?

6.Visit Sri Siva Subbramaniya Swami Temple

This is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern hemisphere! It’s a symbol of both Fiji’s diversity and its colonial legacy.

Many Indians were brought to Fiji by the British as indentured labourers. Fijian history has often been turbulent, but one of the results is the beautiful architecture in Fiji today.

7. Hike Colo-i-Suva Forest Park

Everything you could possibly want from a national park on a tropical island is found in Colo-i-Suva. It’s little wonder it’s a source of national pride! There’s hidden waterfalls, luscious greenery from the forest floor to the sky, and swimming spots. 

You don’t need to take a tour, and with the park sitting at 120 – 180 metres altitude, you get a slightly cooler reprieve from the equatorial climate. 

8. Eat Kokoda 

I have a theory that this is the way that fish should be eaten. Across every island and coastal culture, you find fresh fish ‘cooked’ with citrus and marinated in coconut cream. Think of the ceviche in South America, and the Ika Mata if you have been backpacking in the Cook Islands .

Fiji’s take is kokoda . And oooh boy, this shit’s delicious!

9. Laze in a Hammock in the Yasawa Islands

The Yasawa Islands are a popular stop for backpackers as they’re an affordable slice of the good life. They don’t have too many resorts dominating the pristine beaches – and during high season many of the backpackers become little party bubbles.

But aside from being cheap to stay in, they’re also gorgeous. There’s nothing better than remembering why you came to the tropics in the first place: you came to relax! So it’s time to string up your hammock and dive into a great travel read !

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Fiji has cheap hostels – perhaps a little surprising for an island in the middle of the Pacific! Of course, there are the high-end luxury resorts and the all-inclusive (verging on prison) type of resorts too. But that’s not what the backpackers are looking for!

You can find dorm beds here for anywhere between $10 – $50 per night . Many of the hostels have meal plan options, where your nightly rate includes breakfast and dinner. This can sound like a good deal, but sometimes it works out cheaper to spend a little more on your dorm bed and then eat cheap on the street. Aside from being cheaper, street food is the best food .

The Best Places to Stay in Fiji

Backpacker accommodation staples like hostels are surprisingly cheap in Fiji. You might be in the middle of the Pacific, but you can still find a dorm bed for $10 USD ! The more remote you go, the more expensive the hostels get. 

Many of the outer islands won’t have hostels at all: you’ll need to camp, potentially stay in a guesthouse, or on your own sailboat. 😉 That being said, you can find some really awesome beach houses in Fiji in local communities where they treat you as part of the family. It’s super cute!

But in Nadi and the nearby islands, you’ve got plenty of fairly affordable hostels and airbnbs to choose from. If you have a little cash to spurge and want to leave a smaller ecological footprint on your next vacation, you can always consider staying in a Fijian eco-resort .

While backpacking Fiji is not as cheap as Southeast Asia, it’s also not terribly expensive. If you budgeted $50 USD a day here , you would have a very comfortable trip. If you employed some of the tried and true budget-saving hacks , you could bring that daily cost down a lot.

The price of a hostel is mid-range (and camping is always free!) but some of the activities run on the expensive side. While trekking and national park entries are fairly cheap, things like SCUBA diving can add up fast. 

Shared taxis and buses on the main islands are very cheap. Expect to pay only a few dollars per ride. Street food is also only a few dollars per meal (and fucking delicious). The food has lots of starchy vegetables and fish so it’s always filling, too. 

So if you stick to inexpensive activities, camp more than you stay in hostels, and stick to cheap street food, budget travel in Fiji is very doable!

A Daily Budget in Fiji

Money in fiji.

Money in Fiji is relatively straightforward. Find out how much your money is worth today by using the up-to-date converter below . So it’s pretty easy to do quick conversions in your head regarding prices. There isn’t really a point in getting Fijian dollars before you land in the country; you’re better off converting cash once you arrive.

Credit and debit cards are accepted in the major cities and tourist centres – including some of the Yasawa Islands. But the further you get away from infrastructure, the harder it is to pay by card. Your best bet is to carry some cash on you so that you don’t get caught out.

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends Wise – The Artist Formerly Known as Transferwise ! It’s our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods.

Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks. But the real question is… is it better than Western Union?

Yes, it most certainly is .

Travel Tips – Fiji on a Budget

Fiji is one of the cheapest destinations in the Pacific. However, it is still possible to go a little out of control. Standard budget backpacking tips aside, here are my top tips for backpacking Fiji on a budget…

• Take the ferry rather than seaplane. Unless you get wildly seasick, there’s no need to take a seaplane to the outer islands. Fiji is relatively well connected by ferry services (at least to the well visited islands). If you get a Bula Pass you can hop on and off the ferries and explore multiple islands! Island hopping is really that easy (and cheap!).
• Use shared taxis. These are found in Nadi and Suva, as well as a handful of other regional centres. They function, essentially, as a shared uber. If you don’t take the bus, they can be a good way to avoid having to pay for the full price taxi ride. 
• Eat local. Fiji does have restaurants that serve imported steak and cheese. But that’s going to drive the price of your meal up like crazy! Instead, stick to the mouth watering roti and fish curry you can find on every street corner. 
• Go camping . Get some good camping gear and get into the jungle! Not only is it free, but there’s a certain magic of falling asleep watching the stars and waking up to a peachy sunrise. 
• Get out of Nadi! No, Nadi is not that bad. It’s actually a pretty interesting place. But it’s expensive and quite touristy compared with the outer islands. Spend a couple of days settling into Fiji life and then get out! You get better bang for your buck elsewhere. 

Why You Should Travel to Fiji with a Water Bottle 

All those hella cute sea turtles you see snorkelling in Fiji? They really don’t like plastic bottles – or plastic anything really.

If you want to do your part in being a responsible traveller , then be sure to start replacing the plastic you would use with more sustainable alternatives! Plus, as a bonus, you don’t gotta spend hard-earned dosh on silly overpriced plastic water bottles.

Yeah, so this is pretty fucked up. The alternative to the plastic bottle we use is one of the best filtered water bottles – the Grayl bottle.

It filters your water, thereby keeping your tum-tum safe no matter where you travel. Plus, you get to do your bit in reducing the mountains of garbage that threaten to ruin picture-perfect paradises like Fiji.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Fiji has a tropical climate meaning it’s warm all year round, doesn’t really have a “winter”, but it does have a slightly less wet season. And for sailors, Fiji is impacted by tropical storms and cyclones. So it’s important to know when to avoid them.

If you’re not bothered by rain and the odd tropical storm, backpacking Fiji during the off-season can be a great way to experience it without the crowds. 

It’s also worth noting that the islands have a wet and a dry side due to their topography. Suva falls firmly on the wet side of Viti Levu, while Nadi is on the dry side.

This is the off-season. Between 3000 millimetres and 6000 millimetres of rain falls during this time period and the island is subject to cyclones and tropical storms. The rainfall isn’t uniform though – the ‘wet’ side (to the east) of the island gets considerably more rain.

If you can’t stomach the rain, no matter how few tourists there are, then come during the dry season. This is when most sailors will be here too as there are less boat sinking storms.

The average temperature is 24 degrees celsius, with little rain. Man, that’s some dream boat weather right there.

What to Pack for Fiji

It’s best to be prepared, but you don’t want to carry too much stuff either. It’s worth spending some time on your backpacking packing list .

Make sure you pack mosquito repellent! The tropics are known for an abundance of these little fuckers. And, like any adventure, there are a few things that I never leave home without.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Fiji is a very safe country for backpackers! The rate of violent crime is low, and even petty theft is fairly low. That being said, following the usual safety travelling tips – especially if you’re travelling solo – is going to make for a safer trip.

As you’d expect, there are more instances of theft and muggings in Suva than in the countryside. Fiji is a small place, with a very tight-knit community. The upside to this is that the gossip spreads about who can and can’t be trusted very quickly. 

The roads on Viti Levu are in pretty good condition. But over on Vanua Levu, they’re basically non-existent.

Sailors will need to keep an eye on the barrier reefs, and the weather too.

The other thing is, while it’s unlikely that you’ll run into any trouble, if you do , help is a long way off. Fiji is still quite remote and so getting to a hospital that can treat you can be difficult.

So heads up surfers – don’t take on swell you’re not ready for!

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Fiji

Just like a lot of the world, all the good stuff is illegal here – weed included. But the moist, tropical climate is rather conducive to growing marijuana, and there’s clearly demand, so you can definitely find a joint. 

Expect to haggle, as with everything in Fiji. And don’t get caught!

Nah, the police presence in Fiji isn’t over the top, but they do NOT take kindly to a foreigner with a doobie between their lips. The Bula vibe disappears real fast. 

There’s a funny story of locals shooting down police drones with spearguns because they didn’t want their pot being stolen. (The Broke Backpacker does not condone shooting police drones with spearguns, but also, noice one mate.)

Aside from the ganja, you can very legally drink kava to your heart’s content. It’s rather like being mildly stoned crossed with the feeling you get after two glasses of champagne. Like anything intoxicating, you can always accidentally take it too far, so just watch out for your mates and stay hydrated. 

Now, the backpacker scene is alive and well in Fiji meaning that a sexy encounter on the road could be probable. While this is certainly a recipe for some steaming smoosh times, I’d remind you that free love is about love as much as it is about sex. So you might as well try and be good to each other as you do it. 

There’s also an increasing risk of HIV in Fiji. While HIV is not the death sentence that it once was, the irregular condom use of travellers means that one sexy encounter abroad could colour your relationships for the rest of your life.

I’m by no means saying don’t have sex! Go get ALL the endorphins! Just be safe is all. 

Travel Insurance for Fiji

Alrighty, speaking of being safe while backpacking Fiji… You don’t think about the best travel insurance when you’re chilling in a hammock or about to go for an epic surf; when you climb aboard a dilapidated bus and high tail it around some sketchy corners. 

But if you break your leg, you think about it. 

Back home (as long as you aren’t from the United States of Zero Health Insurance) you could go to the hospital and get treated properly. But while you’re backpacking Fiji? Not so much.

The further you get from Viti Levu, the smaller your chances are for a hospital. And as with anywhere in the world, those hospital trips can get VERY pricey. 

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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Being a string of islands in the middle of the Pacific, you’re most likely going to have to fly in. Most of the flights land in Nadi on Viti Levu, although some of the flights will go into Suva.

Fiji has featured on many around the world tickets. Flights from Australia and New Zealand are relatively inexpensive too.

The flight into Fiji is really something to behold. The shallow barrier reefs and picturesque islands seem to appear out of nowhere. You get this sense that this really is the middle of the ocean, this is Fiji!

The other way you can enter Fiji is by sailboat. Fiji is a popular cruising ground with boats coming in from New Zealand or from across the Pacific each year.

It’s a little tricky entering Fiji, as you have to check-in at one of the designated ports. This means if you’re sailing in from across the Pacific, you’ve got to navigate some sketchy reefs and go past the mysterious Eastern Islands before you get to a port of call. 

However you make it into Fiji, once you arrive, the sweet smell of the tropics and the sounds of crashing waves will assure you that you’ve made the right decision!

Entry Requirements for Fiji

There are several countries that are exempt from visas when travelling to Fiji. Usually, you can stay up to three months on a tourist visa. 

Sailors will probably want to look into getting an extension on their visa and sometimes it’s worth going through an agent. Fijian bureaucracy runs on its own pace and it can be a little tricky (read: fucking difficult) to navigate. 

But if you’re just turning up for three months or less for some epic surfing and diving, then getting a visa is straightforward. 

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It’s not super easy to create public transport that connects 330 odd tropical islands, but Fiji has done it! There are easy to use buses and shared taxis on the mainland, AND affordable Interislander ferries between the outer islands. 

The further from the main islands that you get, the less reliable the public transport is – if it’s there at all. In this case, the norm becomes hitchhiking .

There are buses that run every half an hour on Viti Levu as well as private services that will take you between destinations. The buses are cheap and a nice, scenic way to explore the island. On the outer islands there aren’t bus services, but there are inter island ferries!

If you get horrifically seasick, or you’ve got a little extra coin aside for something special, then taking a sea plane is quite the experience! It’s not a cheap service though. Fiji from the air is a very memorable experience, so it might be worth investing.

Fiji’s interislander ferries are a cheap and easy way to island hop. You can buy a Bula Pass which allows you to jump on and off! It’s like using a bus service, but for places connected by water and not roads.

Travelling by Sailboat in Fiji

Fiji is one of the ultimate cruising grounds. Travelling by sailboat and living the boat life allows you a certain freedom that other modes of travel don’t allow. It also makes you ‘earn’ your travel miles, and slow down to appreciate your surroundings. 

It’s no secret that the Pacific is my favourite place to go sailing. The sunshine, the overwhelming friendliness of the locals, the surf, the diving, the fishing – oh yeah, and the trade wind sailing!

Some of the anchorages in Fiji are known for being a little rolly, and I already mentioned the hazardous barrier reefs that can make navigation tricky. But with some good planning and fair winds, you can enjoy everything from secluded islands to beach bars!

Sailors are generally pretty respectful, but be sure to pay mind to the customs of some of the outer islands. Fiji has pockets of very traditional society and it pays to show respect. Usually, this means wearing modest clothes and bringing a gift of kava to the village chief. 

Onwards Travel from Fiji

Unless you’re sailing in, you’re going to have to take a plane out of Fiji too. Heading onwards to backpack Australia or New Zealand is probably your best bet – you might want to get back to a high minimum wage and stack some cash!

Plus, travelling New Zealand in the frigid South Island provides a lovely contrast to the tropical shores of Fiji.

There are also relatively cheap flights onwards to LA. I dunno, maybe the big, bold US of A is calling you. 

Of course, if you’re on a boat, it’s probably onto Tonga or other parts of the Pacific. If you’re following the trade winds it definitely makes sense to head toward Tonga.

The good news for the backpackers willing to learn is that boats are often looking for volunteer crew! You never know you might just fall in love with the boat life…

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Unless you are a fancy pants ex-pat (in which case, why are you reading a budget backpacking guide? Hehe you little ragamuffin, i like you!) you probably won’t be able to find paid work in Fiji. There is a good and diverse ex-pat scene that is full of people with jobs ranging from hospitality to diving instructors to diplomats.

But in terms of backpacker jobs, you probably won’t score one too easily. There is pretty unreliable WiFi – particularly in Suva – so becoming a digital nomad is not really an option here either.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in Fiji

One way you can save money while backpacking Fiji is by volunteering. Usually, your accommodation and maybe your food is covered by the project – a pretty sweet deal! Beyond saving a little money though, volunteering is a way to invest back into the community that you’re travelling in. 

I think as backpackers we talk a lot about creating a community, but not all of us are willing to dig the tunnels or do the physical work a community needs. Not all volunteer programs are reputable – this is true. But the Broke Backpacker trusts Workaway and Worldpackers to deliver on quality experiences every time. 

Both are review based platforms that connect volunteers with meaningful projects. While workaway has more projects on offer, I’d say that their website and customer service is a little lacking compared to Worldpackers. That being said, Worldpackers has a pretty awesome spread of volunteer opportunities, too! 

Plus Broke Backpacker readers get a discount when they join up ! So sign up and get searching for a way for you to give back the next time you hit the road.

Fijian culture has always been diverse. The Melanesian and Polynesian cultures cross over here to bring you the epic cross-over culture.

Fijians strongly value community and family above all else. They’re very welcoming of foreigners and tourists and are always up for a chat.

However, Fijian culture has come to include strong Indo-Fijian elements. At times, there is a lot of tension that dates back to the colonial era regarding Indo-Fijians. This is not something that people backpacking Fiji should worry about getting caught up in, but you will definitely notice it.

The tension is most palpable in cities on Vanua Levu where the Indo-Fijians have control over the major economies but are barred from owning land. Both Fijian and Hindi are national languages, alongside English. Today, almost 40% of the population is Indo-Fijian. 

Having a sizable minority in a country always creates tension. When asked about Fijian culture, it can be tempting to focus on one culture or the other – even though both cultures make Fiji what it is today.

But, both cultures come together and value family above all else. Also, not to be glib, but the melting pot of cultures makes for some seriously delicious foods!

Useful Travel Phrases for Fiji

You don’t have to be a polyglot or speak multiple travel languages before you hit the road. But learning a few local phrases helps to break down that barrier between you, the tourist, and the locals. Learning a language goes a long way!

Fijian is not the easiest of languages to learn but you should still try and slip in a few phrases you learn!

• Hello – Bula
• Yes – Io
• No – Sega
• Please – Yalo vinaka, mada
• Thank you – Vinaka
• Thank you very much – Vinaka vakalevu
• Good morning – (ni sa) yadra
• Excuse me – Tulou

What to Eat in Fiji

Traditional Fijian foods focus on fresh seafood, starchy farmed vegetables, and coconuts. If that’s not a recipe for deliciousness, I don’t know what is!

You can get fresh fish in almost any restaurant, along with taro cooked in every which way. The bele leaves also feature heavily in Fijian food and they are so unbelievably good for you.

A little part of me dies and goes to food heaven whenever I smell fish suruwa cooking!

These days restaurants do sell things like hamburgers and steak and chips, but these will be quite expensive. Along with traditional Fijian food, there are also strong Indian and Chinese influences. 

The street food in Fiji is mostly Indian style dishes such as dahl and paneer. And oh boy are they cheap and delicious! The best way to save money in Fiji is to stick to street food! And the coconuts, yeah, the coconuts are bloody good.

Popular Dishes in Fiji

• Fish Suruwa. This is Fiji in a bowl. The Indian spices like garam masala combine with locally sourced coconut cream and fresh fish. The two cultural influences become one damn delicious meal. You can find this in almost any restaurant here. 
• Kokoda . The Fijian take on ceviche. I am like an insatiable little beast around this stuff. One minute you hand me a bowl of kokoda, and the next minute I’m asking for more. 
• Lovo. Lovo is similar to a New Zealand haangi. Basically large quantities of vegetables and meat are cooked underground. It’s a tasty way to feed a village!
• Palusami. Palusami is an example of something you might cook in the lovo. It’s similar to the Hawaiian laulau with corned beef wrapped in taro leaves. Trust me, it tastes better than it sounds!
• Dosa. Ooh, boy. Dosa is another of my weaknesses. This wafer thin rice pancake is filled with curry and is usually served with a healthy dose of ghee. These are cheap eats in Fiji and do a good job of filling you up while making you crave more!
• Toor dhal. One of the most popular Indo-Fijian dishes, the toor dhal in all its steaming, split lentil glory can be found almost everywhere in the major cities of Fiji. One mouthful of this and you’ll wonder if you’ve accidentally stepped into a portal to South India. 
• Cassava Cake. This is a popular dessert in Fiji made primarily from cassave and coconut cream. It’s not too heavy – which is perfect for the steamy Fijian heat. 
• Roti and anything. (Roti is life.) Part of the cultural legacy of the Indo-Fijians is that roti is served with almost everything. And thank god for that! This little flat bread could well be the best food in the universe. Think I’m exaggerating? Wait till you try it for yourself!

A Brief History of Fiji

The first people arrived in Fiji about 3000 years ago. Due to Fiji’s location within the Pacific, it became this incredible crossroads of cultures throughout history. Both Melanesian and Polynesian explorers settled in Fiji.

There’s a lot of overlap and cultural mingling; so today, Fijian culture has more in common with Polynesian culture. Although its people remain Melanesian.

Fiji has always been a country of many languages largely due to its geography as well. Vast oceans separate little specks of land, and yet Fiji is a crossroad between the two halves of the Pacific. So people not only came from far and wide, but they settled on different islands and formed localised languages.

There’s a long history of trade between the Kingdoms of Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga. Both societies were seafaring and highly skilled sailors at that. Fiji used to export druas or efficient and beautiful sailing canoes to Tonga.

The Europeans first showed up in the late 1600s. The first Europeans to have regular contact with Fiji were the sea cucumber and sandalwood traders. The conflict was minimal between these traders and the Fijians.

Then, the missionaries showed up and Britain decided it was important to reign in the traders and get them to pay tax.

From the get-go, the British colonial power painted Fiji as a paradise full of cannibals. This was done to cement their control of the islands, as the colonists could see Fiji’s location had strategic value. 

The Fijians fought long and brutal wars against the British and the Christians. However, the disunified language groups also fought each other. When slavery became outlawed in the United States, many settlers flocked to Fiji to take advantage of the lack of land and labour laws.

Conflict resumed between the Kai Colo (or mostly unchristened Fijians who fought the colonists) and the influential Fijian tribes who were cooperating with the settlers. The Kingdom of Fiji was briefly established, although it was marred by blackbirding, fighting with the Kai Colo, and the increasingly violent cotton farmers. 

The British then annexed Fiji and, following a devastating measles outbreak, began importing indentured South Asian labourers from their other colony – British India. The British attempted to appease the influential Fijian tribes and put in place land laws stating that Indians could not own any land – only Fijians could. These laws are still in place to this day.

The 20th century saw Fiji gain its independence and navigate decolonising. While Fiji has always been a multicultural society, that’s not to say it’s been without its tension. There have been several military coups by Fijian nationalists who direct a lot of anger at Indo-Fijians who they still see as foreigners.

Fiji was not considered a desirable tourism destination until the 1980s because of the instability. And even today, there are sometimes alert relating to the political situation. The latest coup was in 2006, and it saw many Indo-Fijians migrating abroad.

Today Fiji has relative peace, although the decolonial path remains thorny at best. That being said, Fijians are some of the most welcoming and hospitable people I have ever met. And I cannot overstate that enough! Their family means everything, and their culture is very important. 

Your burning questions about backpacking Fiji answered, right here, right now!

Is Fiji cheap to travel to?

Fiji is not as cheap as Southeast Asia. It’s more like a mid-range backpacker destination! That being said, with the tried true tricks of budget backpacking, you can find hostels for 10 USD per night and street food for only a few dollars. You can always camp, too!

Is Fiji safe to travel solo?

Absolutely. Fiji poses a very low risk to travellers – even in the city centres. There has been some political turmoil (and continues to be some tension) but this doesn’t pose a threat to backpackers. The Fijian people are so overwhelmingly kind and the whole country is kind of like one big village. Plus, it’s hard to get away with even petty theft when you know grandmas three islands over are somehow going to find out!

What’s the best time to visit Fiji?

If you can handle the rain, then I’d suggest to visit Fiji in November. This isn’t a super popular opinion because November is the start of the wet season. But, it’s the best time to learn to surf and enjoy the beaches when they are less crowded. If you really can’t do rain then be sure to come during the high season between May and September.

What’s the best part about travelling to Fiji?

While backpacking Fiji, you get this sense that time has been suspended. There is a slow and wandering pace of life that is very intoxicating once you lean into it.

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Fiji is a special place, so be good to it . 

When you arrive in Fiji, you immediately understand why people have been drawn to it for thousands of years. The reef teems with fish, the weather is beautiful, and the landscape is stunning . So all you need to do is pay it forward and make sure you leave the islands as they were for everyone to continue enjoying. 

But the sun-soaking, the surf catching, the fish-eating; it’s all as bloody magical as it sounds . With a little bit of deference to the culture – especially on the outer islands – you’ll have a travel experience that goes beyond the average backpacking trip. Fiji is a place that lets you drift way off the beaten path.

Just remember to stay on Fiji time. Things will get done as they’re supposed to – usually after a cup of kava! Backpacking Fiji might be just the reminder you need to slow down and travel longer…

Before you know it, you’ll have acquired a sailboat and have made a second home out of these 330 beautiful Pacific Islands.

Each time you arrive in Fiji, it just takes one Bula Vinaka to remind you that this is indeed the land of the good life.

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Hi! Thank you for a huge and helpful guide to Fiji!! I have one question about the timing. How is it possible to do island hopping for like a month, when the longest Bula -pass is only 15 days? I would like to do maybe 3 weeks or so, but then don’t know which Bula pass to buy. Thank you for the response!

Depending on how many destination you want to visit and if you are planning for slow travel, it might be best just to pay for individual trips as you need them. You could also get the pass, max it out for the 15 days and pay for any additional trips you want after that.

Happy Hopping!

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Fiji Tours for Solo Travelers

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Fiji Viti Levu Island Experience 6D/5N

Fiji five islands experience 10d/9n, fiji: hike, raft & snorkel, fabulous fiji, fijian explorer 14d/13n, the island world of fiji.

• Christmas & New Year

• Trek through tropical flat jungle
• Swim in the Biggest Coastal waterfall
• 7 chamber historical snake cave visit

• Hiking & Trekking
• In-depth Cultural
• Explore Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park
• Experience Nananu-i-Ra Island snorkeling
• Dive into Colo-i-Suva Forest Park pools

• Sip cocktails at sunset in Fiji
• Enjoy a soothing massage in tropical Fiji
• Engage in fun games and activities

• Ocean Cruise

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• Transportation
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A Girl Guide To Solo Travel In Fiji

Fiji, the most mesmerizing country in the South Pacific. It is an archipelago, consisting of more than 330 islands and 540 islets scattered over millions of square miles. This luxurious island is famous for its rugged landscapes, rainforests, palm-trees that are lined along the beach, exotic coral reefs, wide species of fishes, crystal clear lagoons, white-sand beaches, and fascinating culture. The major islands of Fiji are Viti Levu, and Vanua Levu that contain most of Fiji’s population.

The Fiji island provides exotic getaways and luxurious resorts to all the travelers. Sometimes, it is assumed that Fiji’s is just for couples and great for honeymooners or family. Well, sure it is but Fiji island also has plenty of offers for solo travelers. Solo travelers can relax, party with friends, or meet new people.

Most often, solo travelers love to travel to tropical destinations, because it provides an extremely unique experience and a memorable trip. However, Fiji is the best place for solo travelers as it has fantastic opportunities to explore the place peacefully. Fiji, in particular, is the perfect place for a solo trip.

Accommodation/ Stay For Solo Travelers

Fiji offers an extensive range of luxurious resorts and hotels for the tourists. But if you are a solo traveler and looking for a mid-range budget-friendly place to stay then you can find some good hostels in Suva, Saweni beach, Yasawa island, or Coral Coasts. You can also look for affordable rooms in Taveuni and Vanua Levu where the resorts and hotels have been transformed into specialized rooms for solo travelers. You can get basic accommodation where you have access to resort amenities at discounted rates. Besides hotels, you would be pleasantly surprised to find guesthouses, homestays, and boutiques that offer a small personal place to stay. At such places, you get the opportunity to interact with the localities and know about the lifestyle and local experiences.

How To Travel Safe When Solo In Fiji

Fiji is considered as a safe destination for solo travelers. Basically, the local Fijians have a welcoming approach for the visitors. This genuine and warmth of the local Fijian translated to excellent hospitality and wish to invite travelers to experience the major local aspects of Fiji. It is quite simple to procure invitations to visit and observe the local villages and also participate in the traditional ceremony. Well, make sure that when you are traveling solo, you would want to stay smart and careful regarding your safety.

Fiji island does not pose any threat to solo foreign travelers as the number of crimes, accidents that involve foreigners is less as compared to other tourist destinations. However, you must have reasonable amounts of caution for wallet, purse, valuables, and other important things.

Activities To undertake When You Are Travelling Solo In Fiji

Generally, on the island destinations, tourists do not have anything special to do except lay on the beach or lounge poolside. However a solo traveler who actually seeks to have an adventurous trip finds the lack of activity undesirable and boring. But this is not the case when you are traveling to Fiji. In Fiji, you have endless options for interesting activities such as hiking in the jungle, kayaking , snorkeling, and swimming. You can also explore the villages and learn about traditional cultures, folk dance, music, and authentic Fijian food.

Underwater diving provides an exotic experience where you can observe different plant and fish species. You can have a walk alongside the white sand secluded beaches and explore the beautiful coastline. These adventurous activities include enjoying the stunning scenery of the coral reef, jungles, and waterfalls activities. Moreover, amongst all the physical endeavors, you’ll find enough time in Fiji for self-reflection and quiet moments.

This was the ultimate girl guide when you are traveling alone to Fiji. Traveling solo means freedom and it is not scary as it might seem to you. You would find your solo trip to be one of the best vacations. Your solo trips would help you in exploring new places, the traditional culture of Fiji, meeting the local Fijian, and also be part of the folk festivals. However, you need to be extra careful while exploring the jungles and coastlines. Take proper safety measures before you set your foot on this beautiful tropical island.

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Fiji Solo Trips and Holidays 2024/2025

Just by looking at a photo, it is easy to see that holidays in Fiji will be spent in paradise. An archipelago of more than 300 tropical islands of all shapes and sizes, Fiji is all white sandy beaches, palm trees, and turquoise lagoons. The country’s stunning natural beauty, luxurious spas, and all-inclusive resorts make it an ideal wedding or honeymoon destination. A trip to Fiji is equally loved by families, divers, and relaxation-seekers.

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Fiji - travel highlights and travel tips.

Tour Highlights

• Surf Cloudbreak, Fiji’s most famous wave just off the Tavarua and Namotu islands
• Explore the archipelago by jet ski
• Visit the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya temple
• Go sky diving over the Mamanuca islands
• Swim with Manta Rays
• Take a mud bath at the Sabeto Hot Springs

Travel Tips

• Chances are most of your visit to Fiji will be spent in the water. Be sure to pack plenty of swimwear, some waterproof footwear, and consider bringing your own snorkel gear for impromptu dips beneath the surface.
• Be prepared to leave some of your comforts at home. Many of Fiji’s islands are unequipped for hot water and flushing toilets, even at some top resorts. But let’s be honest - the gorgeous scenery makes up for it.
• Don’t be alarmed if you see Fijians walking around carrying machetes. This is a very common site in the country as they’re used to chop away vegetation across the islands - and to open coconuts!
• Time in Fiji seems to stand still and, as such, you won’t find much of anything resembling a schedule in the country. You eat when you’re hungry and your activities are dictated by the tides. Leave your watch at home and just go with the flow.
• When choosing seafood as your meal of choice, avoid reef fish like moray eel and sea bass. Reef fish feed off coral, which means they’re sometimes infected by toxic blooms. Stick to deep water fish, like tuna and marlin.
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Fiji travel blog — the fullest fiji travel guide for first-timers.

Fiji is located 2,000 km northeast of New Zealand, which is also known as the “pearl” of the Pacific Ocean. This archipelago brings in it an unspoiled beauty, the setting of a paradise. Not only owns a beautiful natural scenery like the Maldives with white sandy beach, clear blue water, small paradise islands, Fiji also gives you many interesting and wonderful experiences both on land and under the sea. So, is Fiji worth visiting, how to visit Fiji, what to do in Fiji and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Fiji for the first-time? Let’s check out our Fiji travel blog (Fiji blog, Fiji blog post) with the fullest Fiji travel guide (Fiji tourist guide, guide to Fiji, Fiji guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Fiji to find out the answer!

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Fiji is a group of many beautiful islands stretching over 1,000 km of coastline, including 322 large islands and 522 small islands. Almost all islands of Fiji are mountainous and hilly, covered with pristine rainforest. With a tropical climate, the flora and fauna ecosystems in the island nation are very rich and diverse.

Fiji travel blog: Overview of Fiji

Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. This archipelago has unspoiled beauty, the scene of a paradise on earth with a coastline stretching over 1,000km, including 322 large islands and 522 small islands. The terrain of Fiji is mainly hilly, covered by primary tropical forests, and has a rich and diverse flora and fauna ecosystem.

The main island is Viti Levu, the second largest island is Vanua Levu, and they cover 85% of the total land area of ​​the country. The islands all have picturesque coastlines, tall coconut palms leaning over the calm waters with vibrant turquoise lagoons surrounded by coral reefs and soft, white sands.

The two main islands in Fiji are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, home to the capital Suva and home to nearly 75% of the population. The city of Nadi located on the west side of Viti Levu island is Fiji’s main international gateway, close to major resorts, so it attracts a lot of tourists.

Fiji is a group of hundreds of volcanic islands and atolls located in the South Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands are uninhabited, offering hundreds of miles of pristine natural scenery. Here, visitors can explore spectacular canyons and rainforests, swim among vibrant coral reefs that attract tropical fish, and relax on secluded white sand beaches. The area is also full of interesting history, culture and city life.

Fiji’s 322 islands are scattered like jewels in the heart of the South Pacific and offer vacationers the quintessential tropical paradise. But eternal sunshine and perfect palm-fringed beaches surrounded by turquoise waters and thriving coral reefs are just the beginning…

With more than 1,000 km of coastline, about 322 islands, Fiji has countless sunbathing beaches. Once you set foot on the island nation of Fiji, you will not be able to take your eyes off the pristine white sands beside shimmering turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs.

How to visit Fiji: When is the best time to visit Fiji?

The Fiji has tropical climate, hot and warm throughout the year, the average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius and in the winter temperature does not drop below 18 degrees Celsius. The sea temperature is always maintained at around 27 degrees Celsius, so it is ideal for activities such as swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing… at sea. The best time to visit this island nation is in early summer.

With an average temperature of 23-30 degrees Celsius, the beautiful weather provides ideal conditions for you to partake in the memorable experience. Coming here, you can spend summer days relaxing under coconut trees, splashing on clear beaches, participating in water sports such as surfing, kayaking and sunbathing in the sun and soaking in tropical sunlight.

Fiji travel guide: How to get to Fiji?

The most popular way to get to the island of Fiji is by plane. Nadi International Airport is located on coast of the western side on the main island of Viti Levu and serving about 1.2 million passengers per year. Currently, there are international airlines operating routes to Fiji such as: Aircalin, Air New Zealand, Air Fiji, Korean Air, Virgin Blue, Air Nauru, Qantas…

To find the best airfare as well as the optimal flight route, you can access Google Flights , Kayak.com or Skyscanner.com for more.

Fiji guide: Getting around Fiji

Getting around in Fiji is pretty straightforward. Here, they have a system of public transport for you to easily move between the islands of the Fiji archipelago, including buses, trucks, and even ferries. To visit and explore Yasawa Island, you can buy a Bula Pass to catch a ferry (Yasawa Flyer). This is a “hop-on, hop-off” type of ship, which means you can choose the time to go. First, choose a type of pass (it has a wide range of options of 5 days ($445), 7 days ($585), 8 days ($585), 9 days ($675), 10 days ($675), 11 days ($750), 13 days ($799) and 15 days ($845)). You can easily buy this pass as soon as you set foot on the island at the airport or at piers, so there is no need to book in advance. See details here .

This pass is available on board ships going to the island of Awesome Adventures and South Sea Cruises. Ask the service staff on board.

Another good option is the Tavewa Seabus ferry. This type of ferry is very fast, it only takes about 3 hours to get to the island, while traditional boats and ferries take up to 6 hours. Depending on your purposes and budget, you can choose the right vehicle.

Fiji blog post: Where to stay?

Fiji is the perfect place for tourists to visit and vacation especially honeymooners when it owns a series of spectacular accommodations of hotels and high-end resorts. You are free to choose where to stay according to your personal preferences, from luxury and classy resorts, beachfront villas to family-friendly hotels.

Most accommodation offers superior service, complete with world-class amenities, overlooking the beautiful tropical sea. In addition, the Fiji Islands also built many attractions for tourists to enjoy and entertain…

Royal Davui Island Resort ( Agoda , Booking ): The resort is located very far from the center of Fiji, accessible only by helicopter or boat. There are 16 thatched-roof villas, a private plunge pool at each villa and views of the Beqa lagoon. You will experience the freedom of your very own oasis, jungle treks and snorkeling to see turtles and dolphins.

Namale Fiji Resort & Spa ( Agoda , Booking ): An all Inclusive resort of luxury villas with ocean or garden views, this is a top choice for honeymooners trips. Guests will be able to use all services such as golf course, spa, swimming pool, snorkeling… and enjoy delicious meals here.

Shangri-La Resort & Spa ( Agoda , Booking ): Located on the beautiful small island of Yanuca, Shangri-La Resort is a peaceful paradise that helps guests relax and restore their mental and physical health in the most comfortable way.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island ( Agoda , Booking )
• Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay ( Agoda , Booking )
• The Naviti Resort ( Agoda , Booking )
• Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa ( Agoda , Booking )
• InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort ( Agoda , Booking )
• Warwick Fiji ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Fiji on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Fiji travel blog: Where to go and what to do in Fiji?

Viti levu island.

Most of the Fijians live on the largest island called Viti Levu. The vibrant capital city of Suva is also the largest city in the country, which is located on this island. Stroll the streets to see the closely packed colonial buildings, and don’t forget to visit the Fiji Museum to see the archaeological remains on display. One of the most famous exhibits here is the rudder of the ship HMS Bounty (sunk 1789), made famous by the mutiny led by Fletcher Christian.

Visitors will start from Nadi, the country’s international airport, and from here you can explore the nearby national parks, botanical gardens, colorful markets and scenic coastline.

Head to Denarau Island off the coast of Nadi to find upscale resorts and hotels, or take the journey to Suva, where you can find museums in one of the remote capitals in the world.

Yasawa islands

Located north of the Mamanucas is the Yasawa, a group of about 20 volcanic islands with a total area of ​​nearly 135 square kilometers. Yasawa is home to 20 small gems with a sparse population. Like what people still imagine about the islands of Fiji, it is a pristine, rustic look. Coming here, you will feel isolated from the world when there are no cars, shops, banks, or roads at all. All activities on the island are mainly agriculture and tourism is only a small part to settle down.

Turtle Island

Coming to Fiji, do not forget to visit Turtle Island, which is known as one of the most luxurious and high-class resorts in Fiji. It is famous for its romance, fresh space for tourists who want to come here to relax, or enjoy honeymoon. You will enjoy extremely romantic dinners on the beach with the sound of waves lapping beside shimmering candles…

Taveuni Island

Taveuni Island is also a Fijia tourist destination should visit as it is another area of ​​outstanding natural beauty. Taveuni is the third largest of the Fiji Islands and is home to waterfalls and beautiful coral reefs.

The seaside walk along Lavena beach will let you enjoy the best of rugged coastline and beautiful beaches, before hiking into the woods to reach Tavoro Falls. Taveuni is also home to some of the best diving in Fiji in the Somosomo Strait.

Island Vanua Levu

Head north of Viti Levu and you can explore Fiji’s second largest island, Vanua Levu. Compared to Fiji’s tourist destinations such as Nadi and Mamanucas, Vanua Levu accounts for only a fraction of the number of tourists, making it perfect especially during high season.

Vanua Levu is known for its rugged beauty, tropics and unspoiled nature. Start your Fiji adventure in Savusavu, a laid-back harbor town where you can encounter a unique indigenous culture. If you go into the jungle, you will see the most biodiverse areas of the Pacific.

Mamanuca Islands

Traveling to Fiji will not be perfect if visitors ignore the Mamanuca volcanic archipelago, which includes about 20 small islands such as Monoriki, Malolo, Tokoriki, Beachcomber… Dubbed the paradise on earth, Mamanuca attracts both international tourists and famous filmmakers. All it has is a series of white sand beaches, lush greenery no different from Dubai’s famous Palm Island (Palm Jumeirah). Adorn for that picture are thousands of coral reefs bearing the breath of the most primitive and most charming things.

And for those who love the vibrant party atmosphere, Beachcomber Island  in Mamanuca will be the most suitable destination. During the day, Beachcomber offers series of water sports activities such as swimming or scuba diving. And when the sun sets off, this place seems to be another world, the world of entertainment activities, from live the music performances, the dancing shows to the tasty buffets…

You can take a boat to explore the colorful coral reefs of Mamanuca islands, you will see the diversity of marine life. A tour on a cruise will take you to places only the locals know about. You can choose from great recreational activities such as surfing, day fishing, snorkeling to see corals and colorful tropical fish.

To getting to the Mamanuca Islands is fairly easy, either by seaplane or by boat from the west side of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. The closest stop to Viti Levu is Port Denarau, a 15-minute drive from Nadi International Airport. The only difficulty is deciding which island to choose.

Port Denarau

The port is the starting point leading to two famous tourist destinations, Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. You will be amazed by the picturesque beauty of Denarau port, which will be a unique check-in point for photography enthusiasts.

Coral Coast

One of the popular attractions in Fiji is Coral Coast which stretches for 50 miles and is surrounded by magnificent coral reefs. Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to dive into the deep sea, drop themselves in the heart of colorful coral. Not only that, this coast also attracts tourists by high-class and luxurious resorts. Along the Coral Coast there is also a Fiji spice garden, where visitors can indulge in the suffocating aroma of spices.

Navua River

Located on the island of Viti Levu, the Navua River originates on the southeast slope of Mount Gordan and flows towards the southern coast for a range of 65km. In addition, it is also famous for the Upper Navua Conservation Area, which is a tributary that flows through a narrow gorge. The cool jade-colored water flows, flanked by steep cliffs that have been tinged with time mixed with moss, bringing a lyrical and beautiful space like the way into the land of the Hobbits.

Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple

To find a sense of tranquility, many visitors who come to Fiji do not forget to visit the temple Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple located in Nadi, the third largest urban area in this beautiful island nation. Leaving behind the noise of daily life, visitors can immerse themselves in the sacred and relax with the most comfortable mind. Considered to be the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, Sri Siva Subramaniya wears the Dravidian architectural style (square spire architecture, with meticulously detailed motifs from the bottom of the spire to the top of the spire) which is very special when it comes to combination of a lot of novel colors. The temple is a complex of 3 parts, the main temple is where the statue of god Murugan is carved in India, while the second temple is dedicated to the god Ganesh, and the third temple is dedicated to the god Meenakshi and god Shiva.

Thurston Gardens

For those who love plants and flowers, Thurston Botanical Gardens will be the most ideal choice during a trip to the island nation of Fiji. Located in the heart of Suva, this garden is like a “movie” depicting the richness of the native tropical flora here.

Visitors to the tour seem to have the same peaceful feeling when inhaling the sweet scent of flowers and truly immersing themselves in nature in the heart of the city. Thurston Botanical Garden also impresses visitors with its beautiful clock tower, built in 1918 in memory of the first mayor of Suva.

Fiji travel guide: Top things to do in Fiji

Visit a local market.

All the major towns in the Fiji Islands have their markets, but Suva’s is one of the best. To watch the locals work and shop, head to the Suva market near the main port. To buy the freshest produce, go early in the morning.

Nearby, you’ll find the Suva Handicraft Center. This is the perfect place to find authentic souvenirs, with kava bowls, traditional drums and many other cultural goodies on sale.

Make a trip to the highlands

When you think of the Fiji Islands, sugar-white sands and azure waters are what immediately come to mind for most people. Fiji’s coastline is beautiful, but the country has much more to offer. Experience the highlands of Fiji on a hiking tour with Talanoa Treks to see a different and still breathtaking side of Fiji.

You’ll have the chance to climb some of Fiji’s highest mountains, trek through pristine jungle, visit remote upland villages and meet the people who live there, and discover some of the most captivating waterfalls of Fiji and see a different side of Fiji that most tourists don’t get to.

Soak in the warm waters and admire Fiji’s Great Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu Island which is one of the largest and strongest reefs in the world and home to a wide variety of marine life.

For those who are passionate about discovering pristine coral and tropical underwater paradise, Fiji will be the ideal destination this summer. This is home to a diverse and lively collection of tropical marine life.

Follow the underwater coral reefs to see eye-catching rainbow guppies like giant grouper, tuna, manta rays, turtles and reef sharks. Especially giant are the rays  shimmering below in the deep water channels.

You can explore the colorful coral world, admire thousands of fish species, maybe even encounter sharks. The poetic natural beauty, unique marine life paradise and exciting and unforgettable experiences in the island nation of Fiji will all be waiting for you this summer.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

The Sigatoka Sand Dunes with its rippling surface undulating under the majestic blue sky over the South Pacific Ocean, is a sight you will probably never forget. Exploring these sand dunes isn’t just about breathtaking beauty, but there’s also a wealth of cultural heritage as well as natural sites to explore here. With some dunes as high as 60m, the sandy landscape may look barren but will reveal a whole world of life.

Learn how to make chocolate

Nestled in the nearby Savusavu rainforest, a visit to KokoMana offers an insight into working life in the Fiji Islands. The small cocoa company grows cocoa beans and then turns them into chocolate at its small on-site factory.

During the tour, you’ll walk among the rows of cocoa trees, taste the cocoa from the pods, learn about the chocolate making process from the bean to the chocolate bar, see the inside of the factory and most importantly, taste the final product.

Visit a Fiji village

Country life in Fiji is very different from life by the sea, and a visit to one of these communities will help you learn the traditional way of life an authentic side of the country. It is important that you go with a guide to ensure that you respect the local culture. The Fijian village of Nabila to the west of Viti Levu is just one of many you can visit.

Watching sunset

Due to its proximity to the equator, the sunsets in Fiji are often stunning. For good views, the southern coast of the main island of Viti Levu, between the towns of Sigatoka and Navua, is known as the Sunset Strip.

Joining a party

You can soak up the beautiful natural surroundings and party in style at some of the best beach clubs in the south coast Pacific. Cloud 9, Malamala are two of the most popular entertainment places when coming here.

Dubbed the floating paradise in Fiji, Cloud 9 is a popular beach entertainment venue with its stunning bar, lovely pizzeria and water sports center offering great experiences.

Located on the island of Mamamnuca, Malamala will also bring visitors a great day of fun, unleashing virtual life with a spectacular infinity pool, colorful beachside cabanas…

Fiji travel blog: What to eat?

Traditional cuisine in Fiji often have main ingredients from the sea such as seaweed, octopus, sea urchins, turtles, fish, shellfish… The migration of the Indians in 1870 brought a new breath of life and formed the “Fijian-Indo” cooking style. Therefore, the cuisine of Fiji island is more diverse with many colors and irresistible delicious flavors.

In Fiji, you will have the opportunity to be “overwhelmed” in the extremely unique and diverse culinary culture. The dishes have local flavors but still have a hint of culture imported from Europe, China, Polynesia or India.

Kokoda is a traditional dish in Fijian cuisine, the ingredients are fresh island seafood such as sliced ​​mahi fish, combined with coconut cream sauce, onion, chili salt and lime juice. Seafood will be cooked thanks to the acid in lemon juice and a mixture of spices, diners will eat it with sweet potatoes or tapioca.

This is a special dish of the Fijians, often cooked during celebrations or weddings and festivals. People will dig a hole, line it with coconut shells and cover it with rocks to form an underground oven. Meats, fish, vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and then placed on a hot stone surface to cook the ingredients. This method of cooking for about 2-3 hours will result in tender meat, evenly seasoned spices and excellent taste.

The biggest party Fiji has to offer its visitors is Lovo – an underground oven, chicken, fish is wrapped in banana leaves, placed on hot stones, then covered to steam in the ground for a wonderful dining experience!

Duruka is a vegetable that is commonly known as Fiji asparagus, which comes in two colors, green and red, appearing in abundance on this Fiji islands. Duruka vegetables have a delicious and nutritious taste, so people often add them to coconut milk or curries. Red vegetables will have a stronger flavor than green ones, and both are very healthy. This is a rare and unique ingredient found only in Fijian cuisine.

Taro is a staple in local meals, playing a huge role in Fijian food culture. They also reserve a day called “Taro holiday”, which is celebrated at the time of the first full moon in May. Taro here is a purple potato, which is processed like normal potatoes such as steamed, mashed, battered and fried or boiled in coconut milk. In addition, it can be used in stewed chicken dishes, which is also very attractive.

Shopping in Fiji Island

One of the places that many tourists choose to buy souvenirs for themselves and friends is the market on the island, especially Suva market as mentioned above. In addition to souvenirs made from coconut, shells… you can also buy fresh and dried seafood as gifts at Nadi market and on Yanuca islands.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Fiji you can refer to

• Tivua Island Day Cruise with BBQ Lunch
• Nadi Zipline and Cave Tour in Fiji
• Cloud 9 from Denarau Day Trip with FJD60 Bar Tab in Fiji
• Fiji Untold Show Ticket in Fiji
• Sacred Flame Show Ticket with Dinner in Fiji
• Scenic Flights Experiences in Fiji
• Kula Wild Adventure Park Admission in Fiji
• South Sea Island Day Cruise in Fiji
• The Authentic Fijian Cultural Day Tour in Fiji

Check out more top and best things to do in Fiji here .

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These are the best cities to visit alone for solo travel, according to experts.

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Kayak users ranked Berlin as the best spot for international solo travel

Ready for some me time? Solo travel is the way to go. According to recent data, 50% of Americans plan to travel alone this year, and 52% will dine as a party of one. New data from a collaborative KAYAK and OpenTable survey shows a strong appetite for solo experiences, with 81% of Americans reporting having dined solo at a restaurant and 70% having traveled solo. And with September notable as a solo travel month, the travel and dining brands have teamed up to launch a solo travel guide and corresponding solo dining spot list for lone travelers domestically and abroad in each solo travel hotspot.

Kayak ranked the top destinations for solo travelers, with Washington, D.C. coming in as the number one destination for solo travel and dining in the U.S., followed by Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Tampa, Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York in tenth place.

New York City is the tenth best spot in America for solo travel, according to Kayak data

Internationally, Berlin, Vancouver, Montreal, Paris, and Milan are the top international destinations favored by U.S. solo travelers, followed by Dublin, Toronto, Dubai, Mexico City, and London.

“Search share for solo hotel rooms are up 38% since 2019, making solo travel one of this year’s hottest trends,4” shared Matt Clarke, the VP of NA Marketing at KAYAK. “And if you’re flying solo, chances are you’re dining solo too. With one third of Americans trusting fellow travelers and experts for their solo adventures, we tapped KAYAK travel experts and the dining pros at OpenTable for their best solo travel and dining hacks and tips.”

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Of course, solo travelers need to eat, and OpenTable’s data-driven list features 75 restaurants across America, so travelers in the most popular solo travel cities can successfully seek out a table for one.

Half of Americans plan to travel alone this year

The extensive list includes Bistro Du Jour in Washington, D.C., Little Whale in Boston, Tre Dita in Chicago, Ecco Buckhead in Atlanta and Current Fish & Oyster in Salt Lake City.

Internationally, the list highlights 50 restaurants for solo diners, including Funky Fisch in Berlin, Tableau Bar Bistro in Vancouver, Brasserie 701 in Montreal, Tracé in Paris and Ristorante Torre in Milan.

“Solo dining is one of the standout trends of 2024, up 8% from last year,” said Robin Chiang, SVP of Growth for OpenTable. “Our data also shows solo diners tend to be big spenders, splurging 48% more per person compared to the average diner.”

Solo travel can be rewarding in cities and in nature

Treating yourself may be an easy decision, but deciding where to go, especially without fellow travelers to bounce ideas off of, may be a bit perplexing. To help, travelers and locals (solo dining isn’t just for those away from home), OpenTable also launched Icons , a destination featuring the best of the best restaurants in select cities, to help locals and travelers score a hot table by showing the soonest a table at a hotspot is available.

In New York, the inaugural class of icons includes Babbo Ristorante, Demo, Scarr’s Pizza, Wildair, Casa Mono, ASKA, Craft, Sushi Ichimura, l'abeille, Hav & Mar, Tempura Matsui, The Musket Room, Raf’s, Koloman, Aquavit, Le B., Le Jardinier, Caviar Russe, Café Mars, odo, Kochi, Win Son, and Mari.

“Between Icons and our solo dining and travel guide – which features restaurants for solo travelers, by solo travelers – we have dining covered for your next trip,” Chiang added.

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Table for one

Solo dining is having a moment , 52% of US consumers plan to dine solo this year—and travel isn’t far behind*. Make the most of your adventures with KAYAK and OpenTable ’s guide to traveling and dining by yourself.

Get started

Table for one, please: The solo dining trend

On OpenTable , solo dining in the US in 2024 increased by 8% * compared to the previous year. Solo diners per person spend 48% more than any other diner, averaging $84 ***. Additionally, new consumer research from OpenTable and KAYAK found that**:

of Gen Zs and 63% of Millennials in the US say they plan to dine solo this year.

state “me time” as the number one reason to dine solo followed by dining on their own schedule (20%).

have dined solo at a sit-down restaurant in the past 12 months; this increases to 68% for Gen Z and Millennials .

Expert tips

Expert advice for dining and traveling alone

From the ideal seats to book to using local knowledge to fuel your trip, here are international veteran traveler Nicola Easterby ’s tips for getting the most out of your solo adventures.

• Eat at the bar or chef’s counter: If you want to feel a little less awkward when dining solo, ask to be seated at the bar or chef’s counter. This provides a more interactive and social dining experience, especially if there are friendly bartenders or chefs to chat with!
• Make reservations in advance: When you’re traveling as a party of one, the last thing you want to do is wait in line by yourself for restaurants or attractions. If you want to save yourself the stress, make sure you plan ahead by pre-booking activities and making your restaurant reservations in advance on OpenTable.
• Get outside of your comfort zone: Solo travel is a perfect time to stretch yourself by trying new activities and experiences. Whether this is jumping out of a plane, dining solo at a fancy restaurant or going on a bar crawl with a group of strangers, try do at least one thing that scares you on every solo trip you take.
• Find local events to attend: When planning a solo trip, take time to research local festivals, holidays, and events happening during your travel dates. Attending these events is not only a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, it’s also a great opportunity to meet locals and other travelers.
• Ask locals for recommendations: If you want to uncover the best-kept secrets and hidden gems of a destination, a web search isn’t going to cut it. You’ve got to ask locals instead. Get in the habit of asking taxi drivers, tour guides or shopkeepers their favorite spots to shop, visit, eat, drink and hang out.

Top US destinations

OpenTable and KAYAK teamed up to present:

The top 15 US cities to visit + dine solo

Looking at average hotel prices, flight costs, meal expenses, safety rankings, the share of solo dining and local attractions, OpenTable and KAYAK uncovered the Top 15 destinations for solo dining and travel. Whether searching for big city culture, a homebase to explore the outdoors, or just some R&R, here are America’s best cities to visit on your own .

In each destination, we’re highlighting restaurants favored by solo diners on OpenTable —culled from verified diner reviews and dining metrics including diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, five-star reviews and percentage of solo diners.

We got in on the action too by highlighting five favorite spots by OpenTable’s team of on-the-ground experts. Start planning your trip on KAYAK now.

1.  Washington DC

Diner picks.

• Ted’s Bulletin – Capitol Hill ⚲ Capitol Hill
• Via Sophia Washington DC ⚲ Downtown
• Bistro Du Jour District Wharf ⚲ Southwest Waterfront
• Tabard Inn ⚲ Dupont Circle
• Cafe Du Parc ⚲ Downtown

OpenTable picks

• Xiquet by Danny Lledó ⚲ Georgetown
• Caruso’s Grocery ⚲ Capitol Hill
• Mi Vida at The Wharf ⚲ Southwest Waterfront
• Officina Cafe – Downtown ⚲ Downtown
• Bar Spero ⚲ Penn Quarter

• Beacon Hill Books & Cafe ⚲ Beacon Hill
• Douzo Modern Japanese Restaurant ⚲ Back Bay
• Little Whale ⚲ Back Bay
• Shy Bird – South Boston ⚲ South Boston
• La Pizza & La Pasta – Eataly Boston ⚲ Back Bay
• UNI ⚲ Back Bay
• Hook & Line ⚲ Seaport
• Trade ⚲ Seaport
• Umbria ⚲ North End
• Citrus and Salt ⚲ Seaport

3.  Chicago

• The Palm Chicago ⚲ Downtown / Loop
• Akahoshi Ramen ⚲ Logan Square
• Doc B’s Restaurant – Gold Coast ⚲ Gold Coast / Streeterville
• Francesca’s on Chestnut ⚲ Gold Coast / Streeterville
• Tre Dita ⚲ River North (Chicago)
• La Serre ⚲ West Loop
• Avec-West Loop ⚲ West Loop
• Alla Vita ⚲ West Loop
• Adalina ⚲ Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.  Atlanta

• The Forum Cocktail Co ⚲ Underwood Hills
• Ecco Buckhead ⚲ Buckhead
• Sebastian Pintxos Bar ⚲ Midtown
• The Americano – Atlanta ⚲ Buckhead
• Tomo Japanese Restaurant Buckhead ⚲ Buckhead
• Forza Storico ⚲ West Midtown
• La Tavola ⚲ Virginia Highland
• Saints + Council ⚲ Midtown
• Gypsy Kitchen ⚲ Buckhead
• Buena Vida Tapas ⚲ Old Fourth Ward

5.  Salt Lake City

• Bambara ⚲ Downtown
• Caffe Molise ⚲ Downtown
• Current Fish & Oyster ⚲ Downtown
• Eva ⚲ Salt Lake City
• Osteria Amore ⚲ Salt Lake City
• Kyoto Japanese Restaurant ⚲ Salt Lake City
• Stoneground Kitchen ⚲ Downtown
• SLC Eatery ⚲ Downtown
• Takashi ⚲ Salt Lake City
• Nona Bistro ⚲ Salt Lake City

• Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval ⚲ Tampa
• Market at EDITION ⚲ Tampa
• Meat Market Tampa ⚲ Tampa
• Rome + Fig ⚲ Tampa
• Trattoria Pasquale ⚲ Tampa
• Boulon Brasserie ⚲ Tampa
• Predalina ⚲ Tampa
• Small Giant Restaurant and Bar ⚲ Tampa
• Azure at EDITION ⚲ Tampa

7.  Philadelphia

• Marathon – 16th & Sansom ⚲ Rittenhouse Square
• Fork – Philadelphia ⚲ Old City
• SkyHigh ⚲ Center City
• Vernick Fish ⚲ Center City
• Parc ⚲ Rittenhouse Square
• Fiorella ⚲ Bella Vista
• Autograph ⚲ Wayne
• Olde Bar ⚲ Old City
• Izakaya Fishtown ⚲ Fishtown
• The Continental Midtown ⚲ Center City

8.  Seattle

• Alder & Ash ⚲ Downtown
• Shuckers ⚲ Downtown
• Japonessa Sushi Cocina – Seattle ⚲ Belltown / Pike Place Market
• Sushi Kashiba ⚲ Belltown / Pike Place Market
• Purple Cafe and Wine Bar – Seattle ⚲ Downtown
• Stateside ⚲ Capitol Hill / First Hill
• Momiji Capitol Hill ⚲ Capitol Hill / First Hill
• Toulouse Petit Kitchen and Lounge ⚲ Queen Anne
• Il Bistro ⚲ Belltown / Pike Place Market
• Mamnoon ⚲ Capitol Hill / First Hill

9.  Los Angeles

• San Laurel ⚲ Downtown
• Wolfsglen ⚲ Westwood
• Zinqué – Century City ⚲ Century City
• Fanny’s ⚲ Mid-Wilshire
• Little Sister – Downtown ⚲ Downtown
• Here’s Looking at You ⚲ Koreatown
• Steak 48 ⚲ Beverly Hills
• 71Above ⚲ Downtown
• Redbird ⚲ Downtown
• Pasjoli ⚲ Santa Monica

10.  New York City

• Ivan Ramen ⚲ Lower East Side
• The Press Club Grill ⚲ Midtown East
• BG – Bergdorf Goodman ⚲ Midtown East
• The Palm West Side ⚲ Theater District
• The Bazaar by José Andrés – New York ⚲ NoMad
• Grand Central Oyster Bar ⚲ Midtown East
• La Grande boucherie ⚲ Midtown East
• Wildair ⚲ Lower East Side
• Tempura Matsui ⚲ Midtown East
• Strange Delight ⚲ Fort Greene

11.  Denver

• Panzano ⚲ Downtown / LoDo
• Blue Sushi Sake Grill – Denver ⚲ Downtown / LoDo
• Local Jones ⚲ Cherry Creek
• Prelude + Post ⚲ Downtown / LoDo
• Le French 9&CO ⚲ Denver
• Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar ⚲ Downtown / LoDo
• Sushi Den ⚲ Platt Park
• Steuben’s Uptown ⚲ Uptown
• Chez Maggy ⚲ Downtown / LoDo
• Sunday Vinyl ⚲ Whittier

12.  Austin

• Cipollina ⚲ Downtown
• Maie Day ⚲ Bouldin Creek
• The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen – Westlake ⚲ Bee Caves / Lakeway / Lake Travis
• The Well ⚲ Downtown
• Elizabeth St Cafe ⚲ Bouldin Creek
• Eddie V’s – Downtown ⚲ Downtown
• Uptown Sports Club ⚲ East Austin
• Toasty Badger ⚲ Bouldin Creek
• De Nada Cantina ⚲ East Austin
• Hank’s ⚲ Central Austin

13.  San Francisco

• Corzetti ⚲ Downtown / Union Square
• Angler San Francisco ⚲ Financial District / Embarcadero
• AKIKOS ⚲ SOMA
• Wayfare Tavern ⚲ Financial District / Embarcadero
• Spruce ⚲ Presidio Heights
• Four Kings ⚲ Chinatown
• Dalida ⚲ Presidio
• The Progress ⚲ Western Addition
• Abaca ⚲ North Beach
• Che Fico ⚲ North Panhandle / USF

14.  Dallas

• Meddlesome Moth ⚲ Design District
• Oishii Sushi ⚲ Turtle Creek / Oak Lawn
• Ocean Prime – Dallas ⚲ Uptown
• 400 Gradi ⚲ Downtown
• Republic Texas Tavern ⚲ North Dallas
• Shinsei Restaurant ⚲ Park Cities
• Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley – Dallas ⚲ Downtown
• Mesero ⚲ North Dallas
• The Capital Grille Dallas – Uptown ⚲ Uptown
• Chamberlain’s ⚲ North Dallas

15.  Houston

• Nobu Houston ⚲ Galleria / Uptown
• a’Bouzy ⚲ River Oaks
• Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers ⚲ Heights / Washington
• Relish Restaurant and Bar ⚲ River Oaks
• The Federal Grill – Hedwig Village ⚲ Westside
• Handies Douzo – Heights ⚲ Heights / Washington
• Le Jardinier – Houston ⚲ Heights / Washington
• Uchi Houston ⚲ Montrose
• Truluck’s – Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab – Houston ⚲ Galleria / Uptown
• Credence ⚲ Westside

Top international destinations

The top 10 international cities to visit + dine solo

Grab your passport and book your next trip to one of these cities that are perfect for solo travelers to explore.

In each destination, we’re also highlighting restaurants favored by solo diners on OpenTable —culled from verified diner reviews and dining metrics including diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, five-star reviews and percentage of solo diners.

• FREA ⚲ Mitte
• Funky Fisch ⚲ Charlottenburg
• Hauptstadtrestaurant Gendarmerie ⚲ Mitte
• Restaurant Jäger & Lustig ⚲ Friedrichshain
• Schnitzelei Mitte ⚲ Mitte
• KINK Bar & Restaurant ⚲ Prenzlauer Berg
• Katerschmaus ⚲ Friedrichshain
• Joseph ⚲ Mitte
• Cecconi’s Berlin ⚲ Mitte
• Dae Mon ⚲ Mitte

2.  Vancouver

• Frankie’s Jazz Club ⚲ Stadium District
• Tableau Bar Bistro ⚲ Coal Harbour
• Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market ⚲ Stadium District
• Joe Fortes Vancouver ⚲ West End
• Miku Restaurant – Vancouver ⚲ Coal Harbour
• The Lunch Lady ⚲ Commercial Drive
• Barbara Restaurant – Vancouver ⚲ Chinatown
• Fable Kitchen ⚲ Kitsilano
• Per Se Social Corner ⚲ Yaletown
• Nightingale ⚲ Coal Harbour

3.  Montreal

• Gyu-Kaku – Montréal, QC ⚲ Downtown
• Ferreira Café ⚲ Downtown
• Brasserie 701 ⚲ Old Montreal
• LOV McGill ⚲ Downtown
• YEN Cuisine Japonaise ⚲ Downtown
• Bar George ⚲ Downtown
• Le Petit Alep ⚲ Little Italy
• Anemone ⚲ Little Italy
• Wienstein & Gavino’s ⚲ Downtown
• Terrasse Nelligan ⚲ Downtown

• Tracé ⚲ Palais-Royal
• Pamela Popo ⚲ Le Marais – Saint-Paul
• Café de l’Homme ⚲ Trocadéro
• Bloom Sushi ⚲ Batignolles
• Sacré Frenchy ! ⚲ Le Marais
• Le Grand Café Fauchon ⚲ Madeleine
• Baretto ⚲ Bourse
• Liberto ⚲ Châtelet
• Sphere ⚲ Haussmann Saint-Lazare
• Fitzgerald ⚲ Tour Eiffel – Pont de l’Alma

• Ristorante Torre ⚲ Vigentino
• Savô Milano Pizzeria Gourmet ⚲ Centro Direzionale di Milano
• Terrazza Calabritto ⚲ Porta Garibaldi
• The Dome Milano – Ristorante ⚲ Centro Storico
• Penelope a casa ⚲ Vigentina
• Forte ⚲ Porta Garibaldi
• Zelo at Four Seasons Hotel Milan ⚲ Centro Storico
• Cortile Flora ⚲ Porta Garibaldi
• Ristorante VikPellico8 ⚲ Centro Storico
• Casa Camperio ⚲ Centro Storico

• Chez Max ⚲ Dame Street
• Glas ⚲ South City Centre
• The Winding Stair ⚲ North City Centre
• Tomahawk ⚲ Temple Bar
• Bar Italia – Dublin ⚲ North City Centre
• Amy Austin Dublin Wine Bar ⚲ South City Centre
• Juniors Deli and Cafe ⚲ Ballsbridge
• Kickys ⚲ South City Centre
• Kinara Kitchen ⚲ Ranelagh
• Osteria Lucio ⚲ Grand Canal Dock (D2)

7.  Toronto

• REIGN ⚲ Financial District
• Miku Restaurant – Toronto ⚲ Financial District
• Canoe Restaurant and Bar ⚲ Financial District
• Minami Restaurant – Toronto ⚲ King West
• Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen ⚲ King West
• Library Bar ⚲ Financial District
• Alobar Downtown ⚲ Financial District
• Sud Forno by Terroni ⚲ Financial District
• Amano Italian Kitchen ⚲ Financial District
• La Piazza di Eataly Yorkville ⚲ Yorkville

• Akira Back – W Dubai The Palm ⚲ Palm Jumeirah
• Level 43 Sky Lounge ⚲ Trade Centre
• Sea Fu – Four Seasons Dubai DJB ⚲ Jumeirah 2
• Trèsind Dubai ⚲ Soufouh
• Amazónico Dubai ⚲ DIFC
• Jun’s ⚲ Downtown
• monno ⚲ Jumeirah 1
• COYA Dubai ⚲ Jumeirah 2
• RARE ⚲ Al Wasl
• Sirali Dubai ⚲ Business Bay

9.  Mexico City

• AGUA Y SAL CEBICHERIA ⚲ Polanco/Nueva Anzures
• Balta ⚲ Juárez/Cuauhtémoc
• Casa O – Lomas ⚲ Lomas/Tecamachalco
• Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar ⚲ Juárez/Cuauhtémoc
• Hugo ⚲ Condesa/Roma
• Lardo ⚲ Condesa/Roma
• Sartoria ⚲ Condesa/Roma
• Deigo Cocina Tradicional Japonesa ⚲ Del Valle/Nápoles/Narvarte
• Casa Prunes ⚲ Condesa/Roma
• Caracol de Mar ⚲ Centro

10.  London

• Blacklock Covent Garden ⚲ Covent Garden
• FAROS Oxford Circus ⚲ Oxford Circus
• Hawksmoor Air Street ⚲ Piccadilly
• St. JOHN Marylebone ⚲ Marylebone
• J Sheekey – The Restaurant ⚲ Covent Garden
• Ducksoup ⚲ Soho
• Amora Gusto Tapas & Bar ⚲ Southwark
• Emilia’s Crafted Pasta Wood Wharf ⚲ Canary Wharf
• Doppo ⚲ Soho
• Mildreds Soho ⚲ Soho

Your solo adventure is waiting.

Plan your next trip on kayak and discover new places to eat on opentable now..

OpenTable x KAYAK Consumer Research

• *Methodology: OpenTable looked at online seated diners for parties of 1 from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024, and compared it to the corresponding period in 2023.
• **Methodology: An online survey was conducted by PureSpectrum among 2,000 general consumers in the US. Within this sample, major cities have been weighted for direct comparison. The research fieldwork took place between 3rd – 5th June 2024.
• **Methodology: OpenTable looked at the average spend per guest for parties of one and overall party sizes from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024.

Top List Methodology

• OpenTable’s Top Restaurants for Solo Dining is generated from OpenTable diner reviews and dining metrics from April 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024. Restaurants with a minimum threshold of diner reviews were considered and evaluated using a compilation of unique data points, including diner ratings, the percentage of five star reviews, the number of alerts set, the percentage of reservations made in advance and direct searches. Metrics were weighted to comprise an overall score. The qualified restaurants were then ranked by the percentage of solo dining.

City Ranking Methodology

• A total of 25 cities have been selected based on the largest share of solo travel searches made on KAYAK and the share of solo dining at OpenTable restaurants.
• The solo travel share has been identified based on the hotel searches for one person conducted from the January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 for the travel period between the January 17, 2024 and November 30, 2024.
• To identify solo dining share, OpenTable looked at solo seated diners from phone, online and walk-in reservations from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 in cities with over 50 restaurants on the platform as of January 1, 2024.

For more information on how the top US and international cities were selected, visit kayak.com/c/solo/

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Walz is making a 5-state dash for campaign cash, traveling solo for 1st time as Harris' running mate

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is holding his first solo events as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate this week

WASHINGTON — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is branching out this week and holding his first solo events as Vice President Kamala Harris ’ running mate, making a five-state dash for campaign cash and addressing a key union gathering.

Walz will speak Tuesday at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees convention in Los Angeles before headlining a campaign fundraiser in Newport Beach, California. The 1.4-million-member union has endorsed Harris.

“With all the anxiety and uncertainty in the country, we have a responsibility to bring people together around common values,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in his convention keynote address on Monday. Then referring to top Republicans, he added, “Instead, antiworker forces have decided to double down on the most extreme, divisive agenda you can imagine.”

On Wednesday, Walz will address fundraisers in Denver and Boston, and he’ll do more of the same on Thursday in Newport, Rhode Island, and Southampton, New York.

Walz’s focus on fundraising this week comes after he stormed through a series of battleground states with Harris last week to introduce himself to voters nationally. The two held rallies in Pennsylvania , Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada .

Ohio Sen. JD Vance , who was announced as Republican Donald Trump ‘s running mate during the GOP convention in Milwaukee , had his own rollout largely overshadowed by unforeseen events. It came after an assassination attempt against the former president the previous weekend and before President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid and endorsed Harris during the following one.

Walz has salted his early campaign appearances with talk of joy and positivity , stressing that he and Harris are championing being kind and neighborly. But he has frequently laid into Trump’s policies and the former president’s 34 felony counts in a New York hush money case.

Vance, meanwhile, has leaned more heavily into the traditional No. 2 role of lobbing political attacks on the opposition. He spent much of last week holding his own events in the same states that Harris and Walz visited and arguing the Democratic ticket was too ultra-liberal for most Americans.

The senator has also suggested that Harris chose Walz over another contender for running mate, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro , because Shapiro’s public support for Israel in its war with Hamas might have angered some progressives.

Vance said picking Walz meant that Harris took advice from the “Hamas wing of her party.” He also criticized Walz’s military record, arguing that his retirement ahead of his National Guard Unit’s deployment to Iraq and his implication that he had served in a combat zone suggested “stolen valor garbage.” Over the weekend, the Harris campaign said that Walz “misspoke” when he referenced “weapons of war that I carried in war.”

Orange County Republican Party Chairman Fred Whitaker, picked up on charges that Walz has been imprecise with his characterizations of his military service, saying in a statement Monday that the governor, “may walk away heavy with campaign cash from liberal donors but he will leave with the same empty and fake record he came in with.”

Vance has also faulted Harris and Walz for not sitting for media interviews. When his plane coincided with Harris’ on a tarmac in Wisconsin, where both sides held events last week, Vance began walking toward the vice president's motorcade , saying he wanted to talk to reporters traveling with her since she’d not done it herself.

Harris has yet to sit for a major interview since Biden left the race but has said she wants to do that later in the month. She briefly took questions from the press traveling with her twice during her battleground travels last week — something Walz did not do, except for one session, answering questions off-the-record, which meant his answers couldn’t be publicly shared.

Vance has appeared on a variety of podcasts angling to appeal to a younger voter set. At age 40, he’s closer to that demographic than any of the other three top-of-the-ticket contenders. Trump is 78, Harris is 59 and Walz is 60.

Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard contributed to this report from Columbia, South Carolina.

14 Amazing Destinations for Women Who Are Traveling Solo

These trip ideas make traveling alone fun (and safe).

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We consulted experts in travel from Fora, a modern travel agency , who have helped several clients meet and fulfill their solo travel aspirations and our team, who has been evaluating destinations worldwide for the Family Travel Awards to provide this list of tried and true solo travel destinations for women. And if you’re still a little concerned about safety while traversing these cities on your own, not to worry because we also checked the Institute for Economics and Peace's 2023 Global Peace Index , which vets each country to measure their "peacefulness" as well as the U.S. Department of State's travel advisories .

As always, when traveling alone you should also carry out your own research on each destination and take proper precautions to keep yourself safe. Otherwise, happy travels!

Iceland tops the Global Peace Index for the most peaceful country in the world. Even the U.S. government notes that Iceland has a "a low crime rate ." It also lends itself to adventure lovers with its many natural attractions. Fora Advisor Kaitlan Leonard suggests renting a car to take in landscapes, including Black Sand Beach, Blue Lagoon, ice caps, steaming geysers and more. "If you have the time, driving the whole Ring Road is well worth it," she noted. "Each town along the way is so unique and friendly. End your trip in Reykjavik with an incredible meal at Ox, and meet new friends dining around the chef’s 17 seat table.”

TIP: Get more of a feel for the local culture by looking to residents as resources. "Iceland is an extremely safe country with very friendly locals who love sharing information about their beautiful country with visitors," Fora Advisor Kara Kassuba told Good Housekeeping. "During your time there, you’ll likely meet many people and find yourself engaged in interesting conversations with non-stop learning opportunities."

Denmark is well known for its stunning castles, vibrant towns and villages, as well as famous natural-occurring attractions. The country is also vetted as safe and secure, ranking second on the 2023 Global Peace Index .

GH Staffer Emma Seymour recently traveled to Copenhagen on her own and expressed that the destination was ideal for biking and had a ton of great restaurants and shops. " I biked everywhere and it was really easy to rent bikes (there are a bunch of bikes just lying around that you can use with an app!)," she said. "I highly recommend biking through Christiania and eating at the vegan restaurants there. It can feel awkward to embrace going to bars or restaurants alone, but it's the best way to see a city."

TIP: Consider staying in a hostel for added security and the opportunity to connect with other travelers. "I stayed at Steel House hostel , which was so fun," Seymour said. "I had a private room that was small, but perfectly organized. The hostel had a ton of social events too and was very family friendly. It felt super safe."

EXPLORE NOW

The key to solo travel in Mexico is to pick cities that are easy to navigate and welcoming to tourists. Fora Advisor Caryn Ruocco suggests Mexico City, Mexico. "The city is safe, especially in neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa and Polanco," she told Good Housekeeping, noting that "these areas are particularly well-patrolled." The city is also very walkable and offers an impressive art scene for those looking to immerse themselves in Mexican culture.

Another Mexican city solo travelers should add to their list: Sayulita. Fora Advisor Lauren Ruehl explained that the community "exudes warmth and friendliness, welcoming you in as a solo traveler from the moment you arrive."

TIP: Treat your resort as a home-base for your activities and travel. "You should treat yourself to a little R&R at a resort after a solo adventure and end your time with a stop at Susurros de Corazón or Four Seasons Punta Mita to treat yourself to a night in luxury and a visit to the spa,” Ruehl said.

It's hard to beat the beauty of Ireland. The U.S. government notes that the country has a "low rate of violent crime" so traveling on your own should feel secure and comfortable. GH staffer Kaitlyn Phoenix took one of her first solo vacations to the country, noting that it is a must-visit. “The people in Ireland were super welcoming. I was young and trying to save money at the time so mostly stayed at bed and breakfasts, but I splurged for a night in Ballyseede Castle and loved it so much,” she said.

She also noted that Ireland has no shortage of outdoor attractions. " The Cliffs of Moher are a must-see if you’re in Ireland," she said. "If you’re into nature walks and gardens, the Blarney Castle grounds are nice to explore so it’s not just about kissing the Blarney Stone. Another great area if you love hiking/nature walks is the Burren. When I went, they had an excellent self-guided tour in the app."

TIP: If you opt to rent a car in Ireland "keep in mind that in addition to driving on the left side of the road, you’ll have to navigate a lot of one-lane roads (like the Conor Pass) where you have to pull over if another car comes by from the opposite direction," Phoenix said.

As if the beaches, architecture and food were not already a major draw, Spain ranks in the top 35 on the 2023 Global Peace Index , making it one of the countries in the world that has maintained peace over the last year. Solo travelers will enjoy the country's diverse terrain, offering walkable cities, vast deserts and calming countrysides.

TIP: Enjoy tapas for one sitting barside or enjoy street food in a nearby park as an easy way to meet others.

RELATED : Best Beach Vacations for Families

Though Hawaii may often get overlooked for solo travel due to it's reputation as a romantic or family destination, Fora Advisor Melissa Friedman-Levine said Big Island, Hawaii should be your next solo vacation.“Not only is the Big Island safe as a solo traveler, [but it also] has such incredible diversity of landscape between the drier Kona side with the resorts to the lush tropical Hilo side and of course the volcanoes, she said. "A recent client had an amazing time, enjoying relaxation, horseback riding, a tour of the volcano park, and even swimming at night with the manta rays."

TIP: If you want to travel with a four-legged friend, book your stay at Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club , which allows all sizes of dogs without any pet fee. Solo travelers can treat their pups to dog-friendly programming, including   SUP paddle and surf lessons for dogs  and  pet portraits with a local dog photographer . EXPLORE NOW RELATED : Best Travel Instagram Captions

Seattle, Washington

You might actually be sleepless in Seattle—just because there's so much to do. Solo travelers will feel right at home in Pike Place Market , where they can grab breakfast and lunch from one of the many stands, and pick up gifts and unique souvenirs. "I was surprised that the market houses Golden Ages Collectables, the oldest comic book store, The Museum of Glass , Museum of Pop Culture , and the Space Needle neighbor each other so plan to spend the day visiting all three," said Karen Cicero , Contributing Travel Editor. "Take an excursion for the day or overnight to Olympic National Park, which has a lake, rainforest and rugged coastline.

TIP: July and August are the least rainy months to visit while November and December are the wettest. "I visited last July and there wasn't a drop of rain and the temperatures were in the 70s—it was perfection," said Cicero.

Boasting over 1,200 islands, Croatia is the perfect destination for anyone who loves sailing or outdoor water activities. Its coastal cities also feature gorgeous cobblestone streets, adorable cafés and artisan boutiques. If that isn't enough, the country's low crime rate also makes it an amazing option for solo travel.

TIP: Game of Thrones fans will want to check out Dubrovnik, where several of the scenes from the series were shot. There are also tons of option for Game of Thrones tours where travelers can visit film sites and learn more about what went on behind the scenes.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Believe it or not, the Big Easy has tons to offer solo travelers. Take your pick from live entertainment on The French Quarter, visiting historical sites, and indulging in excellent cajun and creole cuisine. "Wandering around the quarter, you encounter live music all over - one to book is Preservation Hall with classic New Orleans jazz nightly," said Kassuba. The Garden District is another great place for wandering or home tours. "On Magazine Street strolling to the shops and restaurants is a nice way to spend an afternoon. The Arts + Warehouse District is another favorite, with the Ogden Museum for Southern Art and a variety of interesting local galleries on Julia Street," she noted.

TIP: Book a dinner at Mosquito Supper Club or Dakar Nola , which both have shared tables. "As a solo diner I’ve always had an interesting evening with my paired dining partners,” Kassuba said.

You may come for the hot springs, festivals and breathtaking landscape, but you'll want to stay for the variety of places to shop and dine. Taiwan's diverse offerings make it the ideal location for solo exploration.

TIP : Stop by the night markets for affordable and delicious cuisine. Linjiang Street (Tonghua) Night Market has been said by reviewers to have plenty of options, but be sure to have cash on hand as not all vendors will take card.

If you're looking for a destination that is as culturally and spiritually rich as it is beautiful, Cambodia is a great place to go. Your money will also go a long way as one US dollar is equal to about 4,100 Cambodian riel.

"Whether looking for adventure, culture, wellness, or somewhere to just get away from it all and re-group, Cambodia is an easy country to traverse and has diverse experiences from north to south - vast temples, eclectic cities, laid-back beaches, and some incredible luxury hotels and resorts that will take your breath away," Fora Advisor Alexandra Hepworth said.

TIP: Make sure to visit the spectacular temples of Angkor Wat , which Hepworth described as "a sight to behold."

Washington, DC

If you're traveling solo for the first time, DC is your ticket to fun. It's easy to access by train or plane, depending on where you're coming from and it has an easy-to-navigate public transportation system. Many museums and historical sites are free to enter, so there's no pressure to stay for hours. That means you can hop from the gemstone exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to the remarkable collections at the National Portrait Gallery all in one day—and still have time to grab lunch from one of the food trucks on the National Mall. "Be sure to make it over to the Georgetown neighborhood during your trip," suggested Cicero. "You'll find wonderful restaurants with many types cuisine plus cute one-of-a-kind shops and coffee bars. There's even a cat cafe!"

TIP: Even though the attractions are free, you need to make reservations in advance to enter; it's easy to do through the websites.

For a beachside vacation, Costa Rica is just the place to go. Not only does it have clear blue waters, but you can also visit a national park or conservation areas. Costa Rica is also a less expensive alternative to some European cities, but is just as easy to get around.

TIP: Join in on group activities. The town of Santa Teresa "attracts a lot of solo travelers and digital nomads, so it's easy to meet people," according to Fora Advisor Ronit Margolis . "It has a vibrant food scene, with plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal alone or with new friends. You will feel a strong sense of community as everyone is so friendly."

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Rwanda is actually one of a few countries that are in the blue zone on the U.S. government's website , meaning you can exercise "normal" precautions when traveling. You'll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the African country as you can plan to see incredible wildlife in their many National Parks.

TIP: Beyond experiencing the great outdoors, immerse yourself in history and culture by exploring the Kigali Genocide Memorial and multiple art galleries .

Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping , where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.

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