Transport Fiji has bus services, taxis, ferry services, rental car companies, two domestic airlines (Sunflower Airlines and Air Fiji) - which provide efficient services and make getting around Fiji a breeze. The open-air buses are a unique way to travel - providing for some interesting holiday experiences and also give you a chance to observe Fiji life up close. This is an excellent, cost effective way to travel with bus fares ranging between 45c - $1 for travel around the urban centres and between $10-$26 for travel between urban centres. Taxis are available at all major centres. Taxi ranks are found at convenient pick-up points. The flag fall during the day is $1, $1.50 after 1Opm.
Medical Services Fiji is free of most tropical diseases - there is no malaria or yellow fever in the country. Government-owned hospitals are located at urban centres throughout the country and private specialist medical consultation is also available (surgery hours are usually between 8.30am-5pm). Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital is Fiji’s largest hospital. There is a minimal hospital charge for patients who are not citizens of Fiji but the charges remain modest. Hotels and resorts often have a qualified nurse on the premises and a doctor on call. Chemists are open during normal shopping hours. For emergencies, dial 911 for Crime Stoppers, dial 919 (toll free) and ask for assistants. Suva: Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Waimanu Road Tel: 331 3444, Suva Private Hospital. 120 Amy Street, Toorak, Tel: 330 3404 North: Labasa Hospital, Tel: 881 1444 West: Lautoka Hospital, Tel: 666 0399
Telecommunications Telecom Fiji Limited provides local telephone services while Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd (FINTEL) provides international services. Services include international and domestic direct dialling, telex, and facsimile services. Internet and e-mail services are also available. Telecom Fiji also offers paging and voice-mail. F1NTEL is a joint venture between the government and Cable and Wireless. Vodafone Fiji Ltd, a venture between British-based Vodafone Group and Telecom Fiji, provides mobile communications. Vodafone Fiji provides a GSM digital mobile communication service. Outer islands are connected by radio telephone. Telephone and facsimile services are available in all the main centres. Card phones are also available in urban centres. And phone cards can be bought from post offices, service stations and other outlets.
Postal Services Post Fiji, which used to be part of the old Fiji Post and Telecommunications Ltd, is responsible for mail services and offers direct mailing, priority mail, philatelic and courier services. International courier companies also have their offices in Fiji.
Banking The major banks represented in Fiji are: Bank of Baroda, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ Ltd), Bank South Pacific, Westpac Banking Corporation and Colonial National Bank. Normal banking hours are from 9.30am to 3pm on Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 4pm on Friday.
Currency The Fijian dollar - the basic unit of currency - is available in $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Coins are available in Ic, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1. Exchange rates are published daily in the newspapers and are listed in all major banks and at hotels and resorts. Hotels and resorts also exchange foreign notes and traveller’s cheques. Major credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard and JCB) are accepted at selected outlets.
Recreation Fiji’s urban centres are a hive of festivity between the months of July and September when a number of fund-raising carnivals are held. There’s Nadi’s Bula Festival in July and Lautoka’s Sugar Festival in September. The Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali and the Muslim festival of Eid are also celebrated yearly. The World Festival of Praise is also an annual event. Hindus also practise firewalking as do people from the island of Beqa. For entertainment - there are cinemas, nightclubs and a variety of restaurants for you to check out. Suva’s Village 6 and Lautoka's Village 4 cinemas is the place for the latest movies in spacious surroundings.
Sports Rugby and soccer are the major sports in Fiji, but there are sports facilities for all sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, squash, netball, volleyball, basketball, and swimming. Surfing, triathlon are other sports that are gaining popularity in Fiji. Fijians love their sports. Check out the Fiji Sports Council for more information.
Attire Loose, easy wearing pieces suit Fiji’s tropical climate best. Bula shirts (aka Aloha shirts) are popular on the cocktail/convention circuit. Certain high-end restaurants and clubs place restrictions on attire, especially for men, in which case long pants, shirts and shoes are more appropriate than casual shorts, T-shirts and beach sandals. Cover up when visiting towns and villages as swimwear is best kept to beaches and resorts.
Etiquette A visit to a Fijian village is one of the cultural highlights of holidaying in Fiji. Be careful to follow protocol when visiting a village. It is best to dress modestly - swimwear, caps and hats are normally not worn inside a village. If you experience a sevusevu (traditional ceremony of welcome) you will be offered kava to drink. Accept graciously, clap three times with cupped hands before and after drinking the kava. Refrain from entering houses unless invited, in which case take your shoes off before entering. Once inside, keep your voice down and sit cross-legged on the floor. When visiting a Hindu temple or a Muslim mosque, you are also required to remove your shoes before entering.
Driving Licence A valid home country driving licence is required for the same class of vehicle. Driving is on the left side of the road and seatbelts are compulsory. Maximum speed limit in villages and urban areas is 50 km/h (30 mph) and 80 km/h (50mph) on the highway, unless otherwise posted.

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