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Stay at a bure

What to do in Fiji

Enjoy water sports

Water sports

Which kind of water sports are you into? Scuba diving? Surfing? Paddle boarding?
You name it, Fiji has it. You simply need to know where to go. And if you don’t have a clue about the nice water sports destinations, you can always ask the friendly locals.

If you happen to be at Viti Levu, the perfect dive sites would be on the Pacific Harbor and the Coral Coast. Land-based diving is best done in Vanua Levua and Taveuni, specifically in the Rainbow Reef and the Somosomo Straits. Remote islands, such as Ngau, offers live-aboard dive tours. This place does not have any resorts, and to be able to dive into the waters, you must first get the permission of the local chief.

Even when you are booked at hotels and resorts in any parts of the country, you will likely find opportunities and venues to try water skiing, kayaking, game fishing, canoeing, parasailing, sailing, and windsurfing.

Laze at a hammock

Laze at a hammock

Don’t make the mistake of filling your Fiji vacation with so many activities, you end up more tired when you leave than when you came. The unique tranquility of Fiji is meant to be savored.

The peace in this little bit of paradise on Earth is truly one-of-a-kind; it cannot be found anywhere else.

The blueness of Fijian skies, the clearness of the sea, and the warm salty breeze are best appreciated from a gently sway of a hammock, so make sure you set aside one whole day of your Fiji vacation for this activity. This will probably be the most vacation-like part of your entire vacation – the part you will miss most when you go back to the rat race most of us call home.

Watch a night show

Watch a night show

Although Fiji can be a lazy place in the daytime, it comes alive at night with its fascinating night shows such as fire walking and fire dancing (or poi dancing).

In the island of Beqa, you can watch a genuine fire walking ceremony, with the participants walking on red hot stones and wearing small spears pierced in different parts of their bodies. Poi dancers can usually be found performing in fire-walking shows as well.

The nightlife in many parts of the country is also very much alive. You can experience great parties and live bands if you are booked at hotels or resorts, although the best hangout place to experience this is at Suva, which is the capital city of the country. Suva is filled with pubs, nightclubs and bars. You will likely see these along the stretch of Civic Auditorium, Albert Park and Victoria parade.

Stay at a bure

Stay at a bure

The bure is the most well-known Fijian traditional house. The authentic traditional bure was not home to the ordinary Fijian but only to the circumcised males of a clan. The rest of the family lived in houses called the vale.

Both bure and vale were dark, smoky structures with a low door and no windows. The main difference is that a vale has a hearth where the women cook. These houses usually have no electricity or plumbing.

Today, however, there are bures that have amenities ranging from basic to luxurious. Depending on how much you want to experience authentic Fiji culture, you can choose the level of amenities you want.

Go shopping

Go shopping

The country has many places where you can get good deals for your money. There are shops in Suva where you can buy the cheapest clothing, the nicest sarongs.

Nadi also has good clothing stores, but the prices are higher. Goto Jacks is the best place for getting souvenirs.

When you buy bongo drums, make sure you get one with a tag that states “treated wood.” Make sure, too, that the skin on the drum is not transparent.

Be careful when buying jewelry. Make sure you are paying for the real thing, by checking them carefully.

Avoid buying food, too. Chocolate and meat, most especially, are expensive in Fiji. You may also be charged too much for local foods, “for the experience.” As for bringing them home, there’s always a chance you won’t get them past the airport so don’t bother packing Fiji food in your luggage.