Population

Suva:  358,495

Lautoka:  32,000

Tourism: 300,000 visitors per year

Time: GMT/UTC plus 12 hours

Average Temperatures:

When to Visit

Its mild tropical climate means that Fiji can be enjoyed all year round.  It is a popular escape from the winters in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Perhaps the best time to go, however, is in the dry season or 'Fiji winter', from May to October. This time of year has cooler temperatures, less rainfall and humidity, and less risk of tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous.  The prevailing winds are easterly and south-easterly; the mountainous spines of the larger islands produce clouds and greater rainfall on their windward sides. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Daytime temperatures average around 25°C (77°F), and humidity is generally high.

Arriving

By Air

Nadi International Airport is Fiji's main international gateway. Over 1.2 million international passengers, pass through its doors annually. Lautoka is situated in the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji. It is only 25 km away (toward the north) from Nadi International Airport.

Nausori Airport is the second International Airport in Fiji situated on the Eastern Side of the main Island of Viti Levu. Nausori Airport is a thirty minute drive from the country's capital, Suva.

Airlines operate twice weekly to Auckland and Sydney and there are also weekly flights connecting to the islands of Nuku'alofa and Funafuti.

Airports Fiji Limited manages and operates 13 smaller airstrips on the outer islands of Fiji besides the two main international airports at Nadi and Nausori.

These are Labasa, Savusavu, Matei, Rotuma, Koro, Gau, Bureta, Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Cicia, Moala and Kadavu.

Matei Airport is located on Taveuni, a volcanic island situated on the North East of the Fiji Group, through which the International Dateline passes. Taveuni is widely known as the Garden Island of Fiji, with some of the most unique flora in the world and a lake at the crater of its highest peak. A number of exclusive resorts are dotted along its coastline

By Cruise Ship:  Both Suva and Lautoka have deep water ports and cruise ships put into port at both locations.

Visas: Most travelers will automatically be issued a four week tourist visa upon arrival. This includes travelers from most Commonwealth countries, most North, South and Central American countries, Western Europe, Israel and Japan. The visa is issued free of charge and you won't have to pay for any subsequent extensions.

Electricity: 240V, 50 Hz

Weights & measures: Metric

Shopping

The city has a wide range of shops ranging from retail to wholesale. The retail outlets have basically for all items such as food, clothing, duty free items, sporting equipment, medicines, tailoring, drapery, video rental, liquor outlets and more.

Hours of Operation

Some shops open as early as 6.00am and others from 8.00 -6.00pm or 7.00pm during the week-days and on Saturday from 7.00am 1.00pm.   On Sundays and Public Holidays the shops are generally closed but the restaurants, milk bars and other essential shops remain open.

Banks

The city has five commercial banks and one exchange & Finance Company.

Getting Around

Both taxis and buses are available at both locations (Suva and Lautoka).