Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Fiji or cash is king?
Fiji’s hostels almost always want cash. In Nadi, I had to walk to a BSP ATM to pay, and in Coral Coast it was the same story. Only one place in Suva took Mastercard, and even then they charged extra. Don’t rely on cards in Fiji if you’re staying in hostels - carry enough FJD before you move around, especially to smaller islands where ATMs don’t exist.
I stayed in Suva and Lautoka - both hostels asked for cash on arrival, even though one advertised “cards accepted.” ATMs from ANZ and BSP are easy to find in cities, but not on remote islands. Hostels in Fiji mostly expect cash, especially once you leave Nadi or Suva. If you don’t want to scramble at the last minute, withdraw extra FJD at the airport or in Nadi town.
Fiji is definitely cash-heavy for hostels. My hostel in Nadi near Wailoaloa Beach had a card reader, but it failed twice, so I ended up paying cash. On the Yasawa Islands, none of the hostels accepted cards at all, and the staff told us to withdraw before leaving the mainland. If you’re planning ahead, absolutely prepare to pay in cash - card is too unreliable.
In Nadi, both hostels I tried insisted on cash. Same in Pacific Harbour - they preferred Fijian dollars upfront. One in Suva did swipe my Visa, but they added a 3% surcharge. ANZ and Westpac ATMs are everywhere in the main towns, but they often have long lines. If you’re heading to the islands, make sure to withdraw enough before you go, because once you’re on smaller islands, hostels are almost always cash-only.