In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Fiji - any experiences?
I loved Fiji but quickly noticed how resort costs stacked up. My dinners at the hotel were $25-30, while the same curry in a town café was $6. Buses were ridiculously cheap at $1, but the ferry to Yasawa Islands cost $30. Tipping wasn’t required but most tourists gave 10%. My average was $85 per day, and that was with a mix of local food and resort meals. Add in day trips like snorkeling, and you easily hit $120. Fiji is paradise, but it isn’t a budget destination.
Meals: $5-8 local, $20+ resort. Transport: $1 buses, $25 ferries, $5 taxis. Tips: 10% in resorts. Safe daily budget: $70 for meals, transport, and tips. Expect higher if hopping islands frequently. The main extra spend is tours like scuba diving ($80-100) or sailing trips. For a month, around $2,200 is realistic, with activities adding on top. Fiji can be done cheaper with local stays but most travellers spend closer to $70-90 daily.
When I stayed in Fiji, my daily spend averaged $80-90. Meals at resort restaurants were $20-25, and casual local food was $8-10. Taxis around town were $5-7, and ferries between islands were $25+. Tipping 10% was the norm in tourist spots. At this budget, I enjoyed fresh seafood dinners, boat rides, and some bar nights. The islands are stunning, but you pay a premium for imported goods. For comfort, keep around $90 daily in mind, not including tours.
Fiji can be pricey if you only stay in resorts, but local options exist. Street stalls and small eateries serve meals for $3-6, while resort restaurants charge $20-30. Local buses are very cheap at $1-2, though island transfers by boat are $20-40. Tipping isn’t compulsory but appreciated at 5-10%. Backpackers can manage $40-50 daily by eating local, using buses, and staying in budget hostels. Activities like snorkeling trips or island cruises add $50-100, so budget separately for those.