Travel money guide: Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago of islands that boasts crystal clear beaches and some of the world’s largest hotel chains such as InterContinental, Shangri-La and more. Fiji’s currency is the Fijian dollar (FJD), but the Fijian islands accept credit cards, debit cards and cash, and you should have no trouble accessing an ATM during your trip.

A credit card is your best bet for making purchases in Fiji, and one without foreign transaction fees can save you from extra expenses. Here are all of your options.

Our picks for traveling to Fiji

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Travel card, debit card or credit card?

Since there are currently no travel cards on the market that allow you to hold and spend FJD, consider travel-friendly debit cards and credit cards like Visa and Mastercard to finance your trip, both of which have wide acceptance on the Fijian islands.

A mixture of credit and debit cards will let you enjoy your vacation with the least amount of stress. Don’t bother exchanging your cash prior to your trip, ATM withdrawals are easily made at Fiji’s international airports — a card which lets you withdraw and make foreign transactions for cheap is the way to go.

Make sure you have organized your travel beforehand to ensure your island getaway runs as smoothly as possible.

These are your options for spending money in Fiji

Compare credit cards for travel

Using a credit card

The best credit cards to take when traveling to Fiji do not charge a foreign transaction fee when you make purchases or charge for ATM withdrawals. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card for example doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and comes with other travel perks as well (Terms apply, see rates & fees).

A card with good travel perks like strong mile earning rates or statement credits can go a long way toward helping you save on your travel expenses. Review your travel habits and compare travel cards to find one that best suits your needs.

• Tip: Other features to think about are complimentary international travel insurance included with mid to high-end cards, like the Simmons Visa®, when you charge the cost of your return travel ticket to your account.

Pros

• Accepted everywhere
• Some credit cards do not charge a currency conversion fee
• Chip and PIN offer extra security
• Potential to earn more reward points

Cons

• International ATM fees and currency conversion fees
• Cash advances attract interest from the moment of withdrawal

Best international debit cards

Using a debit card

Most Fijian merchants are equipped with point-of-sale terminals but there will be times when you need to pay cash, especially for smaller transactions. Debit cards are far cheaper to use to get cash from an ATM than credit cards — but watch out for currency conversion fees as well as international and local ATM withdrawal fees. A card provider that waives international ATM fees, like Betterment Checking, can help you save in these cases.

Pros

• Most establishments have ATMs
• Far cheaper to get cash from an ATM than credit cards
• $0 account keeping fees with a minimum deposit into your account each month
• Unlimited free withdrawals on selected banks

Cons

• Currency conversion fees
• International and local ATM withdrawal fees
• May not always be accepted

Prepaid travel money cards

Using a prepaid travel card

Unfortunately, no travel cards currently support Fijian dollars. So unless you have a travel card that doesn’t charge a foreign currency conversion fee on unsupported currencies, you could rack up some unnecessary costs.

However, prepaid cards usually come with a supplementary card for emergencies and can be used for ATM withdrawals. So if you can get a card without a currency conversion fee, it could come in handy.

Pros

• A safe way to carry money — protected by PIN and signature and can easily be cancelled

Cons

• No travel cards currently support FJD

Compare cash pickup services in Fiji

Paying with cash in Fiji

You’ll be able to use your cards at most businesses in Fijian cities, but if you’re heading to the smaller islands or to remote areas, ensure you have enough cash to last you for the duration of your trip.

• Tip: USD can be easily exchanged to Fijian dollars in Fiji. There are exchange offices at Fiji’s international airports, transport terminals and hotels can exchange dollars as well. Avoid changing money at your hotel if you want to get the best deal. The best rates are available outside of airports, look for exchange offices in tourist areas.

Pros

• Payment flexibility
• Convenience
• Best option for smaller islands

Cons

• Difficult to manage expenses
• Higher risk of theft

Fijian currency

The Fijian dollar (FJD) comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 notes.

The main banks in Fiji are:

Buying currency in the US

As a general rule, you’ll get a better rate if you wait to purchase foreign currency when you arrive at your destination. ATM withdrawals use the card rate which is a typically above the market rate. If you do want to buy foreign currency, consider these financial institutions.

• Tip: Travelex is at most international airports, so you can pick up foreign currency while you wait for your flight.

Exchange rate history

The dollar has been steadily gaining value against the Fijian dollar for the last 10 years — with an exception in 2012 when there was a slight drop. It’s hard to predict the movements of a currency pair, so it’s good to know that prepaid travel cards and traveler’s check allow you to lock in an exchange rate.

ATMs in Fiji

ATMs are common in Fijian cities, but you’ll need to plan ahead and make sure you have enough cash if you’re heading to rural areas. Banks such as ANZ, Westpac and BSP have a presence in Fiji, that allow travelers to access ATMs cheaply on their island vacation. It pays to use a debit card that doesn’t charge international ATM fees as well, like one from Betterment Checking.

• The standard ATM withdrawal fee is about $5 Fijian dollars per withdrawal. Expect to pay double this fee if you’re using a card that charges for international ATM withdrawal or if you’re using an ATM which is not part of your bank’s ATM network.

How much should I budget to travel in Fiji?

Fiji can be a cheap destination for travelers looking for a vacation on a smaller budget. At the same time, a Fiji vacation can be as expensive as you make it if you plan on living lavishly. Here are some of the daily costs for a Fiji vacation. All prices are in US dollars.

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Case study: Camila's experience

Camila

Camila started her trip in Suva before heading across the island to Port Denarau. She joined a cruise which lasted for four nights.

The cruise took her to see the sights of the Sacred Islands, Yasawa Islands and Blue Lagoon region before returning her to Port Denarau. She was in Fiji for a week and a half.

Do you have any travel money tips for Fiji?

She says some ATMs in the less traveled parts of Fiji are unreliable, so be sure you have extra cash. Camila also says to check whether your hotel charges a credit card surcharge – this can be avoided by using a debit card. Finally she says always pay in the local currency when you’re in Fiji.

Written by

Kyle Morgan

Producer

Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University. See full bio