Is Fiji Expensive? Real Travel Costs for 2025
Updated October 2025 — verified traveler data & pricing.
Fiji costs way less than you think. We break down real daily expenses for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers. See exact prices for accommodation, food, activities, and discover how to travel Fiji for $50/day or splurge on luxury for $300+.
Budget Guide & Cost Analysis
Is Fiji expensive? The honest answer: it depends on your travel style. Fiji isn't cheap, but it's significantly cheaper than similar Pacific destinations like Bora Bora, Maldives, or Hawaii. You can experience island paradise for $50-80/day if you're budget-conscious, or spend $200-400/day for comfortable mid-range travel. We've compiled real pricing data from travelers spending time in Fiji during 2024-2025 to give you exact costs for accommodation, dining, activities, and transportation. This isn't inflated tourism board pricing—it's what actual visitors are paying right now. For more money-saving strategies, check our complete Fiji budget travel guide .
Daily Budget Breakdown: Fiji in 2025
Hostels, local food, free activities
Nice resort, restaurant meals, tours
5-star resort, overwater bungalow, premium dining
Accommodation: Where You'll Spend the Most
Budget Options
Budget travelers have excellent options. Fiji has a strong backpacker infrastructure with quality hostels and guesthouses. One regular budget traveler noted: "I paid $35/night for a clean room in a guesthouse near Nadi, with breakfast included."
Budget Accommodation Prices:
- Dorm Bed (Hostel): $25–45/night | Clean, social, often include breakfast
- Budget Guesthouse: $35–65/night | Private room, basic amenities, friendly owners
- Budget Beach Bungalow: $50–100/night | Basic but charming, oceanview, no AC
- Budget Resort: $60–120/night | Pool, restaurant, basic rooms on island
Mid-Range Options
Mid-range is where Fiji truly excels. You get beautiful beachfront resorts with comfortable rooms, good food, and island atmosphere without the luxury markup.
Mid-Range Accommodation Prices:
- Comfortable Resort Room: $100–200/night | AC, private beach access, decent restaurant
- Island Resort (Yasawa/Mamanuca): $120–250/night | Overwater bungalow, meal plans available
- Beachfront Bungalow: $150–280/night | Private beach, ocean views, romantic setting
- All-Inclusive Resort: $180–350/night | Meals, activities, drinks included (best value)
Luxury Options
Fiji's luxury sector is booming. You get premium overwater bungalows and high-end resorts, but pricing is still lower than Bora Bora or Maldives.
Luxury Accommodation Prices:
- Premium Overwater Bungalow: $400–800/night | Glass floor, infinity pool, premium service
- Luxury Resort Suite: $350–600/night | 5-star amenities, spa, fine dining
- Private Island Resort: $500–1,200/night | Ultra-exclusive, personalized service
Food & Dining: Budget-Friendly to Fine Dining
Budget Eating (Staying Outside Resorts)
Fiji's best-kept cost secret: local food outside tourist areas is incredibly cheap and delicious. Locals eat well for $5-12/meal. One long-term visitor said: "I ate curries, roti, and fresh fish for $6-8 at local spots. Resort food would cost 3x more."
Budget Meal Costs (Local Spots):
- Local curry plate: $5–8
- Roti with curry: $4–7
- Fresh fish lunch: $8–12
- Market fruit: $0.50–2
- Fiji beer (local): $2–4
Budget Daily Food Cost:
Breakfast: $2 (local cafe, juice)
Lunch: $7 (local restaurant)
Dinner: $8 (local spot or cook)
Total: $17/day
Mid-Range Dining (Resort Restaurants & Tourist Areas)
Mid-range offers good balance between comfort and cost. Resort buffets, beachside cafes, and good restaurants.
Mid-Range Meal Costs:
- Resort breakfast: $10–15
- Beachside lunch: $15–25
- Resort dinner: $35–60
- Wine bottle: $15–30
- Cocktail: $8–14
Mid-Range Daily Food Cost:
Breakfast: $12 (resort buffet)
Lunch: $18 (restaurant)
Dinner: $45 (nice restaurant)
Total: $75/day
Luxury Dining (Fine Dining & Premium Resorts)
Even luxury dining in Fiji costs less than equivalent restaurants in major cities or other Pacific islands.
Luxury Meal Costs:
- 5-star resort breakfast: $25–35
- Fine dining lunch: $35–55
- Fine dining dinner (3 course): $80–150
- Premium wine: $50–150 bottle
- Daily food cost: $150–220
Activities & Experiences: The Real Costs
Budget Activities (Free/Cheap)
- Beach/swimming: FREE
- Snorkeling (house reef): FREE
- Village walk: FREE
- Kava ceremony: $5–10
- Local market visit: FREE
- Hiking: FREE–$15
Paid Activities (Tours & Water Sports)
- Snorkel boat tour: $30–50
- Diving certification: $150–300
- Island hopping tour: $35–60
- Waterfall hike: $25–40
- Spa treatment: $40–100
- Sunset cruise: $45–75
Looking for meaningful experiences that won't break the bank? Explore our guide to eco-friendly activities in Fiji including coral planting, village visits, and sustainable tours.
Getting Around Fiji: Transportation Costs
Airport Transfers
Shuttle from Nadi Airport: $15–20 per person. Private taxi: $35–50. Resort transfers: often included or $20–40.
Local Buses
Cheap and reliable. Nadi-Suva: $8–12. Short local rides: $1–3. Best budget option for mainland.
Inter-Island Ferries
Fiji-operated ferries: $15–45 depending on distance. Island hopping is affordable but time-consuming. Learn more in our complete island hopping guide.
Seaplanes (Inter-Island)
Much pricier: $150–300 per flight. Worth it for time-saving if you have the budget.
Real Budget Examples: What Travelers Actually Spent
Budget Traveler (7 Days, $400 Total)
- Accommodation (guesthouse): $35/night × 7 = $245
- Food (local restaurants): $17/day × 7 = $119
- Activities (snorkeling, hiking): $20 = $20
- Transport (buses, ferry): $16 = $16
- Total: ~$400 for 7 days ($57/day)
Mid-Range Traveler (7 Days, $1,400 Total)
- Accommodation (mid-range resort): $150/night × 7 = $1,050
- Food (resort + restaurants): $75/day × 7 = $525
- Activities (tours, diving): $100 = $100
- Transport (airport transfer): $30 = $30
- Total: ~$1,705 for 7 days ($200+/day + resort fee included)
Luxury Traveler (7 Days, $4,500 Total)
- Accommodation (overwater bungalow): $600/night × 7 = $4,200
- Food (fine dining): $150/day × 7 = $1,050
- Activities (premium experiences, spa): $300 = $300
- Transport (private transfers, seaplane): $150 = $150
- Total: ~$5,700 for 7 days ($815/day, honeymoon premium)
Hidden Costs & What to Watch
Resort Fees & Service Charges
Many mid-range resorts add 10-15% service charge to bills. Budget for this. Some resorts include this in nightly rate.
Tips & Gratuities
Not mandatory but expected at restaurants (10%) and for services ($2-5). Budget $20-30 for a week if you eat out regularly.
Fiji Departure Tax
$50 FJD (~$23 USD) when leaving Fiji by air. Usually included in airfare but check your ticket.
Resort Meal Plans
Many resorts push meal plans ($50-100/day). Compare: is resort food cheaper than eating out? Often not worth it.
Travel Insurance
Not included in costs above. Budget $50-150 for 1-2 week trip depending on coverage level.
Fiji vs Other Pacific Destinations: Cost Comparison
Fiji
Budget: $50-80/day
Mid-Range: $150-250/day
Overwater Bungalow: $250-400/night
Bora Bora
Budget: $80-150/day
Mid-Range: $300-500/day
Overwater Bungalow: $800-1,500/night
Maldives
Budget: $100-200/day
Mid-Range: $400-800/day
Overwater Bungalow: $1,500-3,000+/night
Verdict: Fiji is 30-50% cheaper than Bora Bora and 50-70% cheaper than Maldives at all budget levels. Even luxury travelers save significantly in Fiji.
Money-Saving Tips: How to Stretch Your Budget
1. Stay on the Mainland (Viti Levu)
Mainland accommodation costs 40-50% less than island resorts. You can day-trip to islands. Nadi, Sigatoka, Suva all have budget options.
2. Eat Where Locals Eat
Skip resort restaurants. Local spots have curries, roti, fresh fish for $5-8. Your savings: $25-40/day vs resort dining.
3. Visit During Wet Season (Nov-Apr)
Accommodation 25-40% cheaper. Yes, occasional rain, but fewer tourists and better prices everywhere.
4. Use Public Buses & Ferries
Don't book tours through resorts. Local ferries cost $15-45 vs $60+ resort prices for same journey.
5. Book All-Inclusive Resorts
Mid-range all-inclusive: $180-350/night with meals/drinks. Better value than separate rooms + restaurant bills.
FAQ: Fiji Travel Costs 2025
What is the cheapest time to visit Fiji?
The cheapest months are February to May and September to November — flights and hotels are 25–35% cheaper.
How much should I budget per day in Fiji?
Budget travelers spend $50–80/day, mid-range travelers $150–250/day, and luxury travelers $300–500+/day.
Is Fiji cheaper than Bora Bora?
Yes, Fiji is 30–50% cheaper than Bora Bora for all travel styles — even luxury resorts cost less.
Is Fiji Expensive? The Answer
No. Fiji is affordable compared to similar island destinations. You can experience tropical island life for $50-80/day on a tight budget, enjoy comfortable mid-range travel for $150-250/day, or splurge on luxury for $300-500+/day.
The biggest cost is usually flights from your home country. Once in Fiji, your money stretches far. Accommodation, food, and activities are genuinely affordable, especially compared to Bora Bora, Maldives, or Hawaii.
The bottom line: budget travelers, backpackers, couples, and families can all afford Fiji without breaking the bank. Even luxury travelers spend less than equivalent experiences in competitor destinations. Plan realistically, choose your accommodation level, and enjoy island paradise affordably.