Shopping

Although the pristine beauty of the nature and the warm sandy beaches of the island form the major attractions while you are planning your trip to Fiji, shopping is also an integral part of it. No visit to Fiji can ever be complete without carrying back some of the most indigenous products of the country that include the typical Kava bowl popularly used by the tourists and local people alike. These beautiful bowls are handcrafted from a single piece of the local ‘Vesi' wood and carry a significant Fijian tradition derived from the ancient times.

One of the other popular local products is the jewelry made out of red corals, found in the coastal regions of Fiji. These corals are noted for their vibrant colors and are beautifully designed for making jewelry. Specialist shops selling Fijian coral jewelry are also available and are definitely worth a look. Street vendors form a major part of the Fijian shopping scene and offer some real unique collections of local handicrafts. However, a lot of bargaining may be required in order to strike out a fair deal while buying from these street vendors.

Other popular local handicrafts include woodcarvings, seashells, polished coconut shells, hand woven baskets, mats, hats, coasters, trays and fans. Also, it might be interesting to have a look at the traditional ‘tapa' or ‘masi' cloth and pearls. The big shops do not encourage bargaining. However, discount rates can be availed of in case of bulk purchases from a single store. Televisions, cameras, clocks, binoculars, watches, lighters, porcelain, crystal and hi-fi equipment are some of the duty free items available in Fiji.

All major credit cards are accepted by most shops in Fiji. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to carry some cash while shopping. The Fijian dollar comes in the denominations of F$2, 5, 10, 20 and 50. It can be exchanged for American dollars from all major banks and currency exchange bureaus.

Shopping Hours:

Mon-Fri 0800-1900

Sat 0800-1300 (some shops have half-day closing on Wednesday and are open later on Friday).

The largest handicraft retail store in the South Pacific region is the Jack's Handicraft Store, having twelve outlets in various areas. The store sells some of Fiji's indigenous artwork including uncommon gift items and great souvenirs to carry back. The downtown outlet is just a few minutes drive from the Nadi International Airport. Other outlets of the store can be found in Sheraton Fiji Resort, Shangri-Las Fijian Resort, The Warwick Fiji, Sheraton Royal Denarau Resort, Outrigger Resort, Shangri-La's Fiji Mocambo and the Tokatoka Hotel.