Fiji Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 5 Days

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How to Get Around Fiji in 5 Days

The Fiji itinerary below incorporates mostly water travel and a little bit of road travel. Here are the transport options you need to know about for travelling around Fiji on a budget.

Budget Transport in Nadi

Taxis are a quick and convenient option for getting around Nadi on your first day. Local buses are particularly cheap, with one-way trips costing less than FJ$2 within Nadi. Check out 10 Ways to Get to Nadi (& Get Around Nadi) for more information.

Budget Transport Between Nadi and Denarau

Denarau Island is the main port for water transport to the Mamanuca Islands and the Yasawa Islands. Denarau is connected to the mainland by road, so cheap transport options include the Westbus (the yellow bus) from Nadi, costing less than FJ$2 per person.

Alternatively, some ferry services offer transfers between Denarau and Nadi hotels included in their ferry pass. Check out our 5 Ways to Get to Denarau Island for more options.

Budget Transport to the Mamanuca and the Yasawa Islands

A popular island-hopping option for budget travellers on the move is the fast-catamaran ferry service. Hop-on-hop-off passes allow passengers to get the ferry as much as they like for a set number of days or individual trips can be purchased.

See our 5 Ways to Get to the Mamanuca Islands and 5 Ways to Get to the Yasawa Islands for more information.

For all of your transport options across the islands, check out the Fiji Transport Guide: 20 Best Ways to Get Around Fiji.

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Day 1 – Arrival in Nadi + Explore Nadi

Welcome to Fiji! Your main arrival airport is Nadi International Airport. Before you head out to the islands, take some time to explore the city or take a taxi to one of the affordable but must-do attractions! Get more information in our The Guide to Nadi on a Budget, otherwise, here’s a quick list of things to do.

Things to Do in Nadi on a Budget

• Relax and get muddy at the Sabeto Mud Pools
• Take a walk around the Garden of the Sleeping Giant
• Check out some markets, such as the Nadi Handicraft Market, The New Nadi Farmers’ Market and the Namaka Market
• Experience the Nadi nightlife
• Admire the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple

Got more inspiration from our 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi.

Budget Accommodation in Nadi

• Smugglers Cove Beach Resort & Hotel
• Tanoa Skylodge Hotel
• Bamboo Backpackers
• Bluewater Lodge
• Nadi Downtown Hotel

Take a look at our top picks in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Nadi.

Dining Recommendations

For budget-friendly dining options in Nadi, you’ll find local fare at attractions like Sabeto Mud Pools and Nadi Market for just a few Fijian dollars. In Nadi Town, the renowned Curry House serves up delectable curries that won’t break the bank.

Don’t miss Isa Lei in Namaka, also known as Sweet Laisa’s Kitchen, where you can savour a mouthwatering array of Fijian staples. For more affordable dining options, check out our guide to The Top Cheap Eats in Nadi.

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Day 2 – Nadi to the Mamanuca Islands

Travel Time: 15-20 minutes by road, 35-45 minutes boat ride

This is where your island-hopping adventure begins! Catch the ferry from Denarau Island early in the morning and make your way on a short cruise to the Mamanuca Islands. Some of the best resorts in Fiji are scattered across this archipelago of 20-something islands, many of which are budget resorts offering a range of fun, complimentary activities.

Things to Do on a Budget in the Mamanuca Islands

• Snorkel and check out the tropical fish just off the beach
• Explore the island with your resort’s complimentary kayaks
• Do some stand-up paddleboarding
• Hike to the island’s viewpoint
• Relax with Fijian meke dancing and kava ceremonies in the evenings.

For more inspiration, check out our 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Mamanuca Islands.

Budget Accommodation in the Mamanuca Islands

• Funky Fish Beach Resort
• Ratu Kini Dive Resort
• Mana Lagoon Backpackers
• South Sea Island

Find out more about each of these accommodations in our 5 Best Budget Accommodations on the Mamanuca Islands.

Dining Recommendations

Dining options on your chosen island may be limited, so your best bet is to savour meals at your resort. To keep your budget in check, consider bringing snacks and opting for a hearty dinner (you’ll find more money-saving tips in our guide to saving money in Fiji).

For those looking to explore the culinary scene further, our food guide to the Mamanuca Islands offers a comprehensive look at the best places to eat and food-focused resorts.

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Day 3 – Mamanuca Islands to the Yasawa Islands

Travel Time: 1 hr 15 mins-3 hrs 45 mins by boat

You’ve had a great taste of Fiji in the Mamanucas, but now it’s time to catch the ferry to the Yasawa Islands. After a scenic cruise through the islands, you’ll arrive at your chosen budget resort.

The Yasawas is one of the biggest backpacker hubs in Fiji, where resorts offer a huge range of complimentary activities, many of which allow you to experience more of the Fijian culture. An alternative to resorts, homestays allow you to stay in a real Fiji village with a local family.

Check out our 10 Best Budget Homestays in the Yasawa Islands and don’t forget your village etiquette!

Things to Do on the Yasawa Islands on a Budget

• Craft your own Fijian bracelet or hat
• Catch fish the local way in handline fishing
• Do a Fijian craft or cooking lesson
• Take part in some beach sports or an island yoga session
• Do some more snorkelling!

For more inspiration, check out our 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands.

Budget Accommodation on the Yasawa Islands

• Barefoot Kuata Resort
• Naqalia Lodge
• Mantaray Island Resort
• Boathouse Nanuya
• Sunrise Lagoon Homestay

Find out more about each accommodation in our 10 Budget Accommodations in the Yasawa Islands.

Dining Recommendations

In the Yasawa Islands, dining options are primarily limited to your resort, similar to the Mamanucas. However, those staying on Nanuya Lailai Island can enjoy a unique local experience at Lo’s Tea House in Matacawalevu Village.

Organic Ice Cream Nanuya is a delightful organic ice cream at Nanuya Sewa (Nanuya Lailai) Island’s eastern village. Enjoy seasonal fruit and coconut cream flavours on the beach or in their charming village seating area. Bring around FJ$5 cash per ice cream. The owner also offers Voyager Retreat Homestay.

The closest resorts to this local gem are Gold Coast Inn,Sunrise Lagoon Homestay, and Nanuya Island Resort. Every resort in the Yasawas offers dining for guests and day-trippers, with many featuring à la carte menus as part of a mandatory meal plan.

For more information on resort dining and meal plans, check out our guides, Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji? and The Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands: Places to Eat & Food Resorts.

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Day 4 – Experience the Yasawa Islands

Take some time to rest from your travels in a hammock on the beach or by the pool. That’s what “Fiji time” is all about. You can continue doing some of the complimentary activities you might have missed yesterday or treat yourself to one of the must-do experiences in the Yasawa Islands and Fiji! You’re not in the South Pacific islands every day, right?

Must-Dos on the Yasawa Islands

• Take a boat trip to the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
• Swim with giant manta rays (May to October)
• Snorkel or scuba dive with sharks
• Do a Fijian village visit
• Indulge in a Fijian massage

For more inspiration, head to our 20 Best Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands.

Dining Recommendations

At your resort, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in authentic Fijian cuisine. One night a week, you might experience a “lovo” night, where food is slow-cooked in an underground oven the traditional Fijian way.

This is a common practice at resorts like Naqalia Lodge and Barefoot Manta Island Resort. If you have any dietary requirements, we recommend contacting the resort before booking to ensure they can cater to your needs.

Many resorts are happy to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. For more culinary insights, check out our The Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands: Places to Eat & Food Resorts.

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Day 5 – Yasawa Islands to Nadi International Airport

Travel Time: 2 hours to 4 hrs 30 mins by boat, 20-30 minutes by road

This is the moment when you realise you should have stayed in Fiji longer! It’s time to head back to the mainland and Nadi International Airport. The good news is that the ferry doesn’t start travelling south from the Yasawa Islands until around 1:15 pm, so you have the morning to relax, snorkel, see a coconut husking demonstration, do a sunrise hike or whatever you choose.

Resorts will transport you by longboat to the ferry when it arrives; then, you’ll be whisked back to Port Denarau. From Denarau, take one of the complimentary coaches or other Denarau transport methods back to Nadi or Nadi International Airport.

If you have some time in Nadi to kill before your flight, check out the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi.

Remember to arrive at Nadi Airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure, so you have enough time to check-in, go through security and browse the duty-free. For a full rundown of what to expect, take a look at Leaving Fiji: Departure Tips & Checklist.

And it’s “sota tale” from Fiji!