The Budget Guide to Lautoka, Rakiraki & the Suncoast

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How to Get to the Suncoast on a Budget

The Suncoast is the stretch of coast and highlands in the north of Viti Levu between the towns of Lautoka in the west and Korovou in the east. This area of Fiji is well connected to the main airport of Viti Levu Nadi International Airport by road, as well as from Suva, making road transport the best way to get to the Suncoast.

We’ll go through your best budget options here.

Suncoast via Public Bus

One of the most affordable ways to get to the Suncoast is via an express bus. Express buses run between Lautoka and Suva via the Kings Road, costing FJ$5-FJ$30 each depending on how far you are travelling.

Buses between Nadi Airport and Lautoka are numerous, and more information can be found at How to Travel Around Fiji by Bus.

Getting Around the Suncoast by Taxi

Taxi services are readily available in the towns of Lautoka, Rakiraki and Ba, making it easy and relatively cheap to do short trips around the Suncoast. Note that taxis in these towns do not use metres, so negotiate a price first. Find more Fiji taxi tips here.

Finally, there is also the option to hire a car from Nadi for the ultimate freedom to travel around the Suncoast. Find out more in our complete Suncoast Transport Guide: 5 Ways to Get to the Suncoast.

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Free and Cheap Activities on the Suncoast

When it comes to free and cheap activities on the Suncoast, your most abundant options are cultural and historical sites. See the grave of a famous cannibal, stay overnight in a Fijian village and check out grand architecture and paintings of the Suncoast’s churches. Of course, because this is Fiji, there’s the opportunity to snorkel too.

Snorkel at the Outer Reefs

Thankfully, one of the must-do activities in Fiji is extremely affordable. While snorkelling along the coast from your chosen budget accommodation is a free experience revealing a few underwater creatures (the best is from Nananu-i-Ra Island), nothing beats a snorkelling trip to the outer reefs of the Suncoast.

Resorts such as Golden Point Resort and Dua Dua Beach Resort are open to casual visitors offering fantastic boat trips to the coral gardens of the outer reefs a mere 15 minutes away. There’s also the option to snorkel with Ring Gold Divers, offering a whole range of affordable experiences, including a Fijian homestay!

Snorkel gear and boat transport are provided and the experience usually costs no more than FJ$150 per person (but can be cheaper).

Visit or Stay in a Fijian Village

There are a number of inexpensive ways to enjoy the warm hospitality and cultural immersion of the Suncoast villages. Take a taxi, 4WD car or a local bus from Ba or book a tour with Pacific Valley View Tours (PVV Tours) to visit the picturesque village of Navala with traditionally thatched bures set among the Nausori Highlands.

Once you arrive, present your sevusevu (gift) to the village chief – see Fiji Village Etiquette: What to Do When Visiting a Fijian Village – and pay a fee of around FJ$30 each to enter the village and hire a village guide.

Alternatively, experience a homestay in a Fijian village with Jioji & Alisi (a.k.a Ring Gold Divers) on Airbnb, which promises to be both authentic and affordable – learn more about Jioji & Alisi’s Homestay the 10 Best Village Stays in Fiji for more information.

Explore the Towns of Rakiraki and Lautoka

Rakiraki is the mid-way point on the Kings Road and the main hub of the Suncoast, while Lautoka is a large town marking the beginning/end of the Kings Road on the west side of Viti Levu, 30 minutes’ drive from Nadi.

Both towns offer vibrant Indo-Fijian shopping, eateries (more on that below), but most importantly, great produce markets.

Visiting a Fijian produce market is a must-do in any Fiji town where locals are happy to mingle and share recipe ideas. Not to mention, the array of colourful tropical fruits and vegetables is always an impressive sight. For a bonus market to check out, stop by the town of Ba.

See the Church of the Black Christ

One of the many sightseeing locations of the Suncoast, the Church of St Francis Xavier, also known as the Naiserelagi Catholic Mission, is well worth visiting.

The church is locally known as the Church of the Black Christ due to its mural of a Fijian-inspired Christ painted by French artist Jean Charlot. Visitors are welcome but a small donation is appreciated. You’ll find it located on top of the hill of Navunibitu, Kings Road, 28 km (18 mi) southeast of Rakiraki.

The uphill road access is a rough dirt road and should only be attempted in a high-clearance vehicle. Otherwise, it’s a 400 m (0.2 mi) walk up the hill.

Visit Udre Udre’s Tomb

On the way into Rakiraki, take a quick pit stop at this fascinating historical site. Udre Udre was once the most feared cannibal in Fiji, now laid to rest at this tomb surrounded by 872 stones – a stone for each of his victims. Find it just off the Kings Road, 100 m (109 yd) west of the Vaileka turn-off.

More Things to Do on the Suncoast

And that’s just a taste of the affordable experiences you can have on a Suncoast road trip.

Treat yourself further by checking out the mysterious Snake God Cave, hiking in the Koroyanitu National Park, and more, as listed in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do on the Suncoast and more still in the 20 Best Things to Do on the Suncoast.

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Budget Dining on the Suncoast

Compared to elsewhere in Fiji, dining on the Suncoast is very affordable. Even the resort and hotel meals will only set you back FJ$20-$30 for a large plate of Fijian, Western or Indo-Fijian food.

Those staying in homestays are usually provided meals with the family for around FJ$15 each where you’ll sample true Fijian cuisine with all the bones included.

Local cafes with meals priced FJ$10-$15 can be found in towns such as Rakiraki, Vaileka (Rakiraki Town), Nabua, Ba and Lautoka.

Cheap Eats on the Suncoast

Masala Magic (Tappoo Lautoka) serves up some of the best curries in Fiji, offering vegetarian curries, thalis with rotis and more for under FJ$15. On the other hand, Blue Ginger Cafe (Elizabeth Square) is your go-to for Western food, often featuring great value lunch deals.

Enjoy quesadillas, toasties, pasta, and a drink for around FJ$15. For those who love a bit of spice, Maharaj Spicy Kitchen (Vaileka, Rakiraki Town Centre) serves up fiery curries that’ll tantalise your taste buds.

For more recommendations, see our Top Cheap Eats on the Suncoast.

Suncoast Markets

If you’re looking for cheap eats along Fiji’s Suncoast, you can’t go wrong with rotis. These delicious flatbreads, often filled with savoury curries or vegetables, are a budget-friendly staple of Indo-Fijian cuisine. You’ll find some of the best rotis at the bustling Lautoka Market (Naviti Street), usually at the stalls outside the main building. At just FJ$1-$2 each, they’re a steal!

The same applies to the Rakiraki Market (Rakiraki Town Centre) and the Ba Market (Varoka Street). These markets are not only great spots to grab a quick, tasty meal, but they also offer a glimpse into local life. So, why not savour a roti (or two) while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere?

Roadside Food Stalls

A culinary adventure awaits along Kings Road. Keep your eyes peeled for roadside food stalls dotting the route, offering a tempting array of affordable treats. You’ll find mouthwatering cooked corn on the cob, ready-to-eat bananas, and delicious banana cake to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Make sure to try lolo buns, a popular local favorite! And for a refreshing tropical snack, we recommend grabbing a stick of pineapple, expertly peeled and ready to devour as you continue your journey along this scenic coastal stretch. All for under FJ$5!

For more on food, head over to The Food Guide to Lautoka, Rakiraki and the Suncoast.