A GUIDE TO SUVA

Use Google Maps below to familiarise yourself with Suva and the surrounding areas.

“Albert Park” and “MHCC shopping centre” are two useful landmarks in the city centre, in case you lose your bearings.

Have a Virtual Tour of Suva City and familiarise yourself with the City’s surroundings.  

There are four modes of public transportation:

Buses:

• Buses are accessible in most parts of the Suva-Nausori Central Business District (CBD).
• To board a bus, passengers require a bus card. Visit a Vodafone outlet with your passport to register and get a bus card. This card can be topped up with $2 FJD or more at any Vodafone outlet or bus card service agent stores.
• Minimum stage 1 bus fare is now $1.05, fare increases with each stage.
• Most buses have the fare chart, but you can also ask the bus driver of the cost to your destination before embarking on your journey.

Taxi:

• Most taxi around Suva -Nausori CBD have license plates LT (licensed taxi). Avoid traveling in other vehicles that offer the same service but do not have the LT plates.
• Taxi meter starts at $2.00 (FJD) during the day and at after 9pm the meter starts at $3 (FJD)

Mini-Bus (Viti Mini):

• These mini-buses travel between Nadi and Suva and will set off and leave when they are full.

Planes:

• There are two main airports, and they are Nausori (near Suva) and Nadi International Airport.
• There are a number of airstrips in the outer islands.

Cinema

There is a cinema in the heart of Suva, called Village 6 (operated by Damodar Cinemas) – open map.

Damodar Cinema has specials like Colgate Mondays and Super Tuesdays. Price for a standard ticket is $7 (FJD)

For the latest info on new releases showing, visit https://www.damodarcinemas.com.fj/village-6-suva/

Swimming

There are two swimming pools for public use in Suva and they are the Suva Olympic Pool and Aquatic Center (at Laucala Bay).

The Aquatic Center pool is better maintained and has much better reviews.

Music and Dance Performances

Most local musicians have night gigs at restaurants and hotels. Some of the famous singing groups are Rako Pasifika, Pasifika Voices, VT1s, Inside Out, Ouvacast.

There are some local dance groups also that perform and have shows all year long like Vou Dance, Oceania Dance, MANAVA and the Conservatorium of Music and Dance.

Local Markets

ROC MARKET takes place on the third Sunday of every month. The streets around the FBC Radio station are cordoned off as local vendors bring food, handicrafts, books, clothes and even plants to sell. It is a great way to spend your Sunday and meet with the many diversity of Suva dwellers.

Garden City market takes place once a month as well at the Garden City complex. Similar to the Roc Market you can find food, clothing, handicraft, plants and meet with the local people.

USP Market Day: Taking place over Wednesday – Friday at the University of the South Pacific premises once a month, another ideal place to get some local food, handicrafts, plants and meet local students.

Popular Destinations and Points of Interest

Fiji Museum

The Fiji Museum is located in the botanical gardens, Thurston Gardens, in a quiet, leafy spot in Suva.

It offers a glimpse into the rich history of the Fiji Islands and South Pacific and houses a remarkable collection including archaeological finds dating over 3,700 years and indigenous, South Pacific and Fijian artefacts from the 1800s.

The museum also includes an iconic 13 metre-long double-hulled canoe in the centre of the main hall.

The Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Entry fees are FJD $10 for adults and FJD $5 for children (under 12 years).

Colo-I-Suva Nature Reserve

Colo-I-Suva Forest Park is a nature reserve near Suva, Fiji. It offers hiking trails, swimming, and birdwatching.

There is a rope swing over a large natural pool, which is a popular spot to enjoy a day away from the city centre.

Albert Park

Albert Park is a park in Suva, that hosts all sorts of events, including festivals and local sports matches.

Head down on an evening or weekend and you’ll likely see some rugby or cricket going on.

If you want to join in, just speak to someone down at Albert Park and they may suggest any community games or teams you could join in with.

Sports

The Vodafone Arena and ANZ Stadium are two venues in Suva that host rugby and other sporting activities.

The ANZ Stadium can host up to 30,000 people.

If you like the idea of catching a local, or international match, check their calendar for upcoming fixtures.

Prices will depend on the specific sporting event.

Shopping

MHCC and Tappoo are two popular shopping centres in the middle of Suva.

Both shopping centres include retail shops and food courts.

MHCC probably has cheaper shops, especially in the food court. Tappoo includes quite a western-influenced food court on the top floor and has a good selection of tourist gifts.

Local Markets

There are a whole host of local markets to enjoy in and around Suva.

Some notable ones include:

• Suva Municipal Market – Large market full of fresh produce and fruit
• Suva Fish Market – Buy locally sourced fresh fish
• Suva Flea Market – Buy local crafts and goods

Thurston Botanical Gardens

The botanical gardens offer a quiet, peaceful spot to enjoy a picnic or relaxing stroll.

The Fiji Museum is also located within the gardens.

It’s located just next to Albert Park.

Cafes

There are lots of cafes in Suva. Lots of these spots will offer a western menu in terms of food and drink too.

Suva, as the capital city of Fiji, offers a diverse array of food options influenced by the country’s multicultural population and its Pacific island heritage. Here are some popular foods you can find in Suva:

Fijian Cuisine: Traditional Fijian dishes often feature seafood, root vegetables, coconut, and tropical fruits. Look for dishes like kokoda (Fijian ceviche made with raw fish marinated in coconut cream and lime juice), lovo (meat or seafood cooked in an earth oven), and palusami (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream). Restaurants that offer these menus: Niu Grills, Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant, The Bar Belle, Mai Nayau Restaurant.

Indo-Fijian Cuisine: Fiji has a significant Indian population, and Indo-Fijian cuisine is widely enjoyed in Suva. Expect dishes such as curry, roti (flatbread), dal (lentil soup), and various vegetarian and meat-based curries infused with aromatic spices. Eg Restaraunts: Zamzam Restaraunts, BulaDelhi6, Masala Twist

Chinese Cuisine: Chinese cuisine has also made its mark in Suva, with restaurants serving a variety of dishes like fried rice, noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries. Some popular Chinese-Fijian dishes include chop suey and fried rice with seafood or chicken. You can find these at the Darmodar Food Court, MHCC Food Court, Tappoos City Food Court, China Club, Peking Restaurant, Vine Yard Restaurant.

Seafood: Given Fiji’s abundance of fresh seafood, you’ll find an array of fish, prawns, crabs, and other seafood options in Suva. Look for fish cooked in coconut milk, grilled seafood platters, and seafood salads featuring local ingredients. You can find these at: Niu Grills, Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant, The Bar Belle, Mai Nayau Restaurant,etc

International Cuisine: Suva boasts a cosmopolitan dining scene with restaurants serving international cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, Thai, and American. You can find everything from pizza and pasta to sushi and pad Thai in the city.

Street Food: Explore Suva’s vibrant markets and street food stalls to sample local delicacies and snacks. Look out for favorites like cassava chips, fried plantains, grilled corn on the cob, and samosas. Not fogetting, BBQ’s, Hot dogs & sub sandwiches. Most people use these services after a night out as they are usually open till late. BBQ stands can be found around the main Suva City and street sides around Suva. When stopping for street food, especially in the evening, be mindful of others around you. If buying from the roadside vendors be mindful of passing traffic

Fresh Tropical Fruits: Take advantage of Fiji’s tropical climate by indulging in an array of fresh fruits. Look for sweet treats like papaya, pineapple, mango, passionfruit, and coconut, either enjoyed on their own or as part of refreshing fruit salads and juices.

Beverages: Don’t miss the opportunity to try Fiji’s national drink, kava, made from the roots of the kava plant. Kava is known for its relaxing and mildly sedative effects and is often consumed in social settings. Additionally, enjoy tropical fruit juices, coconut water, and refreshing Mocktails made with local fresh fruit. Apart from this, Suva has an array of cafes that offers both cold and hot beverages. Some famous cafes in Suva includes Ginger Cafe, Mana Coffee, Farmers Daughter, Moments, ROC Cafe, Gloria Jeans.

 Suva experiences warm temperatures year-round, with little variation between seasons. Average high temperatures typically range from 28°C to 31°C (82°F to 88°F) throughout the year. The climate in Suva is characterized by high humidity levels, especially during the wet season. The wet season typically occurs from November to April, with the highest rainfall occurring between December and March. During this time, Suva experiences frequent heavy rain showers and occasional tropical cyclones.

Overall, Suva’s tropical rainforest climate is characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, abundant rainfall, and distinct wet and dry seasons. It’s important  to be prepared for the wet weather during the rainy season and to take precautions against the humidity and intense sun exposure year-round, so remember to put on your sunscreen whenever you’re going outdoors and stay hydrated!

Top Tips

Light and Breathable Clothing: Pack lightweight, breathable clothing such as cotton or linen. Loose-fitting clothes will help you stay cool in the warm and humid conditions.

Rain Gear: Given the high rainfall in Suva, it’s essential to pack waterproof clothing and gear. Consider bringing a durable rain jacket, umbrella, and waterproof footwear to stay dry during sudden downpours.

Sun Protection: Protect yourself from the intense tropical sun by wearing sunscreen with a high SPF, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Reapply sunscreen frequently, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors.

Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, particularly during the hotter months. Carry a refillable water bottle with you and drink fluids regularly to prevent dehydration in the humid climate.

Insect Repellent: Suva’s tropical environment makes it prone to mosquitoes and other insects. Use insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially during dawn and dusk when they are most active.

Adapt Your Activities: Plan your outdoor activities around the weather forecast. Try to schedule outdoor excursions during the cooler parts of the day and be prepared to seek shelter during rain showers or storms.

Respect the Sun: Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially during the peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm. Seek shade whenever possible and take breaks indoors to cool down and rest.

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and updates, especially during the wet season when tropical cyclones are possible. Be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly in case of severe weather warnings.

Respect Local Customs: Fiji is Multi-cultural and Suva is the center of working Fiji. We will be in various settings and interacting with many groups of people . It is important to be comfortable, safe and respectful of the setting and others that we share it with to ensure you are appropriately dressed for different situations, such as visiting Ministerial offices, or attending formal events. If unsure, always seek your Think Pacific’s leader’s advice. 

Acclimatize: Allow yourself time to acclimatize to Suva’s climate, especially if you are not accustomed to tropical conditions. Take it easy during your first few days to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Safety and Security

Fiji is generally a safe and friendly environment to be in. However, like any other place in the world, there are some security matters to be considered for your safety.

Pickpockets: In the busy Suva life, there are pickpockets happening around the town area, market, and the bus stand. Please be vigilant and avoid carrying your backpack behind you. As much as possible always have it in front of you.

Swindlers: Avoid purchasing items or artifacts from carvers on the roadside as they mostly overcharge people. Some people often start asking for your details and carving it out on the wood without you asking, then forcing you to pay for it. To be safe, only purchase from the Flea Market.

Avoid carrying a large sum of cash. Most places, supermarkets and restaurants also accept card payments.

Main police station is located in Suva City ‘Totogo Police Station’. Police posts/ Community Posts in various neighbourhoods.

Money Exchange

Money exchange can be done at the Banks or at Money Exchange outlets such as Western Union, Moneygram Fiji, Lotus Foreign Exchange.

Wi-Fi and Phone Network

Most networks should work in most parts of Fiji, especially in the Suva- Nausori CBD. To be extra sure, please clarify with the network providers first before purchasing any network plans. Moreover, Data Plans are quite affordable so if you are visiting Fiji only for a short term it would be a better choice to get data plans than purchasing a Wi-Fi plan.

Fiji phone numbers are 7 digits (without Fiji dialing code)

Fiji Code is 679

Different phone service providers have different deals for calls and internet bundles.

Main phone service providers are:

• Vodafone (Phone numbers start with 8 or 9)
• Digicel (Phone numbers start with 7)
• Inkk

Landline phones are provided by Telecom (TFL)
Internet providers are:

• TFL
• Vodafone
• Digicel

General Info

• Right hand drive (vehicles)
• English is the main language of communication for formal transactions.
• Two major newspaper companies (1) The Fiji Times; (2) The Fiji Sun. Both are published daily and in English. Special newspaper in iTaukei and Hindi languages are published once a week.
• Three major TV channels available for Free are (1) Fiji ONE (2) FBC (3) Mai TV. Each airs local news daily every evening around 6pm and 7pm. News reruns are usually around 10pm.
• Two major radio stations are: (1) CFL and (2) FBC. Both radio stations have various channels for English, Hindi, iTaukei specific. News on radio stations are usually at every hour for the main channel.
• Recycle/ Reusable bags are encouraged.
• Shops will not provide shopping bags, you may bring your own or purchase a bag or request for a box/ carton to carry your purchases.
• Plastic bags/ utensils and take away containers are banned.
• No smoking allowed in public across Fiji, spot fine applicable and you can be fined by the Police.

In case of emergency below are the emergency contact lines:

• Fire Emergency- 910
• Crime Stoppers- 919
• Police- 917
• Electrical Fiji Limited Emergency- 913
• Emergency- 911
• National Disaster- 915