NAN Arrival Guide: Nadi Airport to the Resorts & Islands, Without the Traps

It depends where you're going. For the Denarau resort area or a Nadi/Coral Coast hotel, use a resort transfer (often arranged by your hotel) or a taxi — Fijian taxis mostly have meters, so ask for the meter or agree the fare, and the airport is close to town and Denarau, so transfers are short. For the island resorts in the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups, you'll transfer to Denarau Marina and take a catamaran/boat (South Sea Cruises, Awesome Adventures) or a resort boat/seaplane — book this through your resort or a reputable operator, timed to your flight. Confirm your transfer, carry some Fijian dollars, and Fiji's famous friendliness makes it a relaxed, easy arrival.

Not aggressively — Fijian taxis mostly use meters, so the fix is simply to ask the driver to use the meter (or agree the fare first if they don't), and know the rough rate; some quote a flat tourist fare instead of metering, which is the main thing to watch. A resort transfer avoids the question entirely and is easy for the short ride to Denarau or your hotel. There's little formal ride-app coverage. Carry some Fijian dollars for the fare and tip, and don't accept a vague inflated fare. It's a friendly, low-pressure place, so a polite 'meter please' or an agreed fare handles it, and the airport is close to the main resort areas.

Fiji uses the Fijian dollar (FJD); use bank ATMs at the airport or in town, shield your PIN, and cards work in resorts and bigger establishments, though cash is handy for taxis, tips, markets, and smaller places. Skip poor-rate exchange counters and use ATMs. Carry some cash for the transfer and small vendors, and choose local currency on card terminals. It's an easy, low-stress place for money with essentially no currency-scam culture. Once in town, be politely firm with the 'sword seller'/carver touts in Nadi town (don't give your name or accept 'gifts'), but that's a wallet nuisance, not a danger — see the Nadi city brief.

Many long-haul flights to Fiji arrive at odd hours, and resort transfers and taxis operate for flight arrivals, so a late landing is manageable — use a pre-arranged resort transfer (best for a late arrival) or a taxi (meter or agreed fare) to Denarau or your Nadi/Coral Coast hotel. Island boat transfers to the Mamanuca/Yasawa generally run in daylight, so a late arrival usually means overnighting near Nadi/Denarau and taking the boat the next day — plan this with your resort. Fiji is very safe, so a late arrival is low-stress; just use a booked transfer or a metered taxi, and head to your accommodation.