Idyllic. Tropical paradise. Laconic lifestyle. These are the usual adjectives that apply to tropical islands. And Fiji is no exception.

Fiji is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, and for good reason. But before you buy your plane ticket, be sure to purchase travel insurance or travel medical insurance to ensure a financial safety net in case of any unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries.

Fiji Travel Requirements and Fiji Travel Restrictions

Fiji ended all COVID-19 restrictions on February 14, 2023. Visitors are no longer required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country. 

In addition, the government of Fiji has ended its mandatory travel insurance requirement; though they do still recommend all visitors purchase appropriate coverage.

Fiji Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

The last thing you want is to become sick in the middle of your dream vacation. Fiji is a tropical country, and numerous diseases are endemic to the islands. The public healthcare system leaves much to be desired and is ramshackle. Any worthwhile treatment has to be at a private clinic at Suva.

Do I need travel medical insurance for Fiji?

As of February 14, 2023, travel medical insurance is no longer required to enter Fiji. However, you are advised to buy sufficient coverage to meet your needs and allow medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand if needed.

Why buy travel medical insurance for Fiji?

The islands are akin to heaven on earth. But the lobster you chomped on at sunset could turn to deadly infection of E. coli by morning. Snorkeling, with or without sharks, is quite dangerous. While hiking, you could slip and fall at any time and break a bone—not to speak of dengue and malaria. It is responsible to think ahead and buy travel medical insurance before you arrive in Fiji. Your policy must include the cost of any possible evacuation from these remote islands.

Fiji Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

It happens all too often for comfort. Trips get canceled out of nowhere as a loved one falls ill, or the boss can't let you go at the last minute. Trip cancellation is not only annoying but also causes hefty financial loss.

Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Fiji?

Apart from meals and local attractions, most of your major expenses for your Fiji, like airfare and hotel reservations, would be paid in advance. If you use a tour operator's service, the package is fully paid for at the time of booking. Fiji vacation insurance can't resolve your vexation, but it can compensate you partly or fully. Trip cancellation insurance takes effect if you have to cancel your trip for a reason explicitly listed in your plan’s certificate wording.

What all is covered under trip cancellation insurance for Fiji?

Trip cancellation insurance offers you compensation if you can't travel due to ill health. Besides, it also covers the cancellation of flights. It is also not advisable to visit when the weather is inclement, or there is a possibility of political unrest. When you buy travel insurance, you protect yourself from financial loss due to the above reasons. Again, check the fine print of your policy to be sure that you’re covered.

Things to Do for Travelers in Fiji

Fiji, an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, is a part of Melanesia. The International Date Line at 180° bends slightly to pass through Fiji. As you travel by boat, your GPS switches from 179.59.59° E to 179.59.59° W, and you have gained a day.

It allows time travel! If you want, you could enjoy your birthday twice! What more could you ask for from a destination?

Fijians are known for their friendly nature, and the islands are heavenly. Speaking of islands, there are 250 of them, the largest of which is Viti Levu. The capital, Suva, lies on one side of Viti Levu, and on the other is Nadi, the town with the only international airport.

There is no shortage of places to visit in Fiji—though if you are tired, you could restrict yourself to Viti Levu and adjoining Vanua Levu and still enjoy a wonderful vacation.

• Bouma National Heritage Park: Located on Taveuni, Fiji’s third-largest island, Bouma National Heritage Park covers 150 square kilometers (about 58 square miles). The main attractions are the three Tavoro waterfalls, each with a natural pool at the bottom. There is sheer joy in paddling around while water cascades from above. For those who like exertion, you can also hike along the Vidawa Trail.
• Mamanuca Islands: Located west of Viti Levu, the Mamanuca Islands are a small archipelago. The chain of 20 islands offers 30 absolutely world-class dive sites. You’ll share the water with a pod of dolphins that swim around you as you watch colorful fish scoot in and out of coral reefs. If you don't like diving, you can go kayaking in the still waters of the numerous coves or take a boat out to a floating bar named Cloud 9 in the middle of the ocean.
• Beqa Lagoon: Known as the Mecca of Pacific Diving, Beqa Lagoon is located south of Viti Levu. The lagoon is a semicircle of 30-kilometer-long coral reefs (more than 18 miles) covering an area of about 100 square kilometers (almost 40 square miles). There are several shipwrecks to explore. The reef fauna includes sharks and manta rays, making scuba diving here quite enticing. The currents are gentle most of the year, and the dive assistants have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the underwater topography.
• Sunset Cruise: As the sun slips below the horizon, the cruise sets out from Denarau Marina. Located west of Viti Levu, it is easy to get to this private island. As you enjoy the spectacular view of a glittering Pacific Ocean, sip on a martini and nibble on lobster cooked to perfection by the chef. Each cruise offers a sumptuous barbeque and a magnificent experience you won't forget in a hurry.
• Cannibals Cave: Fiji was once known for something quite gory – cannibalism. The Naihehe Caves offers a tour of the center for pagan worship on these islands. The cave is large, so you won't feel claustrophobic. There are also (adequately sanitized) remnants of bats and insects for tourists to inspect. The nearby Sautabu village was the home of the last cannibalistic tribes of the islands, and the tour is an authentic experience that will make a tingle run up your spine.

Travel Risks for International Travelers in Fiji

A vacation is meant to relax you and make you feel whole. Unfortunately, travel is not without its usual hiccups. Something as simple as a sudden bout of food poisoning could completely derail your itinerary. Becoming ill in a foreign land, thousands of miles from home, leaves you vulnerable. Travel to Fiji has several risks that we discuss in detail. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

• Beware of shark attacks. There are belligerent tiger sharks in Fiji's coastal waters, and they like nothing more than a plump human to chew on. The most recent recorded attack, in 2019, was captured on video, and the diver is lucky to have escaped the shark that clamped its jaws around his head.
• Not only dengue, but also the deadly Zika virus is present in Fiji. Both are mosquito-borne and take a long while to recover from. Use anti-mosquito gels liberally, and wear full-sleeved clothing when you are not at the beach.
• Petty theft, such as purse snatching and pickpocketing, are quite rampant. Do not leave your valuable items in a car or in an unattended rucksack. Take care to keep an eye out on the street against criminals.
• There has also been a spate of credit card fraud in Fiji. If you are swiping your card, do not let it out of your site to be duplicated. Similarly, if you visit an ATM, scrutinize it before inserting your card.
• Never trust tour guides who swarm around you by the dozens. Travel only with the tour operator or boat owner recommended by your hotel. This is of utmost importance if you do not want your trip to become nightmarish.

Before You Travel to Fiji - Do This

A trip to Fiji is a truly unforgettable experience. Keep in mind these three tips to ensure as safe a trip as possible:

Maintain your travel documents, passport, and visa in a folder that is either close to you or locked away in a safe location at all times.

It is better to be safe than sorry. Do not get overzealous and take silly risks that could endanger you.

Research the troubles you may face, and buy adequate travel insurance coverage to protect your bank account. Enter some basic information, compare a wide variety of plans, and purchase the one that best fits your needs.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.

The insurance plans available on this website are not specifically targeted towards the destination mentioned in this article. They can provide coverage while traveling away from home, according to the terms and conditions and geographic restrictions applicable to the specific plan.