Useful Information for Construction & Renovation: Fiji

Come with an open mind and realistic expectations. Life on a volunteer project is simpler and slower than at home: shared rooms, basic facilities, heat and humidity, and a culture with its own customs. Everyone feels a little out of place at first, and that is normal.

Before you travel, read the programme information we send you. When you arrive, the local team introduces you to the project, the house rules and local customs, and they are there to talk to if you feel homesick or unsure. Most volunteers find the first few days are the hardest, and the rest flies by.

We accept participants aged from 16 and above. Participants under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or legal guardian. There is no upper age limit however, we recommend participants to check with the program options that are available.

We should always be healthy and maintain our fitness. However, it depends on the project you choose and you should always be ready to work.

Nothing formal. Pack modest, practical clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. On teaching and kindergarten projects, wear neat, casual clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. On construction and conservation projects, wear hard-wearing clothes and closed shoes you do not mind ruining, plus a hat and light long sleeves for the sun. Vest tops and short shorts are not allowed while you are working.

Away from the project, dress with respect for local customs, especially in villages and at religious sites. Your coordinator will tell you about any local rules when you arrive.

Your arrival transfer is included. You will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation, so there is nothing to arrange for the journey in.

The departure transfer at the end, from your accommodation back to the airport, is not included. You can add it as an optional extra in your account, or make your own way.

Once you have booked your flights, log in to your account and add them under Flight Details so we know when you are landing.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof of your policy to your group leader upon arrival (on your phone or printed). You can get a quote and purchase your travel insurance here.

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.

Fiji is warm all year. The dry season, roughly May to October, has sunny days, lower humidity and cooler evenings, and is the most popular time to visit. November to April is hotter, wetter and more humid, and is also cyclone season, although cyclones can occur at other times. Rain often falls in short, heavy showers with sunshine in between.

See our Fiji weather guide for month-by-month detail.

The currency is the Fijian dollar (FJD). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, resorts and larger shops, sometimes with a small surcharge, but markets, buses, taxis and village shops are cash only. There are ATMs at Nadi airport and in the main towns, but few in rural areas, so take out cash when you can and keep some small notes.

Fiji is a friendly, relaxed country, and serious crime against visitors is uncommon. Take the usual precautions: keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking alone at night, and use licensed taxis, which have yellow number plates. The sea is the bigger risk: there are strong rip currents along reefs and river mouths, so swim where it is safe and follow local advice.

Check the latest UK government travel advice before you go, especially during cyclone season.

English is an official language and widely spoken, so you will have no trouble communicating. Most Fijians also speak iTaukei (Fijian) or Fiji Hindi at home. You will hear 'bula' (hello) everywhere, and 'vinaka' (thank you) is always appreciated.

Possibly, depending on your vaccination history and your plans. See your GP or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel, and check the Fiji page on TravelHealthPro. They can advise you on vaccines and on avoiding mosquito bites.

There is one entry requirement to be aware of: you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Yes, and people really appreciate it. Cover your shoulders and knees (a sarong, or sulu, is ideal), take off your hat and sunglasses in the village, and remove your shoes before going into a home. Avoid touching anyone's head, which is considered sacred. Visitors traditionally bring a gift of kava (yaqona) root for the village chief, a custom called sevusevu, and if you are invited to a kava ceremony, simply follow your host's lead.

Roaming can be expensive, so most travellers buy a local tourist SIM. Vodafone and Digicel both have kiosks in the arrivals hall at Nadi airport, and you need your passport to register the SIM. Many travellers use an eSIM instead. Coverage is good in towns and along the main roads, but can be patchy in remote areas.

No. Tipping is not part of Fijian culture and is not expected, although a thank-you for great service is always welcome. Some resorts run a staff fund instead of individual tips.