Presenter and Luxury Escapes travel insider Liv Phyland shares her tips for planning your first Fiji 2022 trip.
It’s official: trips to Fiji are back on the cards. Since December 2021, the South Pacific island nation has been welcoming international travellers back to its pure white-sand beaches and dreamy turquoise waters.
Fully vaccinated Australian and New Zealand travellers can enter Fiji without prior approval or quarantine. They can also make the most of incredible Bula Bubble offers, which bundle flights and accommodation for fantastic prices.
Planning a Fiji 2022 trip? Check out our best-selling Bula Bubble offers, hurry they end soon.
Our Luxury Escapes travel insider, presenter, life coach and co-founder of @girls_who_glow, Liv Phyland, has been testing those azure waters on an escape at the likes of Shangri-La Yanuca Island and Castaway Island Fiji Resort. Here, she shares what a Fiji 2022 trip looks like and her top tips for making your next international holiday a success.
Make the most of the special atmosphere in Fiji right now
While international travel may take a little more preparation these days, there’s also something magical happening overseas. Resorts are at an optimum level of occupancy – enough guests to create a great atmosphere but quiet enough to ensure fantastic, personal service.
“The vibe is really special in Fiji at the moment,” says Liv. “You will always hear people rave about how beautiful and kind the Fijian people are, but right now they are also oozing immense happiness to have tourists again. Their hospitality is something else! The people were truly the highlight of my trip. It's also a great time to be over there as it's still a bit quieter, so you can really unwind and relax… but busy enough that there's a great vibe and holiday buzz.”
Book a resort with incredible activities
If you’re not keen on travelling around while abroad, make sure to book a resort with a vast array of activities, dining and entertainment. By staying in one place, you can ease yourself back into international travel without feeling as though you’re missing out on new experiences.
“We mainly did activities our resort offered… which was plenty!” says Liv of her stays at Castaway Island Fiji Resort and Shangri-La Yanuca Island. “You could find us playing golf, tennis, paddleboarding, kayaking, banana boating, reading by the pool, doing yoga and pilates, coral planting and even water skiing. Safe to say, we didn't feel restricted!”
When you’re staying at a luxury resort, you can also feel safe in the knowledge that strict Covid protocols are being followed.
“All the staff are masked and super diligent with sanitiser and all Covid protocol. They also have testing sites to go and get your rapid tests done,” adds Liv.
International travel is easier than you might think
Don’t let the new travel rules put you off – it's more straightforward than you might think. Fully vaccinated tourists and travellers from Travel Partner Countries (including Australia and New Zealand) can enter Fiji without prior approval or quarantine.
“The only thing that surprised me about the trip was how normal it was,” assures Liv. “I thought I would find it a real shock to the system and almost eerie. Instead, travelling again felt effortless, exciting and incredibly welcoming. Sure, you need to get tested before you leave and wear a mask when travelling, but as soon as you're over there it's 'holiday mode activated'!”
All travellers over 12 must show a negative COVID-19 test result before travelling. This can be a PCR test (taken no more than two calendar days before scheduled departure) or a negative supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), taken within 24 hours of your flight’s scheduled departure.
At airport check-in, you’ll need to have your negative test result, proof of vaccination and proof you've booked and paid for a minimum of three nights’ accommodation at a Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) certified hotel or resort, including CFC certified transport from the airport.
You'll need to take an approved Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at your hotel 48 hours after you arrive in Fiji, and you must have travel insurance with international coverage for COVID-19.
It’s worth noting that conditions change rapidly, so the information relevant at the time may not be accurate at your time of travel. Always check with the relevant local authority (usually a government website) before planning your trip. For the most up-to-date requirements, see here.
Let your Fiji 2022 trip inspire future travel adventures
Re-energised from a fantastic holiday, let your first international trip reignite your wanderlust. Remembering why you fell in love with travel in the first place will spark just the excitement you need to start planning future adventures.
“I well and truly have the travel bug (the good kind)!” grins Liv. “I've been reassured that international travel doesn't have to be this big, complicated or daunting experience, despite the change and uncertainty over the last two years. It’s got me dreaming of the next destination and getting as many of my family and friends on board as possible. Travel is back!”
Liv’s holiday checklist:
- Make sure you have a passport. It's been years since we’ve needed one, so check yours is still valid (you need at least six months validity).
- Get travel insurance that covers you for any Covid-related eventualities. This is worth every cent!
- Use a 'travel-specific' test site for your PCR tests. Result return times at other sites can be uncertain – and you don’t want a delayed result to get between you and your holiday. Once you've got your negative test, you're good to board that flight.
- Be sure to organise your transfer from the airport in advance!
Images courtesy of Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Castaway Island Fiji and Liv Phyland.
