Fiji
Profiled in Suva · Oceania and the Pacific
Suva is a rainy, green harbour capital where colonial verandas, a roaring produce market and evening kava bowls all run on island time.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Fiji is mid-priced for the Pacific. Local produce, fish and eating out are cheap, but most consumer goods are imported and carry a hefty markup, so a Western shopping basket costs more than the low rents suggest.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Suva
- Fiji MuseumThe national museum in Thurston Gardens, strong on canoes, tapa cloth and pre-colonial history.
- Thurston GardensShady colonial-era botanical gardens beside the museum and government buildings.
- Suva Municipal MarketA sprawling produce and kava market that is the noisy heart of the city.
- Colo-i-Suva Forest ParkA rainforest reserve with swimming holes and birdlife just north of town.
- Sukuna ParkA central green square by the harbour that hosts weekend events and food stalls.
- Grand Pacific HotelA restored 1914 colonial landmark on the seafront, worth a look and a coffee.
- Sacred Heart CathedralThe stone Roman Catholic cathedral anchoring the downtown skyline.
- My Suva Picnic ParkA grassy seafront strip out at Suva Point, good for sunsets and family afternoons.
- Albert ParkHistoric sports ground opposite the Grand Pacific Hotel, home of Fiji rugby crowds.
- University of the South PacificThe region's flagship campus at Laucala Bay, with gardens and a marine setting.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Pacific HarbourFiji's adventure hub for rafting and diving, under an hour west along the coast.
- Beqa LagoonFamous baited shark dives and firewalking villages on an island off the south coast.
- Levuka, OvalauFiji's old colonial capital and a UNESCO town, reached by short flight or ferry.
- Coral CoastA string of beach resorts and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes west of the city.
- KadavuQuiet diving on the Great Astrolabe Reef, a short flight south of Viti Levu.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Republic of CappuccinoFiji's homegrown coffee chain and a dependable Suva work-and-meet spot.
- The Chilli Tree CafeA cheerful lunch and coffee place popular with the NGO and aid-worker crowd.
- Bad Dog CafeA long-running cafe-bar on the corner of Victoria Parade in the city centre.
- Gloria Jean's CoffeesReliable air-conditioned coffee and pastries on the main downtown drag.
- Esquires CoffeeA comfortable chain outlet handy for laptops and long catch-ups.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Tiko's Floating RestaurantSeafood aboard a moored ship on the Suva waterfront, the classic night out.
- DaikokuLively teppanyaki theatre on Victoria Parade, a reliable treat for families.
- AshiyanaOld-school North Indian cooking in the historic Old Town Hall.
- Maya DhabaA busy, well-loved Indian spot on Laucala Bay Road.
- JJ's on the ParkBistro and bar overlooking Sukuna Park, good for a relaxed dinner.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Grand Pacific HotelColonial-style breakfast on the veranda looking out over the sea.
- Republic of CappuccinoReliable eggs and strong Fiji coffee before the working day.
- The Chilli Tree CafeHearty morning plates in a friendly, casual setting.
- Gloria Jean's CoffeesAir-conditioned pastries and coffee for an easy early start downtown.
Residency
Fiji offers investor and retiree permits, including a retiree route tied to a steady offshore income. Permanent residency takes several years of continuous permits, and dual citizenship is allowed.
Tax
Fiji taxes residents on worldwide income at rates up to 20 percent, with 15 percent VAT on most goods. There is no death or inheritance tax, though a capital gains tax applies to some assets.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified Fiji residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Fiji tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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