Quick answer. At Nadi (NAN), walk past the Travelex and Kontiki Currency Exchange counters in arrivals and use a Westpac Fiji, ANZ Fiji or BSP ATM. Fiji's major bank machines dispense Fijian dollars at the Visa/Mastercard interbank rate and, unusually, add no operator fee of their own, so your only cost is whatever your home bank charges (0% with a Wise or Charles Schwab card). One Fiji-specific perk: Westpac Fiji is a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA debit card withdraws at any Westpac Fiji ATM with no BoA non-network surcharge. Always decline DCC and choose Fijian dollars (FJD). Pull enough cash before you island-hop: ATM coverage all but disappears on the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. A metered taxi runs about FJ$15-20 to Nadi town or FJ$25-30 to a Denarau resort; most resorts also run a paid transfer.
Where to get Fijian dollar at NAN
The key Nadi fact is that the Travelex and Kontiki counters in arrivals are the expensive option, while any major Fijian bank ATM (Westpac, ANZ or BSP) gives the interbank rate with no operator fee of its own. Westpac Fiji is also a Bank of America Alliance partner, so a BoA card skips the non-network fee there. The cost math below assumes you withdraw or exchange the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westpac / ANZ / BSP ATM (NAN arrivals) | Arrivals concourse | Interbank rate, no operator fee | ~$100 |
| Westpac Fiji ATM + Bank of America card (Alliance) | Arrivals concourse | Interbank rate, no BoA non-network fee | ~$100 |
| Bank ATM + Schwab (any fee refunded) | Arrivals concourse | Interbank rate, fee refunded | ~$100 |
| Travelex / Kontiki counter (NAN arrivals) | Arrivals | 5-10% off the rate, plus fee | ~$90-95 |
| Accepting DCC at any machine | Anywhere | +5-10% if you choose 'charge in USD' | ~$90-95 |
Where to find the Westpac, ANZ and BSP ATMs at Nadi (NAN)
Nadi International (NAN) is Fiji's main international gateway, on the west side of Viti Levu about 9 km north of Nadi town and roughly 20 minutes from the Denarau Island resort strip. It handles almost all long-haul arrivals (Fiji Airways is the hub carrier, alongside Qantas, Air New Zealand, Jetstar and United) through one terminal building with separate international and domestic wings. In the arrivals concourse you will pass the Travelex and Kontiki Currency Exchange counters, which quote a Fijian-dollar rate that looks fair but routinely runs 5-10% off the interbank rate plus a per-transaction fee. The fix is to find a real bank ATM carrying the Westpac, ANZ or BSP (Bank of South Pacific) wordmark. All three accept foreign Visa and Mastercard, dispense dollars at the interbank rate, and (a quirk of the Fijian market that favors travelers) add no operator fee of their own. Westpac Fiji is a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card skips BoA's 3% non-network fee there; with any other US card a Wise or Charles Schwab card is the cleaner choice. Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose Fijian dollars every time.
International Terminal (arrivals concourse)
Fiji Airways (the flag carrier and NAN's hub), plus Qantas, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, United and regional Pacific carriers. Long-haul services connect Nadi to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Tokyo and Hong Kong
In the arrivals concourse after customs, walk past the Travelex and Kontiki currency-exchange counters and look for a Westpac, ANZ or BSP ATM along the wall. All three accept foreign Visa and Mastercard and add no operator fee of their own; a Bank of America card skips the surcharge at the Westpac machine. Withdraw enough Fijian dollars for taxis, tips and island spending, decline DCC and choose Fijian dollars, then head to the taxi rank or your resort transfer.
Domestic Terminal (adjacent wing)
Fiji Airways and Fiji Link turboprop services to Suva (Nausori), Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, Kadavu and the outer-island airstrips. A short walk from the international arrivals area
If you are connecting to a domestic flight to Suva or an outer island, use the bank ATMs on the international arrivals side first, since the small island destinations have little or no ATM coverage. Take enough cash for your entire outer-island stay.
Do you actually need cash at Nadi (NAN)?
Partly. Taxis and the Mamanuca/Yasawa island economy want cash Fijian dollars, so pull a float from a bank ATM before you leave the airport. Denarau resorts, Nadi's larger restaurants and shops, and tour operators on Viti Levu take cards. Here is what works on a card and where cash is still king:
Metered taxi (~FJ$15-20 to Nadi town, ~FJ$25-30 to Denarau): Taxis wait outside arrivals and mostly take cash Fijian dollars; agree the fare or confirm the meter before you go, and pull a float from an airport bank ATM first.
Resort transfer / shuttle (Varies (booked in advance)): Most Denarau, Coral Coast and Mamanuca-gateway resorts run a paid airport transfer billed to your room or card; the simplest option with luggage and for late arrivals.
Local Queens Road bus (~FJ$1-2): Public buses run along Queens Road toward Nadi town and the Coral Coast for a couple of dollars cash, but they are slow and impractical with bags.
Port Denarau ferry connection (Separate ferry ticket): For the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, take a taxi or transfer to Port Denarau Marina (about 20 minutes) and catch the South Sea Cruises or Awesome Adventures catamaran; buy ferry tickets by card at the marina.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the ATMs at Nadi International Airport?
Westpac Fiji ATMs are located in the arrivals areas of the main terminals. From baggage claim, walk past the Travelex counter and look for the bank ATM on the wall.
Should I exchange money at Nadi (NAN) Airport?
No. The Travelex and Forexchange counters at NAN post some of the worst exchange rates in Fiji, with markups of 8-15 percent over the mid-market rate. Use the Westpac Fiji ATM in arrivals instead.
Do I need cash to get from Nadi (NAN) to Nadi?
No. Metered taxi accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order Fijian dollar before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Fijian dollar to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 Fijian dollar for taxis and tips on day one.
Is Westpac Fiji really a Bank of America partner at Nadi Airport?
Yes. Westpac Fiji is part of the Bank of America Global ATM Alliance, the same as Westpac in Australia and New Zealand. A Bank of America debit cardholder can withdraw Fijian dollars at any Westpac Fiji ATM, including the ones in the Nadi arrivals concourse, without BoA's usual 3 percent non-network fee and without a Westpac operator fee. You still get the interbank exchange rate. If you carry a different card, ANZ Fiji and BSP machines also add no operator fee, so a Wise or Charles Schwab card gives you the same clean rate at any of the three.
How much cash should I withdraw at NAN before heading to the islands?
More than you think. ATM coverage is good on the main island of Viti Levu (Nadi, Denarau, Suva) but thins to almost nothing on the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, where many resorts run cash-only or bill-to-room-then-settle-by-card systems and the small village stops on day trips take cash only. Withdraw enough Fijian dollars at the Nadi airport bank ATMs (or in Nadi town) to cover taxis, tips, market spending and any off-resort excursions for your whole island stay. Because the major Fijian bank ATMs charge no operator fee, larger single withdrawals do not cost you extra beyond your home bank's terms.
How do I get from Nadi Airport to Denarau or the Coral Coast?
Metered taxis wait outside the NAN arrivals hall: budget roughly FJ$15-20 to Nadi town, FJ$25-30 to a Denarau Island resort, and more for the Coral Coast (Sigatoka is about 90 minutes). Agree the fare or confirm the meter before you set off. Most Denarau, Coral Coast and Mamanuca-gateway resorts also run a paid airport transfer or shuttle you can book in advance, billed to your room or card. The cheap-and-slow option is a local Queens Road bus (a couple of Fijian dollars, cash to the driver), but it is impractical with luggage. The catamaran ferries to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands leave from Denarau's Port Denarau Marina, not the airport.
Should I change money at the Nadi Airport Travelex counter?
No. The Travelex and Kontiki counters in the NAN arrivals concourse are among the weakest rates you will get in Fiji, typically 5 to 10 percent off the interbank rate plus a fee. Because Fiji's major bank ATMs (Westpac, ANZ, BSP) charge no operator fee of their own, a bank ATM in the same arrivals area is the cheapest way to get your first Fijian dollars. If you would rather land with cash already in hand, order a small starter amount before you fly rather than using the airport counters.