The currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar (FJD), written as FJ$ and divided into 100 cents. As of 2026, one US dollar buys roughly 2.27 Fijian dollars. Issued and managed by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the Fijian dollar is the only legal tender across this South Pacific nation's 300-plus islands, and it is what you will use whether you are buying produce at a Suva market or settling a bill at a Mamanuca resort.
The Fijian Dollar at a Glance
The Fijian dollar replaced the Fijian pound in 1969, the year before Fiji gained independence from Britain in 1970. Its ISO 4217 code is FJD, and the symbol FJ$ (or simply $ within the country) distinguishes it from the Australian, New Zealand, and US dollars that visitors often carry. The central monetary authority is the Reserve Bank of Fiji, headquartered in the capital, Suva, which controls issuance, manages reserves, and sets monetary policy.
- Official name: Fijian dollar
- ISO code: FJD
- Symbol: FJ$ or $
- Subunit: 100 cents
- Central bank: Reserve Bank of Fiji
- Introduced: 1969
Banknotes and Coins in Circulation
Fiji's banknotes are widely regarded as some of the most colorful and distinctive in the world. In 2013 the country overhauled its currency, removing the portrait of the British monarch and replacing it with native plants and animals, a deliberate statement of national identity. Each denomination carries its own color and wildlife theme:
- FJ$5 (brown): the rare Fijian crested iguana
- FJ$10 (purple): featuring a traditional bure house and local culture
- FJ$20 (blue): a native kulawai parrot
- FJ$50 (red-orange): the tabua, a polished whale's tooth and Fiji's most sacred ceremonial object
- FJ$100 (green): a map of the islands and Fijian heritage
Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, plus a one-dollar and two-dollar coin. The smaller coins also showcase native species, including the banded iguana and the kaka parrot. Together the series reads almost like a field guide to Fiji's endemic flora and fauna.
History and the Economy Behind the Money
Before the dollar, Fiji used the Fijian pound, a legacy of British colonial administration. When the decimal dollar arrived in 1969, it was initially pegged to the British pound and later linked to a basket of trading-partner currencies. Today the Fijian dollar operates on a managed float, with the Reserve Bank intervening to keep it within a comfortable band against that basket, which is dominated by the Australian, New Zealand, US, and other major currencies.
This currency stability matters because Fiji's economy is small and open. Tourism is the dominant earner, drawing well over half a million visitors in a typical year, followed by sugar exports, fisheries, garment manufacturing, bottled mineral water, and remittances sent home by Fijians working abroad. A predictable exchange rate helps both the resort sector and exporters plan with confidence. You can learn more about the country's geography and economy in our fiji country guide.
The Famous $7 Note
Fiji holds the unusual distinction of issuing a seven-dollar banknote, one of the very few odd-denomination notes ever produced anywhere. The commemorative FJ$7 note was released in 2017 to celebrate the national rugby sevens team winning Fiji's first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games, an event of enormous pride for the rugby-mad nation. A matching 50-cent commemorative coin was issued alongside it. The note remains legal tender and is a sought-after collector's item, perfectly capturing how deeply sport, identity, and money intertwine in Fiji.
Using Money as a Traveler in Fiji
Visitors should plan to transact in Fijian dollars rather than assuming US dollars will be accepted everywhere. Resorts and hotels bill in FJD, and while major credit and debit cards are widely accepted at resorts, larger restaurants, and in Suva and Nadi, cash remains essential elsewhere.
- Carry cash for village visits, roadside markets, handicraft stalls, and local buses and taxis.
- ATMs are reliable in Nadi, Suva, and other towns, dispensing Fijian dollars; they are scarce on remote outer islands.
- Exchange is easy at the airport and banks; Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, and US dollars are the simplest to convert.
- Tipping is not part of traditional Fijian culture, though resort staff and tour guides appreciate small gratuities.
A good rule of thumb is to keep a stash of smaller notes and coins for everyday spending, since vendors in rural areas may struggle to change a FJ$100 note.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I bring to Fiji?
Bring the Fijian dollar for spending. If you are arriving with foreign cash, Australian, New Zealand, and US dollars are the easiest to exchange at the airport or any bank. You can also simply withdraw Fijian dollars from ATMs on arrival.
Can I use US dollars or Australian dollars in Fiji?
Some resorts and tourist shops may informally accept foreign currency, but it is not legal tender and you will usually get a poor rate. Official prices, bills, and everyday purchases are all in Fijian dollars.
Why does Fiji have a $7 banknote?
The FJ$7 note is a 2017 commemorative issue marking Fiji's gold medal in rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympics. It is genuine legal tender but was produced mainly to celebrate the historic win, making it a rare odd-denomination note.
Who controls the Fijian dollar?
The Reserve Bank of Fiji, based in Suva, issues the currency, manages the country's foreign reserves, and sets monetary policy. The dollar follows a managed float against a basket of major trading-partner currencies.