Business
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate for companies)
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 FJD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 FJD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 FJD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000 FJD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 FJD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000 FJD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 FJD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000 FJD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 FJD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000 FJD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 FJD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $88,000 FJD)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 9% for non-residents; 0% for residents in many cases.
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents are taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% plus a Social Responsibility Tax (SRT) for very high earners.
- VAT
- 15% (effective from mid-2023).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but general anti-avoidance provisions exist.
- Property Tax
- Town rates are applicable to properties within the Labasa Town Council boundary.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty was abolished, but 10% Capital Gains Tax applies on property sales.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Currently no specific 'Digital Nomad' visa; most enter on visitor visas (no work rights) or residency for investment.
Essentials
- City
- Labasa, Macuata Province, Vanua Levu, Fiji
- Population
- Approximately 28,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-40 Mbps on 4G/LTE; Fiber available in select commercial areas via Telecom Fiji.
- Currency & Banking
- Fijian Dollar (FJD). 1 USD ≈ 2.25 FJD, 1 EUR ≈ 2.44 FJD.
- Tap Water
- Generally treated and safe in town, but boiling or filtered water is recommended for sensitive systems.
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (three-pin plug, same as Australia/NZ).
- SIM Card
- Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji; available at shops on Sangam Avenue for approx. $10 FJD with data.
- Banking for Expats
- Westpac, ANZ, and BSP (Bank South Pacific) have branches in the town center.
- Accommodation
- Mostly local guest houses and a few hotels; very limited luxury options.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mixed. Supermarkets and hotels accept cards; local markets and small shops are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Very limited Airbnb presence; direct negotiation with local guest houses like Grand Eastern Hotel is common.
- Budget Accommodation
- The Friendly North Inn (Approx. $60-$90 FJD per night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Grand Eastern Hotel area (near the Labasa River) for proximity to town amenities.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Residential areas near the Labasa FSC (Sugar Mill) or Malau for quieter surroundings and better long-term housing.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking spaces; 'The Hub' at the Grand Eastern Hotel is the most reliable work spot ($0 fee with purchase).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Babasiga Cafe on Nasekula Rd; offers decent coffee and consistent seating.
- Networking Events
- Informal networking at the Labasa Club (members club) or through the Labasa Chamber of Commerce.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night mixers at the Grand Eastern Hotel poolside bar.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local taxis are abundant and cheap. Labasa Taxi Stand (Nasekula Rd). Flag fall starts at $2.00 FJD.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not widely available; best to arrange through personal contacts or local repair shops.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Malau beach area (15 mins drive) or Korovatu Beach (30 mins drive north).
- Top Regional Airline
- Fiji Link (operates flights from Labasa Airport - LBS).
- Top International Airline
- Fiji Airways (connects via Nadi or Suva).
- Highway Access
- Labasa-Savusavu Highway connects the two main towns on Vanua Levu.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Labasa Bus Station (central town) for all cross-island travel.
- Public Transport Passes
- Vodafone e-ticketing cards are mandatory for bus travel; top up at local dairies.
- Regional Travel
- Local buses to Savusavu take approx. 2.5 to 3 hours ($10-$15 FJD).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Labasa Divisional Hospital (Hospital Rd); the main public facility on the island.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No formal studios; individual sessions often held at the Civic Centre.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Hotel Gym at Grand Eastern or high-intensity training at local community halls.
- Laundry Services
- Self-service or drop-off at shops along Nasekula Rd ($5-$10 FJD per load).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; some restaurants offer direct delivery via phone call.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Labasa Goat Curry (the town is famous for its distinct Indian-Fijian fusion cuisine).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant (Nasekula Rd); very affordable and authentic.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Local bakeries like Hot Bread Kitchen for cream buns and pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Labasa Market for fresh produce; Morris Hedstrom (MH) for groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Courts Fiji or Tappoo for electronics; largely limited to physical stores.
- Grocery Delivery
- None available; local shopping is primarily in-person.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Labasa Club and hotel bars; the town is generally quiet after 9 PM.
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter (Paradise Beverages) are ubiquitous.
- Wine Bars
- Limited selection available at the Grand Eastern Hotel bar.
- Street Food Stalls
- Takatoka area or outside the bus station for BBQ and 'parcel' lunches ($5-$8 FJD).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chinese Palace on Jaduram St for Cantonese-style dishes.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Cobra Rock (Naag Mandir) at Nagigi; a sacred growing rock.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Very limited; local history is found at the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) mill tours.
- Historical Sites
- Nasekula Village (traditional seat of the Tui Macuata).
- Religious Sites
- Shree Sanatan Dharm Hindu Temple; Labasa Jame Mosque.
- Annual Events
- The Festival of the Friendly North (usually August/September).
- Cultural Districts
- Nasekula Village area for traditional Fijian history.
- Theater Venues
- Labasa Civic Centre for local performances.
- Local Markets
- Labasa Open Market; famous for high-quality Kava (Waka).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at larger hotels during weekends.
- Street Art
- Traditional murals on some school walls and the Civic Centre.
- Cooking Classes
- Informal sessions can be arranged at Babasiga Cafe upon request.
- Art Galleries
- Individual artisans sell at the market; no dedicated commercial gallery.
- Historic Buildings
- Grand Eastern Hotel (Colonial style architecture).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Friendly North' nickname reflects the town's welcoming hospitality.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Palmlea Farms Oceanfront Resort (25 mins away) for eco-retreats.
- National Parks Nearby
- Waisali Rainforest Reserve (approx. 1 hour drive toward Savusavu).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Road along the Labasa River toward the sugar mill; flat and scenic.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Three Sisters Hill for a panoramic view of the Labasa basin.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangroves around the Qawa River.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beach areas at Korovatu (requires local permission).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Post Fiji (Nasekula Rd); DHL agent available inside Vodafone shop.
- Tech Repair Services
- Link Technologies on Sangam Avenue.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Labasa Club (requires temporary membership).
- Language Classes
- Informal Fijian and Hindi lessons through the Labasa Civic Centre community groups.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Labasa Public Library (Nasekula Rd).
- Community Centers
- Labasa Civic Centre.
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited internet cafes in the town center provide basic PC gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Fiji outside of small scale hotel entertainment; none in Labasa.