Experience the best of Lautoka

Lautoka is the second city of Fiji, on the western side of Viti Levu, sheltered by hills on one side and the open sea on the other. Known as the Sugar City, it grew around a sugar mill, and cane fields cover the plain behind. Nadi airport is a short drive to the south, and the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands lie offshore.

A large produce market sells fruit, vegetables, kava root and spices, and the Sri Krishna Kaliya Temple is one of several Hindu temples in town. Inland, Koroyanitu National Heritage Park rises into the hills with walking trails and waterfalls, and the Sabeto mud pools and the orchid garden known as the Garden of the Sleeping Giant are close to Nadi.

Fijian and Indo-Fijian traditions meet on the plate: lovo, a feast cooked in an earth oven, kokoda, raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime, and curries served with roti and chutney. Kava is shared in village ceremonies. The west coast is the drier side of Fiji, with sunshine through most of the year and rain concentrated in the warm, wetter months.