Labasa, Fiji

Capital City

Forget the postcard image - Labasa is a working town of 27,949 people, not a tourist playground. The main street may be lively, but the once-booming sugar industry is in decline, forcing locals to seek opportunities on the main island. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with an unelected special administrator running the town since 2009. Still, the 'Friendly North' is known for its hospitality, and the annual Festival of the Friendly North has generated over $1.3 million for local charities. If you're looking to immerse yourself in Indo-Fijian culture and don't mind the challenges of small-town life, Labasa could be worth a look.