Rarotonga Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Rarotonga featuring a beach
Surrounded by clear blue water, the capital of the Cook Islands has spectacular beaches, incredible wildlife and scenery, and a laid-back island lifestyle.

Rarotonga, locally known as “Raro”, is the most populated of the Cook Islands. It's also home to the islands’ capital, Avarua. This South Pacific paradise has a lively festival scene as well as bushwalking opportunities, beaches lined with palm trees and warm, clear waters for snorkelling and swimming.

The island is fairly small, with a circumference of only 32 kilometres (20 miles). Tropical fish and coral abound in the warm, shallow waters of the lagoon that surrounds Rarotonga. The calm water at Muri Beach, in particular, provides perfect conditions for first-time snorkellers.

The island owes its existence to the collapse of a rocky volcano, which left a round island with jagged peaks and concealed water features. Take in the geological marvel of Rarotonga at Wigmore’s Waterfall, a destination teeming with local fauna, or see some of the island’s unique plant life at the Maire Nui Botanical Gardens. Many natural attractions can be accessed on foot or with a bicycle.

Visit the Punanga Nui markets on Saturday mornings in Avarua village. Sample the region’s cuisine or shop for flowers, souvenirs and fresh vegetables.

The safest way to get around Rarotonga is the island’s bus service, which travels both clockwise and anti-clockwise around the island. Each round trip takes about 50 minutes, and drivers will pick up and drop off on demand. More adventurous travellers may choose to drive their own vehicle, but the island has no traffic lights at all, and the roads are regularly blocked by coconuts, chickens and other unexpected obstacles.

Most visitors to the Cook Islands arrive at the Rarotonga International Airport. Flying between the islands is also recommended, since boats travel only occasionally between the islands and there is generally no scheduled ferry service.

English is an official language in the Cook Islands, which was once a British protectorate before control was passed to New Zealand. The islands today are self-governing, in free association with New Zealand. Many locals also speak Cook Islands Māori, which is often called Rarotongan, after the capital island.

Where to stay in Rarotonga

Arorangi featuring kayaking or canoeing and general coastal views

Arorangi

4.5/5(245 area reviews)

Arorangi is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Aroa Beach and Black Rock.

Arorangi
Ngatangiia

Takitumu District

While visiting Takitumu District, you might make a stop by sights like Muri Beach and Muri Night Markets.

Takitumu District
Titikaveka featuring tranquil scenes

Tapere of Titikaveka

4.5/5(40 area reviews)

Tapere of Titikaveka is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Muri Beach and Tikioki Marine Sanctuary while you're in town.

Tapere of Titikaveka
Avarua showing a bay or harbour and mountains

Avarua

4/5(114 area reviews)

Beaches, snorkelling and bars are just a few things travellers enjoy about Avarua. Check out Cook Islands Library and Museum or Cook Island Christian Church while you're exploring the area.

Avarua
Default Image

Tapere of Vaimaanga

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers like the museums in Tapere of Vaimaanga, and Wigmore's Waterfall is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Tapere of Vaimaanga
Rarotonga featuring a waterfall and a pond

Takuvaine Tapere

While visiting Takuvaine Tapere, you might make a stop by sights like Cook Islands Library and Museum and Cook Island Christian Church.

Takuvaine Tapere
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
4 out of 5
Aroa Beach Marine Reserve, Arorangi, Ara Tapu Rd, Rarotonga
The price is NZ$238 per night from 13 May to 14 May
NZ$238
per night
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (355 reviews)
"The property needs an uplift. Our room fridge was faulty and leaking, the bunk bed was making a creaking noise every time you turn around so it was difficult to sleep. Felt the room was too small for 4 people but we managed. The staff was really good and helpful so didn't even want to complain. The ..."

Reviewed on 29 Apr. 2024

The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
The Edgewater Resort and Spa
The Edgewater Resort and Spa
3.5 out of 5
Avarua, Rarotonga
The price is NZ$297 per night from 17 May to 18 May
NZ$297
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Rarotonga. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the family ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Excellent place for my family to stay in and the live music was awesome and the pools my girls loved them. Will definitely come back and stay again"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

The Edgewater Resort and Spa
Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
3 out of 5
Ara Tapu, Avarua, Rarotonga
The price is NZ$286 per night from 27 May to 28 May
NZ$286
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Rarotonga. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (806 reviews)
"Awesome friendly people"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kia Orana Villas and Spa
Kia Orana Villas and Spa
4 out of 5
2 Ariki Road, Atupa, Rarotonga
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and WiFi (surcharge). Popular attractions Muri Beach ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
"Highly recommended place! Sane and staff are very accommodating and very friendly. Bananas and lemongrass were given free and shared some vinegar for my dressing! 😊 Place is quiet and very relaxing which is also what we need for this vacation. Lots of DVDs free to borrow. Location is handy to shops ..."

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2024

Kia Orana Villas and Spa
The Cooks Oasis
The Cooks Oasis
3 out of 5
Main Road, Arorangi, Rarotonga
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Black Rock and Rarotonga ...
9/10 Wonderful! (66 reviews)
"Very nice."

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2024

The Cooks Oasis
Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
4 out of 5
Avarua, PO Box 790 , Rarotonga
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Muri Beach and Matutu Brewing Company ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
Excellent!
"Truly fantastic accommodation! Kind and helpful staff, beautiful rooms with stunning views, and great location."

Reviewed on 21 Feb. 2024

Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Rarotonga

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
334
" "5 - Excellent 69.29460580912863%
4 - Good
127
" "4 - Good 26.348547717842322%
3 - Okay
19
" "3 - Okay 3.9419087136929463%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.2074688796680498%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.2074688796680498%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Mar 2020

Overall a pleasant trip-holiday, Will return when virus has gone !!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Mar 2020

Love it in Rarotonga, our favourite Pacific holiday destination. Laid back, easy to get around and great restaurants and bars.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
25 Mar 2020

Raro is a beautiful island to visit and the other times I have been there I have loved it. I would never go back to the Rarotongan Resort

5/5 - Excellent

S
19 Mar 2020

Rarotonga is absolutely beautiful and a great place to seriously relax. Would definately recommend to everyone.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Mar 2020

SweetAs car hire are recommended for a fair price and vehicle. Love Trader Jacks & Wilson's Bar

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
13 Mar 2020

Prices the same as NZ, so not cheap but so easy not having to worry about changing currency.

Cities near Rarotonga