Rarotonga

Rarotonga is the most populated of the Cook Islands and is the capital, located in the southern group of islands.

Travel to Rarotonga - Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Rarotonga

Rarotonga International Airport (IATA: RAR) is the main gateway to the Cook Islands. There are daily services to Auckland, New Zealand. The international airlines at present are:

(1) Air New Zealand which operates daily services to Auckland, weekly service to Christchurch and Los Angeles (2) Pacific Blue which operates services to Auckland three times per week (3) Air Rarotonga [1] and Air Tahiti operates a share services to Tahiti twice weekly.

Air New Zealand has code share arrangements with all other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga is a popular stopover on Round The World flights.

Tours and Getting around Rarotonga

Rarotonga's main island is encircled by a 32 km bitumen road that is in good condition. The inner road is a mixture of bitumen and gravel, and care must be taken with the local chickens and dogs that wander about.

By car

The best way of getting around is to rent an open top car, which is reasonably affordable. There are a couple of car rental places close to the airport.

By motor scooter

The best and most affordable mode of transport is hiring a motor scooter from the various rental companies scattered around, or direct from the larger hotels. To ride a scooter, you need a Cook Islands drivers license, which can be purchased from the Police station in Avarua. Be prepared to do a short test, where an officer will follow you around a short circuit to make sure you know what you are doing.

Buses to Rarotonga

The best travel tip is to take "Cooks Island Bus" which circles the island clockwise and anticlockwise throughout the day and into the late evening. If you're going to use it regularly, you can buy a day pass or a book of 10 tickets. But be warned...there's no evening service on Sundays. The bus will pick up and drop off almost anywhere on the round island route. Finally, make sure you read the small print on your bus ticket: it says "please smile"!

Rarotonga tourist attractions and sightseeing

Rarotonga city tours

Scuba Diving

The diving in and around the reef is breathtaking. With warm tropical waters of around 27 degrees C, only a short 2mm wetsuit is required. If you are a certified diver, you can book a dive with one of many dive operators on the main island. A two tank boat dive will cost you about NZ$120 with all equipment provided. There are wrecks to explore, small cave systems and plenty of fish. In August you may be lucky enough to experience diving with whales that are passing by the island.

Snorkeling

Great snorkeling can be found at numerous beaches around the island. Not all beaches are suitable - some rocky beaches are no so pleasant but head for the coral lagoons. Muri beach offers beautiful clear, shallow water - it remains shallow very far out so is ideal for beginners. You can also book on a snorkeling cruise around this lagoon in a glass-bottomed boat, stopping off to snorkel by a small island, and a barbeque lunch and cultural show on the other side of the lagoon.

Snorkeling can be done at the Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve directly in front of The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. The Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve is the longest continously operating Marine Reserve in Rarotonga as well as being a natural breeding ground for several hundreds of species of tropical reef fish. The result is that you will be able to see hundreds of fish with metres of the white sand shores of Aroa Beach. Snorkeling equipment, lessons and guided snorkeling tours (both night and day) are complimentary to guests of The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and are available at a small charge to other visitors.

Tramping

There are several inland walking tracks which can be followed for a pleasant few hours in the bush. The Needle & Cross-Island Walk crosses the island from Uruau Drive to Wigmore's Waterfall, and the Raemaru track goes up to Raemaru Peak (350m).

Rarotonga souvenirs and shopping

• Mountains. Rarotonga used to be a giant, rocky volcano. Just a few hundred years ago, it collapsed into a beautiful, round island teeming with wildlife. There are lots of small peaks around the area and waterfalls hidden in mini-sanctuaries around the jungle. They are easy to tramp to and to bike to. 
• Raro Style @ The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Aroa Beach & Marine Reserve, [2]. "Raro Style" Gift Shop is located at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and offers a wide range of local style apparel, handicrafts, arts, crafts, gifts and souvenirs as well as snacks & wines. Open 7 days 8am to 6pm 

Rarotonga Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Aroa Beach & Marine Reserve, ☎ (682) 25-800, [3]. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa offers a variety of dining experiences including fine dining at Blue Lagoon, world famous Island Night Feast and Drum Dance show as well as Fire Dancers and Island BBQ in Te Vaka Restaurant, casual dining at Captain Andy's Grill or the Hibiscus Hut for cafe cuisine. Private dining with candlelit dinners can be arranged. 

Rarotonga nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

• The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Aroa Beach & Marine Reserve, [4]. Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the beach and try and catch the "green flash" as the sun dips over the horizon or enjoy a jug of Sangria or local Matutu beer by the pool as well as the island's most extensive wine list. 

Rarotonga cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Budget

• Backpackers International hostel. A family-run place with internet access (slow!), a bar, kitchen facilities and it's close to the beach. The hostel also offers pick-up service at the airport.

Mid-range

• Edgewater Resort. A resort located on the west side of Raratonga.

Splurge

• Crown Beach Resort(Arorangi), ☎ +682 23953(info@crownbeach.com, fax: +682 23951), [5]. A boutique resort in Rarotonga.  

• Pacific Resort Rarotonga(Muri Beach), ☎ +682 20427(fax: +682 22427), [6]. 64 room resort with bar and restaurant. Cultural shows on Monday and Friday nights. 

• The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Aroa Beach & Marine Reserve, ☎ (682)25800, [7]. checkin: 1400; checkout: 1000. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa is located directly Aroa Beach & Marine Reserve where you can find good snorkelling.  

Get out

The uninhabited islands of Takutea and Suwarrow and also Palmerston can be visited with a research vessel stationed at Rarotonga

• Aitutaki

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