Rarotonga tips: 5 things to know before you go

Rarotonga tips: 5 things to know before you go

We wish someone had told us these Rarotonga tips before we went to the Cook Islands!

One of the downsides of traveling in the South Pacific (if such a thing can even exist) is the lack of infrastructure for backpackers. It can be done with minimal effort, but it is certainly more difficult than, for example, Southeast Asia or Europe.

Back home in London we didn't know anyone who had visited places like Tonga or Rarotonga, so it was very difficult to get first-hand wisdom. We mostly made do with internet research and guidebook information – until we got to Rarotonga, where we were met with a few surprises.

Rarotonga tips

Below we share the Rarotonga tips we learned to help future visitors prepare for what's in store.

The internet is damn expensive

Since Rarotonga is part of the much more developed New Zealand, we expected better internet infrastructure than other Pacific islands. Oh, how wrong we were.

In Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga we had several options for getting online: cafes that offered free Wi-Fi with purchase, internet shops that offered a fast connection for a small fee, or a local dongle that allowed us to connect from anywhere.

In Rarotonga (or “Raro” as the locals call it) we had only one choice: Telecom and their ridiculous prices, including 50 NZD for a gigabyte. That's $40 or £25 for a gigabyte.

There are two pricing structures to choose from. Wifi can be purchased as a package that allows you to log in and out as you please, but at fairly high prices: 1GB for $50, 500MB for $25, and 150MB for $10.

With modern websites being as heavy as they are, we found that simply checking email would eat up huge amounts of data all at once. The alternative, which is slightly cheaper, is to purchase blocks of minutes, but they must be used in one session: 30 minutes for $6, 60 minutes for $9, or 90 minutes for $12.

In short, if you need to be online in Rarotonga, it will likely put a strain on your budget.

The bus isn't cheap either

After three months in the Pacific, we were used to paying pennies for bus rides. This all changed in Raro, where we paid 5 NZD (4 USD or 2.50 GBP) one way. The other thing to note is that single rides cost $5 while round-trip costs $8, so it's worth purchasing a round-trip if you're doing a round trip.

Finally (and this is something we've never experienced in the 60+ countries we've visited together) you'll have to pay extra for a large backpack: $2 per bag. We quickly felt the pinch after a few bus rides around town.

You probably won't find Te Manga

On the Cross Island Walk we met a German-Kiwi couple who said they had tried to climb Te Manga, the highest point on the island, but couldn't find the way.

They were experienced climbers, and when Peter and I set out to do the same, we made sure to take a map with the point clearly marked. Unfortunately, after two hours of walking and searching, we still weren't on the trail. Finally, in our third period, we gave up in frustration and went home.

It reminded me of Nevis Peak in St. Kitts and Nevis, which tourists shouldn't attempt on their own. In fact, we only found Nevis because we scoured TripAdvisor for directions.

If we had been less complacent when researching Te Manga, we might actually have found it. If you plan on climbing it, make sure you do some research!

You should stay near Muri Beach even if it is touristy

We were reluctant to stay at Muri Beach after reading that it was very touristy. We stayed on the other side of the island and thought we could take the bus down one day.

old=““>Atlas & BootsOne of our Rarotonga tips is to stay near Muri Beach

In reality, Muri is one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. It does have a number of hotels on one side with lots of kayaks and paddleboards littering the scene, but its absolute beauty negates the relatively touristy feel.

We made a second trip to Muri, but in hindsight I wish we had stayed within walking distance.

You will probably fall in love with her

Despite some of the above, I fell in love with Raro and left a piece of my heart there - and I write this from the private island of Taha'a, overlooking the crystal clear waters of French Polynesia and Bora Bora that await us the distance.

Raro's lush but rugged interior landscape, its stunning blue waters and soft sand mixed with the amenities of modern supermarkets, streets and restaurants (and a cinema!) made it the first place I could really imagine leaving London.

Be prepared to fall in love.

Where to stay in Rarotonga

Below are some suggestions for accommodation in the Cook Islands. We always take the time to read reviews carefully to ensure you get exactly what you expect from your booking.

• Pacific Resort, Rarotonga
• Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa, Rarotonga
• Te Vakaroa Villen, Rarotonga
• Muri Shores, Rarotonga
• Gerüchte Luxusvillen & Spa, Rarotonga
• Muri Beach Club Hotel, Rarotonga

Best time to visit RAROTONGA

The Cook Islands are great to visit all year round, with minimal seasonal variations. In general, May to October are the drier months, November to April are wetter.

The best time of year to visit the Cook Islands is September and October, when it is less humid and cooler. Be aware that due to Rarotonga's mountainous interior, it can often rain without warning, so always pack a waterproof jacket.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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