Rarotonga Cook Islands capital

The largest, most visited and most accessible of the Cook Islands. There are no cities anywhere in the Islands so Rarotonga is described as the capital island. Avarua is the main commercial and administrative centre. Locals just call it "town". It's also the most commercialised island but there are no big name stores or famous fast food outlets. Instead there are palm tree lined roads, lots of local shops, cafes and restaurants, a must visit Saturday market...and lots of friendly locals. The only international airport is here and it's also the base for inter-island flights. Muri is the main resort area

ACCESS: Daily international flights
POPULATION: 10,898
LAND AREA: 67.1 sq.kms/25.9 sq. mls

GETTING HERE

The Islands are most easily reached from Auckland, New Zealand. Rarotonga is the international entry point by air and the gateway to the rest of the islands. As well as daily flights from Auckland, there's a weekly flight from Tahiti, new direct flights from Honolulu and new non-stop flights from Sydney, Australia. Entry by sea is via designated ports

MORE ABOUT GETTING TO THE ISLANDS AN OVERVIEW OF THE ISLANDS

A UNIQUE WELCOME

As soon as you step off the plane, you know you've arrived somewhere very special...
Straw hatted Jake Numanga Snr stands in the corner of the arrivals area in Rarotonga airport strumming Polynesian love songs on a banjo, as you wait to get your passport stamped. He's been providing his unique entertainment for every single arriving and departing flight for more than 30 years. And he was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his services to tourism. Immigration and customs are efficient but very friendly, welcoming you with words that will quickly become familiar because everyone greets you with them... "kia orana" meaning "may you live long"
Photo credits: Aerial of the island, Ewan Smith, Air Raroronga; Banjo playing Jake Nunmanga Snr, Cook Islands Tourism.

GETTING ROUND RAROTONGA

Cook's Island Bus is an inexpensive way of travelling. The one main road round the coastal perimeter - Ara Tapu (Sacred Road) - is 32 kms (20 miles) long. The buses go all round the island and stop almost anywhere you want to get on or off. Services start and end at Cook's Corner in town. Then...you only need to decide if you want to go in a clockwise or anti- clockwise direction! There's also a back road but you'll need to hire a car or scooter to explore it

Cooks Island Bus services and timetable

Scooters are the main form of transport and there are plenty of places to hire them. Helmets are now compulsory and there's an on the spot fine of NZ$250 for not wearing one. Driving licences from Australia, Canada, the UK, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the USA and EU member countries are now accepted in the Islands (previously you had to queue up to get a Cook Islands licence which was also a great souvenir!). You are allowed to drive the same class of vehicles as in your home country provided it's a full licence (provisional licences are not acceptable) and you're 16 or over

If you're planning to hire a motorbike or scooter, and you're not already fully licenced to ride one in your own country, you'll also have to pay for a short test...to prove, among other things, you know how to go round the only roundabout on Raro! Drink driving is also illegal and police use breathalysers.
Driving tip: Keep left and give way to traffic from the right

MORE ABOUT GETTING AROUND GETTING TO OTHER ISLANDS

Muri is the main resort beach and normally the jewel in Rarotonga's crown for swimming and snorkelling. Government scientists advised in January, 2021 against taking a dip there because of pollution, but conditions have improved a lot and you'll see plenty of people in the water. Alternatively, head a bit further up the coast to the waters near Fruits of Rarotonga, but don't swim outside the reef as it's not safe to do so

The closest you'll get to a superstore in Rarotonga is the CITC - the Cook Islands Trading Company. It's been a part of Islands' life for over 100 years. They also have a liquor superstore and outlet supermarket just outside town. And for your daily shop, visit their Foodland store on the main street

Tangaroa is an ancient god of the sea and fertility whose image you'll see all over the place and an unofficial symbol of the Islands. Small or large, carvings of him are a popular souvenir
MORE SOUVENIR IDEAS

The Punanga Nui cultural market near the harbour is a must visit for tourists and islanders alike. The main market day is Saturday (6am- 2pm) and that's the best but you will find some stalls open other weekdays (not Sunday) from 8 till 4 and a night market on Wednesdays. And look out for the fish tree; a sign explains a traditional way of marketing was to tie a catch in a bundle or tui and hang it from a branch. The area around Muri beach also has night markets of its own

RAROTONGA

The capital island

GETTING HERE

A UNIQUE WELCOME

GETTING ROUND RAROTONGA

TAKING THE 10 MINUTE TOUR?

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