How to Find Cheap Accommodation in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Cheap accommodation in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands is not that easy to find with a quick Google. It takes a little bit of work to find them, which, luckily, we've done the hard work for you.

Backpacker Hostels

There are a couple of backpacker hostels on Rarotonga that come complete with dorm rooms, as well as private rooms with communal bathrooms, kitchens and a garden/beach. The typical cost of dorm rooms in Rarotonga is between NZ$30 and NZ$50 per bed per night. Private rooms are around NZ$55-$110.

See all of Rarotonga's backpacker stays in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses typically consist of private guest rooms with shared facilities like a kitchen and bathroom. While there is the odd guesthouse on Rarotonga and two on Aitutaki, guesthouses are just about the only accommodation you'll find on the outer islands of Mitiaro, Pukapuka and Penrhyn. The plus side of these outer-island guesthouses is that all meals are included in their reasonable fees, which range from NZ$75 to NZ$200 per night.

Check out the Cook Islands' guesthouses in the 10 Best Guesthouses in the Cook Islands. Note that there are also a couple of homestays on Mitiaro that are similar to guesthouses. You can learn more about them in The Best Homestays in the Cook Islands.

Motels

Yes, motels are a thing in Rarotonga and Aitutaki and are basically just cheaper versions of resorts with facilities like a spa pool or swimming pool. You may or may not get self-catering facilities in your room. Rates range from NZ$130 to $180 per room per night.

See the 10 Best Motels in the Cook Islands for more details on facilities.

Budget Apartments, Bungalows and Resorts

The final category of cheap accommodation in Rarotonga and Aitutaki should just be "miscellaneous", as they come in a variety of forms: apartments, beach bungalows, garden bungalows and even one resort on Rarotonga can be classed as "budget". Rates for these budget accommodations can be anywhere between NZ$90-$200 per night.

It's best to go to the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Cook Islands to start learning about these different styles of cheap stays in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

A major consideration for travellers on a budget is the location. Being within walking distance of shops, services, and attractions is a surefire way to save money throughout your trip, while staying outside of Rarotonga has associated airfares.

Where is the Budget Accommodation Located, and How Do You Get There?

Needless to say, staying on Rarotonga will save you big bucks on airfares, as travelling to the outer islands of Aitutaki and beyond is certainly not cheap. Check out airfare costs in Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights. On the plus side, all of the accommodations on the outer islands are pretty cheap, so at least you can typically afford to stay for longer.

Because cheap accommodation is so limited in the Cook Islands, it doesn't really matter where on the islands you stay. Getting around is quick and cheap thanks to the bus service on Rarotonga, for example, while accommodations with bikes and/or car or scooter rentals included might be worth paying a little extra for an easy way to get around.

You may, however, want to stay at some of the cheap accommodations close to Avarua - the main town of Rarotonga - for easy access to cheap restaurants, supermarkets and shops. Alternatively, there are cheap accommodations on the beaches of Rarotonga, which may be more appealing.

Any savvy budget traveller or backpacker knows that choosing good budget accommodation isn’t just about finding the cheapest. Good value is often in the facilities and services included in your stay.

Of course, everyone’s needs are different, so take a look at the lists below to get an idea of what is typically included and what extra facilities to look out for or inquire about.

Typical Budget Accommodation Inclusions

• Kitchen facilities with stovetop, microwave, fridge, cooking pots, crockery and utensils, toaster and kettle
• Shared bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet
• Insect-screened windows or a mosquito net
• Gardens or beaches with lounging spaces like hammocks and day beds
• Towels
• Hot water
• Fans
• Car or scooter parking.

Additional Services and Inclusions

• Additional kitchen facilities, such as an oven, tea and coffee, toastie grill, rice cooker, etc.
• Ensuite shower and toilet
• WiFi (additional fee)
• Bicycle hire - see the 10 Accommodations in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands with Bike Hire
• Car or scooter rental - see the 6 Accommodations in the Cook Islands with Car or Scooter Hire
• Airport transfers (either paid or included)
• Watersports hire (usually included if available)
• Meals (for a fee or included if on a remote outer island)
• Air conditioning
• Outside deck or verandah
• Toiletries
• Washing machine.