Rarotonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 3 Days

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How to Get Around Rarotonga in 3 Days

This Rarotonga adults-only itinerary for 3 days includes travel on the roads of Rarotonga. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Rarotonga in 3 days.

Road Transport on Rarotonga

The first road transport you’ll encounter on Rarotonga is your airport transfer. This must be booked in advance with your resort or with one of the airport shuttle companies, as outlined in the 10 Best Airport Transfers.

For travelling around Rarotonga, the most “adults-only-appropriate” options include car and scooter rentals. Start your car rental research with What You Need to Hire a Car in the Cook Islands, and for scooters, 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in the Cook Islands. For just a 3-day visit, however, it may be more cost-effective to take the island bus.

For all of your transport options, not limited to adults-only recommendations, check out the Rarotonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Rarotonga.

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Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga

Welcome to Rarotonga! After the arrivals process of going through customs and biosecurity, you’ll step outside of the arrivals hall to the sounds of “Kia Orana” and a floral ‘ei put over your head. It’s the customary Cook Islands greeting that most of the airport transfers supply with enthusiasm!

Since it’s your first day in the Cook Islands, take it easy and get settled at your chosen adults-only accommodation. After check-in, relax by the pool, have a paddle with the kayaks provided at your resort, sip on cocktails and transition to “Raro time”. We’ll go over a few things you can do on Rarotonga tomorrow.

Rarotonga Adults-Only Accommodations

• Little Polynesian
• Crown Beach Resort & Spa
• Aro’a Beachside Resort
• Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach
• Ikurangi Eco Retreat
• Manuia Beach Resort
• Castaway Resort
• Motu Beachfront Art Villas
• Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa
• Sea Change Villas
• Ocean Escape Resort…

… And that’s just a handful of adults-only resorts available! Check out the 10 Best Adults-Only Resorts on Rarotonga to compare our top picks. Alternatively, all of Rarotonga’s adults-only stays are listed in The Adults-Only Travel Guide to Rarotonga.

Dining Recommendations

For your first night, if you’re staying at an accommodation with a restaurant on-site, like Little Polynesian, Manuia Beach Resort, Crown Beach Resort & Spa, Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach or Castaway Resort, make things easy for yourself by eating at their very reputable restaurants. You’ll have time to explore the rest of Rarotonga’s dining scene tomorrow.

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Day 2 – Explore Rarotonga

It’s time to explore Rarotonga your way! We have a few recommendations below. If you want the freedom and flexibility to travel around the island with just the people you choose, get a rental car delivered to your accommodation. Then away you go!

Things to Do in Rarotonga

If you’re looking for something active, today could be a great day to hit the Cross-Island Trek (weather permitting). Alternatively, join an exhilarating quad bike tour , carve across the lagoon on a jet ski with TVK Watersports, or explore the deep with a scuba diving trip. All of the above are highly likely to be free of squabbling children!

For more details on all of these activities and more, check out the 10 Adults-Only Activities on Rarotonga.

Alternative: Road Trip Around Rarotonga

If the above recommendations don’t suit, take a road trip around the island instead! Explore the backroads where you’ll come across all sorts of historical marae (meeting grounds), interesting plantations and mountain landscapes, as well as trailheads for hiking trails.

Stop by for coffee and/or lunch at the quaint cafés and hit the snorkelling spots of Black Rock, Aroa Beach or Tikioki Beach. We have a full day-trip itinerary laid out in A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Rarotonga, so check it out!

Bar and Dining Recommendations

It’s time to explore some of Rarotonga’s delectable eateries. For South Pacific cuisine done superbly, head to The Anchorage Restaurant, which mostly has an adult crowd. Alternatively, try some fine dining at Antipodes or Tamarind House – bookings are essential!

For drinks with friends or your loved one, the beach bars have an awesome vibe, such as Shipwreck Hut or the classy Sunset Bar of OTB. Castaway Beach Bar serves island-style food, cocktails, and snacks with beachside seating, happy hour, and free WiFi.

Finally, if you’re looking for a party, hop on one of the “party buses” taking you around the bars and clubs of the island, returning you to your accommodation at the end of the night. Find out more in The Ultimate Guide to Rarotonga Nightlife + Happy Hour List.

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Day 3 – Departure Day

If there’s anything that you missed yesterday (and you haven’t got too much of a hangover from the party bus), then you may have a chance to do it today before your flight. Remember, however, that you need to arrive at Rarotonga International Airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the duty-free.

Things to Do Before Your Flight

Some shorter activities that you may be able to squeeze in before your flight, and leave you feeling rejuvenated in the process, are getting an island massage at one of Rarotonga’s spas or boosting your zen with a yoga session.

Departure

Return your rental car if needed, then take an airport transfer to the domestic terminal of Rarotonga Airport.

If you want something to remember the Cook Islands by, have one last browse of the craft and gift shops of Avarua or Rarotonga International Airport’s duty-free stores with black pearls, rito earrings and fans, local perfumes and more. Check out the 15 Best Souvenirs from Rarotonga for ideas.

Then, it’s time to say goodbye to the azure lagoon waters and silky sands of Rarotonga as you depart for your next destination. And it’s Aere rā from the Cook Islands!