Rarotonga Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 3 Days 🤑 [2024]

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How to Get Around Rarotonga in 3 Days

This Cook Islands budget and backpacking itinerary for 3 days has you travelling on the main road of Rarotonga, Ara Tapu. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Rarotonga in just 3 days.

Road Transport in Rarotonga

The first road transport you’ll encounter on Rarotonga is your airport transfer. Book this in advance with one of the airport shuttles, your accommodation or you could even take the bus. Learn more about transfers in The Cheapest Airport Transfers in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

For subsequent travel around the island, car hire offers the most flexibility and convenience. We don’t recommend hiring a scooter as getting your visitor’s scooter license is not worth the time and cost for a 3-day trip. Bicycle hire can be very cheap. Alternatively, and perhaps the best option for a 3-day trip, there is a frequent and affordable bus service around Rarotonga.

For all of your transport options across the island, not limited to the cheapest, check out the Rarotonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Rarotonga.

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Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga + Explore Muri Beach

Welcome to Rarotonga and the start of your 3-day backpacking trip around the island! After the arrivals process of going through customs and biosecurity, you’ll step outside of the arrivals hall to either a “Kia Orana” from your airport shuttle/accommodation representative or you might like to venture across the car park to get the bus – see the section above for links to more details.

If you plan on self-catering, stop by a supermarket on your way to your accommodation (or check in first, if you know there is a supermarket nearby). Then, since you only have a couple of days left on the island, don’t waste any time in heading to Muri Beach! Better yet, choose accommodation in Muri, which we have indicated in the accommodation list below. Otherwise, check out Where to Stay on Rarotonga: The BEST Rarotonga Accommodations for more Muri listings.

Rarotonga Cheap Accommodations

• Aremango Guesthouse & Cottage (Muri)
• Ariki Bungalows (Muri)
• Club Raro Resort
• Paradise Inn
• Central Motel
• Backpackers International Hostel
• Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio
• Muri Hillside Guesthouses (Muri)

For more information on each stay, check out the 10 Best Budget Accommodations on Rarotonga.

Watersports in Muri

Head to the beach paradise and lagoon hotspot of Muri Beach! If you have the budget, you can hop on a lagoon cruise, try out kitesurfing, go on a SUP snorkel safari and much more. But if you want to keep things nice and cheap, we recommend hiring a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) to explore the lagoon.

Hire your kayak from Captain Tama’s or KiteSUP and hit the Muri Lagoon’s tranquil waters to explore the four motu (islets) just offshore. Take some snorkelling gear and paddle following the inner reef between the motu of Koromiri and Taakoka with some excellent wee snorkelling spots. You can even land on the beach of Koromiri and relax on the sand. Learn more about hiring kayaks in the 5 Best Kayak Hires in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands or find out about alternative places to paddle in the Top 5 Places to Kayak.

If the weather is a bit iffy, however, make sure you add the Te Ara Museum to your list.

Dining Recommendations

For lunch, Vili’s Burger Joint just north of Muri offers affordable and tasty burgers, pizzas and shakes. Alternatively, head south of Muri to Titikaveka where you’ll find Charlie’s Cafe which has a very affordable menu along with a very enviable location on the beach.

Stick around Muri for dinner, as you’ll not want to miss the street food spectacle of the Muri Night Market, available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings from 5pm.

For alternative but still affordable recommendations, check out The Top Cheap Eats on Rarotonga.

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Day 2 – Island Hike

Explore inland today with one of Rarotonga’s spectacular free hikes! There’s something for all levels of fitness, so check out our three recommended options below or the 10 Best Walks on Rarotonga.

Option 1: Cross Island Trek

Difficulty: Hard
The longest hiking trail on Rarotonga, the Cross Island Trek is a 6km (3.7-mile) trail marked with small orange markers for those who want to experience the hike independently. Aside from trekking through lush jungle forest, a highlight is Te Rua Manga, also known as “The Needle”. The trail ends at Papua Waterfall (Wigmore’s Waterfall) where you can have a refreshing dip.

Option 2: Raemaru Track

Difficulty: Medium
Another popular hike on Rarotonga, the Raemaru Track is a mountain hike on the west side of the island. Allow 2h30mins to 3 hours to return on this steady mountain climb that zig-zags through the attractive forest on its ascent up the flat-topped mountain. A highlight is climbing a 15m (50ft) rockface with the aid of steel bars and ropes to the summit.

Option 3: Mairie Nui Gardens

Difficulty: Easy
Ok, so this isn’t really a “hike” but if you’re really not into over-exerting yourself, then a pleasant stroll through these gorgeous gardens should suit. Cross the quaint footbridges and into seven acres of botanical paradise with lily ponds, intriguing plants and a backdrop of the dramatic mountain landscape. Entry is by donation only.

Dining Recommendations

If you’re doing a half-day hike, like the Cross Island Trek, take some lunch and plenty of water with you. For those hitting the Raemaru Track, reward yourself with a bite to eat from the bright blue and yellow hut of The Pacific Fish & Chip Shop also in Arorangi. Otherwise, those at the Mairie Nui Gardens will find there is the garden’s own cafe or Charlie’s Cafe within walking distance. Compare them with more cafes in the 10 Best Cafes on Rarotonga.

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Day 3 – Explore Avarua + Departure

Check out of your accommodation and spend some time exploring the capital of the Cook Islands, Avarua, before your flight.

Things to Do in Avarua

If it happens to be a Saturday, don’t miss the Punanga Nui Market with its array of local food, crafts and vibrant community vibes. You might like to have a wander around town, browsing the gift shops and tasting sweet treats at Cook’s Fudge Factory. Check out some of the historical buildings, like the Beachcomber Building housing a cool and cosy cafe aptly named “The Cafe“, as well as the Bergman Gallery. Browse the Cook Islands National Museum and the Cook Islands Library & Museum; two different museums but both very affordable.

Learn more about all of the above and other activities in the 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua.

Departure

Remember to arrive at Rarotonga 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. Rarotonga International Airport’s duty-free stores are well worth a look for their local crafts, while booze is certainly cheaper than the duty-free stores upon arrival in New Zealand, Australia, etc. Just in case you were interested…

And it’s “ka kite” from the Cook Islands!