Rarotonga Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 5 Days 🌞 [2024]

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How to Get Around Rarotonga in 5 Days

This Cook Islands budget and backpacking itinerary for 5 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 5 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, while scooter hire tends to be more cost-effective if hiring for no fewer than three days. See The Cost of Renting a Car in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for more details on the subject. Bicycle hire can also be very cheap. Alternatively, 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.

© Zhang Da Qiang - Cook Islands Tourism

Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga

Welcome to Rarotonga and the start of your 5-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 it’s your first day in the Cook Islands, take it easy and get settled at your chosen accommodation. Relax in a hammock by the beach or among tropical gardens, have a paddle with the kayaks provided if applicable, meet fellow travellers and transition to “Raro time”. We’ll go over a few things you can do on Rarotonga tomorrow.

Rarotonga Cheap Accommodations

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

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

Dining Recommendations

Self-catering is always an easy way to save some cents on your trip, but if you feel like eating out tonight head down to Vaiana’s Bistro & Bar on the sands of Nikao Beach for their ultra-affordable burgers, wraps and fish and chips. Get more recommendations from The Top Cheap Eats on Rarotonga.

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Day 2 – Explore 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. If the weather is a bit iffy, make sure you add the Te Ara Museum to your list also.

Kayak the Muri 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.

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.

Of course, there are also plenty of restaurants in Muri itself that, although are not the cheapest, are well worth treating yourself to. Check out The Food Guide to Rarotonga: Places to Eat & Food Tours for ideas.

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Day 3 – Island Hike

Explore inland today with one of Rarotonga’s spectacular 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.

© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism

Day 4 – Rarotonga Tiki Tour

Either hop on the bus or rev up your scooter for a tour around Rarotonga, hitting the free snorkelling spots, historical sites, natural attractions and more!

Self-Guided Tour of Rarotonga

Explore the backroads of Rarotonga, known as Ara Metua which was originally established by the first island settlers. You’ll find all sorts of well-preserved marae (meeting grounds) between the palm-lined roads and plantations. Tick some from the list of the 10 Best Historical Sites on Rarotonga.

You’ll also want to check out the awesome free snorkelling spots and marine reserves too, such as Black Rock, Aroa Beach and Tikioki Beach. All of these are detailed in The Best Snorkelling in Rarotonga: Top 7 Places to Snorkel.

If you haven’t checked it out so far, don’t miss Papua Waterfall (Wigmore’s Waterfall) tucked away inland. It’s one of many Top 10 Sights on Rarotonga.

For a full itinerary you could be following for the day, check out A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Rarotonga.

Dining (and Drinking) Recommendations

As you’re tiki touring around Rarotonga, you’re likely to stumble upon the island’s many food trucks lining the shores with their affordable meal deals. One of our favourites is The Kai Guy located at the Nikao-end of Avarua for their freshly made and delicious tacos, gyros and burritos. Should you want to increase your budget for this evening, check out The Best Places to Eat on Rarotonga: 10 Best Restaurants for recommendations.

Then, make one of these nights the night that you experience Rarotonga’s awesome bar scene! Either jump on one of the party buses, which will return you to your accommodation at the end of the night, or hit the bars and clubs of Avarua independently. Both how-tos can be found in The Ultimate Guide to Rarotonga Nightlife + Happy Hour List.

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Day 5 – 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!