Rarotonga Food Itinerary: 5 Days

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

How to Get Around Rarotonga in 5 Days

This 5-day Rarotonga food itinerary includes travel on the island’s roads, particularly the main road, Ara Tapu. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Rarotonga in 5 days.

Road Transport in Rarotonga

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

For travelling around the island, hiring a car or scooter offers the most convenience. Get advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in the Cook Islands, and for scooters, check out the 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in the Cook Islands.

Alternatively, you also have the option of taking the bus, which is compatible with this itinerary. Discover more about the bus in our comprehensive guide, ‘The Bus in Rarotonga: Bus Fares, Timetable & More.’

Compare all of your transport options, not limited to the recommendations above, in the Rarotonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Rarotonga.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

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 flurries of “Kia Orana” and floral ‘eis (neck garlands). It’s the customary Cook Islands greeting that most airport transfers provide with enthusiasm!

If you want to get your trip off to a truly “foodie” start, choose Raro Tours‘ private transfers, which include sparkling wine and/or juice for the journey to your accommodation.

Since it’s your first day in Rarotonga, take it easy and get settled at your chosen 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”.

Rarotonga Resorts with Amazing Restaurants

• Little Polynesian Resort
• Pacific Resort Rarotonga
• Castaway Resort
• Nautilus Resort
• Manuia Beach Resort
• Crown Beach Resort & Spa
• Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach
• The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
• Sunset Resort

Find out more about each resort in the 10 Best Resorts for Foodies in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands and the 20 Best Resorts in Rarotonga.

Dining Recommendations

For your first night, make things easy for yourself by eating at the restaurant of your chosen accommodation. All of the resorts recommended above have very reputable restaurants that many people travel across the island for!

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Day 2 – Explore Avarua

It’s time to explore Rarotonga! The capital, Avarua, is a good place to start when seeking foodie experiences…

Things to Do in Avarua

Take the bus or your rental vehicle and head to the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday morning – an event not to be missed whenever Saturday falls during your trip!

Further into town, explore some of the town’s historical buildings and sit down for a coffee or cocktails at one of its delightful cafes – The Lucky Rooster and The Café are two of our favourites.

If you’re vegan/vegetarian, the contemporary cuisine of Kai & Co. is a highlight! Plus, pick up some naughty treats complete with tastings at Cook’s Fudge Factory.

If you don’t mind a short drive/cycle out of town, head down the back road behind the airport to Arataki Organic Garden Tours. Enjoy a degustation garden tour, where you’ll sample Rarotonga’s organic fruit prepared in multiple ways while learning about sustainable gardening and the traditional uses of plants. This tour currently operates only once a week, so you may need to schedule it on an alternative day within this itinerary.

For more things to do in town, check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua.

Dining Recommendations – Muri Night Market

For a vibrant taste of local flavours, don’t miss the Muri Night Market. This bustling food market comes alive on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings from 5 pm in Muri Beach Village. Indulge in a whirlwind of delicious street food and soak up the lively atmosphere.

Remember to bring cash, as the stalls don’t accept cards. It’s a fantastic way to experience Rarotonga’s culinary scene!

Alternatively, enjoy three-course fine dining at OTB of the Manuia Beach Resort or try the “Pacific Sizzler” at Sandals Restaurant & Barefoot Bar of the Pacific Resort. Sample superb South Pacific cuisine at Anchorage Restaurant & Bar or Mediterranean fine dining at Antipodes.

Discover the Best Places to Eat on Rarotonga: 10 Top Restaurants for more information on each.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Day 3 – Road Trip Around Rarotonga

Experience the flavours of Rarotonga as you hit the road for a self-guided trip around the island. Then, conclude your day by making your own umu kai with Tumutoa. More on that below!

Explore Rarotonga

Today, take a bit of a road trip around the island, either by renting your own vehicle or getting a day pass on the bus. Either way, you’ll be able to stop by an array of cafes and food trucks, such as Beluga Café in Arorangi and Charlie’s in Titikaveka, which offers watersports equipment hire.

In between the dining delights, stop by Rarotonga’s best snorkelling beaches like Tikioki Beach, check out historical marae like Arai-Te-Tonga and snap up natural wonders like Black Rock and the Papua Waterfall. For more places to visit on your road trip around the island, check out A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Rarotonga.

Dining Recommendations – Make Your Own Umukai/Progressive Dinner Tour

This evening, make an experience out of your dinner with Tumutoa Tours! Join a characterful island warrior who will teach you how to prepare your own umu kai, a traditional Polynesian style of cooking. While you gorge on the fruits of your labour, sit back with an amazing fire show.

Otherwise, jump on the “Progressive Dinner Tour” with Cook Islands Tours. You’ll be transported to three different local homes for entrees, mains, and dessert. It’s a truly local and uplifting experience for the palate and the soul!

For more details about each of these experiences, please refer to the article “15 Best Foodie Experiences on Rarotonga.”

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Day 4 – Foodie Hike on Rarotonga

It’s time to walk off some of that umu kai with a hike on Rarotonga, also featuring food!

Food-Oriented Island Hikes

Join Ariimoana for one of the local family’s island walks where you’ll discover edible plants and fruit found along an inland hiking trail with incredible views at the end! Alternatively, Tumutoa Tours offers a similar experience with an option to do an easy walk through tropical gardens and plantations.

Find out more about these experiences, again, in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences on Rarotonga and 10 Best Guided Walks in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Dining Recommendations – Island Night

Tonight, head to one of Rarotonga’s acclaimed “island nights” complete with cultural dancing and, of course, a variety of Cook Islander dishes all in one eclectic buffet. Compare them across Rarotonga using the 10 Best Island Nights in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Day 5 – Last Day on Rarotonga

Do anything you might have missed if you have time before your flight. Then, it’s time to say goodbye to the azure lagoon waters and silky sands of Rarotonga as you depart for your next destination.

Remember to arrive at Rarotonga International Airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure, so you have enough time to check in, go through security, and browse the duty-free shops. Airport transfers are a little cheaper for your departure flight, so check them out in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in Rarotonga.

If you want something to remember the Cook Islands by, have a browse of the Rarotonga International Airport’s duty-free stores with black pearls, rito earrings and fans, local perfumes, coconut oil and more. Check out the 10 Best Souvenirs from Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for more ideas.

And it’s Aere Rā from the Cook Islands!