How to Spend 5 Days in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands: A Selection of 5-Day Itineraries
Got 5 days at your disposal, a plane ticket to the Cook Islands and no idea what to do with the two? You have just enough time to enjoy one of the archipelago’s glorious island hotspots, either Rarotonga or Aitutaki. With our compilation of the best Rarotonga and Cook Islands itineraries for 5 days, you’ll be able to figure out exactly where to go, what to do, where to stay and more!
Whether you’re a family or couple; on a budget or seeking luxury, our selection of 5-day Rarotonga and Cook Islands itineraries seriously has something for everyone. Get browsing and see where the magic takes you. Usually, it’s to somewhere in paradise…
Destinations Visited on Our Cook Islands Itineraries for 5 Days
The Cook Islands is actually made up of 15 islands, but with just 5 days to spare, you’ll want to choose between the archipelago’s main destinations, Rarotonga and Aitutaki!
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the largest island in the Cook Islands, home to the country’s capital and only international airport. With a 32km (20-mile) road around the entire island taking you to a myriad of resorts, restaurants and lagoon tours, the island is like one huge resort. Find out more about it in The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga.
Aitutaki
Since its first written discovery, Aitutaki has been described as one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons. The pace of life is a lot more relaxed on the main island of the atoll compared to Raro, yet there are still plenty of resorts and action on the lagoon to keep a holiday here interesting. Discover more about it in The Complete Travel Guide to Aitutaki.
For more of an island comparison, see Which is Better, Rarotonga or Aitutaki?
Cook Islands Budget and Backpacking Itinerary for 5 Days
Budget travellers and backpackers could go either way on their trip to the Cook Islands: Rarotonga or, although coming with the cost of a return flight, Aitutaki. For full flexibility, we’ve divided our budget and backpacking itineraries into two options:
Combining the Cook Islands’ amazing free and cheap activities, affordable ways of getting around such as bus and scooter travel, and staying in the country’s budget resorts, backpackers and guesthouses, these itineraries allow you to enjoy an incredible getaway even on a limited budget.
Overview: 5-Day Budget and Backpacking Itinerary for Rarotonga
- Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga
- Day 2 – Explore Muri Beach
- Day 3 – Island hike
- Day 4 – Rarotonga tiki tour
- Day 5 – Explore Avarua + departure
- See the full itinerary: Rarotonga Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 5 Days.
Overview: 5-Day Budget and Backpacking Itinerary for Aitutaki
- Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga + fly to Aitutaki
- Day 2 – Tour the Aitutaki Lagoon
- Day 3 – Self-drive tour of Aitutaki
- Day 4 – Free day on Aitutaki
- Day 5 – Departure
- See the full itinerary: Aitutaki Budget & Backpacking Itinerary: 5 Days.
Cook Islands Luxury Itinerary for 5 Days
If escaping to the Cook Islands for a special occasion and if, well, money is not an issue, this Rarotonga Luxury Itinerary: 5 Days offers the ultimate “treat yourself” getaway.
Stay in Rarotonga’s most lavish resorts and villas, experience the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation and indulge in the islands’ fine dining scene.
Overview: 5-Day Luxury Itinerary for Rarotonga
- Day 1 – Arrival on Rarotonga
- Day 2 – Private tour of Rarotonga
- Day 3 – Adventure in Raro
- Day 4 – Relax in Raro
- Day 5 – Souvenir shopping + departure
- See the full itinerary: Rarotonga Luxury Itinerary: 5 Days.
Cook Islands Family Itinerary for 5 Days
Needless to say, our Rarotonga Family Itinerary: 5 Days offers an idyllic balance of family fun and time to relax. What’s more, you’ll probably just want to keep your getaway confined to Rarotonga to avoid any unnecessary flights with a full tribe.
With an easy decision made to stay on Rarotonga, our itinerary will guide you through the most family-friendly accommodations, things to do with kids and the best dining options for all ages.
Overview: 5-Day Family Itinerary for Rarotonga
- Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga
- Day 2 – Explore the Muri Lagoon
- Day 3 – Family road trip around Rarotonga + Tumutoa Tours
- Day 4 – Free day on Rarotonga
- Day 5 – Last day on Rarotonga
- See the full itinerary: Rarotonga Family Itinerary: 5 Days.
Cook Islands Honeymoon and Romance Itinerary for 5 Days
With its gorgeous turquoise lagoons, sandy shores and swaying coconut palms, the Cook Islands is famous and fabulous for a romantic escape! Couples who’d prefer a more effortless getaway will dig our Rarotonga Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days, while those settling for nothing less than the honeymoon hotspot and world’s most romantic lagoon will want to check out the Aitutaki Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days.
Plan a getaway with your loved one that has you staying in the most endearing accommodations, experiencing adventure and relaxation, as well as dining at the most romantic restaurants…
Overview: 5-Day Honeymoon and Romance Itinerary for Rarotonga
- Day 1 – Arrival on Rarotonga
- Day 2 – Adventure in Raro
- Day 3 – Relaxation in Raro
- Day 4 – Self-drive tour of Rarotonga
- Day 5 – Departure
- See the full itinerary: Rarotonga Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days.
Overview: 5-Day Honeymoon and Romance Itinerary for Aitutaki
- Day 1 – Arrival in Aitutaki
- Day 2 – Tour the Aitutaki Lagoon
- Day 3 – Explore Aitutaki
- Day 4 – Relaxation in Aitutaki
- Day 5 – Departure
- See the full itinerary: Aitutaki Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days.
Cook Islands Foodie Itinerary for 5 Days
Taste is an important sense not to be forgotten when travelling. In fact, our Rarotonga Food Itinerary: 5 Days puts it at the forefront as an immersion in the Rarotongan culture.
Our itinerary incorporates food-related activities, such as a progressive dinner tour and “umukai” workshop while also, of course, giving top dining recommendations for any connoisseur.
Overview: 5-Day Foodie Itinerary for Rarotonga
- Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga
- Day 2 – Explore Avarua + Muri Night Market
- Day 3 – Road trip around Rarotonga + make your own umukai
- Day 4 – Foodie hike on Rarotonga + island night
- Day 5 – Last day on Rarotonga
- See the full itinerary: Rarotonga & Cook Islands Food Itinerary: 5 Days.
Cook Islands Adults-Only Itinerary for 5 Days
If you want to have an appropriate tone for your holiday, i.e. one that doesn’t involve overenthusiastic children, then set your sights on our Rarotonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 5 Days.
Of course, adults-only accommodations are at the forefront of this itinerary, while experiences that you couldn’t usually do with kids in tow, from scuba diving to spa treatments, are also a highlight.
Overview: 5-Day Adults-Only Itinerary for Rarotonga
- Day 1 – Arrive on Rarotonga
- Day 2 – Adventure on Rarotonga
- Day 3 – Explore Rarotonga
- Day 4 – Relax on Rarotonga
- Day 5 – Departure day
- See the full itinerary: Rarotonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 5 Days.
More of the Best Cook Islands Itineraries
That’s it for the best Rarotonga and Cook Islands itineraries for 5 days. If you think you’d rather visit for a shorter amount of time (which, why would you?!) or longer (go on then!), check out our best Cook Islands itineraries below.
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 2 Weeks
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 10 Days
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 1 Week
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 3 Days.
Finally, if you have no idea how long to spend in the Cook Islands, then you best start at square one with The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.
Author
Robin C.
This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.