The Complete Budget & Backpacking Guide to Rarotonga 2025

Last Updated: 29 July, 2025

The Only Budget Travel Guide to Rarotonga You’ll Ever Need

Forget about blowing all your hard-earned cash on a resort. If you’re the type of traveller who cares more about travel experiences than where you sleep, then you’re onto a good thing with Rarotonga.

The remote island in the South Pacific has much to explore, from the craggy peaks of its rugged interior to the coral bommies of its lagoon. Cheap takeaways and food trucks line the coastal road, which only takes around 45 minutes to drive. And there’s a small selection of guesthouses, backpackers and holiday homes that will ensure a comfortable stay for the non-fussy traveller.

Plan your epic yet cheap Rarotonga getaway with this complete travel guide to Rarotonga on a budget.

Before we begin the guide, be sure to also bookmark The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga for more travel styles.

5 Tips for Visiting Rarotonga on a Budget

Before we jump into our complete budget travel guide for Rarotonga, here are just a few ways you can save money on your vacation:

The cheapest way to get around Rarotonga is by taking the bus – see Taking the Bus in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Bus Fares, Routes & More.
We know that most accommodation on Rarotonga is quite expensive. If you don’t like budget accommodation, at least consider one with plenty of free inclusions (such as bikes, kayaks, and airport transfers) that could help you save money.
Convenience stores, supermarkets and cheap takeaways are abundant on the island, so consider staying nearby for easy access to affordable food.
Speaking of food, double-check that your accommodation has self-catering facilities, as some only provide amenities for making breakfast.
Use CookIslandsPocketGuide.com to compare your big-ticket activities and sprinkle some of the free and cheap activities into your itinerary.

For more budget tips that will help you across the Cook Islands, check out the 20 Tips to Save Money in the Cook Islands, as well as How Much Does a Trip to the Cook Islands Cost?.

The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga on a Budget ????

How to Get to Rarotonga

Rarotonga lies in the Southern Group of the Cook Islands, 3,000 km (1,865 mi) from Auckland, 4,980 km (3,095 mi) from Sydney and 2,855 km (1,775 mi) from Hawaii. The main island of the Cook Islands is home to the country’s only international airport and receives regular flights from New Zealand and Australia, which are well connected to the rest of the world.

Find out about airlines travelling to Rarotonga, Which Airlines Fly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?. Plus, check out How to Book a Cheap Flight to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for tips on how to save on flights.

Alternative ways to get to Rarotonga include day trips with cruise liners and sailing via private yacht. Find out more about your arrival options in Getting Here: How to Get to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

How to Get Around Rarotonga

Rarotonga is well-connected with a coastal road network. The main road (Ara Tapu) is 32 km (20 mi) long, taking approximately 45 minutes to drive around the entire island. Car rentals, scooter rentals and bicycle rentals are readily available – just note that you’ll need to apply for a scooter license if your current driving license doesn’t already cover motorcycles.

We list some of the cheapest in The Cheapest Car Rentals in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. Alternatively, there is a frequent bus service travelling in both directions around Rarotonga, while taxis and cheap airport transfers are also available.

Find out all you need to know about transport in our Rarotonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Rarotonga.

Free Activities on Rarotonga

Rarotonga has enough going on between the snorkelling spots and the hiking trails to keep you entertained without having to spend a cent. Just some of the free highlights include…

Snorkelling Spots

Let’s start with the obvious free thing to do on Rarotonga! The coral bommies of the lagoon provide hours of free fun within the safety of the lagoon (unless you’re near a passage – you should avoid snorkelling near a passage). Rarotonga has no lack of snorkelling spots to be enjoyed, from the lively Aroa Marine Reserve to the famous “Fruits of Rarotonga” site.

Find out more about the free snorkelling hotspots in The Best Snorkelling in Rarotonga: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.

Hiking Trails

Like snorkelling spots, Rarotonga also blesses travellers with oodles of free hiking trails, this time to explore inland. Walk the verdant jungle trails and up volcanic mountain peaks, from the half-day excursion of the Cross Island Trek to the perfect sunset views from the Raemaru Track.

There are far too many trails to list here, so compare your options in the 10 Best Walks in Rarotonga.

Historical Sites

Speaking of historical sites, there are plenty more intriguing points of interest scattered across Rarotonga. Let’s start with the Avana Vaka Migration Site where the ancestors of Aotearoa New Zealand departed on their vaka (canoe). The site has a memorial at the northern end of Muri.

Additionally, ancient marae (meeting areas) can be found along the inland roads, such as Pokata Marae and Arai-Te-Tonga Marae. Find all of these sites and more in the 10 Best Historical Sites in Rarotonga.

Sunday Church Services

The powerful harmonies echoing across the churches on a Sunday are an experience not to be missed. Dress in your most church-appropriate attire (covering knees and shoulders) and head to one of the churches across Rarotonga, which typically holds a 10 am service.

The Avarua CICC Church is highly recommended for a traditional experience or enjoy something more contemporary and upbeat at the Celebration Church in Avarua. For more recommendations, check out the 10 Best Churches in the Cook Islands to Experience as a Visitor.

More Free Things to Do on Rarotonga

Of course, the list continues with stargazing, visiting art galleries, watching magnificent sunrises and sunsets, spotting whales during their season, and more. Check out the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Rarotonga for details on all of these experiences.

Cheap Activities on Rarotonga

Don’t miss the worthwhile experiences on Rarotonga that are still pretty affordable. Most activities that we list here range from NZ$2 to NZ$20.

Mairie Nui Gardens

Cross the quaint footbridges and into seven acres of botanical paradise at Mairie Nui Gardens. These gorgeous tropical gardens, just outside Muri, provide a stunning place to explore, featuring lily ponds, intriguing plants, and a backdrop of the dramatic mountain landscape.

You can also stop by the Café & Grill with food flavoured with the garden’s homegrown herbs and spices. Entry to the gardens is by donation.

Te Ara Museum

One of the most impressive museums on Rarotonga, Te Ara Museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of the Cook Islands. You’ll love tracing the routes of early Polynesian navigators, exploring European influences, and discovering the islands’ present and future.

Don’t miss the guided culture tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am or 11:00 am, led by a fabulous local guide. After your cultural immersion, relax with light refreshments at the café and browse their selection of 100% locally made gifts at the shop.

With free WiFi available, you can instantly share your discoveries with friends back home.

Punanga Nui Market

The vibrant Punanga Nui Market is the place to be on a Saturday morning in Rarotonga, open from 7 am to 12 pm. Explore an array of tropical produce, smoothies, and treats at the food stalls. Pick up fun souvenirs like pareu (sarongs), island shirts, and black pearl jewellery.

Make sure to visit the street food stalls on the east side of the market! It’s also a convenient spot to make tour bookings. Entry is free, but bring some cash for those irresistible purchases.

More Things to Do on Rarotonga

For those of you with a little more budget to spend, don’t miss some of Rarotonga’s more elaborate experiences, like swimming with turtles, island nights and more. Check out the 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga to explore all your options.

Budget Dining on Rarotonga

Don’t worry, it’s not all resort restaurants and fine dining. Rarotonga is packed with casual cafes and food trucks where the locals like to eat, and you can eat there too! We also recommend visiting the night markets for affordable street food, while self-catering is always a great option for saving money on food.

Cheap Restaurants, Takeaways and Food Trucks

At the northern end of Muri, Vili’s Burger Joint offers a welcome relief from the nearby resort restaurants. Enjoy casual dining in the courtyard or under the verandah, with a choice of burgers, pizzas, and fried chicken.

Bite Time Café on Punanganui Road offers a colourful and casual dining experience. Enjoy all-day breakfast classics or lighter lunch options, such as gourmet sandwiches and seafood dishes. Be sure to try their popular “Ika Mata” or indulgent “Fisherman’s Platter”. Convenient combos and fresh treats make it perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.

And don’t miss Palace Takeaways in Avarua for their famous Wednesday NZ$3.50 burgers!

For more recommendations, head over to The Top Cheap Eats on Rarotonga.

Markets

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Muri Night Market, a culinary hot spot in Rarotonga. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings from 5 pm in Muri Beach Village, this gathering of food trucks offers a whirlwind of tastes. It’s the perfect place to sample local flavours and mingle with both locals and visitors. Remember to bring cash, as the stalls don’t accept cards.

The vibrant Punanga Nui Market is the place to be on a Saturday morning on Rarotonga. Try an array of tropical produce, smoothies and other treats at the food stalls, as well as plenty of locally-crafted souvenirs.

Learn more about the markets in the 5 Best Markets in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Self-Catering on Rarotonga

Cooking your own meals is by far the most cost-effective way to stay fed on Rarotonga. Grocery stores are abundant along the main road (Ara Tapu), while the largest supermarkets are the CITC Supermarket in Avarua and Wigmore’s Superstore in Vaimaanga.

Check out typical food prices and tips in The Cost of Food in the Cook Islands and A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Cook Islands.

Cheap Accommodation on Rarotonga

Ariki Bungalows
Club Raro Resort
Backpackers International Hostel
Central Motel
Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio
Rarotonga Backpackers
Muri Hillside Guesthouses
Lulu and Shane’s Island Retreat

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

More About Rarotonga on a Budget

That’s it for our complete guide to Rarotonga on a budget but by no means the end of our advice. Check out more guides to help save the cents on your trip:

Finally, don’t forget to open The Complete Backpacking Guide to the Cook Islands on a Budget and Cook Islands Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to the Cook Islands Cost? to plan more of your trip later.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the 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.

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