Travel Answers

Is the duty free shop open to all incoming and out going flight? Our flight gets in about 1.15am and we hope it will be open

My finacee and I are planning to got to the Cook Islands for part of our honeymoon and are looking for a budget place to stay. We def want to be beach front in some sort of hut...does anyone have any ideas?

hi there! reading previous posts i understand that as a generalization the south pasific islands are an expensive destination. but do you think that it is possible to find the low budget path somewhere? perhaps including the Cook islands or not... my main interests are tribes/villages/trekking/nature/beaches! if you could suggest anything feasible in terms of cost/accessibility/safety it would be a great help, so i can focus to specific destinations in my ongoing research! many thanks Nikos

Hello, My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon in June 2009. We would like to start our trip off in the Cook Islands (Raro/Aitutaki) (coming from LAX). Does anyone have a recommendation of another island group outside of the Cooks that is easy to get to (flights from Rarotonga)? We're active and looking for an affordable mixture of beach/forest hiking/culture. Thank you so much for your help! We've been researching and researching but I thought I'd check to see if any of you have experience traveling to more than one place (country/territory) in S. Pacific. Meg

I am planning a trip to Rarotonga and Aitutaki in May next year, with my husband and son, who is 13 months old now. We are looking at staying at Reihana's or Mii (beach house at Whitesands) in Rarotonga and Amuri Sands in Aitutaki. Has anyone got any feedback on any of these places, or can anyone recommend any other good accomodation for about150 a night. We want to be as close to the beach as possible because we probably won't be hiring a car and the whole idea of going is to relax, swim and snorkel. Also, any feedback on Muri beach vs Titiveka, and which are the best areas on Aitutaki?

Ive noticed that Air Raroionga web site is showing price to be499 and the flight duration is 9 hrs. Something wrong somewhere I think. Can anyone tell me the price for the day trip We are travelling in Feb March 2009 Many Thanks

Hi everyone, I am looking for information about getting married in Rarotonga. Did you get a package deal? Where would you recommend?? Where would you NOT recommend! Just looking for ideas thanks. :) Any price range is fine. Please also let me know what currency you are quoting in. Cheers!

Hello. We are preparing a trip to New Zealand, and we want to spend 6 or 7 days in Cook Islands, 2 days in Rarotonga and 4-5 days in Aitutaki. We’ll go with 6 and 8 years old kids. Sorry if my question is stupid, but Cook Islands are very far from Spain and I don’t have enough information: We have read some blogs about different kinds of “dangerous” animals: stonefish, snakes, water snakes, sea cucumbers, sandflies, etc It’s true? It’s a safe place for small kids? Another question, in this case about accommodation: We are thinking in staying in “Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa” in Aitutaki and in “Muri Beach Resort” in Rarotonga. Somebody knows? Can you give some opinion? And finally, can you give some general recommendation about Cook Islands: What to do? What to see? ... with kids Thank you very much

Could you please tell me if they sell a selection of duty-free wines for purchase? Thanks.

We are looking at taking 10 ladies over to rarotonga for a 6 day holiday this july 2008. They are aged between 55 and 80. We are needing suitable accommodation either seperate rooms or twin. If anyone knows of anything that would suit we would love to hear from you. We are working on a budget so would be looking at the cheaper end of the scale rather than the200pp plus each night. In advance thank you for you help and happy new year

I haven't chosen my volunteer dates yet. The program is for approx. 2 weeks but travel arrangements are our own. Would anyone know when the least expensive times would be to fly from US to Rarotonga? I live in New Jersey and may be able to get a discounted ticket to somewhere on the west coast. Any suggested airline?? I definitely want to snorkel while I am there so my choice of month would also have to consider nice weather for snorkeling. I've never tried it, am in my mid 60's and I don't think I want to swim if it is too cool. Sadly I haven't even been swimming in over 30 years but hope to change that now through volunteer programs in "specific" areas of the world. Happy New Year and thanks for your time!! Ann

also, i had a friend that went and she said there isn't really anything much to buy there and you don't spend alot of money. I was going to take2500 for 2 of us, there for 6 nights, does any1 no if this would be enough? i have looked at the activites we want to do and they come to about400.

Hi there I am going to Rarotonga in mid august next year, does anyone no what the weather is like? Also i was going to stay at club raro, but the travel agent said she would not reccomend that one and that the beach is not nice at all... yet i have read good reviews about it. can any1 help?

Hi, Ive visited Raro before on a backpacking trip - fast forward a decade and now I want to go back with my partner and 2 kids age 6 and 8. We are looking for clean, basic, family friendly places. Walking distance to a safe swimming beach. Narrowed it down to Sunrise beach Bungalows and Vaikoi Bungalows. Any comments on these 2 choices or other recommendations appreciated.

It sounds like Vaima is a hidden gem but is it nice enough to go to for our honeymoon dinner (just the two of us)? Or should we just head over to Vaima on a regular night and go to Tamarind for our special & fancy dinner? TIA, Gia

we are thinking about visiting cook islands for about 4-5 nights in early december, but wasn't too sure about where to stay and how to get around. i definitely want to visit aitutaki and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. here are some of my questions: 1. is early december a bad time to visit? does anyone think that we might get rained in? 2. what's the best way to check out aitutaki? 1 day, 2 day, or even 3 days enough? are there affordable options for accomodation on aitutaki? if there are, how do i make a reservation and what's the cost range (in u.s. dollars)? 3. about flights to aitutaki from roratonga, do i have to make reservations way in advance or can i wait till i get there? 4. what are some must do/see things on rarotonga? which motel/hotel would you guys recommend? thanks a lot.

Me and my girl friend have decided to visit cooks islnd next december. This is our first vacation and we are very excited- but not very well versed. Any suggestions on activities? Is December is right time to visit the island? Looking for fun things to do (while still on a budget) in the island. We have seen few hotels in asiarooms.com, but most of them have some positive reviews with some negetive reviews. so confused which hotel to book. Also wondering about how far (and how long) it is to get to rortunga from the island.

Ok, this is probably a stupid question...but I am going to Aitutaki in a few weeks and I keep seeing posts about bringing reef shoes. So I googles it to find out exactly what they were....but all kinds of stuff comes up. Sandles, reg shoes (I think there is a brand with the name). So I would appreciate if someone could explain and/or give a link to what I will be needing. Or is it just a pair of reg. athletic shoes?

Just hoping anyone could give their experiences of the Cook Islands & the Maldives. We are trying to figure out whats better to go to, the Cook Islands or the Maldives. We want just total relaxation & snorkeling. Thanks for your time :)

I'm trying to find a nice romantic accommodation for November, preferably in Aitutaki, but otherwise Raratonga. Can anyone help me?? Even just a nice decent place to stay! Thanks :-)

My fiance and I will be in Rarotonga around Nov. 20, 2007. What area of the island is best to find a place to stay? We are looking for good swimming/snorkeling and access to bars/food, etc. We'd like to get a 1BR place with kitchen.

Is there any way i can purchase dance video without going to Rarotonga or the Cook Islands. I live here in California USA and saw some video posted on UTUBE, copied from some DVD's purchasd in Rarotonga. I'm hoping to get the same or similar recordings, i like your traditional dance and love the beautiful costumes. Please let me know if you can help me. thank you

I am planning to visit Rarotonga around mid August, the average temperature is 25C, would that be too cold to swim?

Anyone in Rarotonga at the moment who can tell me what's on at the cinema in Avarua this weeek and next week? Thanks so much! Mrs P

Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice all inclusive hotel/resort in the Cook Islands? Thanks for your time.

the question is , im staying at the egdewater resort on the 24th of june and thinking of going to church and wonder if you can send me information on the services, and wondering if they have personal testimomies at any churches as im a christain music composer of christain music and might wish to share , and also which church i should attend if i am staying at edgewater resort as my self being anglican, but dont mind penegostil. than you for your help on this matter . terry james

We are planning a trip to Aitutaki in the Cook Islands next year. We have heard about the Tangikaara Beach House on Aitutaki and visited their website. Does anyone have any information about the beach house? It looks awesome on-line. We are also planning to take our 2 kids (11 years old). Any dos or don'ts? Anything we should definitely not miss or avoid? Any other options other than Air New Zealand to get from the west coast of USA to Rarotonga? Appreciate any input you can provide. Thanks K

I'm looking to book a flight for my Tongan friend from Rarotonga to Calgary, Canada. However he can't fly through America since we don't have time to get a transit visa. Does anyone have a suggestion of a cheap flight route that doesn't go through America? Travel is July/August 2007. Any suggestions, email ashleywoods_05@hotmail.com Thanks!

What's the best place to hire reliable mopeds and how much will they cost? Many thanks

has anyone stayed at the edgewater in 07 and what were your opinions and can you take food into raro