Rarotonga Travel Forum

Hi all,

I'm staying in Rarotonga for 4 nights in December by myself on the way home back to Oz. Basically I just want to relax, hopefully get a few pamper sessions in, get some sun and wash the London winter off me! Ideally I'd like beachfront accommodation but I understand this is pretty pricey, especially considering I'm on my own. Can anyone recommend anywhere cheap and nice for me to stay? Also, would Muri be the best area for me to hang out in?

Any info is greatly appreciated - thanks!

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 the $200pp 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

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.

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.

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

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

Many thanks

Has anyone stayed at either of these places? Would love some feedback. Have read differing opinions on Maiana & found it difficult to get straight answers to the questions I asked the owner of Maiana. In light of this we may choose Rau's,but would like to hear about both first, We're not looking for anything flash, just good basic accom. but we do want it to be clean and what it claims to be on the website! Cheers. We are going over from NZ in Late July.

we are looking at places to get married thinking of rarotonga as its close for us from nz with 2 children, would love to hear of suggestions from other people of good companys or resorts that will organise our wedding, not looking for any thing over the top just a nice ceramony on the beach or even next to a waterfall.will only be the four of us. has anybody organised weddings themself or do you get resort to do everything.we dont mind staying in a resort for the few days when getting married but then i think we will move on to cheaper accommadation, any suggestions
cheers

Any suggestions for cheap but clean and safe lodging? My wife, daughter and I will be heading to Roratonga at the end of October for a little "warm-up" after traveling in New Zealand for about 2.5 weeks.

We are traveling to Rarotonga with our 4 year old son at the end of August, and prefer to rent bicycles to get around. We are looking for a rental place that can provide a bike with a child safety seat.

Thanks.

A forum posting, Jan.,'05, gave this advice:" When you're in Raro, take the tour with "Piri" . He's a legend and the traditional umu that he and his family cook is the REAL DEAL." So, HOW do I find Piri?

Hi

I may be going to Cook Islands for a wedding in September and the accomodation recommended to me was at Lagoon Lodges. Has anyone stayed here?

Also the bridal party is staying at Castaway Villas which I am told is nearby but when I looked on a map, it doesn't seem that close. Does anyone know how far away the two resorts are from each other??

Thanks!

Could anyone tell me if the weather will be warm enough for swimming in june?

Hello We are getting married on Crown Beach in June and we are looking for a way to get from crown beach after the wedding to Sails restaurant for our reception. The travel agent can only find us a Taxi but we we were hoping for something a little more romantic. Will the temperature be hot enough for swimming then? Has any one been to a wedding reception at Sails? What is it like?

greetings

i am honeymooning in the cook islands in late dec. at rarotonga beach bungalows. i work on an oil rig in the gulf which is the worst job in the world so i really want to have the best time of my life. are the bungalows nice as the pictures on the web? will i be able to catch premier league games on boxing day? how much can i get a decent black pearl for? if i like it can i stay?
best regards

Hello, can anyone tell me what type of currency most places like in Rarotonga? I heard they prefer New Zealand money? Thank ya.

Hi, I am going to Rarotonga with a girlfriend later in the year and besides enjoying some down time we would like to find the local night life, and/or meet some people our own age (25). Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks

Going to Rarotonga next year and hopefully looking for accommodation at Muri beach would like something reasonably price say $80 - $125 NZ Dollars for two would ideally love a beachfront villa for this price if there are any!! Also I've heard it's hurricane season mar/april !!! Also where can you rent ordinary bicycles on the island not scooters and how long would it take to cycle round the island.

Hey, heading to Raro in August. Has anyone stayed at any of these places? Doug's is on the west near Ati's beach bungalows, does anyone know what the beach is like here? Would be really keen to experience the sunsets but would also like a lot of privacy.
Mama Ru's is somewhere on Vaimaanga and Ocean Bliss is near Titikaveka.
Anyone's stories or experiences would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi,

Im thinking about booking Tiare Viallage for 10 days in June..has anyone stayed there? im aware its not on the beach which doesnt really bother us as the island is so small, the thing im worried about is is it far from nitelife, retaurants etc?? WE are two 23 years from Ireland

Many thanks in advance

Helena :-)

Hi there,

I've already booked to go in November and will be staying at the Sea change villas in Avarua.

Has anyone been or stayed at Sea change after the cyclone in particular (or before)..how was it? was the resort badly affected??

Also how is Avarua looking now?

Any other useful info will also be appreciated

Thanks
Radhika

Hi guys.
just wanting to know what is Rarotonga weather like in nov? I am wanting to get married and are alittle scared we'll get rained on or worse(which terrifies me) hit by a cyclone.Is Rarotonga ok in nov?

Also been reading forums and everyone raves about Muri(it does sound and look amazing) But it's quite expensive for accomdation.So i found great deal staying at the Edgewater resort (located on the west side) is the beach nice there i heard it's more shallow(what that means i'm not sure,hope it's ok to swim)
Anyhow if anyone has stayed on the west side and has advice PLEAS LET ME KNOW.
Thanks

hi everyone,i'm sooo confussed.I was checking out where in rarotonga to stay and thought club raro would be nice,however since reading up i founf that apprently STH COAST-TAKITUMU has the nicest swimming beach(but it's pricey and not a hotel,not that i mind but don't want to cook) So where do i go.Some have suggested Muri and it looks and sounds nice(wee bit pricey) but I read it gets real busy.IF ANYONE HAD BEEN TO RAROTONGA AND HAS STAYED ANYWHERE NICE AT AROUNG $150 TO $170 A NIGHT PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!cheers :)

Hi ya everyone.I'm in need for some advice.Either in july this year or november depending on how things go,we are wanting MAYBE to travel to Raratonga(we were going to go to fiji but decided we could have nicer beaches and pay the same,if we stayed at fiji we could only afford to stay on the main land)
QUESTION.Has anyone stayed at "CLUB RARO", is it nice? WE are wanting to get married and have a young toddler and can not afford much,is this the way to go or perhaps someome knows of another island which may suit as better.PLease HELP.Neither my partner or myself have been out of new zealand and want to treasure this time forever.ANY IDEAS????????
Cheers :)

Can anyone give me some feedback on these accomadations? Can't find much information on them.
Also is this is good snorkeling area?
Thanks for any feedback. Going in 08/05!
Jency

Has anyone recently returned or seen the damage left by Cyclone Olaf? Do you know if the Flame Tree or Viama's restaruants are still in operation?

Thanks

Does anyone know if thinsg are back to normal after Cyclone Meena yet? I'm meant to be flying to Rarotonga on 15th Feb so I was wondering if the airport is still open?