Cook Islands Travel Forum

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

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 take $2500 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 about $400.

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

Hi,
Does anyone stayed at Muri Tamaariki Villa in Rarotonga? We are in need of a fully self contained house for rent and this place at www.rentraro.com looks fab.
Cheers

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.

My partner and I will be stopping in the Cooks for a few weeks in October but seem to be having trouble finding a decent place to stay on Aitutaki within our budget. We are backpacking so posh resorts are out of the question. We were considering Paradise Cove but all of the reviews we've seen seem to indicate that its not very pleasant.

Thoms Beach Cottages dont seem to come up trumps either. Would be grateful for some suggestions and opinions.

Thankyou.

Is there any bed and breakfast accomadation available. where some food is included in the price. Dont wnat to be hassles with the 3 meals a day routine.
Thx

Hi,

My boyfriend and i are desperate to find some info about a cheap accomodation called the PARATROOPER in AITUTAKI. e are staying for 7 nights in march 2007 and need very cheap accomodation. We were told by someone that they are currently priced at $10 a night...i have been trying to get in contact with them to confirm this but no one is anwering the phone. Can someone please help answer below question? all we really need is a priv room with a double bed

-what is the price of a private room with a double bed(is this avail?)
-is the price per room or per person? we'd like a price per room
-is there electricity?
-is there shower/toilet/kitchen? is it shared with other guests?
-how do we book? (get in contact with them?) we have tried the ph...not answering
-is bed linen and pillows and sheets provided or do we bring our own?

if there is any help that someone can give us it would be very very appreciated as we are getting desperate at this stage...right now the prices of $40-60 a night per room is not an option for us

please someone with any info let me know and email jangssi@hotmail.com

thank you in advance

we are going to the cook islands soon and have booked rau's guest house, how is it? and where else is good to stay? we are htere for a month, so does anyone have any other islands to suggest? your help is much appreciated, holly x

Does anyone have any ideas on budget car rentals in rarotonga? Will we need a car to get around? Appreciate your help.

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