Riding a bicycle around the beautiful islands is a wonderful way to explore and soak up the stunning scenery. The main roads around Rarotonga are flat, and cycling around the entire island is a viable option it is 20 miles in total. There are many bicycle rentals available and many hotels and other accommodations have bicycles available to borrow or rent. E-bikes are also available and save your energy, making the trip around the island a lot easier and faster. Cycling is a great way to explore the island’s towns, beaches, shops, and sights. 

Rarotonga only has one main road on the entire island. The main road circles the island, and there are no traffic lights, with two roundabouts. They drive on the left-hand side of the road with a speed limit of 30 mph.

Hiring a car when visiting the Cook Islands has its benefits but is not a necessity. There are other ways to get around, including a few public transport options. Driving around the beautiful island at your own pace and stopping to check out different viewpoints, beaches, food trucks, and shops is a fun way to explore. The speed limit is 30 mph on most of the roads.

There are three harbors on Rarotonga: Avatiu, Avarua, and Avana. The Port of Avatiu is the main commercial harbor for cargo ships and fishing vessels and Pacific Islands port for cruise ships from New Zealand, Australia, the US, and the UK. It is a port of call for large cruise ships, however, the port is too small for them to enter, so they anchor offshore and passengers are brought in by smaller Zodiac vessels to the Avatiu Harbor or Arorangi Wharf.

Sailing on a yacht is another popular way to reach the Cook Islands. The islands are ideally situated at the center of a Transpacific journey between the US and New Zealand. Yachting season is from May to October.

There are three harbors on Rarotonga: Avatiu, Avarua, and Avana. The Port of Avatiu is the main commercial harbor for cargo ships and fishing vessels and Pacific Islands port for cruise ships from New Zealand, Australia, the US, and the UK. It is a port of call for large cruise ships, however, the port is too small for them to enter, so they anchor offshore and passengers are brought in by smaller Zodiac vessels to the Avatiu Harbor or Arorangi Wharf. 

Sailing on a yacht is another popular way to reach the Cook Islands. The islands are ideally situated at the center of a Transpacific journey between the US and New Zealand. Yachting season is from May to October. 

Renting a scooter is a fun way to explore the island. This is a popular way to buzz around the local beaches and shops and view the breathtaking scenery of the island. There’s an abundance of scooter rentals spread throughout Rarotonga. A local scooter license is required to legally drive one around the island and can be obtained from the Avarua Police Station for a cost of around NZ$40.

Rarotonga only has one main road on the entire island. The main road circles the island, and there are no traffic lights, with two roundabouts. They drive on the left-hand side of the road with a speed limit of 30 mph.

Hiring a car when visiting the Cook Islands has its benefits but is not a necessity. There are other ways to get around, including a few public transport options. Driving around the beautiful island at your own pace and stopping to check out different viewpoints, beaches, food trucks, and shops is a fun way to explore. The speed limit is 30 mph on most of the roads.

There are a few taxi companies on the island of Rarotonga; taxis are available at the airport. The best way to secure a taxi is to book one over the phone or ask your accommodations concierge to call them on your behalf. The Cook Islands Taxi Association (CITA) consists of privately owned taxi operators. Taxis are usually bright green cars, and vans and fares are per mile at a flat rate, costing around NZ$3.

Walking around the main towns on Rarotonga is a great way to explore the nearby beaches, shops, restaurants, and sites. The island’s circumference is 20 miles (6-hour walk), so walking the entire island is possible depending on your level of fitness. The island’s verdant interior leads to many hiking trails, including the Cross Island Track. 

Riding a bicycle around the beautiful islands is a wonderful way to explore and soak up the stunning scenery. The main roads around Rarotonga are flat, and cycling around the entire island is a viable option it is 20 miles in total. There are many bicycle rentals available and many hotels and other accommodations have bicycles available to borrow or rent. E-bikes are also available and save your energy, making the trip around the island a lot easier and faster. Cycling is a great way to explore the island’s towns, beaches, shops, and sights.

Rarotonga is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years, crimes against tourists are becoming more common with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets and tourist attractions. At night, stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night, and don’t walk outside the main center of town.

There are some wonderful, vibrant shopping opportunities found in Rarotonga, including the popular Punanga Nui Market, the Muri Night Market, and the CITC Shopping Center. Avarua is the island’s capital with the largest concentration of shops on the island. There are unique boutique stores scattered around the shores of the island. There are gift shops aplenty, providing the perfect place to pick up those unique souvenirs, and other hidden gems to take home. Interesting independent stores can be found throughout the island towns as well as colorful galleries. A few popular things to pick up when visiting the Cook Islands are elegant black pearl jewelry, Polynesian artwork, island clothing and resort wear, Rito hats, traditional crafts, and authentic island treasures. 

The Punanga Nui Market is held on Saturday mornings in Avarua. It’s the largest market in the Cook Islands with an exquisite arrangement of local sellers gathering offering unique handicrafts, local crafts, jewelry, food, and produce. The Banana Court building is a historic shopping destination found in the heart of Avarua, boasting an array of local fashion shops and black pearl shops. 

Maori (also known as Rarotongan) is the official language of Rarotonga. English is widely spoken here, especially in the service industry. Take some time to learn key phrases like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, and numbers from 1-10. 

The weather in Rarotonga is glorious!! The South Pacific Island enjoys warm, sunshine-filled days year round with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to 80s. There are two seasons: the wet season is December to March, and the dry season is April to November. There are a couple of shoulder seasons, April to June and September to November, in between. Cyclone season is November to April, but major storms here are rare.  It’s a tropical paradise here, so expect balmy weather, afternoon thunderstorms to cool things off, and cyclone season to mix things up. There is no bad time to visit Rarotonga, but visiting June through August is said to be some of the best months. 

The currency of Rarotonga is the New Zealand Dollar NZ$. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for New Zealand dollars upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

The food in Rarotonga is amazing, and there’s a multitude of restaurants to choose from. Many of the dining establishments are within walking distance of your accommodations or located within your hotel or resort. Foodies can find everything from upscale restaurants, roadside food trucks and stalls, and local authentic family restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants dishing up local Polynesian cuisine; the food here exudes fresh local flavors, and many menus feature fresh fish and seafood from the surrounding waters. Beachfront restaurants are a big thing on the island, boasting some spectacular views to go along with a fantastic meal and tropical cocktail. Savor some of the sweet-tasting tropical fruits of the island, including pineapples, pawpaw, coconuts, and bananas, which are so refreshing. Fresh, delicious tropical smoothies are a delicious treat across the island as are a nu (young green coconut), which are chilled and ready to drink right from the shell. Rarotonga-style food includes local dishes like ika mata (marinated raw fish), Maroro (flying fish), rukau (young tarol plant leaves), mitiore (fermented coconut with onions and seafood), poke, goat curry, curried octopus, and parrot fish. Food trucks are increasingly popular on the island many can be found by the Avatiu Harbor serving up a mixture of different cuisines including Mexican, Mediterranean, and Greek dishes. 

The nightlife scene in Rarotonga offers visitors quite a variety of exciting options. The island may be small, but it has a huge party scene with plenty of restaurants and bars dotted along the coastline, some excellent clubs, and party buses. Rarotonga is the most populated of the Cook Islands and boasts teh biggest nightlife scene, it could quite possibly be considered the party capital of the South Pacific. Bar-hop through town or along the beautiful beaches, enjoying the vibrant and fun island nights with cool island vibes. The island has many casual beach bars where you can enjoy fun tropical cocktails or more upscale cocktail bars with laid-back entertainment. Sipping a sundowner while observing one of the most spectacular sunsets is a must in Rarotonga. A cultural night on the island includes a delicious traditional feast made by locals, followed by a captivating show with traditional music and dance performances. A popular local tradition is “tumunu” or “bush beer drinking clubs” on the island of Atiu, where local men drink “bush beer” fermented with oranges, malt extract, and sugar. Beer is the most popular drink on the Cook Islands, and the Rarotonga Brewery is a great place to enjoy a refreshing pint of the local Cook Island Lager. Partygoers have endless options when it comes to the evenings here, with beach parties, karaoke, live bands, DJs, and dance parties.

In case of an emergency dial 999

Hospital:

Rarotonga Hospital tel. 682-22-664.