2 weeks in Cook Islands - what to do?

Hello everyone,

me and my friend will be coming to the Cook Islands for 2 weeks in mid-June and want to know how best to spend our time. We have quite a limited budget and aim to do things as cheaply as possible. Ideally we would like to spend a lot of time relaxing on beautiful beaches as well as experiencing some of the culture and activities. We would love to see Aitutaki and some of the other islands if possible and would like to know how much it costs to travel to the other islands.

Can anyone suggest any itineries for us in 2 weeks and a budget needed for these itineries?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone

Hi Grainger,

Without knowing what you've allowed yourselves by way of a daily budget, I cant comment on how much your daily costs all up are likely to be.
However in general:- aim to stay at one of the backpacker lodges on Raro. Several are in great locations on the beachfront, with shared facilities, and full kitchens. Use the public bus for transport, or hire mountain bikes. Prepare your own breakfast by purchasing seasonal fresh fruits, buying bread and spreads etc from local stores and supermarkets. Spend a lot of time at the beaches swimming, snorkelling and taking advantage of the fact that you dont pay to gain access or use any of the beaches in the Cook Islands. Museums entry a small gold coin donation. The market on Saturday morning is hugely entertaining. Sports matches are fun, and so too are the paddling events on Saturdays. There may be a cultural performance at the Auditorium, buses operate during evenings (limited timetable).

Prepare your own meals, but there are many spots for cheap eats including the takeaways, and market stalls, plus prepared foods sold at the larger stores and some small shops. Cheaper liquor outlets stock beer, wines, spirits with good buys at the supermarkets (specials), and at the Flamboyant shopping centre in Arorangi. Staircase has the cheapest island nite. Highland Paradise night out is a hoot. Do at least one pub-crawl bus tour. Lots of places for hiking, including the cross-island walk from south (Wigmore's waterfall trck) or the north side from Avatiu Valley. Take the bus to the stop nearest start of the trail. The movies (at movie theatre) are cheapest early in the week - prices are already cheap however.

Keep an eye out for Air Rarotonga cheaper seats to Aitutaki. Go to Island Hopper travel centre in Nikao (opposite Parliament - the bus will stop there), find out how much their best prices are - especially one week out from planned visit. Generally tho', the early evening and late afternoon flights are cheaper, and return to Raro the first and last flights out are cheaper. Stay at backpackers on Aitutaki (several), hire a pushbike or scooter. Dine out where the locals dine. Stores to buy foodfresh fruits are located in Amuri, Arutanga, Vaipae, and Tautu where the island population lives.

Thanks Turou, thats very helpful. You clearly know your stuff. Do you live there? We will try to do as much as possible.

How much money do you think is necessary to enjoy 2 weeks in the Cook Islands as cheaply as possible (trying to fit in Aitutaki)?

In NZ$...
Rarotonga: You should be able to find ensuite lodging for $75-90 per nite for two and backpacker accom for 20-25 nite in Raro. A modest budget for meals for two is $50/day DYI. Add $10 to $50 for dine-out lunch or dinner. You should be able to rent a scooter for $20/day and petrol will run $3-5/day. The less expensive places to eat are off the main street, like FBI. Also... pick up liquor at the duty-free shop before you go through customs.

Aitutaki: You should be able to find something for $80-110 ensuite, not sure about backpacker accom but Paradise Cove and some of the motels might be the cheapest. Add $10-20 a day for meals over Raro costs. Get a scooter for $20/day. Buy mask, fins & snorkel in Raro and take them with you to Aitutaki. The budget places don't provide them and rentals are expensive at $10/day pp.

My wife and I spend around $1800/wk dining out once a day, renting a scooter daily and staying at places like Paradise Cove beachfront accom. and doing something like a lagoon cruise 2 or three times and taking in two or three island nights.

It's a bargain!

Aitutaki: Paradise Cove beachfront units are around $130.00 per day, Sunny Beach is around $100 per day, Vaikoa about $65.00 per day and both Tom's Lodge and Paratroopers about $45.00 per day. Matriki beach-huts are on the best beachfront, and around $70.00/$80.00 per hut. Josie's Lodge at O'otu has long been popular - share rooms used to be $30 per person. The expense is the return Aitutaki airfare about $450/$500 per person. Recommend an Island Hopper deal since they can access cheap airfares but only within 1 week of travel. Otherwise their prices would be the same as if you could book each sector yourself. More cheap eats in Raro at Jimco's shopping (Nikao back road) and Arorangi at Big Boys. AraMoana fish takeways and the Palace takeaway both at Avatiu wharf. Cheapest drinks out are at Fishing Club, even more so during happy hour. Rehab also.