Aitutaki, nice cheap accommodation?

Hi there,

we wan't to stay on Aitutaki in August for 11 day's. Now we are looking for a pretty cheap Bungalow on a nice Beach, a place with good atmosphere.
We don't need a luxury Hotel, no Aircon and no Pool, just a simple Bungalow (max. 80NZ$, better-70 NZ$ per Night), maybe made from bamboo or wooden with a small terrace and cooking facilities would be good.
We only found Vaicoa Unit's, but there are not so many new informations about this place. One more place is Matriki, but the informations on tripadvisor are very different... There are other options, good places on Aitutaki???

Some more questions, what's a good place/reef for snorkeling there. How much is it for bicycle and kayak rent?
What is the cheapest way to go to the small islands infront of Aitutaki, like Honeymoon Island, one foot island, i already found the daytrips for 75 NZ$ per person, there are more options?
Would be nice to get some good Informations,
thanks for your help,

Regards, Ronny2

Edited by: Ronny2

Edited by: Ronny2

Not on the beach but Gina's garden bungalows are cheap. Matriki's is probably your best bet for beach lodging.

You'll find good beach snorkeling near the marine preserve on the north end of the main island. Just take the road that goes up around the airport at the NW end and park your scooter on the beach at (GPS or Google Map or Google World coordinates: 18 49' 35.2" S & 159 46' 34.21" W). Then explore the area from that point to the west and north. If you venture out near the outside reef be careful when near the channel NW of the research station. It can have a pretty good current on the outgoing tide.

You can also rent some kayaks over by Samades and paddle south toward Akiama and the string of Motu to the south. If you get far enough south you should find some pretty good water for snorkeling.

The only practical way to go to the southern motu is by power boat. Just call around or ask your host for a recommendation.

Hi H2ooh,

thank you very much for good infos about snorkeling, we will try it there!!!

Gina's Garden in no more cheap now, it's 120 NZ$ for a double...

Ronny2

If it's not to late - have a look at Tom's cottages (2 located on the beachfront) in Amuri. The lagoon isnt much good for snorkelling but you will probably want to hire a scooter from Rino's next door anyway to explore the island. Matriki's beachhuts are sufficient and well priced. Besides they are set on a nice beachfront. Not as convenient as Tom's for food stores, the wharf for a lagoon cruise and cheap eats though.

Kayak hire at Samade for about $10 per hour. Another accommodation suggestion is to stay in the Ootu area at Josie's backpacker lodge. Not only will you have close access to the lagoon for kayaking and swimming, and snorkelling at the back of Akitua motu, but there are several places for dining within the immediate area. Hire scooters at Ranginui's or Popoara-ocean Breeze resort. Several of the lagoon tours depart from Ootu.

Hi Lagoon,

thanks for the new Informations about Tom's and Josie's.

Do you know the Vaikoa unit's they are well priced too, it must be near Matriki's?

Greetings, Ronny

Hi Ronny,

Vaikoi is next door to Tamanu Beach with Matriki's being situated on the northern side of Tamanu. Distance between is approx 350 metres.
The Vaikoi has 2 blocks of older s/c units nearer to their roadside, plus 2 newer stand alone villas on their beachfront.

If you are staying at Matriki, the proprietor runs his own guest cruises onto the lagoon. Both the Vaikoa and Matriki occupy an area where the lagoon is good for snorkelling.

Another alternative is Amuri Guesthouse which is closer to town, and the cheap eats within the immediate area plus the internet cafe but it's not beachfront like the other accommodations being discussed. But this accommodation is very reasonably priced with many onsite facilities, and wonderful hosts.

Hey Lagoon,

thanks for your new info's! Good snorkeling is important for us, do you like the beach near Vaikoa , is it nice there?
How far is it from Vaikoa to town? Well, Amuri sounds good, but we are a couple and for us it's maybe better to stay directly on the beach, more romantic...,
Greetings,
Ronny2

Hi Ronny,

It's been some years since I stayed at Vaikoa, but the beach in this particular locality is the best part of lagoon due to the depth of the water. The lagoon becomes progressively shallower towards Paradise Cove, but around the Aitutaki Seaside Lodges the beach profile changes again and the lagoon is far better for snorkelling immediately in front of the coral runway (alternative runway) in the North of Aitutaki.

It will take about 10 minutes walk to reach Mango Traders where the ANZ ATM is located, plus there's a small cheap eats food stall at Mango. A further 5 minutes walk takes you to the nearest grocery outlet which is called Aquila which also sells petrol. Town proper is Arutanga and that is a further 15 or so minutes walk from Aquila store.

Edited by: lagoon

Hi Lagoon,

thanks for the great Infos. We just booked the Vaikoa Bungalow, right on the Beach, we get a good price for it, under 100 $. From there we can walk up to the north to the better locations for snorkeling.

Greats, Ronny321

Hi there,

i'm still looking for a nice cheap accomodation on Rarotonga, a Bungalow for 2 people with nice view, with private bathroom a small kitchen inside, until 80 NZ$ per night...
I just found a place in Internet the name ist "Vaimaanga Views self contained studio". Is It a nice accom. to stay, whats about the Beaches around and this area?

Thanks for your help,
Greats Ronny2

Hi again,

Missed seeing your post 'til now. My apologies.

Have a look at Rarotonga Backpackers beach-hut which is s/c including ensuite - it's within your price range, and a pretty beach area in the SW corner of Rarotonga. Handy to village stores. Friendly hosts. Bus at entrance. Nicely laid-out and maintained property.

I'll have a look at the studio you've identified and let you know more about the area and surrounding facilities.
Cheers.

I had wondered if the property is the same one I was thinking of, and it is. Vaimaanga is a very lovely area. The beachfront has less coral, and the lagoon area is wider compared to Arorangi where the Backpackers beach accommodation is located. Just be very cautious about remaining where the lagoon is shallow and pale in colour when swimming in Vaimaanga. There are several reef passages with strong currents which has taken their toll on swimmers/snorkellers unfamiliar with the locality.

Vaimaanga has a good 7 day store, a takeaway, coffee shop and 2 licenced restaurants. This area is on the south side of the island, situated midway between the east and west. The studio offers a good price, I'm just unsure how far away from the beach it actually is though. Possibly 2 - 5 minutes to get onto the beach itself. Handy position though if you won't mind not being 'right on the beach' so to speak. If this is the place for you, go for it. Rarotonga is going to be very busy over August, and accommodation is becoming hard to come by on the island at present!!

All the best - & wonderful to hear about your booking for the Vaikoa beach-studio!

Hi Lagoon,

thank you very much for your great informations! The Vaimaanga studio was fully booked for our date, so we just reserved for Aremango Guesthouse, sounds also nice.

I have one more question, whats the best place to change money? We fly from europe to Sydney and than to the Cooks. Is it better to change Euro to NZ$ in Sydney, or on the Cooks? We have Visa card, what's about the ATM's on Raro and Aitutaki, they charge extra fee and what's about the ATM Rate, good or bad?

Thank you so much,
greats,
Ronny

Edited by: Ronny2

HI Ronny, I think you will find that by using your credit card as much as possible you will usually get the best international exchange rate. On Aitutaki the ANZ ATM charges $6NZ for each transaction and the WestPac ATM charges $4NZ

Cheers,

Edited by: Araura

Hi Araura,

thanks for your informations!
And what's about cash money, best exchange Rate Euro-NZ$, in Australia or on the Cook Islands?

Greets,
Ronny

Hi Ronny, It's difficult to say where you might get the best exchange rate for cash. My guess would be you would get a better rate in the Australian banks but as I said that's just a guess. As I mentioned before, if you can use your credit card as much as possible even in the ATMs to get cash, you will get the best international exchange rates. You can always try going on-line to check what the Australian banks are giving. I doubt if you will find what the Cook Island banks are giving on-line but you can try. Also realize that between now and when you travel things can change significantly.

Be aware that some (most in the US) credit and debit card issuers have an added charge for transactions in a foreign currency. As high as 3% in some cases. In the US, Capitol One credit and debit cards are good for overseas travel because they do not have a foreign currency transaction fee.

H2ooh makes a good point. Here is a link to a web site for European issued VISA cards that will let you see what the current exchange rate VISA is using from one currency to another. There is a place to enter the percentage, if any, your issuing bank charges for foreign currency transactions.

http://www.visaeurope.com/en/cardholders/exchange_rates.aspx

For US bank issued VISA cards the web site is:

http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/consumer_ex_rates_us.jsp

Euros to NZ dollars - cash transactions? It's possible that a better rate of exchange will be found on Rarotonga since the Kiwi dollar is our currency. The NZD is weak against the Aussie dollar, so they may not be interested in sitting on any more of our currency than necessary.

As far as foreign cash goes, Western Union in Avarua, Rarotonga will provide a better rate of exchange compared with the trading banks (Westpac & ANZ banks). Since you are likely to require a little NZD to get your arrival plans started though, hedge your bets and get some Euros changed either in Australia or Auckland airport then follow up with additional currency exchanges at WU on Rarotonga as required.

Good to hear you've booked Aremango in Muri. One of the nicest flash-packers on the island, and extremely convenient to all nearby activities.

Late to the party, but I love Rino's. Rino and his family are absolutely lovely and accommodating.

Edited by: hotcarib

We looked for weeks and finally decided on Amuri Guesthouse. I know it's just a guesthouse but Maraiti is a great host with loads of stories about the island. We paid $50 a night but the room had a double and a single bed so three could stay there easy. The plus is that you have access to the kitchen so you can cook your own meals and it's located next to the supermarket/internet. There is no beach access but we actually enjoyed the walk each day.

We have some photos and other tips if you are interested: http://www.everydaysomewhere.com/2012/06/cheapest-accommodation-on-aitutaki.html