Budget travelling 2 weeks in Rarotonga

Alright so I have a 2 week trip to Rarotonga in 6 months. I already booked the flight. My travel agent was advising that I make arrangements soon to make sure I have a room reserved for while I'm there because it is a small island and the rooms fill up quickly. I get that, but I plan on only staying in the cheapest hostels and maybe even try to do a work-away for cheap staying. Having said that; do I need to reserve rooms this far in advance for the cheap budget hostels? And are they any good suggestions on where/ are there even opportunities to do a work-away on the island?

Also, I say budget travelling because I will have just spent a lot of time in New Zealand so I might not have that much money. So does anyone have good suggestions on a minimum amount of money that I'll need to spend just under two weeks in Rarotonga. Now this trip would consist of staying in the cheapest accommodations possible and maybe doing just a few touristy things like a boat ride to another island but mostly self guided tours, hiking around, and cooking my own food.

Ill appreciate anything, thanks!

OZs and Kiwi's hit the place pretty hard that time of year, it's the high season.

Workaways in Raro are not available for non-citizens any time.

I'd get online and start looking for cheap places, they'll go fast.

It's easier to save money in NZ than Raro.

I would say a minimum of $100NZ a day including accommodations if you do your own cooking. Here is a web site that lists a lot of accommodations on Rarotonga. You can ask to sort it by price:
http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/for-rent/pacific-islands/cook-islands-rarotonga-/

I have just booked a month in Rarotonga in June ( my first trip there) and seem to be looking at the same type of holiday -and questions as you. I have booked some hostels to make sure I have some accommodation because no one answered my question as to wether they get totally booked. Hostels range from 30- 40 NZD for a single room- cheaper in a dorm.the only helpx place I saw was on Auitutaki - and may have been out of date. It seems there arent any ferries just expensive flights- $165 one way to Auitutaki. So i will probably just stay on rarotonga. Unlike Samoa & Fiji ,Rarotonga doesnt seem to have a lot of budget travel options. It seems that if you buy local fish, fruit & vegies and cook at the hostel you will keep prices down- just do without imported stuff which will cost more .check out Rarotonga backpackers, backpackers international, central hotel,mountain view guest house,KiiKii motels, Maiana and Aremango guest houses. These are the ones that seem to be the cheapest to me.

Kia Orana Fvecellla!

I was just reading through this great thread and saw your post. Rarotonga is a beautiful island and am sure you will enjoy your time there.

While some accommodation can be expensive there are also some great reasonably priced holiday homes which you can book for your 2 weeks stay.

One popular booking site is Home for Hire and flipkey. I was looking at home for hire this morning and there is a little holiday home named Are Atupare as well as one called the Shack for around $60NZD per night which is very reasonable. Both properties are private holiday homes, so you can pay backpacker rates but still have your own place nd not have to share facilities with lots of people.

if you like visit http://www.homeforhire.com/home/are-atupare.aspx perhaps you could email home owners and see if they could offer you a discount.

Getting around need not be expensive, you could either hire a bicycle (Rarotonga is 32kms of flat road so cycling is pretty great) or you could hire a scooter from about $120 per week.

No matter what your budget is, you can still have a great time and experience the best of what Rarotonga has to offer!!

Happy holidays!

Just back from a 10 day Rarotonga holiday As is off season now we got really good deal from AUSTRALIA for 10 days.
1650.00AUSD for the lot airfare plus hotel. p/p. My son and I spent 1670 nzd, for food and entertainment plus 459.00 nzd for a daytrip to AITUTAKI, its well worth the money.We stayed at the CASTAWAY hotel small hotel with great food and restaurant. Warning COOK IS. IS NOT CHEAP we spent av. 85 nzd for food and drinks every day.
aUST TRAVELLERS PLEASE TAKE NOTE Please do not buy any dutyfree alcoholl in RAROTONGA tHE NZ CUSTOM WILL TAKE IT WAY if you are in transit in AUCKLAND this not apply to direct flight to Sydney, Cig are dear 17-18 nzd a pack of 20, duty free 50.00 nzd for a carton of 100.00

Here it is, if you need more info drop me a email we answer honestly
Bribieboy36

While Raro and Aitutaki can be spendy, the Outer Islands of the Southern Group can be fairly easy on wallet. In November my wife and I spent 26 days on Mauke and 2 days on Raro.

All total, including car rental, 2 days at Palm Grove, and an island night on RARO plus the Air Raro RT ticket, 26 days lodging, food, fishing, scooter, etc. on Mauke with ANZ RT airfare from the US, we spent $6,500 USD.

For us Rarotonga was worth a few days on our first visit to the Cooks. The Aitutaki day trip is popular but it costs more than a regular RT to Aitutaki. Once on Aitutaki you can stay in a beachfront bungalow for $135 a nite with a fridge and stove. Meals while on Aitutaki are the same or less than Raro and entertainment is no more than Raro and normally less. We enjoy Aitutaki a lot more than Raro.

If you've seen Raro and Aitutaki once or twice, check out the islands of Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro and Mauke. They're addictive!

We've been to the Cooks eight times.

Hello Fvecella,

You may want to look into staying at the Paradise Inn. They have 2 "budget rooms" that are perfect for singles. I stayed with thems over a three month period while writing my Cook Islands Guidebook and it was perfect for me. There is a small stove and refrigerator, a single bed and shower. The deck overlooks the beach, with a shared BBQ and honor bar for a beer or soft drink. Paradise Inn is in Avarua Town, close to many restaurants, shops, markets,library and the local museum. I think the current rate is NZ$75, but if you are staying for two weeks, I'm sure they would be negotiable.

PapaMike