One week in the cook islands... budget accommodation in raro and aitutaki

Alright, so i'm flying into raro and getting in on sept 13th. i was going to spend two nights at varas beach house, do the jungle hike and go around the island on a scooter (any other ideas would be greatly appreciated). I was then hopefully going to fly out to aitutaki (depending on the prices) and spend 3 nights there (any recommendations on what to do there? Also is it really worth the price to fly out there? i have the 15th booked at the matriki beach huts but I was wondering if there are any other budget accomodations on the island or something you all would recommend? Would love something on the beach, but whatever is cheapest is best. then plan on flying back friday and heading out sunday. I am a 23 year old solo traveller so would love to be somewhere where there are people my age and not married couples. Let me know!

Do a safari tour, before you do the x-island hike on Raro. You'd be best to visit a travel agency on Raro like Jetsave or Island Hopper to package your accommodation with airfares and transfers. Matriki would be a good accomm option for Aitutaki. Budget, absolute beachfront, swimming beach and right next door to Tamanu's island nite. Do a lagoon cruise, or fishing adventure with Matriki.

hey thanks for the reply. unfortunately matriki is booked for everything except for the 15th night. any other ideas?

Tom's is a backpackers on Aitutaki. http://www.ck/aitutaki/tomsbeach/index.htm
I liked it when I stayed there five years ago.
I noticed when I strolled by there last year that the beach in back of his house had become overgrown with grass (as had the surrounding beach areas) but you can walk further north for a better beach area.

There are backpackers off the beach which are less expensive. They do not have Web sites. Can find some numbers on www.ck

Matriki is popular for good reason. Ranginui's Retreat at the end of Ootu peninsula. Sunny Beach Lodges near Pacific Resort. Amuri guesthouse (lovely although it's not beachfront), the newer beachfront units at Vaikoa. And only the new beachfront unit at Tom's (not the old stand alone cottage right next to the sports field, or the main guest house).

thanks for the help! do you recommend booking them in advance?

The best deal will be with Island Hopper Vacations on Raro - but they can only offer the cheapest airfares one week prior to departure once they learn from Air Raro what the passenger loadings will be like. Jetsave can sell you a good all round price including airfares, accomm and airport transfers. Also they are most efficient with bookings/customer service. Being located in the middle of Avarua (capital of Rarotonga) iJetsave is convenient since most visitors will go into Avarua at some point during their stay. I booked with Jetsave for an Aitutaki package and travelled over there 2 weeks ago now. Stayed 2 nights at Amuri Guesthouse, fabulous & affordable accomm with very hospitable hosts in a 6 double bedroom home. I occupied the single room being on my own. Met many interesting travellers (mainly from Europe) at this spacious and very clean guest-house. Beachfront is across the road, nearest village store directly in front of guest-house with a bigger store 2 minutes walk away. Takeaway burgers almost next door, and internet cafe no more than 5 minutes stroll away. Amuri can arrange tours, and local transport. Guesthouse has an indoors TV lounge, with DVD player and library, as well as a further indoors dining area. Spacious covered verandah out front in a tropical garden setting. I would stay here again! Also, I suggest that once you reach Aitutaki, any plans to return to Raro on a Friday will go out the window - unless you especially wanted to return for the nightlife at the bars in town (Raro that is). Even then I'd book the last flight possible, but I'm more than willing to bet you extend your Aitutaki visit until last flight Saturday or even on the Sunday you depart these islands. Aitutaki is that wonderful and more.