Rarotonga - Which Hostel is better for singles?

I will be traveling in Mid. Sept for Rarotonga and staying for 30 days. It would be nice to meet other singles there. I read that International Backpackers might be a good place.

Also ... I will be bringing my laptop there ... Do they have WiFi that I would be able to connect to? Thanks!

I have no personal experience with either hostel mentioned (though the location of Vara's can't be beat and there were loads of young, good looking people hanging out when I passed by) but I do want to point out that cookislandstravelor aka cookislandstraveler aka fijitraveler aka tahititraveler aka fijivoyager has never been to the Cook Islands based on information given in previous postings so be aware. (He hasn't been to FP either, don't know about Fiji to comment on that.)

LOL, 'cat.

I'm surprised we have not seen a "samoatraveller" on here yet.

Bringing a laptop on holidays? What on earth for? I am beginning to believe our society has gone mad. Sorry. There are lots of options for internet around.

I digress, another hostel option could be Tiare Village. I stayed there twice during my Cook Islands stay and found it accommodating with lots of people of all ages... single and other.

Thanks for the info ... I will be there for 30 days ... Have to get some work in!

It depends what sort of atmosphere you are looking for - I hasten to add the following are my personal opinions only, based on looking in from the outside, having never actually stayed at any of them...

Varas: Backpacking RTW young, single crew. Vara's has a fantastic position, right on Muri lagoon. It can be loud and "partyish" depending on who is there at the time. The owner/managers are great people. Can be quite busy. Great verandah for afternoon drinks. Close to Pacific Divers for diving. Approx 20 minutes to town for groceries etc. Close to restaurants and cafes. Great for sunrises.

International Backpackers: Quieter position and clientele, a little out of the way - which can be good or bad, depending on what you are looking for. Tends to be a slightly older crew. Not on the beach, but in a quiet area off the main road, within reasonable walk to the beach. Good for sunsets. I don't know the owner/managers. Approx 20 minutes to town by bus.

Rarotongan Backpackers: On the beach in a quieter area of the island than Muri. Great owner/managers. People staying there tend to be a mix of younger and older. Not known so much for its partying as Varas. Approx 20 minutes to town by bus. Great for sunsets and nice beach area.

Tiare Village: On the back road behind town. Not near a swimming beach. Much quieter reputation than all the other backpackers. Close-ish to town, so handy for groceries, going out etc. In a more residential area, rather than in the beach/tourist zone. Can be a little more difficult to get to as not all buses go past there.

I have stayed at Vara's Beachhouse and its a very nice hostel with a fantastic location. The people working there are really friendly and helpfull.

You can choose either to stay at the beach (more crowded and can be noisy, depends on the people staying there at the time) or up the hill (more quiter).

I met people of all ages there, young people 20-ies, older 30+ and even families !! All very nice people ! Lots of singles, friends travelling together, solo travellers and even families.

I stayed in the Aremango Guesthouse, which is just back off the beach a little, near Varas - a very sociable crew of people came and went in the week I was there.

Aremango is a good choice.
But be very careful with your laptop, no matter which budget place you stay at. Theft (by other backpackers) of digital cameras, etc., is not all that uncommon.

You might want to splurge and pay a little extra to get your own room (i.e. pay for both beds in a double-bedded room) so you can lock it up.

There is a wi-fi "hot spot" at the Pacific Resort cafe at Muri, and a few places in town.

Hey mate, i happen to be staying in raro for 27days from mid sep. Rarotonga Backpackers could be a good place, lot s of activities & facilities - ACTIVITIES AT RAROTONGA BACKPACKERS
Every day we organize a different activity for our guests, including regular social evenings around various nightspots on Rarotonga, as well as holding our own barbeques at either the Hillside or Beachfront complexes:

MONDAY
Banana Court and Whatever Bar night.
Cheap drinks, nice music, lots of fun.
$ 5 taxi return trip
Taxi leaves @ 8:30 pm. Min 8 people. TUESDAY
Backpackers BBQ. Delicious local fish, lamb chops, salads, vodka punch. Chef Paul. NZ$ 15 per person. Bookings essential @ the office by Tuesday 11:30 am. WEDNESDAY
Round the World Party @ Banana Court Bar. 20l FREE vodka punch.
$ 5 taxi return trip
Leaves @ 7:30 pm. Min 8 people.
THURSDAY
The Island Night @ Staircase. Cheapest Traditional Dancing and Singing night.
NZ$5 admission + NZ$5 taxi (return). Taxi leaves @ 8:30 pm. Min 8 people. FRIDAY
Fish and chips @ Game Fishing Club. Delicious fish and chips @ NZ$ 4 each.
$ 5 taxi return trip
Leaves @ 6:30 pm
Min 8 people. SATURDAY
Morning: Punanga Nui Market (Food and arts and crafts market). Taste local food (ika mata, banana poke, Nu , rukau…), buy a souvenir (pareu), shell necklace, wood carving necklace, Raro t-shirts…
Evening : The Curry Night
8 different curries
NZ$17 pp all you can eat buffet. NZ$5 taxi return trip
Leaves @ 6:30 pm
Min 8 people.

http://www.rarotongabackpackers.com<BR>peace

Vara's also arranges some of the same actiivities, such as going to the Thursday Island Night at the Staircase Bar. And regardless of where one stays, the other activities can also be visited by using the night bus. But, it could be more fun if you are going with others at the same place you are staying, such as Rarotonga Backpackers, Vara's etc.

Shiftleft---sounds like you'll have a great time! Let us have a little trip report near the end, or whenever you get a chance. [I know RAR, but most TT'ers don't].

Raro

Hi,

I'm staying with my girlfreind right now at Raratonga backpackers until 19th Sep then Varas until 29th Sep. Here a week today already and its a great place. But i will say it always depends on who arrives for fun etc, etc, right now you would be having a great time as there is 3/4 single girls but no single guys. (tough luck mate) myself and my girlfriend love a good night and also a quiet night sort one night on two nights off thing. Alot of people who were always up for a few drinks poker, music nothing too late or loud have since left the Island and the replacements are alot quiter and suddenly its a gone back to early nights 9pm in bed. So really its just down to pot luck on who is there. Some of the nights out listed above you do get a chance to meet the other hostels but beware of going out to much its very expensive a small glass of beer can cost $5 a go and before you know it you down 50 so drinks in the hostel can save you alot. Mail me here or on joeglynn@vodafone.ie if you want to ask anything.