Returned from the Cook Islands - Rarotonga and Aitutaki

Hi

I returned to reality last week after 5 days in the Cooks.

Had a great time blah blah blah

Thought some people might be intersted in my thoughts on where we stayed

Rarotonga - Rarotonga Backpackers - Hillside

We had a double private room in the hillside part of the backpackers NZ $50 / night. Room was basic but good value. Fan, lights electricity etc.. was clean. We were very happy with it. The Hillside was quiet which was good for us. The manager I think Paul was very helpful and offered advice in a way which you could tell was just advice without any other motivation. The advice was very helpful.

The beachside part seemed a lot busier and looked like good fun.

I would reccomend Rarotonga Backpackers to anyone who was looking for good budget accommodation.

Vara's backpackers - we did not stay here but it looked incredible due to it's location on Muri beach. Spoke to some people who stayed there and apparently it was full of first time away from Mummy and Daddy set. Who stayed up playing drinking games all night. Not that there is anything wrong with that but vomiting on the floor is not cool. Apparently the women who runs it is really nice and helpful however.

Aitutaki - Matriki Beach Huts

One of the best value places I have ever stayed. We stayed in the beach hut for NZ$70 / night it inclued a gas stove, fridge (my favourite), good bed, shower and sink outside connected to the hut. This was incredible but if I stayed there again I would probably try and stay in the garden villa it seemed even better value and had an indoor sink and shower.

The managers of the accommodation have the place in good shape and put lots of effort into making it so good. They were both also very helpful and it appeared to me that they just want guests to have a good time and if they could of let people stay for free they would have done! Sometimes I had to remind myself I was only paying $70 /night if they wanted to they could charge 3 times that.

The location of the Matriki is incredible right on the beach with amazing snorkelling 2m from the beach.

Other bits which may be of interest

Staircase island night Rarotonga - we went just for the show but had an ace time. We were made to get up and dance but that was just about OK! We went when most of the main crew were performing at the national championships. The performance was incredible still however. I also liked the way the performers seemed to be enjoying themselves so much and it seemed so relaxed. The MC was great as well explaining things throughout and telling a few good anecdotes. Tip the Kauna bottles of Steinlager are only $6.

Fred's Lagoon Snorkelling Tour Aitutaki - Fred from Matriki beach huts does a snorkelling tour in and outside of the lagoon. It was wonderful, on our trip was a guy who had been on the laggon with other companies and said Fred's stayed out the longest. We left at 9.30 and returned at 1630. Cost was $75. Included big lunch of fresh food. Saw loads of amazing fish blah blah blah.

Scootering - I was a bit nervous about this but did it on Aitutaki and it was ace. On Raro we got the bus which was fine. Raro's roads were a bit busier (still not busy) so glad we did on Aitutaki.

People were really nice, helpful and I am glad the Cooks were my first tast of the PIs

Finally if going the Cook's visit another island as well as Raro. Aitutaki was great and we got return flights for NZ$236.

Thanks very much for the information on Rarotonga Backpackers, I'll be staying there in November for 2 weeks. I'll be staying at the Beachfront units.

What was the beach like in front? Was it quite rocky or have lots of coral? Do they keep it pretty clean? Was it easy to sit on the beach and watch the sun go down?

Anything else you can tell me about the area would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

The beach was great in front of the beachfront unit not rocky a little corally but not very much. Was very clean and seems like constant work is put into making it stay that way.

You'll have a great time, like I said in the OP have a look at going to another island as well.

Thanks very much! If I were going for more than the 2 weeks, I would spend some time on Aitutaki, but with only the two weeks I'm going to stay put this time. I do agree, it is beautiful, I was there a few years ago.

Will you be posting any photos?

I can post photos if you like, I'll put em on photoshack or something. Or does LP have a facility where you can put 'em on.

Thanks for the report, I have stayed at Matriki a few times a few years ago and it was my favorite. I'm glad to know its still great. I'm feeling pulled there right now. Aloha, Joan

Vancouver---with two weeks, you have plenty of time to visit Aitutaki. Rarotonga is pretty tiny, only about 6 miles across, 20 miles around. You can spend maybe 3 days on Aitutaki and not miss anything on RAR. Just a thought.

Been to Cooks numerous times and within 2 weeks it is still worth checking elsewhere rather than Raro. Beaches are good on Raro but better elsewhere (Aitutaki). The best thing about Raro is the mountain views which is very undersold I think. Plus Raro's a bit to busy for my liking, still cool tho.

Hey there! Thanks for the nice words about Matriki. (I'm one of the managers, for those interested).

Just a note - as part of our ongoing "Prettification Project", we'll be adding a sink to the Beach Hut and upgrading it a little bit, hopefully by August.

As a matter of fact, we do wish we could let everyone come and stay here for free, Aitutaki is so beautiful, but I don't think the boss would much like that...LOL.

We have a little slide show on Youtube if you ever need an Aitutaki fix.

Thanks again - we're so happy you enjoyed your stay!!

Cheers - Kristene

Great report! I have been busily copying and pasting lots of links into my "holiday in the cook islands" file on my pc!

Cheers glas you liked it

Vancouver ...

I've been to the Cooks four times.

Consider taking the Aitutaki-Atiu-Raro route with at least 3 days on each island.

If you just want to mingle with other tourists and spend money in the nightspots Raro is OK. If you want to mingle with the locals and really appreciate the people and the culture, see the other islands.

i love aitutaki and i love the cook islands! somebody posted a comment on matriki beach huts. i loved it too. the huts are right on the beach....and the atmosphere is so relaxing...the huts were basic, but had a very convenient mosquito net and you could cook, there's a balcony and the price is good and you can hear the sound of the waves at night it's a great place . i don't believe people spend thousands of dollars to stay in resorts..i would like to run that place myself...eheh..greetings to Mathias. i don't know if he remembers us.we stayed almost two weeks. we stayed also a few days in the garden cottage that has the toilet inside and it was very nice too and the last night everything was full so we slept in his house.(august 2007)

I agree with #11. And actually, Aitutakians are getting a bit jaded about tourists, since so many got there. The best accessible islands to meet locals, IMHO, in order: Mauke, Atiu, Mitaro (very shy at first) , Mangaia (many are aloof, though enough are not).