Three Hostel Reviews in Rarotonga - I was there for 30 days

I stayed in Rarotonga for 30 days and some people who post on here are not giving you an unbiased opinion because they own property or they know someone that does. I will give it to you straight. I stayed in the three main hostels. Rarotonga Backpackers, Vara’s and Backpackers International. I will start with Rarotonga Backpackers first. This was the first one I stayed at and the worst. The rooms in the main area were small and smelled bad. I talked to the owner about it and he said it was because it just rained. It always rains there. Half the time I was there it rained. It was loud and the bathrooms walls had snot or something on the walls. They have a nice sandy beach but you cannot get into the water because it is too rocky and shallow. Here is a clue .. if they brag about a pool next to a beach then it is obvious sign the swimming will be bad. I was scheduled for a week but checked out after 3 days. The good thing is the owner; Paul let me out without penalty … Thanks Paul… Sorry about the review … Clean up your rooms, bathrooms, dredge your beach front and get rid of the rocks.

I then went over to Vara’s. Very clean place and it is right on the beach. But this is very important! It is VERY LOUD. I was telling someone there that just checked in how loud it was. They said they could deal with it but after two days the moved to the hostel next door. Which, by the way, I heard was a nice quite resort but I forgot the name, sorry. Vara’s is the most expensive place and the staff can be a little unfriendly. The snorkeling at Vara’s is OK at best. It is too windy and the waves cause poor visibility. You need to go on the other side of the island to the right for any decent fish. I will tell you the best place shortly. I moved up to their hillside place and that was nice and quite but a little remote.

The best place I stayed at was Backpackers International. Some people dismiss it because it is not directly on the beach but the beach, which is a nice one, it only across the street. And if you walk 10 minutes down the beach you come to the best snorkeling spot on the island. My opinion. That place is right next to the Rarotongan Resort at Aroa Beach. I did some resort crashing there … they don’t mind if you buy something. The Dive Center there feeds the fish so it like swimming in a tropical fish tank. The Backpacker International has great rates at $22.00 a night for your own room (Weekly rate). They just hired their own cook named Ali … He can whip on the best food and the cost is minimal. It is very large place. The have a TV Room with DVD’s (It will rain there), the rooms were separate from everything else so it is quieter. Tisa, the manager is very friendly and they have activities almost every night. I stayed there 20 days. So there you go … That is my unbiased opinion. Here are some random thoughts …… If you are in shape do the Cross Island Trek … You can do it by yourself and you might get a little lost but you can always get out by following the river. This was one of the highlights of the stay. Do the $5.00 island night … Tisa can give you more info. Attend a church service … It is an awesome experience with the singing and fellowship and the food afterward. All you can eat and it is free. Rent a bike they are cheap .. about $8. scooters are about $20.00 a day. Get a driver license as souvenirs. Bike around the whole island … Fun and takes about 5 hours with stops. In the winter and spring it can get a little cool. High 60’s and Mid 70’s …. Water temp about 78. If you are from England then you will think it bath water. Bring a compact umbrella. Well that’s it … I will go back some day …. Cheers!

Thank you for your review. I stayed at Rarotonga Backpackers and International Backpackers in December and I have a different impression of those places.
Of course that doesn't mean that your observations are wrong, but I thought I'd give my view of the two places.

I only stayed one night at the International since the room they gave me (upstairs) was very small and I was in a bunk bed and the bed was very small and it was almost impossible to sit up without hitting your head on the bed above you.
The hostel itself is very quiet, but the room fan was VERY noisy and inefficient, so it wasn't exactly enjoyable.
The linens were dirty and smelly so I used by sleeping bag liner instead. The lights were out in the bathroom so it was a bit of an adventure (and health hazard) to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. After one night I decided to move to Rarotonga Backpackers, so I didn't get a chance to try the food at the International.

I enjoyed the Raro Backpackers a lot more. The room (double room used as a dorm) was much bigger and nicer that the one at the International and the fan was much more efficient and quiet. I do think it would be a good idea to put mozzie nets on the windows since you had to have the windows open to cool down the room at night. It rained a lot when I was there and there was a bucket in the hallway to catch the water from the leaking roof, but I didn't notice any smell.
I found the general areas (kitchen, TV room, etc.) to be nicer at Raro Backpackers.
I agree that the beach by the hostel isn't very good for swimming, but I did swim at high tide and it's not very far to the Rarotongan resort (although it is a little further than it is from the International).

Once again, I respect your comments and I agree that the Raro Backpackers isn't perfect (for example, they forgot to pick people up from the airport two nights in a row). You had a good time at the International and less so at the Raro backpackers, but I had the opposite experience.

/Daniel

Edited by: TravelingSwede

Yes, it will always be hit and miss with backpacker places on RAR, as it really depends on who is managing the place for those few months.

As to dredging the lagoon near RAR Backpakcers---sorry, it is illegal to dredge or remove rocks or coral from the lagoon.

Best swimming and snorkeling is just south of Ta'akoka islet, SE corner of RAR.

Why would ayone spend a whole month on a tiny island like Rarotonga?

I admit 30 days was long but I went to relax, I also spent a a few days over on Aitutaki. If you had a hectic schedule like mine then you would look forward to relaxing on a tropical island. Try it you might like it.

The BEST budget/hostel accommodation in the Cooks rarely gets mentioned. I personally avoided all 3 of the above that were mentioned.

Look around... There are MUCH better places... You'll find them and there's no need to mention them here.

just putting a plug in for Raro Backpacker - heading there again! for the 3rd time - granted we stay in the huts or self contained rooms - but can only say good things - keep up the good work paul (and no we are not locals or related to locals but are two NZ dairy farmers looking to chill out)