'''Rarotonga''' is the most populated of the Cook Islands and is the capital, located in the southern group of islands.
Get in
By plane
'''Rarotonga International Airport''' (IATA: RAR) is the main gateway to the Cook Islands. There are daily services to Auckland. The international airlines at present are:
Air New Zealand [http://www.airnz.co.nz] operates daily services to Auckland, weekly service to Christchurch and Los Angeles
Pacific Blue [http://virginblue.com.au operates services to Auckland three times per week, with connections to Sydney
Air Rarotonga [http://www.airraro.co.ck] and Air Tahiti operate code-share services to Tahiti twice weekly.
The Pacific Blue flights arrive and depart at midnight, and the early hours of the morning. The Air NZ flights have a more civilised arrival and departure time, but depart to early and arrive to late for connections to Australia.
Air New Zealand has code share arrangements with all other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga is a popular stopover on round-the-world flights.
Get around
Rarotonga's main island is encircled by a 32 km bitumen road that is in good condition. The inner road is a mixture of bitumen and gravel, and care must be taken with the local chickens and dogs that wander about.
By car
The best way of getting around is to rent an open top car, which is reasonably affordable. There are a couple of car rental places close to the airport.
By motor scooter
The best and most affordable mode of transport is hiring a motor scooter from the various rental companies scattered around, or direct from the larger hotels.
To ride a scooter, you need a Cook Islands drivers license, which can be purchased from the Police station in Avarua. Be prepared to do a short test, where an officer will follow you around a short circuit to make sure you know what you are doing.
By bus
The best travel tip is to take "Cook Island Bus" which circles the island clockwise every hour on the hour from town and anti-clockwise 25 minutes past the hour. The anti-clockwise buses break for lunch, and don't run Saturday afternoons or Sundays. The sign on the front of the bus states its direction. If you're going to use it regularly, you can buy a day pass or a book of 10 tickets. But be warned...there's no evening service on Sundays. The bus will pick up and drop off almost anywhere on the round island route. Finally, make sure you read the small print on your bus ticket: it says "please smile"!. Single trips are $4.00, day pass is $16. All day family pass $26.
See
Do
Scuba Diving
The diving in and around the reef is breathtaking. With warm tropical waters of around 27 degrees C, only a short 2mm wetsuit is required.
If you are a certified diver, you can book a dive with one of many dive operators on the main island.
A two tank boat dive will cost you about NZ$120 with all equipment provided.
There are wrecks to explore, small cave systems and plenty of fish. In August you may be lucky enough to experience diving with whales that are passing by the island.
Snorkeling
Great snorkeling can be found at numerous beaches around the island. Not all beaches are suitable - some rocky beaches are no so pleasant but head for the coral lagoons. Muri beach offers beautiful clear, shallow water - it remains shallow very far out so is ideal for beginners. You can also book on a snorkeling cruise around this lagoon in a glass-bottomed boat, stopping off to snorkel by a small island, and a barbeque lunch and cultural show on the other side of the lagoon.
Snorkeling can be done at the Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve directly in front of The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. The Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve is the longest continously operating Marine Reserve in Rarotonga as well as being a natural breeding ground for several hundreds of species of tropical reef fish. The result is that you will be able to see hundreds of fish with metres of the white sand shores of Aroa Beach. Snorkeling equipment, lessons and guided snorkeling tours (both night and day) are complimentary to guests of The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and are available at a small charge to other visitors.
Tramping
There are several inland walking tracks which can be followed for a pleasant few hours in the bush. The Needle & Cross-Island Walk crosses the island from Uruau Drive to Wigmore's Waterfall, and the Raemaru track goes up to Raemaru Peak (350m).
Buy
Mountains. Rarotonga used to be a giant, rocky volcano. Just a few hundred years ago, it collapsed into a beautiful, round island teeming with wildlife. There are lots of small peaks around the area and waterfalls hidden in mini-sanctuaries around the jungle. They are easy to tramp to and to bike to.
Raro Style @ The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. roa Beach & Marine Reserve. ttp://www.therarotongan.com. "Raro Style" Gift Shop is located at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and offers a wide range of local style apparel, handicrafts, arts, crafts, gifts and souvenirs as well as snacks & wines. Open 7 days 8am to 6pm
Eat
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. roa Beach & Marine Reserve. 682) 25-800. ttp://www.therarotongan.com. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa offers a variety of dining experiences including fine dining at Blue Lagoon, world famous Island Night Feast and Drum Dance show as well as Fire Dancers and Island BBQ in Te Vaka Restaurant, casual dining at Captain Andy's Grill or the Hibiscus Hut for cafe cuisine. Private dining with candlelit dinners can be arranged.
Drink
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. roa Beach & Marine Reserve. ttp://www.therarotongan.com. Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the beach and try and catch the "green flash" as the sun dips over the horizon or enjoy a jug of Sangria or local Matutu beer by the pool as well as the island's most extensive wine list.
Matutu Brewery. ikioki, Titikaveka, Rarotonga. 00mtrs from Fruits of Rarotonga. 682 26288. ttp://www.matutubeer.com. am - 4pm. Matutu Brewery is the only local brewery in the Cook Islands. The micro brewery produces Mai Lager, Kiva Pale Ale & Matutu Draught. Please drop in for a visit and take advantage of our free tour.
Sleep
Budget
'''Backpackers International hostel'''. A family-run place with internet access (slow!), a bar, kitchen facilities and it's close to the beach. The hostel also offers pick-up service at the airport.
Mid-range
'''Edgewater Resort'''. A resort located on the west (airport/town) side of Raratonga
Splurge
Crown Beach Resort. rorangi. 682 23953. nfo@crownbeach.com. 682 23951. ttp://www.crownbeach.com. A boutique resort in Rarotonga.
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Pacific Resort Rarotonga. uri Beach. 682 20427. 682 22427. ttp://www.pacificresort.com. 64 room resort with bar and restaurant. Cultural shows on Monday and Friday nights.
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa. roa Beach & Marine Reserve. 682)25800. ttp://www.therarotongan.com. 400. 000. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa is located directly Aroa Beach & Marine Reserve where you can find good snorkelling.
Vara's Accomodation. bout 15 minutes outside of town in the clockwise direction. Located on Muri beach.. 82 23156. ttp://www.varas.co.ck/" check in="Flexible. 0:00am. 0-120 NZD/night. Vara's has many different types of accommodations, ranging from the dorm rooms to the Grand View Lodge. Split between the hillside location, which is usually quieter and has a pool, and the beach there are quite a few beds available. The beach dorms look out over the lagoon to the east, and share the best beach on the island with the expensive resort hotels.
Vara's beach location has a, perhaps well deserved, reputation for late night revelry and partying. If you are looking for quiet and solitude this is perhaps not the best location, but if you are looking to meet people and have a good time you will find that at Vara's.
One of the best features of Vara's is that the Koka Shack is located on premise. This business offers kayak and snorkeling gear rental, as well as spear fishing, deep sea fishing, guided hikes, BBQs, poker nights, betting days, and plenty of games. By organizing these events on premise you get to know many of the people staying with you.</sleep>
Vai Villas. aimaanga, Titikaveka, Rarotonga. pposite Wigmores Superstore. 682 23333. ttp://www.vaivillas.com. Vai Villas offers two spacious one bedroom Pacific Island style villas overlooking the magnificence of Titikaveka lagoon, a quiet and peaceful beach.
Get out
The uninhabited islands of Takutea and Suwarrow and also Palmerston can be visited with a research vessel stationed at Rarotonga
Aitutaki