Why go
- Island of the Cook Islands.
- Served by Rarotonga International Airport (RAR).
History
Rarotonga is the largest and most populous island of the country of the Cook Islands. The island is volcanic, with an area of 67.39 km2 (26.02 sq mi), and is home to 72% of the country's population, with 10,898 of a total population of 15,040. Avarua, on the north coast, is the location of the Parliament buildings and the capital of the Cook Islands. The country's international airport is also in Avarua, and Rarotonga is a popular tourist destination, with many resorts, hotels and motels.
Where to stay
Turangi Tapere Rarotonga, Cook Islands · coastcookislands.com
Ara Tapu, Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · heliconiahideaway.com
Pokoinu tapere Avarua District Rarotonga, Cook Islands · rainbow-villas.com
P6P5+96J, Ara Tapu, Takitumu District, Cook Islands · cooksbayvillas.com
P7R8+HQ6, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · crystalbluelagoonvillas.com
Ara Tapu, Takitumu District, Cook Islands · motuvillas.com
Ara Tapu, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · murishores.com
5 Star, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · rumours-rarotonga.com
Ara Tapu, Takitumu District, Cook Islands · seachangevillas.com
Muri Beach Road Muri Beach, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · tevakaroavillas.com
P7XC+82G, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · rarobeachhouse.com
Titama Rd, Matavera District, Cook Islands · ikurangi.com
2 Pa Ariki Rd, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · kiaoranavillas.com
P7XC+53F, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · kkabanas.co.ck
Arorangi, Cook Islands · lagoonbreezevillas.com
Ara Tapu, Matavera District, Cook Islands · oceanescaperesort.com
Ara Tapu, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · pacificresort.com
Q6WM+85J, Matavera District, Cook Islands · oceansprayvillas.com
Main Road - Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · pacificresort.com
Muri Beach Point, 5100, Nukupure Dr, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · muribeachclubhotel.com
Ara Tapu, Avarua, Cook Islands · beachcomber.co.ck
Ara Tapu, Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · sandsvillasrarotonga.com
Ara Tapu, Arorangi Rarotonga, Cook Islands · thesunsetresort.com
Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · aroabeach.com
Muri Beach, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · pacificresort.com
P6HW+2CH, Ara Tapu, Takitumu District, Cook Islands · rarotongabeachbungalows.com
Main Rd Inave, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · manuia.co.ck
Ara Tapu, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · moanasands.co.ck
CK, Ara Tapu, Ngatangiia District, Cook Islands · nautilusresortrarotonga.com
Ara Tapu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · palmgrove.net
Aroa Beach, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · sanctuaryrarotonga.com
1 Puaikura Drive, Arorangi, Cook Islands · edgewater.co.ck
Ara Tapu 483 Tupapa Road,Rarotonga, Avarua, Cook Islands · clubraro.co.ck
Ara Metua Avarua District, Cook Islands · golfseaview.com
Ara Tapu, Avarua, Cook Islands · islanderhotel.co.ck
Aroa Beach Rarotonga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · therarotongan.com
P7R8+8X9, Rarotonga, Cook Islands · muribeachhideaway.com
1 Ariki Rd, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Aroa Beach Marine Reserve PO BOX 103, RAROTONGA, CK, Cook Islands
P7X9+XHF, Aroko Drive, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Q5CJ+X3X, Arerenga Rd, Arorangi, Cook Islands
Indoor
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Indoor
Indoor
4 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
Fish And Chips, Pizza, Regional, Burger, International, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-14:30, 18:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating · Ara… · traderjackscookislands.com
Burger, Pizza, Coffee Shop, Fish And Chips, Steak House, Seafood, American, Salad, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating,…
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa,Su 10:00-16:00 Features: vegetarian options, step-free access · tearacimce.com
Coffee Shop, Ice Cream, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-17:00; Su 07:00-10:00, 12:00-17:00
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-21:30
Kebab, Falafel, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Sa off; We,Th,Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-20:00; Su 12:00-19:00
Tapas, Restaurant · Features: takeaway
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Mexican, Restaurant · Mexican restaurant
Cake, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Cake/Coffee Shop cafe
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant
Asian, Restaurant · Asian restaurant
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Th-Sa 12:00-17:00; We 12:00-16:00; Su 15:00-16:00
Restaurant · restaurant · tamarindhouserarotonga.com
Fast Food · fast food
Burger, Restaurant · Burger restaurant
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-14:30; Sa,Su off Features: vegan options
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-19:30
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 11:00-14:00,17:00-21:00; Sa,Su 13:00-21:00
Fast Food · fast food
Burger, Curry, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su off
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 16:00-22:00
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
Fast Food · fast food
Burger, Fast Food · Burger fast food
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-14:30; Sa 07:00-14:00; Su 08:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access
Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-Sa 17:00-20:00
Fast Food · fast food
Cafe · Opening hours: Su-Th 07:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00
Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Mo 17:00-21:00
Fast Food · fast food
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-14:00; Sa 08:30-13:00 Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 11:00-22:00
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
19 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) 4.8 km to the centre
Avarua, U, CK — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 5 airlines (Air Rarotonga, Air New Zealand, US Airways, Air Tahiti…) · direct flights to 9 destinations incl. Auckland, Aitutaki, Los Angeles, Papeete, Atiu Island… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 9 direct destinations
- Air Rarotonga GZ (EMB, Saab 340, ATR 42) · 6 routes: Aitutaki, Atiu Island, Mangaia Island, Mauke Island, Mitiaro Island, Papeete*
- Air New Zealand NZ (767-300, A320, 777-200, Saab 340, EMB) · 4 routes: Aitutaki*, Auckland, Los Angeles, Sydney
- US Airways US (767-300, A320, 777-200) · 2 routes: Auckland*, Los Angeles*
- Air Tahiti VT (ATR) · 1 route: Papeete
- Virgin Australia VA (737-800) · 1 route: Auckland*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Cruise Berth for Tender
Ferry terminal · 3.8 km from the centre
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Rarotonga International Airport (RAR). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: RAR has direct flights to 9 destinations on 5 airlines (incl. Auckland, Aitutaki, Los Angeles, Papeete, Atiu Island…). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: Cruise Berth for Tender, 3.8 km).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Adventure
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Walking Tour