region
Rarotonga
Sleep on Rarotonga for the whole stay; do Avarua as a market-and-church morning, the lagoon as beach days and Aitutaki as a flight away.
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Rules in force · 3
- Cook Islands ↗Entry rules are the Cook Islands' own: many passports get a visitor permit on arrival with an onward ticket and booked accommodation, but check Cook Islands immigration for your passport. If you connect through Auckland, check New Zealand's NZeTA and transit rules too.
- Cook Islands ↗Declare food, plant and animal products on arrival; biosecurity inspection is strict.
- Cook Islands ↗Drive on the left; the speed limit around Rarotonga is low, and helmets are required on scooters. Check the licence rules for visitors on arrival.
Rarotonga is a 32 km loop road around a mountain, with Avarua the only town. The island is small enough to keep one bed; the choices are which side of the lagoon and how you move: the round-island bus, a scooter or a taxi.
Where to sleep
Avaruasleep base
Town base: market, church, harbour cafes and the bus hub.
Aitutakiovernight
Lagoon cruise; short domestic flight.
Night sequences
- 4 nights
- Rarotonga 4, town on one morning
- 7 nights
- Rarotonga 4 + Aitutaki 3
- Sunday closures shape any plan that includes food or cash.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muri lagoon | Avarua | 25 min | unknown | Bus or taxi; return before dusk. |
| Cross-island track | Avarua | 15 min | unknown | Steep, slippery after rain. |
Bags between cities
No forwarding culture: leave the big bag at the Rarotonga hotel when you fly to Aitutaki.