Guidebook for Rarotonga
Food Scene
It has the best fish samwich and beautiful local tap beer, sitting right next to the lagoon, you can also hire kayaks
21 locals recommend
Charlies Cafe and Beach Hire
Ara TapuIt has the best fish samwich and beautiful local tap beer, sitting right next to the lagoon, you can also hire kayaks
Its walking distance to where you are staying you are right on the beach again, good food and wine list
12 locals recommend
Vaima Restaurant and Bar
Ara TapuIts walking distance to where you are staying you are right on the beach again, good food and wine list
Drinks & Nightlife
You can eat dinner at trader Jacks a local and tourist hang out, right in the middle of Avarua, Traders is great for a cold beer on a saturday afternoon post the local market, i recommend there Iki Mata
26 locals recommend
Trader Jacks
Ara TapuYou can eat dinner at trader Jacks a local and tourist hang out, right in the middle of Avarua, Traders is great for a cold beer on a saturday afternoon post the local market, i recommend there Iki Mata
If you want to know where the locals go and dance the night away here it is, lots of fun and colourful locals
Hula Bar
If you want to know where the locals go and dance the night away here it is, lots of fun and colourful locals
Sightseeing
If you would like an authentic show and dinner in a local Marae, this is your place magical song, dance and a traditional Umu meal. its a beautiful experience and highly recommend it.
These guys do the best day trip to get a sense of local life, you are taken out on a boat, with a snorkelling session with local fish, lots of singing and insight into the coconut and how it is used. a beautiful lunch and return trip home from a beautiful island in muri, lots of fun
18 locals recommend
Captain Tamas Lagoon Cruizes
These guys do the best day trip to get a sense of local life, you are taken out on a boat, with a snorkelling session with local fish, lots of singing and insight into the coconut and how it is used. a beautiful lunch and return trip home from a beautiful island in muri, lots of fun
Highland Paradise
Maungaroa DriveGuided Snorkelling
I recommend these guys for the most amazing guided snorkelling tour with Turtles, you are out in the lagoon for 3 hours with a sea scooter to jet about its magical. they have many other excursions but this was my favourite, they also have a wonderful cold brew coffee
10 locals recommend
Ariki's Shack (Ariki's Adventures)
Are TapuI recommend these guys for the most amazing guided snorkelling tour with Turtles, you are out in the lagoon for 3 hours with a sea scooter to jet about its magical. they have many other excursions but this was my favourite, they also have a wonderful cold brew coffee
Grocieries
The largest supermarket on the island and most affordable, its opposite the wharf in Panama which is just after the airport if your heading into town from the airport.
CITC Shopping Centre
The largest supermarket on the island and most affordable, its opposite the wharf in Panama which is just after the airport if your heading into town from the airport.
City advice
What to pack
Mosquito repellant, sun block
Your are in a tropical and hot island so be prepared to be around insects.
Useful phrases
Hello is Kia Orana
Everyone speaks English in Rarotonga but its nice to say Hello the locals are friendly.
Thankyou is Metaki
Ways to save
Duty Free in Rarotonga
The duty free shop on the island is quite basic but your sprirts and cigarettes are significantly cheaper on the island due to local tax laws.
Ways to save
Drinking water
You can't drink the local water, but if you buy any large water containers at CITC or Wigmores super market, you can refill them at any water stations dotted around the island for free or refill at wigmores for 50cents per litre.
Getting around
The local Bus
The local bus goes both clock wise and anti clock wise around the island it is $5 per ride, there are stops around the island but the general stop if you wave them down. schedule as follows: starting with the first Departure from town, Clockwise at 7:00am Monday to Saturday till 5:00pm. The Anticlockwise buses first Departure starts from town is at 8:30am and runs up to the last anticlockwise departure at 4:30 pm. All departures are hourly from town, Clockwise on the hour, Anticlockwise at 30 minutes past the hour from Cook’s Corner.
Customs and culture
Dress code
If you would like to respect custom when you go out for a meal or into town to the shops, cover up your swim wear. It won't get you into trouble but it will be appreciate if you are at least wearing a teeshirt and shorts over your swimwear.