Things to Do in Rarotonga: An Intro to the Cook Islands

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Advisor - Lynsey Parsons
Curated By

Lynsey Parsons

  • Adventure Travel

  • Arts & Culture

  • Beaches

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Island

  • Beach Town

  • Relaxation

Rarotonga beach with palm trees.
Curator’s statement

The Cook Islands are a wonderful vacation destination in the Pacific which provide a contrast to the often more crowded tourist destinations in the region. Rarotonga is a great starting point in exploring the islands since international flights arrive there in the capital city of Avarua. There are many activities available to tourists in the country, including hiking, restaurants, museums and other cultural activities. Or you can just soak up the sun near the beautiful lagoons and maybe catch a glimpse of a few migrating whales!

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Where to stay in Rarotonga

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Things to do in Rarotonga

Rarotonga beach during day time

Hike to the highest point of the island, Te Rua Manga (The Needle). You can hike from one side and back, or you can hike across the entire island.

Cultural experiences include:

Day trips

If you want to see more of the Cook Islands, you can take a day trip to the island of Aitutaki!

Places to eat & drink in Rarotonga

A beach view wine bar.

In addition to the Te Vara Nui Buffet, there is a Night Market four days a week and highly-rated restaurants like the Tamarind House, The Waterline and Vaima.

There are also great lunch and takeout spots like Trader Jacks and Kikau Hut.

Advisor - Lynsey Parsons

Travel Advisor

Lynsey Parsons

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