Cook Islands People & Culture

Rarotonga would have to be my favourite destination in the south pacific. It is always beautiful weather and has the most magnificent beaches and snorkelling. Remember to take along coral shoes as this will be of use. Best restaurant in Rarotonga would be Sails on Muri side, awesome food, excellent location, cocktails to die for and quite resonably priced especially for what you recieve. The Rarotongans are the most friendliest people you are in their beautiful country so respect it. Easiest way to get round Raro is on scooters however if there is 3 or more of you it will work out cheaper to get a small lil pop top car. beware you do need a rarotonga drivers license to drive there you get them in Avarua at the police station and are around $10 nzd however this can take several hours to do so make sure you dont have anything planned that day as you can't rush Island Time.

Rarotonga is an amazing tropical island.. the people here is unbeliavable nice.. the beaches is white and the water blue... you can go diwing here, hiking, sunbathing(of course) and the is alot of spas here... the prices here is pretty normal I would think, almost as Norway.. but the nightclubs are good... and the Rarotongan guys is really good dancers;)

Rarotonga and the Cook Islands must have been the most beautiful place I've been to. It's hard to get to from Euope, but so worth. Gladly, the two times I've been there the tourists haven't discovered this place that much yet. I recommend to either take the bus to get around... they circle the island in both directions every half hour and the drivers are very nice and some very handsome and flirtatious. Or you get a scooter/moped license at the police station and hire one. It's great fun to get the license! Most tourist hit Muri beach, but there's a jewel of a beach on the soutside just in the front the Raina Beach apartments. Friday night is the big night out! Everyone on the island goes out that night... My favourite place was the Staircase, a mad bar with mad beautiful people... you're never short of a partner to dance with! It'll be hard for us Westerners to keep up with their moves though! Also, the Cook Islanders are very open to gay/lesbian travellers. There are a few openly living transsexuals on the island. Very friendly these islanders and great to chat to. Enjoy!

Just a paradise, not very touristy, impressive reef around the island, almost untouched, deep jungle in the heart of the island, very nice, laid back people there.
Only disadvantage: literally at the end of the world.
But very nice italian restaurant on the western side of the island close to the beach.

Imagine yourself,on an island surrounded by vast blue waters full of coloured marine life,friendly locals,white beaches with low palm trees and an ever blue sky.This is Aitutaki.A small pearl in the pacific.Rent a beach hut for yourself near the reef or the ocean.Watch the sun set while drinking a cocktail,or visit the oldest church on Aitutaki.It´s a small island,but it is stunning.When landing on Aitutaki it´ll take your breath away,that such beauty exists in the world. Check out :Inano beach bungalows near the airport.Your own hut with everything you need,for a fair price.Stunning view over the reef and the other side of the island.It even has it´s own beach!The people working there are very friendly and helpfull. Just rent a scooter and explore this beauty of the pacific!

Rarotonga is not really what I call Wheelchair accessible, the buses are vans and as I remember it they had no hoists.
The currency is done in NZ$.
Food is good, weather hot so drink lots of water and Coconut milk.

There is a lot of activities and the cultural shows is a must

Bug spray, bug lotion, bug anything.... sunscreen, reef or waqter shoes, flip flops and tennis shoes, hat, glasses, shorts, tank top or t-shirt, light rain coat for tropical pour days, ipod with relaxing music, chapstick, diving and snorkel gear (if you don't like to rent), sundress, sarong, one shake your booty outfit for dancing, camera, sense of adventure with a relaxed and open mind, beach bag or light weight backpack for the open air markets.  

Rarotonga would have to be my favourite destination in the south pacific. It is always beautiful weather and has the most magnificent beaches and snorkelling. Remember to take along coral shoes as this will be of use. Best restaurant in Rarotonga would be Sails on Muri side, awesome food, excellent location, cocktails to die for and quite resonably priced especially for what you recieve. The Rarotongans are the most friendliest people you are in their beautiful country so respect it. Easiest way to get round Raro is on scooters however if there is 3 or more of you it will work out cheaper to get a small lil pop top car. beware you do need a rarotonga drivers license to drive there you get them in Avarua at the police station and are around $10 nzd however this can take several hours to do so make sure you dont have anything planned that day as you can't rush Island Time.

Rarotonga is an amazing tropical island.. the people here is unbeliavable nice.. the beaches is white and the water blue... you can go diwing here, hiking, sunbathing(of course) and the is alot of spas here... the prices here is pretty normal I would think, almost as Norway.. but the nightclubs are good... and the Rarotongan guys is really good dancers;)

Snorkelling is a bit dangerous here there is a big rip. Go to Muri beach on the bus - it goes round the island both directions every half hour or so.

Take a bus tour around the island and snorkel

I went in July 07, boat cruise on the lagoon to take you to the littler islands and do some snorkelling a must! Sea turtles abound! We were told by the boat operator to look out for George, that he might come and say hello, and I was soon to discover that he was a moray eel- rather scarier in real life from 2 metres away than on TV!!! Spectacularly clear water.

Rarotonga would have to be my favourite destination in the south pacific. It is always beautiful weather and has the most magnificent beaches and snorkelling. Remember to take along coral shoes as this will be of use. Best restaurant in Rarotonga would be Sails on Muri side, awesome food, excellent location, cocktails to die for and quite resonably priced especially for what you recieve. The Rarotongans are the most friendliest people you are in their beautiful country so respect it. Easiest way to get round Raro is on scooters however if there is 3 or more of you it will work out cheaper to get a small lil pop top car. beware you do need a rarotonga drivers license to drive there you get them in Avarua at the police station and are around $10 nzd however this can take several hours to do so make sure you dont have anything planned that day as you can't rush Island Time.

Rarotonga is heaven on earth. Turquiose blue lagoons, white sandy beaches, a relaxed lifestyle, with grass skirts and flowers in hair..who wouldnt be happy here! Muri lagoon is stunning and you can hire a little paddle boat to take you to the little motus. Vara's villas on the hillside are spectacular and have everything you need, such as washing machine, cooker, etc. Once at Rarotonga, you will find it hard to leave.

Muri is beautiful, boasting stunning turquiose blue lagoons and white sandy beaches. Totally what day dreams are made of.

Atiu is a small Island in the South of the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is quiet and picturesque with large coffee and taro plantations. Atiu has some really cool caves that are covered in Makatea (hardended coral) which are good to visit - although wear sturdy shoes as the makatea is very sharp! The locals are very friendly and hospitable and are pleased to show visitors their island. Often their is dancing and druming on the weekends and processions from church which are nice to see. They also have lots of Umus, where men sit around drinking home brew out of coconut shells - similar to kava ceremonies in Fiji. I was invited to one and sat for hours chatting with the locals and sharing their beer, it was only when I stood up I realised how drunk I was! I ended up passed out in bed by 7.30, not to shabby!

Rarotonga is an amazing tropical island.. the people here is unbeliavable nice.. the beaches is white and the water blue... you can go diwing here, hiking, sunbathing(of course) and the is alot of spas here... the prices here is pretty normal I would think, almost as Norway.. but the nightclubs are good... and the Rarotongan guys is really good dancers;)