How To Travel The Stunning Cook Islands On A Budget
More than anywhere else in the world, The Cook Islands feels like a true paradise and despite what many think, families can do the Cook Islands on a budget.
There is an assumption that a place this stunning can’t possibly be affordable, but it’s just wrong. Much like French Polynesia, there are plenty of friendly and welcoming family-run guest houses when you look beyond the expensive resorts as well as many other ways to keep costs down.
Lets start with cheap flight to Rarotonga!
Cheap Flights to Rarotonga
When it comes to travelling the Cook Islands on a budget, flights will probably be your largest expense followed closely by accommodation.
All international flights to the Cook Islands land in Rarotonga. During the high season (June – September), flights can get quite expensive. They can also be pricey in December and January as overseas-based islanders return home to visit family.
If you do find cheap flight between December-March, don’t forget that this period is the wet, cyclone season so you run the risk of bad weather.
Cheaper flights to Rarotonga can be found in the shoulder season of April-May and October-November. This is the period between the dry and wet season and ideal for those hoping to the Cook Islands on a budget. We visited the Cook Islands in April and had a few rainy days with lots of sunshine for the majority of the time.
Find a cheap flight to Rarotonga on Trip.com
Getting to The Outer Islands
I won’t lie. Getting to the outer islands is expensive when there is more than one person to purchase a ticket for. Air Rarotonga is the only airline that services the outer islands, but if you can allow for it in your Cook Island’s budget, it’s absolutely worth it.
If you can’t afford it, don’t let it put you off the Cook Islands. You will still have an awesome family holiday if you only visit Rarotonga!
Finding Cheaper Accommodation in the Cook Islands
Accommodation is another huge issue when it comes to attempting to travel the Cook Islands on a budget. Cheaper accommodation for families in the Cook Islands is found in privately owned holiday houses. A guest house will often have a kitchen which is another great money saver as food is expensive in the Cook Islands compared to other countries.
Cheap Accommodation Rarotonga
Although not the cheapest of the cheap, I recommend the White House Villa for families in Rarotonga. You can book the White House Villa here.
The reason I recommend this one for families is the fact that it has a kitchen, washing machine, and a huge yard. Self-catering and washing our own clothes saves a lot of money in the Cook Islands. Also, we stayed here so I can personally give it a thumbs up!
Here is my review on the White House Villa. It’s also located close to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, has a pool, two bathrooms, and two bedrooms. The White House Villa has all the comforts of home, but its better because it’s in Rarotonga!
This is my top choice for those of you visiting the Cook Islands on a budget and hoping to find accommodation in a cheaper range than the upmarket resorts.
Here are some cheaper accommodation options for families in Rarotonga that have a good customer review score:
Cheap Accommodation Aitutaki
We stayed at Inano Beach Bungalows which we thought was excellent value for visiting the Cook Islands on a budget. However, their website now states it’s for couples and not for children under 17 years of age. What a shame!
Here are some cheaper accommodation options for families in Aitutaki that have a good customer review score:
Accommodation on Mauke and Atiu
Accommodation is limited on Mauke and Atiu but it’s still pretty decent. On Atiu, even though we didn’t stay there, I recommend Atiu Villas. The place we stayed at was cheaper, but quite run-down at the time.
We stayed at Ri’s Retreat on the Island of Mauke and absolutely loved it. Ri’s retreat can be booked through Island Hopper Vacations on Rarotonga.
Eating in The Cook Islands
For a family, eating at a cafe/restaurant for every meal soon adds up and breaks your Cook Island budget. Self catering is the easiest way to reduce the families food expenses. However, you will probably be surprised at the cost of food items here. It’s quite expensive compared to back home (home being Australia for us).
Grocery items are available at the shops but fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and snacks are cheaper and available at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday mornings (6am – noon). It’s easy enough to make simple sandwiches every morning before heading out for the day so you don’t get caught out at lunch time.
The Muri Night Market is great for your Cook Island budget and if the kids are young, the servings are large enough to share yours. I can personally vouch for the pork belly and roast vegetables as well as the rice and chicken in mushroom sauce.
We also loved the Food Box for a good value snack. They make this delicious little mini burgers with home made sauce. They are perfect sized for kids but a hungry adult will probably need two, or one with a side of chips.
Getting Around The Cook Islands
Getting Around Rarotonga
Push bike, walking, or taking the bus are your cheapest options on Rarotonga. The circle island bus travels around the island in both directions and a family pass is available.
Scooter is the main mode of transport here and can be hired for around NZ$20 – $30 per day (children are allowed to double on the back). Although more convenient, car hire is significantly more expensive at NZ$45 – $90 per day. We booked through Polynesian Rentals and found them easy to deal with.
Technically, before you hire a scooter or car, you are supposed to get an official Cook Islands licence from the Avarua Police Station. This will set you back around NZ$20.
Getting Around The Outer Islands
Hiring a pushbike, scooter or car is really your only option. We rented a car through Popoara Rentals on Aitutaki. On the islands of Atiu and Mauke, we asked our accommodation host who organised it for us through a local on the island.
Things to do in The Cook Islands
Below are a list of things to do in Rarotonga that are suitable for a Cook Islands budget getaway (either free or cheap), followed by some suggestions that are expensive but worth the splurge. Check out my other for things to do on the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu and Mauke.
Things to do (Free or Cheap) in Rarotonga
- Snorkel or swim in the beautiful lagoon
- Hike up to Wigmore’s Waterfall and go for a swim
- Explore the circle island road by bus or pushbike
- Attend a church service and listen to the glorious singing
- Watch a local rugby game
- Race hermit crabs
- Hire a stand up paddle board or kayak
Things to do (More Expensive but Worth It) in Rarotonga
- Hire a scooter to explore the circle island and inland road
- Drive through the mud on a buggy tour with Raro Buggy Tours
- Splurge on an Island Night
- Tour the island by Electric Tuk Tuk with Tiki-E-Tours
- Go on a lagoon cruise
Looking for More Awesome Family Holiday Destinations?
For more information on visiting the Cook Islands with kids, head on over to my Cook Islands page. Head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide.
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