Kia Orana, welcome to the Cook Islands. You know you are in the Pacific paradise as soon as you step off the plane. Without a doubt The Cook Islands are one of the most beautiful islands we have ever visited. Is it possible to travel to the Cook Islands on a budget? YES, it definitely is. If you still don´t know why you should visit the Cook Islands read our post about 10 reasons why you have to visit the Cook Islands. Follow our ultimate guide how to travel to the Cook Islands on a budget to experience the paradise without breaking the bank.
Transportation
The obvious and the best way how to travel to the Cook Islands on a budget is to fly. The one-way ticket from Auckland or Sydney costs around 200 – 250 dollars. The Cook islands can also be visited as a part of a round the world ticket.
Did you know that for a local flight you don´t have to be at the airport two hours prior? We certainly did not know that. As always, when we were about to flight to Aitutaki we arrived almost two hours prior to the flight. We were expecting all the airport procedures, but when we arrived, everyone at the airport was shocked.
At the Cook Islands, it is normal to show up right in time to just board the plane. There are no procedures except claiming the baggage. So you see people just coming from the street and boarding the plane straight away. However, if you still arrive early, don´t worry. Right across the airport, there is a Hula bar with happy hours that last almost the whole day. So come early, go to the bar, sit on the beach with a beer for a few dollars and wait for your flight.
Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation you can choose from when looking for a place to stay in the Cook Islands on a budget. From very affordable backpacker style rooms to very luxurious hotels, Cook islands have it all. On average you can expect to pay between 40 – 50 NZD per double room per night. Hostel dorms are even cheaper, you can expect to pay between 20 – 25 NZD per night. While we were looking for a way how to stay on the Cook Islands on a budget, we found out that the cheapest accommodation on Rarotonga is offered by:
Unfortunately, camping is not allowed anywhere in the Cook Islands. Therefore, there are no camps available. If you really wish to camp in the Cook Islands, the only chance is to camp on someone´s private property after his consent.
If you love Airbnb as much as we do, you will be nicely surprised how many options there are. Nice rooms start at 50 NZD and prices go up for a very luxurious room.
Food
Not only it is very easy to eat in the Cook Islands on a budget, but also there are a lot of locals shops and supermarkets scattered around the whole island. Furthermore the prices for food are pretty affordable and you will find a lot of vegetables and fruits there. You will also see a lot of locals selling local fruits and coconuts around the road. It is very easy to shop for and cook your own food. Especially if you stay in one of the budget accommodation because they all have a common kitchen where you can cook your own food.
With plenty of cafes and restaurants around the island, there is no shortage of dining options. From cheap street food markets to posh and luxurious restaurants. The cuisine consists typically of fresh seafood, coconuts, fish and vegetables and fruits.
Where to eat in the Cook Islands on a budget
Visit the amazing Punanga Nui Markets in the main town Vautape. The average food from the food trucks cost around 10 NZD and it is pretty damn delicious.
The other place you should definitely visit if you want to east in the Cook Islands on a budget is the Muri Night Markets. This food market runs for three or four nights per week and it is awesome. Here, locals cook the most amazing food, you will stroll around the small tents full of flavours, seafood and BBQ meat. The average dish is sold for 10-15 NZD. Don´t forget to try one of the local pies or cakes. You will not regret that.
Next to Muri beach, there is another great place to grab a snack – Mooring Fish Cafe. This place sells fresh sandwiches that cost around 10 NZD.
If you want to have a nice dinner while in the south of the island, visit Yellow Hibiscus. It is an open-air restaurant overlooking the garden with a great food. They also provide weekly specials in addition to menu selections.
Do you love burgers and you are on a really low budget? We found a lot of small stall food shops right around the road.
Do you want to enjoy few drinks in the Cook Islands on a budget? Visit Hula bar, which is located opposite of the Rarotonga airport. This beach bar runs Happy hours for the whole day.
What meals you should try when on the Cook Islands on a budget:
- Ika Mata – The Cook Islands national dish, delicious mix of fresh tuna marinated in lime juice, coconut milk and sometimes chilli.
- Umukai – It is a traditional feast, aka Umukai. The food is cooked all day on earth „oven“ heated up with volcanis stones. The most traditional dishes cooked like that are fish, pork, chicken and potatoes.
- Coconuts and locals fruits – I bet you will never eat that much fruit and coconuts like while you on Cook islands. Fruits and coconuts are everywhere.
- Local beer – Bush beer is a brew made from fermented bananas, oranges and other fruits.
Getting around the Cook Islands on a budget
In comparison with other Pacific Islands, Rarotonga has pretty reliable public transportation. On Rarotonga there are local buses, that run almost perfectly on time. When you look at the map of Rarotonga, you see that there is practically just one road that circles the whole island. A local bus circles the island regularly. One bus runs clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. One way ticket costs 6 NZD, or you can buy the 9 NZD return ticket.
However, the best way to explore the beauty of the island is on a scooter or a bike. If you have your own scooter/motorbike licence from your home country, then all you have to do is to rent a scooter from a local provider. If you don´t have a licence, you will have to complete a 15 minutes test drive at the police station in Avarua. Even though the test doesn´t take long, be prepared for long queues especially on busy days. The licence costs 20 NZD and you pay 5 NZD for a test.
Renting a scooter is cheap, expect to pay around 20 NZD a day. If you wish to rent a bike, that will set you back around 10 NZD a day. The island is pretty flat so there is no problem with riding a bike at all.
In comparison to Australia, you are not required to wear a helmet. Most renters don´t even have them. Longer the rent, cheaper the price. We rented our scooter for 7 days, and we ended up paying just 15 NZD a day for a scooter. Also, the maximum speed on the island is 40 km. So slow down and enjoy the view.
It is easy to rent a scooter, there are several rental shops on the island. But first, try to ask at your accommodation first. We lived at Rarotonga backpackers and the owners were renting scooters too. So we ended up with a huge discount. Also, be sure to watch out for all the chickens and roosters on the road, cause they are everywhere!
Activites in Cook Islands on a budget
The good news is, that most of the best activities can be done for free or on a really low budget!
Beaches in the Cook Islands
Rarotonga has one of the most stunning beaches we have ever seen. The most popular one is the Muri beach. The beaches are public, so they are open to everyone. It is so simple to drive around the island and stop whenever you want to and simply relax on a white sandy beach. The lagoons are shallow with sandy bottoms, so it is safe to swim around.
Titikaveka beach on the south coast is a perfect spot for snorkelling. Another great spot for snorkelling is Aroa beach, on the southwest coast. If you are in the north part of the island, don´t forget to visit Nikao Beach. It´s a very popular place for a picnic on a beach.
Visit markets in the Cook Islands
You just simply can not miss the markets. Food markets, farmers markets, fishermen markets, you name it. If you are interested in shopping, visit the Punanga Nui market. Here you can find local crafts, beautiful sarongs, handmade jewellery and wood carvings.
Eat coconuts
The Cook Islands are coconut heaven. They are literary everywhere and you are free to grab them and eat them.
Watch the sunset
Best activity ever and it´s for free!
Have a BBQ
There is nothing better than have a nice homemade BBQ on the beach. Almost all backpacker accommodation have some sort of BBQ area, where you can prepare your own food. Buy a nice piece of meat at Avarua and enjoy BBQ on the beach.
Cross island trek
Do you like to be active on your holidays? Then try to complete the cross-island trek through the Rarotonga´s jungle. It is advisable to hike with a local guide because the trail is not very well marked. Also, a local guide will share a lot of information about the island. Try to ascend Te Rua Manga, Rarotonga´s highest peak.
Circle the island on a bike/scooter
Renting a bike or a scooter is not expensive and it is a great way how to explore the island.
Enjoy a little bit of adrenaline
Snorkelling, diving, riding a squad, exploring the jungle if you are an adrenaline lover, you will not get disappointed.
Visit waterfall
Even though the Wigmore´s waterfall isn´t the easiest place to find, it is worthy. The road that leads to the waterfall is not very well marked, though. Best way to get there is to head out past Muri beach, then turn right just after the Vaima restaurant and keep driving. The falls are at their best after really heavy rain. However, don´t forget your repellent, it is a mosquito´s territory.
Trekking with Pa
If you really want an insight info about the island, trek with Pa in Pa´s cross-island trek. This guy really knows what he is talking about. While trekking, he will share with you all he knows about the island, animals and medical use of every plant.
Visit church service
Visiting church service was one of the highlights for us, even though we are not religious. The service is colourful and very enjoyable. All the local women dress up to the most beautiful colourful dresses and sing local religious songs. Simply, very breathtaking experience. Just respect the place and dress up a little bit.
Visit one of the island nights
Ask around the hotels about the island nights. Not only it is a great place to see the local dances, but also to learn more about the Cook Islands culture.
So, there you have it. We hope you like it. If you find what you have been looking for let us know in a comment section down below. Have you ever visited the Cook Islands? Let us know in the comment section down below, we love to hear from you.
