7 Best Places to Stay in Rarotonga for Every Type of Traveler
If you’re planning a trip to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is: where should I stay, and which part of the island is right for me? I visited Rarotonga in 2025 and have put together this guide of the best places to stay in Rarotonga.
The Cook Islands are easily one of the most beautiful, unique destinations I’ve travelled to — but knowing where to stay in Rarotonga made a huge difference to how I experienced it. I’ve shared 7 of the best options for all budgets and traveller types including the backpackers I stayed at on my week long trip to Rarotonga.
How to Choose Where to Stay in Rarotonga
Rarotonga is a small slice of paradise, but knowing where to book will really help you have the best time on your Cook Islands adventure. I visited in August 2025 and made a huge mistake when planning my trip.
I booked my flights just a few weeks out and suddenly realised accommodation on the island was expensive during high season. I’m a solo traveller and tend to book last minute — this was one of those times it caught me out. I did end up finding an incredible place to stay, but I’d definitely stay somewhere different next time so I could be closer to one of my favourite parts of the island — Muri Lagoon.
How to get around Rarotonga
Getting around Rarotonga is super easy as there’s one road that circles the entire island. The short distance and frequent bus means you don’t need to rely on renting a car. Out of my 7 day trip, I rented a car for one of the days and was able to rely on public transport for the rest of my trip.
Where to stay in Rarotonga
I’ll be honest — I had eleven browser tabs open before I booked anywhere in Rarotonga. Eleven. For a trip that was for one week.
That’s the thing about planning where to stay in Rarotonga — the island is small, but the decision fatigue is not. You’ve got beachfront resorts on one side, budget-friendly guesthouses tucked inland, and about a hundred reviews for each one telling you something slightly different. I get the spiral, because I fall into it every single time I book anywhere.
But here’s what I remind myself, and what I’ll remind you: this isn’t a big commitment. You’re not moving to Rarotonga (though, honestly, a few days in and you might want to). You’re staying a handful of nights. That said, where you stay really does shape the whole trip!
So let me save you some tabs. Here’s exactly where to stay in Rarotonga, based on what actually mattered on the ground.
Muri Lagoon (East Side)
My favourite spot in Rarotonga was Muri Lagoon — I went back so many times because of the activities, shops, cafés, and incredible beaches. If I had my time again, I’d stay close to Muri Lagoon.
Avarua (North Side)
If you base yourself in the north of the island near Avarua, you’ll have even more shops and cafés at your disposal, but the swimming spots aren’t as great. You’ll catch sunrise but miss sunset and in my opinion, the sunsets in Rarotonga made my entire trip. Each evening I’d sit down at the shore and watch whales breach as the sun slowly melted behind the water.
7 of the Best Hotels in Rarotonga
I always try to include personal recommendations from hotels I’ve actually stayed at, alongside options across different budgets.
1. Nautilus Resort (Luxury)
A short walk from Muri Lagoon, Nautilus Resort is on the higher luxury end. I love that it has options for a private pool, and all suites come with a kitchenette. Nautilus will make you feel like you have truly escaped the world with oceanfront views and Polynesian-inspired decor.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Nautilus Resort Rarotonga
2. Te Vakaroa Villas (Luxury)
Also on the higher luxury end, the rooms here are absolutely beautiful — each villa has its own pool and sea view. This is the best place to stay in Rarotonga if you are looking for comfort and luxury right in front of the most popular place to visit: Muri Beach. If you stay at Te Vakaroa Villas, you probably won’t want to leave.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Te Vakaroa Villas
3. Edgewater Resort & Spa (Popular Pick)
Edgewater is one of those names that keeps coming up no matter who you ask and for good reason. It’s a big resort by Rarotonga standards, right on a stretch of beach on the west coast.
The resort has a pool, on-site restaurants, and close enough to Avarua that you can easily pop into town for restaurants and cafes. It’s less boutique than Te Vakaroa, but that’s kind of the point — if you want reliability, facilities, and an easy walk to the water without booking a villa, Edgewater is the safe and popular option.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Edgewater Resort & Spa
4. Muri Beach Resort (Mid-Budget)
Muri Beach Resort sits in the mid-budget range and is very close to Muri Beach. The rooms are clean but slightly dated, with a communal pool. A good option for a family visiting Rarotonga on a budget. Muri Beach Resort has 20 self-contained villas and apartments that are eco-friendly, set in a tropical garden.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Muri Beach Resort
5. Ariki Retreat (Adults Only)
Situated 1km from Muri Lagoon, Ariki Retreat is adults-only and has incredible reviews. Rooms come with garden views, making it feel secluded even though you’re a short walk from the lagoon’s restaurants and shops. It would be a great place to call home for the week as a couple looking for quiet luxury without the higher price tag of Nautilus or Te Vakaroa.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Ariki Retreat
6. Aroa Kainga Bungalows and Apartments (Budget)
A great option for travellers visiting Rarotonga on a budget. Each apartment includes kitchen amenities and Aroa Kainga is on the west side of the island near one of my favourite beaches, Aroa. It’s a good pick if you want to be near the water without the Muri Lagoon price premium, and don’t mind being a bus ride from restaurants.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Aroa Kainga Bungalows and Apartments
7. Rarotonga Backpackers (Budget)
When planning my trip to Rarotonga, I booked very last minute and most options were going to cost me more than I was willing to pay. That’s when I came across Rarotonga Backpackers — you can’t book this online, but you can email them directly. I spent two nights in the oceanfront bungalows before moving to a single private room for the rest of the week.
This is a great option if you want to prioritise experiences over accommodation, and one of the few genuinely budget-friendly stays right on the water. The location was incredible, but wasn’t near many local cafés. Thankfully they had a kitchen, so I could cook a few meals when I didn’t feel like taking the bus to a restaurant. Best for solo travellers or anyone who booked as last-minute as I did.
Click here to check it out 👉🏼 Rarotonga Backpackers
Aitutaki vs Rarotonga: Should You Split Your Trip?
Rarotonga is the most visited island in the Cook Islands, but a lot of people skip straight to Aitutaki. I don’t blame them — the beaches and lagoons are more impressive, but there’s less to do, and it’s an added cost with flights.
I spent a week in Rarotonga and booked the Aitutaki day tour with Air Rarotonga which let me experience Aitutaki without having to change accommodation mid-trip. I loved it and it was one of my favourite days of the whole week.
That said, if I had my time again, I’d do 3 nights in Aitutaki and 4 in Rarotonga. I think having real time to explore Aitutaki would have taken my trip from a 10 to an 11.
FAQs: Where to Stay in Rarotonga
What is the best time of year to visit Rarotonga?
The best time to visit is during the dry season, from April to November, when temperatures average around 26°C. I visited in August and the weather was close to perfect — never too hot, with only mild rain across 7 days.
How far in advance should I book my accommodation?
This goes against all my usual travel instincts of booking last minute, but I’d recommend booking your accommodation as soon as you’ve booked your flights. You’ll have far more options and flexibility, especially during high season.
What’s the best way to get from the airport to your Rarotonga hotel?
It’s easier than you’d think. I had no pre-booked transfer when I arrived — I simply left the small airport and was greeted by a friendly local who asked where I was staying. Because flights are limited, taxis wait outside for arrivals, and you can pay around $20 per person (cash) for a transfer straight to your hotel.
What should I look for in Rarotonga accommodation?
If your accommodation isn’t near restaurants or cafés, book somewhere with kitchen access. I stayed at Rarotonga Backpackers, which had a shared kitchen — since there weren’t restaurants nearby, I cooked there a few nights.
Do I need travel insurance for Rarotonga?
Yes — I’d strongly recommend not leaving your home country without travel insurance. It’s a small cost that can save you thousands. Healthcare isn’t free in the Cook Islands, so if something happens, you’ll need to pay out of pocket. I personally use SafetyWing, which lets you book for specific dates or as a monthly subscription if you’re travelling long-term.
Where to Stay in Rarotonga: Final Thoughts
If you take one thing from this post: book early, and base yourself near Muri Lagoon if sunsets, beaches, and being close to everything matter to you. Ready to start looking at options?
More Rarotonga Travel tips
- Best Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- Best Travel Card: Wise Travel Card
- Looking for the best flights? Skyscanner
