Bali has long been one of Southeast Asia’s most popular holiday destinations, and it’s easy to understand why. Beautiful beaches, rice terraces, temples, waterfalls and a strong Balinese culture all sit alongside busy tourist towns, beach clubs, great food and accommodation to suit almost every budget. But Bali isn’t one destination where every area feels
One of the best things about Rarotonga is that you’re never far from the water. But while the sea around the island is warm and beautiful, not every beach is the same. Some are sandy and sheltered, others are rocky or a little rougher, and some are much better for swimming and snorkelling than others.
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Getting around Rarotonga is pretty simple. There’s one main road circling the island, and sooner or later you’ll probably end up back where you started. We’ve tried getting around by car, bicycle and bus, while our cousins hired scooters. Each has its advantages, and after trying several options, we don’t think there’s one that’s necessarily
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You definitely won’t go hungry in Rarotonga. There are bakeries, cafés, restaurants, markets and roadside food stalls all around the island, with everything from fresh local fish and Cook Islands dishes to burgers, wraps and international food. But we’ll be upfront about one thing: eating out in Rarotonga isn’t cheap. We’ve noticed food prices increase
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Rarotonga is one of those destinations that is incredibly easy to settle into once you’re there, but there are a few things worth knowing before you leave home. We’ve travelled to Rarotonga several times, and over the years we’ve worked out a few little things that make arriving, getting settled and keeping costs down much
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Choosing where to stay in Rarotonga isn’t just about finding a nice resort or holiday home. The part of the island you stay in can make a big difference to your holiday, especially if you’re not planning to hire a car or scooter. Rarotonga isn’t a big island, but each area has a slightly different
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As we’ve gotten older, the way we like to travel has changed a little. These days, we’re much more drawn to relaxed experiences rather than adrenaline-filled or noisy activities. And Rarotonga suits us perfectly. When we’re on the island, we slow right down. We’re not trying to race from one activity to the next or
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You can’t visit Rarotonga without experiencing some of the incredible Cook Islands culture that makes this island so special. Traditional drumming, dancing, storytelling, umu feasts and fire performances are all part of the experience, and there are several Island Nights and cultural shows around Rarotonga to choose from. But they aren’t all the same. Some
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If you’ve started researching the Cook Islands, chances are you’ve seen photos of Aitutaki Lagoon. And yes, the water really does look like that. Aitutaki is a short flight from Rarotonga, and while you can stay on the island for several days, many visitors experience it as a day trip from Rarotonga. But it’s not
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There are some places you visit once and think, that was lovely. Then there are places you find yourself wanting to go back to. For us, Rarotonga is definitely one of those places. Toni and I celebrated our 50th birthdays in Rarotonga with 20 of our closest friends and whānau, and it was the perfect
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