Cook Islands Backpacking
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The Cook Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
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Cook Islands Backpacking
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Cook Islands backpackers will find this peaceful destination to be a friendly and very safe environment and one in which they can explore at will without getting into cultural difficulties. This is a great destination for meeting fellow travellers, having a few beers, visiting bars and generally relaxing on the beach with the odd excursion for hiking bush trails, scaling mountains or exploring the back roads and valleys. Getting around the island is easy - moped hire is very common and there are some great deals through Polynesian Bike Hire.
There's a good choice of Cook Islands backpacker hostels in Rarotonga, the most popular being Rarotonga Backpackers and the ever lively Backpackers International on the West Coast which has the cheapest beds and draws the younger backpackers who like to party. There are other hostels on Rarotonga but some have bad reputations and others out of the way locations.
Rarotonga Travel Guide
Aitutaki is the other island popular with backpackers and is a major draw for those who love beaches or simply like to potter in a really laid back environment. It's a 45-minute flight to Aitutaki from Rarotonga which will cost from NZ$400 return but Air Rarotonga often put out special packages to visit Aitutaki and Atiu or other multi stop-over combinations for just a few dollars more. Cargo ships visit once a fortnight but have irregular schedules and take 18 hours. There are only a few hostels on island offering dorm beds, with Josies being the pick of them. Matriki Beach Huts offers budget rooms right on the beach and for those looking for more comfort but in an inland location, .
Aitutaki Travel Guide
There are a few places to stay on the other islands, particularly Atiu and Mangaia. These islands offer more traditional living and are good places to appreciate the local lifestyles and to explore the environment, caves and endemic birdlife.
Atiu Travel Guide
In theory, immigration requires proof of pre-booked accommodation on arrival at Rarotonga Airport. Few backpackers adhere to this rule and seldom is a traveller turned away - However, we advise you book at least your first few nights accommodation as the most popular backpacker hostels are regularly full for turn-up bookings. Check our accommodation guide for backpackers. Camping gear will be viewed as suspicious as the islands forbid camping. Backpacker reps meet all International arrivals.
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Fiji Backpacking
Samoa Backpacking
Tonga Backpacking
Tahiti Backpacking
Hawaii Backpacking
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