Guidebook for Avarua District
Drinks & Nightlife
Feel the sand between your toes as you enjoy a (strong) cocktail.
Awesome little spot right on the beach and 5 min's from La Masion. Good selection of light meals and drinks. Buy a $40 bar card and receive 10 standard drinks!
Great for a light lunch, a relaxing dip or a great night out!
17 locals recommend
Vaiana's Bar & Bistro
Ara TapuFeel the sand between your toes as you enjoy a (strong) cocktail.
Awesome little spot right on the beach and 5 min's from La Masion. Good selection of light meals and drinks. Buy a $40 bar card and receive 10 standard drinks!
Great for a light lunch, a relaxing dip or a great night out!
If you like your music loud this is the place to go. Raro's best known nightclub. Partially open air with regular performances by NZ artists. Open till 2am on Friday nights and midnight every other night (Closed Sundays).
Rehab also has a very popluar pub crawl bus tour (Recommended if partying is your thing) Check their Facebook page for more info!
12 locals recommend
Rehab
Ara TapuIf you like your music loud this is the place to go. Raro's best known nightclub. Partially open air with regular performances by NZ artists. Open till 2am on Friday nights and midnight every other night (Closed Sundays).
Rehab also has a very popluar pub crawl bus tour (Recommended if partying is your thing) Check their Facebook page for more info!
Manuia Beach Resort
Secluded beachfront that's great for sunset drinks or a meal.
Enjoy a cocktail by the infinity pool or go for a swim in one of Raro's best and least crowded beaches. $10 happy hour cocktails between 5-7pm
7 locals recommend
Little Polynesian Resort
Enjoy a cocktail by the infinity pool or go for a swim in one of Raro's best and least crowded beaches. $10 happy hour cocktails between 5-7pm
Getting Around
Ride Rarotonga
Ara TapuBest place on the island to hire bicycles!
Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes
Saint Joseph's RoadCompetitive prices with Island wide assistance
Essentials
Good selection of competitively priced NZ, USA and Aus imported meats, dairy and other products.
Prime Foods Ltd
Saint Joseph's RoadGood selection of competitively priced NZ, USA and Aus imported meats, dairy and other products.
The sole internet provider in the country. Its more cost effective to use the computers available at the store than to buy wireless, as bandwidth is unlimited (However time restrictions apply)
Bluesky Cook Islands
Tutakimoa RoadThe sole internet provider in the country. Its more cost effective to use the computers available at the store than to buy wireless, as bandwidth is unlimited (However time restrictions apply)
Food Scene
Best sandwich's on the island. Try the FOB or the fresh yellow fin sashimi. Great value for money by Raro standards with relaxing scenery to boot.
13 locals recommend
The Mooring Fish Cafe
Best sandwich's on the island. Try the FOB or the fresh yellow fin sashimi. Great value for money by Raro standards with relaxing scenery to boot.
Don't let the somewhat drab appearance fool you, Super Brown (SB) takeaways is a burger joint popular with locals.Try the Ultimate Burger if your hungry - two beef patties, egg, bacon, cheese and pineapple with SB's special sauce for 10 bucks! In my opinion its the best value for money burger on the island.
14 locals recommend
Super Brown
Ara TapuDon't let the somewhat drab appearance fool you, Super Brown (SB) takeaways is a burger joint popular with locals.Try the Ultimate Burger if your hungry - two beef patties, egg, bacon, cheese and pineapple with SB's special sauce for 10 bucks! In my opinion its the best value for money burger on the island.
Popular with locals and conveniently located in the heart of town. Grab a coffee and enjoy breakfast or brunch. Plenty of parking available.
Cafe Salsa
Ara TapuPopular with locals and conveniently located in the heart of town. Grab a coffee and enjoy breakfast or brunch. Plenty of parking available.
Either have drinks at the Oceans bar or have a romantic meal at the new Flambere restaurant. Crown Beach has arguably some of the best dinning available in Raro.
Crown Beach & Spa Resort Rarotonga
Either have drinks at the Oceans bar or have a romantic meal at the new Flambere restaurant. Crown Beach has arguably some of the best dinning available in Raro.
Parks & Nature
The only cross island walk on Raro.
Fairly easy trail that's suitable for all ages. The trail starts in Avatiu valley. Enjoy lunch and amazing views at the summit. See the iconic Papua water fall when you get to the Vaima'anga on the south side of the island.
11 locals recommend
Te Rua Manga (The Needle)
The only cross island walk on Raro.
Fairly easy trail that's suitable for all ages. The trail starts in Avatiu valley. Enjoy lunch and amazing views at the summit. See the iconic Papua water fall when you get to the Vaima'anga on the south side of the island.
Very close to La Masion and pretty quiet during week days. Enjoy a cool dip before heading out to the South side of the island. Toilet facilities are available but the hygiene standards can be hit and miss.
Nikao Social Center
Ara TapuVery close to La Masion and pretty quiet during week days. Enjoy a cool dip before heading out to the South side of the island. Toilet facilities are available but the hygiene standards can be hit and miss.
Some of the best snorkelling on the island. The beach is a nature reserve, so its packed with friendly, tropical fish. Take some bread and feed the fish while you snorkel the clear lagoon. A bustop is close by and ample parking is usually available. The beach is generally not that crowded as well!
11 locals recommend
Fruits of Rarotonga
Some of the best snorkelling on the island. The beach is a nature reserve, so its packed with friendly, tropical fish. Take some bread and feed the fish while you snorkel the clear lagoon. A bustop is close by and ample parking is usually available. The beach is generally not that crowded as well!
Arts & Culture
A modern interpretation of Cook Islands culture and dancing. Enjoy the razzle dazzle of the show while enjoying a buffet meal.
32 locals recommend
Te Vara Nui Village
Te Vara NuiA modern interpretation of Cook Islands culture and dancing. Enjoy the razzle dazzle of the show while enjoying a buffet meal.
An authentic Cook Islands cultural experience. Traditional Maori dancing, singing, story telling and cuisine. Guided tours of the historic village are available. A must if you want to learn about pre-European Maori society.
14 locals recommend
Highland Paradise
Maungaroa DriveAn authentic Cook Islands cultural experience. Traditional Maori dancing, singing, story telling and cuisine. Guided tours of the historic village are available. A must if you want to learn about pre-European Maori society.
Shopping
Open early on Saturdays till around noon, the market is the place to buy fresh local produce and crafts and sample local delicacies. Free live music and shows. Try some Ika Mata (Rawfish) or Poke (A type of pudding made from bananas or pumpkin).
35 locals recommend
Punanga Nui Market
Ara TapuOpen early on Saturdays till around noon, the market is the place to buy fresh local produce and crafts and sample local delicacies. Free live music and shows. Try some Ika Mata (Rawfish) or Poke (A type of pudding made from bananas or pumpkin).