Located between the Tonga Islands and French Polynesia, the Cook Islands are one of the most romantic destinations in the South Pacific. Tourism has developed favorably here, and the two main islands attract lovers and adventurers from all over the world every year. But before appreciating the beauty of Rarotonga, Aitutaki or Atiu, it’s important to remember that island life is relatively expensive. A few recommendations are in order to reduce the cost of your stay. See below for the real price of a trip to the Cook Islands.
Basic Price of a Trip to the Cook Islands
Find Flights to Rarotonga
To get to the Cook Islands, you’ll need to reach Rarotonga international airport. There are several possible routes, depending on your point of departure. Travelers from the Polynesian Triangle (New Zealand, French Polynesia and Hawaii) benefit from direct flights, reducing travel time and cost. With the exception of those traveling from Australia, all other flights involve one or more stopovers. From Europe, allow at least 30 hours to reach the Cook Islands, with a changeover in Auckland, New Zealand.
Flight prices vary according to the season and your point of departure. Air fares are more expensive during the austral winter, particularly between June and September. A more economical trip should then take place during the austral summer, ideally in April or November. However, the wet season is also a time of severe weather, with a high risk of cyclones. So choose wisely when to go to the Cook Islands!
Depending on the season, you can expect to pay between USD 1,500 and 2,700 from Europe, and between USD 1,100 and 2,200 from North America, for round-trip economy flights. Please note that the price of flights to Rarotonga from Sydney or Auckland varies little. You can therefore reduce the overall cost by comparing the price of flights to Australia and New Zealand. If you’re flying from Honolulu, Papeete or Auckland itself, allow between 4 and 6 hours’ flying time and a round-trip price of USD 920, 600 or 490 respectively.
Choosing Accommodation in the Cook Islands
Accommodation won’t be a problem on the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki. In fact, there’s a wide range of accommodation, often of excellent quality, to suit all budgets. Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to charming guesthouses. The difference between the seasons has little impact on the price of nights in hotels in Rarontonga. On the other hand, promotional offers are more discreet during the austral winter, and many establishments are fully booked. Only the holiday periods between December and January and the Autonomy Day holiday at the end of July see a sharp rise in prices.
Accommodation is eclectic. However, the Cook Islands are a charming destination. They attract many couples on their honeymoon. As a result, some establishments are reserved for adults, to the exclusion of children. Fortunately, there are enough hotels and villas to satisfy everyone. Expect to pay between USD 90 and 130 per night per couple for small guesthouses, between USD 160 and 270 for a spacious villa, and up to USD 920 and more for luxury resorts.
In contrast, the outer islands are off the tourist map. International visitors are few and far between, and as a result, the hotel offer is fairly limited. Some destinations manage to maintain a high standard of accommodation. This is the case in Aitu and Mangaia in the southern group of islands, where a night in a double room will cost between USD 90 and 160. On the other hand, the islands of the Northern grouping are somewhat neglected.
Planning Activities
There’s plenty to do in the Cook Islands. Taking part in a lagoon excursion or attending a themed evening party costs a certain amount of money. You’ll need to set aside the necessary budget to make the most of your stay. Expect to pay between USD 110 and 170 per person per outing. Fortunately, some activities are free. Beaches offer magnificent terrain for exploration and discovery. Many hotels have direct access to the lagoon and provide kayaks or paddle boards for their guests. By choosing a hotel close to the beaches of Aroa, Titikaveka or Muri, you’ll save time and money.
For getting around, Rarotonga has a fairly good public bus network covering all the island’s points of interest. A rental car is a practical extra for sightseeing and shopping, and indispensable on Sundays when the service is interrupted. Once again, the location of your accommodation may or may not impose an additional expense. Expect to pay around USD 260 for a week’s car rental, not including fuel costs.
One final point on food expenses. Don’t underestimate the high cost of island living. With an economy that relies heavily on imports from New Zealand, food prices are very high. As most luxury hotels offer accommodation in private villas with fully-equipped kitchens, full- and half-board options are virtually non-existent. You’ll have to choose between buying food in grocery stores or markets, or dining in restaurants or caravans. Depending on your preference, you should expect to spend between USD 60 and 170 per person per day.
The Different Prices of a Trip to the Cook Islands
Visiting the Outer Islands
With its international airport and tourist infrastructure, Rarotonga is the main destination for international visitors. However, other islands rival Rarotonga in beauty and natural heritage, such as Atiu with its caves and underground pools. Some of the islands in the southern group have regular weekly flights. For the northern group, connections are more sporadic, and delays extend the length of your stay. This is all the more true as some islands have no airfield and are only accessible by sea.
Flights to the outer islands are also very expensive. This is due to the long distances involved, particularly for the islands in the northern grouping, and to the scarcity of supply. For a return flight, expect to pay around USD 330 for Atiu, Mangaia or Mauke, and over USD 1,100 for Manihiki. The lack of an inter-island package and the prohibitive prices greatly hinder mobility and the development of tourism in the islands. Alternatives with privatized flights exist, but remain extremely costly. Many prefer to stay on Rarotonga.
However, Air Rarotonga offers all-inclusive flights to the islands of Atiu and Aitutaki. The cost of the getaway is approximately USD 1,100, including return flight and two nights’ accommodation in a guesthouse or hotel. Even better: the Aitutaki Day Tour will take you around the atoll, with excursions and meals in the space of a day. Compared to the price of scheduled flights, these offers are very attractive.
Thinking About a Polynesian Itinerary
The Cook Islands have the advantage of being fairly well connected to other major destinations in the Polynesian Triangle. It would also be worth considering an itinerary combining New Zealand, Hawaii and French Polynesia. The idea is to appreciate the different facets of the same cultural, linguistic and civilizational area. For example, visitors from mainland France can easily reach Rarotonga from Papeete, while those from the USA can travel via Honolulu to the Cook Islands. Boat cruises are also available for an adventure on the water.
Of course, the easiest stopover to incorporate into your trip is New Zealand, through which most travellers pass. On a two-week itinerary, five days on Rarotonga will suffice without increasing the overall cost of the trip. In fact, the opposite is true, as island life is considerably more expensive.
The Real Price of a Trip to the Cook Islands
To determine the price of a trip to the Cook Islands, choose the best period. Then decide on a stopover on the outer islands or a Polynesian itinerary. Based on a two-week stay, including five days on Rarotonga, three days on Aitutaki and seven days on New Zealand’s North Island, the price of a tour including flights, accommodation, activities and meals, is approximately :
- Comfortable trip in high season: $13,000 per couple
- Comfortable trip in low season: $11,000
- Economy trip in high season: $8,700
- Economy trip in low season: $6,500
Obviously, these are non-tour operator itineraries, and do not include agency fees. What’s more, the overall cost of the trip may vary according to your wishes. Stick to Rarotonga or visit Aitutaki too? Join French Polynesia or explore the Maori lands of New Zealand. The Polynesian Triangle has never been so accessible. Plan your trip to the Cook Islands and contact us for more information.
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