The largest of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga offers tourists a wonderful retreat to relax in amid beautiful beaches and a lush mountainous terrain. The most populous of all the islands, there are plenty of accommodations to be found on Rarotonga, with many travelers using this incredible destination as their base camp while exploring all that the Cooks have to offer. The best part about staying on this island paradise is that it is quite affordable when compared to places like Tahiti or Fiji, where accommodations can cost a pretty penny.

Home to a huge variety of hotels and resorts, on Rarotonga a majority of accommodations can be found along the coast. Ranging from the affordable to the expensive, most rooms are comfortable and cozy with some spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. However, not all hotels are on the beach front, some face the mountain side. With the exception of two huge resorts, most other accommodation on Rarotonga is pretty economical especially for those traveling on a budget.

Rarotonga can be divided into three hotel zones; the hotels located on the southeast coast, the hotels located near and around Titikaveka and Muri Beach and the hotels situated on the western coast by the town of Arorangi. Staying near Muri Beach is great because the snorkeling here is the best on the island. However, do keep in mind that since this area is a popular location, it tends to get quite crowded and noisy during peak tourist season.

If you choose to stay on the western coast of Rarotonga, you will be treated to some of the most beautiful sunsets on the island. Accommodations on the southern coast are ideal for the quiet vacationer, while Avarua on the north coast has plenty of cheap accommodations on hand.

Aside from hotels, resorts, apartments, guest houses, villas, bungalows and lodges to stay at, there are also plenty of motels which are reasonably priced. Ideal for backpackers and those on a strict budget, staying here is easy on your wallet. If you are coming to Rarotonga with your family, a good idea is to rent out a beach house which are not only fully furnished but also provide you with complete privacy.