Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Placed amongst the bottom bracket of the Southern Group of what have come to be known as the Cook Islands, the nugget of Rarotonga is placid in its existence, lapped by the clean and clear waters of the South Pacific, home to some of the warmest days to see the region during the year. It's capital, a simple city-town having gone by the name of Avarua for most of its life, is ordinarily thought to be what Tahiti's or Bora Bora's main cities would have been were they not bombarded with great influxes of tourists and vacationers year after year. There's really everything to love about Rarotonga. You can just as easily spend your time soaking in the sun at sea level amongst trillions of white fragments as climbing extraordinary mountains and journeying through rich, tropical valleys. There certainly is something reserved only for the Cook Islands that none of French Polynesia or other relatively close archipelagos can boast of themselves. If we find out what it is, we'll surely let you in on it, but for now, remaining content with a paradisiacal Pacific morsel with interesting cultural roots, year-round warmth, and facilities made for the budget-conscious to big spenders won't likely be too difficult a task. Of course, despite Rarotonga's being outclassed by it's distant, South Pacific neighbors in terms of visitor numbers and such, the island has garnered quite a bit of attention, and is on a fast track to stardom in the first quarter of the 21st Century. Translation: Fly out to Rarotonga as soon as possible if you wish to see the untarnished oasis we've just introduced you to. Go on. Book your flight today!

When to go

Being a year-round destination, classifying Rarotonga as superior in one season or another is ultimately self-defeating. Simply put, the island is inhabitable and visit-able whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter. Like all oceanic locations, all of the Cook Islands do encounter unpleasant weather at some time, therefore it's good to take basic precautions before traveling: checking with the Cook capital's weather authorities (even Googling for the information you need will suffice) and packing essential tropical gear.

Getting there and around

Good news for New Zealanders! Rarotonga International Airport boasts direct from your shores! Surprised? Neither were we, and it's hardly worth noting that Australians, West Coast USAians, and East Asians will be among the few granted direct access to the island. What's important is the convenience with which our European brethren (as well as ourselves) are able to fly to the island with minimal difficulty. Sadly, there are no tricks to this trade, but a trip to the Australian or New Zealandian capital will avail you the options you need. Buses and taxis are generally the most plentiful forms of transportation around Rarotonga, though the number of personal vehicles is on the rise. If you're planning to stay for more than a few days, renting an automobile will do you good. Otherwise, leave the driving up to the locals.

Attractions

Though one is denied entry to the grounds of the palace of Queen Makea Takau Ariki without permission, you can view the great results of the extensive restoration the building has undergone from a distance from a distance. Consider yourself among the lucky few foreigners who've been allowed through the gate. The Cook Islands Library and Museum, not far from the capital's most well-known church, is a small establishment packed with historic artifacts and interesting items such as a canoe and a yacht known as Yankee.