Your questions, answered

No, and that is the point. We are in the garden village of Atupa on the quiet side of Rarotonga, with a saltwater pool, spa pools and a lot of birdsong. Avarua is five minutes by car, the nearest beach at Nikao seven, and Muri lagoon about thirty. Guests who want the quiet choose us; guests who want to step off the deck onto sand should stay lagoon-side.

Black Rock at Nikao, our nearest, is seven minutes by car: a good swimming beach at high tide and the island’s favourite sunset spot. Aroa on the west coast, with easy snorkelling inside the reef, is about fifteen minutes. Muri lagoon on the east side, with its motu, kayaks and lagoon cruises, is about thirty minutes, and so is Titikaveka, which many locals rate the best snorkelling on the island. The island is 32 km around, so nothing is far.

Four types, all self-contained, all with a two-night minimum. Honeymoon Villa: couples on honeymoon, an anniversary or any occasion; open-plan, a teak four-poster, and an outdoor bath on a private deck. Garden Villas: couples or a couple with one child who want space and privacy, with a 33 m² deck behind privacy panels. 2 Bedroom Villas: families and friends, four guests plus a child, two ensuites and a dining table for six. 2 Bedroom Premium Villa: four adults travelling together, adults only; the largest villa on the property with a 50 m² deck, mountain views and outdoor showers and baths. See the Villas page for the full detail of each.

It is always a good time. The Cook Islands are warm and sunny all year round. The drier months run from April to November, with steady trade winds and an average of around 26°C. November to March is the warmer season, with a little more humidity and occasional rain between December and March, when temperatures range from 22°C at night to 30°C by day. Do not be put off by summer rain: it usually arrives as a brief morning or afternoon tropical shower and the sun is back before you have finished your coffee. The shoulder months of April, May, September and October are the sweet spot, with warm days and dry skies, and January to March is the quietest time on the island if you prefer it to yourself.

Yes, or a scooter. The island is 32 km around, driving is easy and the speed limit is 50 km/h. The bus loops the island clockwise and anti-clockwise if you would rather not drive. Rentals sell out in peak season, so book yours when you book the villa. We will help.

Everything a home has: full kitchen with oven and dishwasher, washer and dryer, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, TV, free Starlink Wi-Fi, a private deck with a Weber BBQ, and in most villas an outdoor bath under the open sky. Some villas also have an outdoor shower. You will get used to it faster than you think.

Breakfast is optional and pre-booked, served in the Reception Villa café Monday to Saturday (except public holidays) from 8.30 to 10 am. Fresh tropical fruit, warm pastries, coconut bread and Joseph’s coffee. No buffet queue and no timetable. Kia Orana Club members save 20% on pre-booked breakfasts. See our Café page.

Rarotonga has roosters and dogs everywhere, and Atupa is no exception. Most guests sleep straight through them, and the villas have double glazing and insect screens. If you are a light sleeper, we suggest the ceiling fan on low, which most guests find covers the early morning.

Yes, and it is free. General Manager Sane lives on the island and books lagoon cruises, island nights, Aitutaki day trips, dive and snorkel trips and dinner reservations for you before you arrive or during your stay. Ask her anything; she has heard the question before. See our Experiences page for ideas.

Yes. Free Starlink in every villa, and we regularly host guests working remotely. Like all satellite internet on the island it can dip briefly in heavy weather.

Yes. The Garden Villas and two-bedroom villas suit families, and children must be supervised at the pool and spa pools. The 2 Bedroom Premium Villa is adults only. We are a quiet property, so we ask all guests to keep noise low between 10 pm and 7 am.

Yes. Rarotonga is one of the safest places in the Pacific: a small island where people know each other, crime against visitors is rare, and the usual sensible habits are all that is needed. On the property every villa has a coded security gate and a lockbox, and Sane and Joseph live on site. We regularly host women travelling alone, guests here for work, and families with young children, and the same guests keep coming back.

We are four minutes from the airport. Send Sane your flight details and she will have a taxi waiting; you pay the driver directly. If you are arriving in the early hours this matters more than it sounds.

Two rates, side by side when you book. Non-Refundable Saver is our lowest price, paid in full at booking and not refundable. Flexible costs a little more, nothing is charged until your payment date (45 days before arrival for April to September stays, 30 days for October to March), and you can cancel free before that date. After it, the payment is non-refundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Full details are in our Terms & Conditions.

Our lowest rate is always on our own website. Booking direct makes you a Kia Orana Club member at no cost, with member rates on the villa, 20% off pre-booked breakfasts and spa treatments, 20% off bike and snorkel hire, and priority early check-in and late check-out. If you find a lower rate elsewhere on the day you booked, we match it and take a further 5% off.

Join the Kia Orana Club, free.

Yes, completely: villas, decks, pool and grounds. Designated smoking areas are just outside our entrances on Ariki Road.

Our water is filtered rainwater. We recommend boiling it for drinking, and there is complimentary filtered water at the café.

Check-in from 2 pm, check-out by 10 am. Up to two hours either side is often possible; ask Sane in advance and Kia Orana Club members get priority.

Rarotonga is on the other side of the International Date Line — one full day behind New Zealand and Australia. If it’s Friday morning in NZ, it’s still Thursday here. Double-check dates for flights, accommodation, and tours using Cook Islands time.

Most visitors receive a visitor's visa or permit on arrival — no advance application required.

New Zealand passport holders are granted 90 days on arrival (visitor permit). Extensions are possible if you apply.

Australian and most other passport holders are granted 31 days on arrival (visitor visa). You can apply to extend your stay.

For full eligibility details, current rules, and information on extensions or longer stays, please check the official guidance from Immigration Cook Islands.

• Passport — valid for at least six months beyond your departure date from the Cook Islands.
• Onward or return ticket — proof of a valid outbound ticket to your port of origin.
• Accommodation confirmation — printed or digital copy of your booking with us.
• Sufficient funds — evidence that you have enough to support yourself for your stay.
• Travel insurance — strongly recommended, particularly to cover the non-refundable period of your booking.

Direct flights to Rarotonga (RAR) are operated by several carriers. Routes and frequencies shift seasonally — always check the airline site for the latest.

Air New Zealand — Auckland ⇄ Rarotonga (daily most of the year). Easy connections via AKL from the rest of New Zealand and internationally. Higher fare types often include a checked bag.
Book Air New Zealand

Jetstar — Sydney ⇄ Rarotonga (several times weekly, with seasonal adjustments). Low-cost fares; add bags and meals as needed. Watch for sales.
Book Jetstar

Hawaiian Airlines — Honolulu ⇄ Rarotonga (usually 1× weekly; check dates). Good for US West Coast travellers connecting via HNL. Limited frequencies — book early.
Book Hawaiian

Air Rarotonga & Air Tahiti — Tahiti (Papeete) ⇄ Rarotonga (2–4× weekly depending on season). Best for French Polynesia or long-haul connections via PPT (including Air Tahiti Nui).
Book Air Rarotonga · Book Air Tahiti

We don't operate our own airport pickups, but we'll happily book a taxi for you with our preferred local operator — you pay the driver directly.

Or you can contact Atupa Taxis directly:

• +682 25517
• +682 58252

The Rarotonga airport is just 4 minutes from our property, so transfer time is short. Let us know your flight details ahead of time and we'll have a taxi waiting.

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed public holidays). Need help outside these hours? Please reach out — we’ll do our best to assist.

We are Mana Tiaki Eco Certified by Cook Islands Tourism and a Gold Member of Te Ipukarea Society, the Cook Islands’ environmental society. In practice: every villa’s hot water is solar heated, our water comes from underground rainwater tanks, the key card switches the air-conditioning off when you leave the villa, and we use only environmentally friendly cleaning and laundry products, never bleach.

You can help in two small ways. Towels left on the rail are reused; towels in the basket are washed. Bed linen is changed every 3 days. And please turn off lights and air-conditioning when you head out for the day. Meitaki ma’ata.

Use your villa’s lockbox when stepping out so keys don’t go missing. Each villa has a security gate with coded keypad for peace of mind. For eco reasons, inserting the key powers the air-conditioning and switches it off when you leave.

Each villa has one numbered parking space. Additional vehicles and visitors can park on Ariki Road near our back entrance.

We’re a tranquil retreat. If you’re celebrating, wonderful — please keep noise respectful so everyone can relax, especially 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.

Please observe the posted pool rules and supervise children at all times. Pool and spa pools are open for quiet enjoyment.

All villas, decks, and grounds are non-smoking and non-vaping. Designated areas are outside our entrances on Ariki Road. Thank you for keeping our environment fresh.

Please keep indoor furniture indoors; enjoy the rattan furniture on the decks. This preserves comfort and presentation for all guests.

• Check-in: after 2:00 p.m. (up to 2 hours earlier may be possible if available — please ask)
• Check-out: before 10:00 a.m. (late checkout up to 2 hours may be possible with prior arrangement)

Please share flight details with our GM, Sane Cowan, in advance so we can make your transition smooth.

• Coffee/Tea: complimentary tea bags, ground coffee, and 250ml milk on arrival
• Cooking: full kitchen, plus a Weber BBQ on the deck
• Electric current: 230V (check appliance compatibility)
• Emergency lighting: torches in villas; much outdoor lighting is solar
• Fire safety: smoke detectors in every villa; in an alarm, evacuate and call 999
• Hair dryers in each villa
• Housekeeping: daily (except Sundays & public holidays); linen every 3 days; extra cleaning $20/hour
• Iron & ironing board included
• Laundry: in-villa washer, dryer, and detergent
• Villa protection: double glazing and insect screens help with mosquitoes and harmless local insects

• Softer bed: latex topper available on request
• Two-bedroom villas: in specific villas, two king singles can be joined to make a king
• Garden Villa: fixed four-poster double; optional foldaway bed for a guest under 80 kg

Tropical continental breakfast is available Mon–Sat, 8:30–10:00 a.m. (except public holidays) by pre-booking. Kia Orana Club members save 20% on pre-booked breakfasts. See our Café page or email gm@kiaoranavillas.com.

We accept Visa/MasterCard for accommodation (3% surcharge), or direct credit to our bank accounts. We do not keep cash on site.

For ideas and bookings, visit our Experiences page. We can then help you lock in the tours, activities, and restaurants you want so you don’t miss out.

We offer road bikes for rent. Mountain bikes are available from Ride Rarotonga at +682 2 RIDE (27433).

Snowbird Laundry & Dry Cleaners offers one-day service with pickup/delivery on request (Arorangi: 20-952; Avarua: 21-952).

Free Starlink internet for in-house guests in all villas.

Our water is filtered and mostly collected from rooftops. We recommend boiling before drinking. Complimentary commercially filtered water is available at our Café.

• Emergency: 999
• NEOC: 22 261
• Emergency Management Cook Islands: 29609 or 54005
• Hospital: 22 664
• Rescue Fire Services: 25 890 or 55893

Evacuation: assemble in the rear car park. Tsunami warning: proceed up Ariki Road to high ground. Cyclones: nearby centres include Nikao Hall (20 318) and Tereora College (23 820). Ensure everyone has food, water, and warm clothing for at least 24 hours.

Tsunami: If sirens sound, evacuate immediately to higher ground (Ariki Road). Don’t go to the beach. Stay until authorities give the all-clear.

Earthquake: Stay calm, move away from glass, take cover under sturdy furniture or in a doorway. Outside: move away from buildings and lines. Follow staff and official instructions.

Vehicles often sell out in peak periods. We recommend booking early with Polynesian Rentals. We’re happy to help.

Cook Islands Bus runs clockwise/anti-clockwise loops around the island. Taxis are available — we recommend Atupa Taxis. Ask us for current timetables.

Currency is NZD. ATMs are in Avarua and at various island locations. We accept Visa/MasterCard (3% surcharge). Direct credit available for accommodation.

Vodafone Cook Islands provides SIMs and data packs. International calling codes and assistance services are available — ask at Reception for the latest info.

Dress is informal, but beachwear stays at the beach. Evenings (May–Sep) can be cool — bring light layers. Nudity and topless sunbathing are illegal.

• Wear reef shoes; avoid walking on coral.
• Avoid channels with strong currents; follow local signage.
• Do not catch/eat reef fish due to ciguatera risk.
• If stung or injured (e.g., stonefish), seek medical attention immediately.