Renting a car in Rarotonga is a great way to explore the island at your own pace.
This blog will guide you through essential car rental tips for first-time users in Rarotonga, with everything you need to know for a beautiful, tropical and stress-free trip away renting a car in Rarotonga.
- Why Rent a Car in Rarotonga
- Where to Rent a Car in Rarotonga
- What Type of Car to Rent?
- How Much Does it Cost?
- Driving in Rarotonga
- License to Drive in Rarotonga
- Booking a Rental Car in Rarotonga
- Picking Up Your Rental Car
- Where to Stay in Rarotonga
Why We Recommend Renting a Car in Rarotonga
Welcome to the beautiful island of Rarotonga! It really is a dreamy holiday destination and an incredible place that we feel extremely lucky to call home.
Renting a car in Rarotonga unlocks a fabulous Rarotongan experience. With your own transport you can explore the beautiful beaches, find your way on the back roads and soak up the local charm at your own pace.
Rarotonga is an incredible destination. Which unless you are planning a completely all-inclusive resort package where you don’t leave the resort site – you are going to want to get out and explore!
Albeit you could – in theory – get around Rarotonga by bus.
But it makes it that much easier to have independence and the freedom to explore at your own leisurely island pace.
Driving in Rarotonga
The entire island is encircled by one main road where you will find most shops, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. So navigating is straightforward, and the speed limit is only 50kmph.
Road rules are relatively the same as in New Zealand and Australia. There are no traffic lights on the island and just two roundabouts in the main township of Avarua. Though while the speed limit may seem low at 50km per hour, don’t forget that the island is not a resort.
Residents are going about their day-to-day life and there is actually a rush hour in the morning getting to work and then again in the afternoon with more motorbikes and cars on the road.
That, plus there are a few island hazards to look out for renting a car in Rarotonga. Things like wandering dogs, potholes – and the odd rooster or chicken quite literally crossing the road…
Options for Car Rental in Rarotonga
There are plenty of options for renting a car in Rarotonga. In fact, there are more than eight registered rental car companies on the island.
The largest company is Polynesian Hire which has seven offices and car rental depots around the island.
There is also a Polynesian Hire office next to both The Rarotongan and Edgewater Resort. Which is handy for these two accommodations which are also two of the largest and most popular choices on Rarotonga.
Avis Cook Islands is the only international car rental in Rarotonga.
There is plenty of choice to rent a car in Rarotonga:
- Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes
- Raro Cars
- Rarotonga Rentals
- Island Car & Bike Hire Rarotonga
- Pacific Rental Cars & Bike Hire (used to be RaroRentalCars)
- Avis Cook Islands
- Sweet As Rentals
- Go Cook Islands Car Rentals
We have previously rented a car through Rarotonga Rentals and Polynesian Hire and would recommend both.
Choosing a Car Rental Company in Rarotonga
We always recommend checking both the price and reviews to find the best deal and service.
- Read Reviews: Check online reviews and see what other travellers have experienced.
- Compare Prices: Look beyond the base price and compare the inclusions and exclusions.
- Check Hidden Costs: Beware of additional fees like young driver surcharges or drop-off and pick-up charges.
Most places renting a car in Rarotonga offer rental car pick-up from the airport and you can drop it off when you fly out. So, the location of a car rental office in Rarotonga is less of a deciding factor.
FAQ – Renting a Car in Rarotonga
From licensing to pricing and choosing a car to rent, here are the most asked questions about renting a car in Rarotonga answered.
Can I Drive? Which Drivers’ License Do I Need?
You can drive and rent a car in Rarotonga on your current overseas licence.
However, it must be valid for the class of vehicle hired. It also must be a FULL licence and be in English or an English translation must accompany the licence.
Your overseas license enables you to drive the motor vehicle class that you are entitled to drive in your own country.
Drivers’ licenses are accepted from:
- New Zealand and Australia
- Canada
- United States of America
- EU Members and Norway
- Japan
If you hold a driver’s license from a country that is not listed, you will need to get a Cook Islands Visitors Vehicle License from the Police Station in Avarua.
What Type of Car to Rent in Rarotonga?
For a small island, there is a great assortment of vehicles to choose from. Vehicles offered for rent in Rarotonga include scooters, small cars, medium cars, people-movers, convertibles, SUVs and minivans.
Most rental cars are automatic, with the exception of minivans.
Small – Compact
- Toyota Passo, Vitz, Yaris
- Nissan March, Micra
- Suzuki Swift
Medium – Sedan
- Toyota Ractis, Altezza, Corolla
- Ford Escape
Large – Station Wagon
- Nissan Serena
- Honda Odyssey
Large vehicles, SUV’s and Jeeps are also available for rent in Rarotonga including 8-seater and 12-seater minivans.
Note there are a limited number of convertibles available. So, if it is a convertible that you are after, it pays to book in advance.
What is the Standard of Rental Cars in Rarotonga?
Most rental cars in Rarotonga are standard small and middle-sized cars from 2008 onwards.
The majority of vehicles are:
- Automatic
- 4 Door
- Air Conditioning
- Electric Windows
- Power Steering
- Regular Fuel (Unleaded 91)
Albeit the accessories and standards vary from company to company.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Rarotonga?
Rates are competitive starting from $45 NZD per day for car rental in Rarotonga.
- Small Car $45 – $60 daily
- Medium Car $50 – $70 daily
- Large Car $65 – $100 daily
- Premium Car $70 – $100 daily
- Minivan $70 – $120 daily
Expect to pay between $350 – $500 NZD for 7 days car hire in Rarotonga including the airport surcharge and incidental cost.
- Tip: Cars are cheaper per day the longer you rent them.
Booking – Renting a Car in Rarotonga
It is definitely recommended to book a car rental in Rarotonga in advance online.
Payment for car rental in Rarotonga can be made by credit card or debit card (VISA, MasterCard).
The currency in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Payment is accepted in New Zealand Dollars only.
Pick-up – Renting a Car in Rarotonga
If you are picking up your rental car in Rarotonga from the airport, the car rental agencies are located in the arrivals area.
Accommodation in Rarotonga
There is a great range of accommodation options in Rarotonga with resorts, hotels and motels, holiday homes and self-catering AirBnB’s.
Resorts in Rarotonga
- The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, Aro’a
- The Edgewater Resort & Spa, Arorangi
- Club Raro, Tupapa
- Nautilus Resort, Muri
- Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Muri
Hotels & Motels in Rarotonga
- Magic Reef Bungalows, Arorangi
- Coral Sands Apartment, Arorangi
- Black Pearl at Puaikura, Aro’a
- Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel, Titikaveka
- Muri Garden Lodge, Muri
Holiday homes & AirBnB
- Cooks Oasis Holiday Villas, Arorangi
- Lagoon Breeze Villas, Aro’a
- Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa, Muri
- Ariki Bungalows, Muri
There are loads of amazing options when choosing accommodation in Rarotonga.
Read More About Travel to Rarotonga
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- 10 Unforgettable Walks In Rarotonga.
- 10 Historical Sites You Must See In Rarotonga.
- Hiking The Needle Cross Island Walk.
- Hiring A Bike In Rarotonga.
- How To Get Your Scooter License In Rarotonga.
- 15 Essential Tips On Visiting Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
Useful Links for Your Travels in Pacific & Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel anywhere in the world!
Gavin is our people-meeter wherever we go. For all the stories we share about the kindness of strangers in Uzbekistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and more, it is Gavin that extends a handshake and meets a new friend without even sharing the same language.