Rarotonga backpackers or Vara’s

ok, so which to stay at? Rarotonga Backpackers of Vara’s,
has anyone stayed at either??

or shall i stay at both?

I am thre for 9 nights 22nd oct to 31st

Anyone else gonna be there?

i know its quite long just to be on rarotonga, i was hoping to go aitutaki, but the flights are like another $580. so i cant really afford that.

I stayed at Vara’s for 7 days and absolutely loved it! It is right on the beach at the most beautiful part of the island. Vara’s was one of the best hostels that I stayed at in my 8 months travelling around the world - all people who visit it seem to be extremely willing to meet other people.

Matt, who works at Vara’s organises themed nights out for the whole hostel and also offers trips on his boat to go fishing etc… Matt seems to run the place so that people were always sociable (including organising volleyball matches and card games). It was such an amazing place to stay that I would reccommend it to anyone.

Also, hire a scooter (you have to take a driving test - easy!), go to the Saturday morning market in main town and snorkel off the beach from Vara’s. Aitutaki is supposed to be incredible, but I couldn’t afford to get there.

I’m so jealous! Have fun! x

I’m just back from Rarotonga Backpackers which was awesome. Huge beach which is unusual for the island, good pool, amazing people. Local bas, probably not as party orientated as vara’s but I was out every night just due to the other people that were there. You are more likely to meet more local cook islanders if you stay at Raro Backpackers due to location. It was clean and had good communal facilities. There are 2 sections, I stayed Beachside but the Hillside unit was also good, more bugs tho as more in the forest.
Not recommended is Backpackers International, no good reports from the people I met from there. Check out Tripadvisor for reviews for Raro Backpackers, and you have to book directly through their website rather than hostel websites
Aremango Guesthouse also has great reviews but isn’t a hostel with dorms.