Avarua

Avarua, on the north coast of Rarotonga, is the small, laid-back capital of the Cook Islands, more an overgrown village than a city, and all the more charming for it. Strung along the coast, it offers a gentle introduction to island life: the colourful, bustling Punanga Nui Market, best on a Saturday morning, where locals sell produce, crafts, pearls and food; historic white coral-lime churches whose Sunday singing is glorious; low-key shops, cafes and pearl boutiques; and a relaxed harbour. With no traffic lights and a famously friendly, unhurried atmosphere, Avarua embodies the easygoing spirit of the Cook Islands.

What you actually see

• Punanga Nui Market - the colourful Saturday-morning market.
• The coral churches - the historic white CICC churches.
• The harbour and shops - the relaxed waterfront, cafes and pearl shops.
• The island pace - the traffic-light-free, friendly town.

When to go

April to November, the drier season, for the most pleasant weather; the Punanga Nui Market is at its liveliest and most colourful on a Saturday morning, a highlight worth timing a visit for, and a Sunday church service offers glorious hymn-singing. The town is easily explored on foot or as part of the island circuit.

Honest expectations

Avarua is tiny and low-key, more a relaxed village than a capital, so it offers a pleasant half-day of market, churches and cafes rather than major sights, and much of it is quiet, especially on Sundays. As a charming, unhurried and friendly introduction to Cook Islands life, though, with its colourful market, historic churches and easygoing island atmosphere, Avarua is a delightful and characterful little capital.

Nearby

The beaches, the Muri Lagoon and the Cross-Island Track are around Rarotonga.