Hotels in Tonga

Hotels in Tonga: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Tonga cost?

The price depends on the standard, the island and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually March, while July, in the whale-watching season, is the priciest. Seaside resorts cost more than guesthouses in the capital. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Tonga: most popular places

The country is made up of four main island groups, with travel centred on Tongatapu and Vava'u. These are the places travellers choose most often:

• Nuku'alofa. The capital on Tongatapu and the widest choice of stays, from guesthouses to hotels. Home to the main airport and Talamahu Market.
• Neiafu. The main town of the Vava'u group, a base for cruises, diving and swimming with whales.
• Utungake. A small island off Vava'u with beachside resorts, a calm spot by the water.
• Uoleva. An uninhabited beach island in the Ha'apai group, with intimate resorts away from it all.
• 'Eua. A green island near Tongatapu, known for cliffs, caves and ecotourism.

Nightly rates vary between places. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Tonga

Tonga is a destination for those after nature, the ocean and quiet. The attractions are spread across the islands.

• Swimming with humpback whales. Tonga is one of the few places in the world where you can swim close to whales, in season from July to October.
• Haʻamonga ʻa Maui. A centuries-old stone trilithon, the Tongan answer to Stonehenge, on Tongatapu.
• Ha'atafu Beach. Surfing and snorkelling by the reef at the western tip of Tongatapu.
• 'Eua Island. Cliffs, caves and forests, with basket-weaving workshops and Tongan dance.
• Talamahu Market. The heart of Nuku'alofa, with fresh produce and handicrafts.

How much does a trip to Tonga cost

Beyond the room, some goods are pricier, as these are remote islands. A bus ticket on Tongatapu costs very little, and local food is inexpensive. The currency is the pa'anga. Cards work in the larger hotels in the capital, but elsewhere cash is the basis. ATMs are few, so it is worth withdrawing a reserve of cash before heading to the smaller islands.

When is the best time to visit Tonga

The dry season from May to October is the best for travel, with sunshine and temperatures of about 25-28 degrees. It is also the humpback-watching season, hence the highest prices in July. The rainy season and the risk of cyclones fall in our winter months. Room prices are lowest in March.

Getting to and around Tonga

Almost everyone flies into Fua'amotu Airport near Nuku'alofa, with connections from Auckland, Fiji and Samoa. Real Tonga runs domestic flights between the islands. Buses operate on Tongatapu and Vava'u during the day for a small fare. Cars can be hired mainly on Tongatapu, where traffic is slow as the country has no traffic lights. On the smaller islands you get around by bicycle, on foot or by boat.

Example hotels in Tonga

A few recognisable properties from different islands for reference:

• Tanoa International Dateline Hotel and Emerald Hotel in Nuku'alofa (upper tier, from approx. 350 TOP).
• Tongan Beach Resort and Mystic Sands on Vava'u (by the beach, from approx. 380 TOP).
• Serenity Beaches Resort on Uoleva Island and guesthouses in the capital (from approx. 170 TOP).