The Most Local Stays in Tonga
Want to get a real local experience in Tonga? Try homestays, B&Bs and guesthouses nestled in the villages across the island groups of Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava’u and Ha’apai! Although the Airbnb-style homestay hasn’t quite hit off in Tonga just yet, local guesthouses and B&Bs incorporated into authentic Tongan villages away from the tourist centres have been an amazing way to experience Tongan hospitality and culture for years and continue to be! Travellers seeking authentic Tongan accommodation won’t struggle to find them across the islands, especially as we’ve listed a few of the best village- and homestays in Tonga below!
Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country with some services that accommodations provide changing with little notice. While we try to keep our accommodation listings up-to-date, know that some services may have changed. If you have an update, feel free to reach out.
1. Paea’s Guest House (Tongatapu)
On a tight budget? Looking to get a taste of living like a local? Take a look at Paea’s Guest House. Although the owners operate the Tonga Holiday Villa and Tonga Cottage, they open up their own property in a village suburb of Nuku’alofa to travellers looking for an affordable place to stay. The friendly owners are involved with guests, sometimes offering lifts into town (which is needed as it’s quite far away), meals and more. They also offer tours of Tongatapu Island as part of their tourism operation. The homestay offers one private bedroom for up to two guests with a private bathroom. Learn more about this accommodation and more in our guide, Where to Stay on Tongatapu: The Best Accommodations.
Check Paea’s Guest House out:
© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Falakiko Guesthouse (‘Eua)
For immersing in the local culture, it couldn’t be easier on ‘Eua Island. The island’s main style of accommodation is guesthouses in local villages, starting with Falakiko Guesthouse consists of three private units on the grounds of a local family home. There are rooms suitable for solo travellers, couples and groups of three, each with affordable rates per person. Each unit has ensuite facilities with a spacious tiled shower, while you’ll also have a fridge and fan. Although there are no cooking facilities, your hosts can cook breakfast and lunch for a reasonable price. For dinner, restaurants are listed in The Complete Travel Guide to ‘Eua. Your hosts also offer island tours for a decent price, taking you to see approximately four of ‘Eua’s natural attractions. Airport/wharf transfers are also free for pick-up and a small fee for drop-off. Learn more about its location in our guide, Where to Stay on ‘Eua: The Best ‘Eua Accommodations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Lindsay Guesthouse (Ha’apai)
The largest guesthouse in Ha’apai, Lindsay Guesthouse offers a truly local stay for unbeatable prices. A village stay just a 10-minute walk from Pangai town centre and located on the same premises as the island’s bakery, it has a convenient location. Your local hosts, who also live on the property, also offer complimentary airport transfers. Stay in one of the 12 rooms available, including single, double and triple rooms with cold-water shared bathroom facilities. Other options include a double and a triple (family) ensuite room. Outside of the rooms, guests can relax in the communal lounge or out on the spacious verandah and lawns. For those staying in an ensuite room, breakfast is included each day of stay, while lunch and dinner are also available to arrange. Note that the guesthouse only accepts cash. See more accommodations like this in Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers (Vava’u)
Stay in an island village in Vava’u at the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers! Set on the sandy shores of Ofu Island, a short boat ride from Neiafu’s old harbour – Houmelei Wharf, the Beautiful Ofu Island Backpackers offers basic but ultra-affordable private fales (bungalows) with power outlets sourced by solar power and ensuite bathrooms with cold water. Alternatively, backpackers can stay in one of the three rooms in the main house with a communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. Meals are also available with the highlight being a Tongan feast and floor show once a week. See more accommodations like this in The Top 25 Resorts in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. Starlight Guesthouse (Tongatapu)
Live the village life at the Starlight Guesthouse in Nukunuku. The guesthouse on Tongatapu has two units available; a two-bedroom house and a studio unit – both standalone but sharing a fenced-off garden with fruit trees to help yourself to. Enjoy the simplicity of living off the bare necessities with rainwater to drink, no hot water and a limited kitchenette. Nevertheless, the place is very affordable with most guests choosing to stay here for a couple of weeks or so with very reasonable weekly and monthly rates available. Nukunuku is 15 minutes’ drive from Nuku’alofa. For more affordable stays like this, check out the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com6. Makafeke Resort (Vava’u)
On the beachfront of an island village, Makafeke Resort is more of a homestay than a “resort”. Nevertheless, if you want an authentic Tongan experience in a small village, then this is for you. After a boat transfer to Matamaka village on Nuapapu Island in Vava’u, you’ll be guided to your guesthouse, which consists of a light-filled double room and a room with four single beds. The communal beach garden is pleasingly decorated with buoys, coconuts, shells, hammocks and an undercover diving area, as well as direct access to the beach. They also have kayaks to explore the surrounding waters. For more about this island group, check out Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.
© TongaPocketGuide.com7. ‘Alakoka Tahi Moana Guest House (‘Eua)
Although quite a large guesthouse on ‘Eua, ‘Alakoka Tahi Moana Guest House is all about the experience with your hosts, Kiko and his family. Not only do they offer whale swimming tours but also guided hikes and 4WD tours. As for the accommodation, choose from one of nine no-frills rooms with bed layouts sleeping one to six guests. Guests can spend their downtime playing pool, cooking in the large communal kitchen, dining at the on-site restaurant (not available Sunday), or joining for kava nights, Sunday umu and bonfires on the beach when enough people are staying. Most bathrooms are shared and there are also laundry machines available. For more like this, check out the 20 Best Guesthouses in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com8. Backpackers Townhouse (Tongatapu)
A homely guesthouse for backpackers and travellers on a budget, Backpackers Townhouse (signposted at “Kapeta Backpackers” on the corner of Mateialona and Vahaakolo Roads, Nuku’alofa) gives a unique insight into town life for a local, especially as it’s also the site of a local enterprise, True Vava’u where you can learn more about how your host makes tuitui (candlenut) oil to sell at her on-site store. As for accommodation, there are a couple of two-bed dorm rooms and four private single, twin/double rooms with shared bathroom facilities between two rooms. Full kitchen facilities, hot showers, electric fans and laundry services are all available. For more backpacker-style stays, check out the 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.com9. Green Lodge Holiday Homes (Tongatapu)
Specialising in eco-stays, affordability and private holiday homes in a Tongan village, Green Lodge Holiday Homes is a worthy choice on Tongatapu. The holiday home complex is located in Tofoa on the outskirts of Nuku’alofa but it’s worth getting to for the weekend entertainment offered by your hosts, including a choice of a Tongan umu dinner, island tours and more. There are four holiday homes with a choice of three or four bedrooms sleeping up to six or eight people. Other features include hot water, fans, TVs, basic cooking facilities and free WiFi. For more like this, check out the 20 Best Holiday Homes in Tonga.
Check Green Lodge Holiday Homes out:
- Green Lodge Holiday Homes on Booking.com
- Green Lodge Holiday Homes on Trip.com
- Green Lodge Holiday Homes on Expedia
© Green Lodge Holiday Homes10. Highlight Guesthouse (‘Eua)
Highlight Guesthouse is a long-established guesthouse on ‘Eua offering a homely local vibe. What’s more, it’s easy to find it signposted along the main road in Mata’aho village. The family-style home has four private rooms ideal for solo travellers, couples and families of three. There are also two shared bathrooms with a shower-in-bath set-up in one and it’s an extra TOP$10 if you want a hot shower. Either use the communal kitchen for TOP$5 or order meals to experience some local cooking. Finally, they offer reasonably priced island tours to experience ‘Eua’s natural sights lasting four to six hours.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore About Village Stays and Homestays in Tonga
That’s it for our list of the best village stays and homestays in Tonga. For more about getting the local experience, check out more of our tips:
- How to Have Real Cultural Experiences in Tonga
- 20 Best Guesthouses in Tonga
- 10 Best Cultural Activities in Tonga
Finally, if you’re still trying to find the perfect place to stay, start from scratch with Where to Stay in Tonga: The Best Accommodations in Tonga. Plus, get even more trip-planning tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.
