Cook Islands Traveller Tips
Accommodation
All types of
accommodation are available throughout the Cook Islands.
Note: Camping is not permitted in the Cook Islands.
AirportThe Rarotongan International Airport is located on the main island
Rarotonga, 4.5km from Avarua. For international transport to the Cook Islands, see
Air New Zealand.
For reconfirmation of flights, phone 682 26 300.
Attractions
For
attractions in the Cook Islands, check our list of things to see and do in the Cook Islands.
Banking
ANZ
Avarua, Rarotonga - phone 682 21 750 or email anzcooks@anz.com
Monday to Thursday 9am-3pm; Friday 9am-4pm.
ATM services available at the main branch in Avarua, with ANZ ATMs located at Cooks Corner in Avarua, Vonnia’s General Store in Arorangi, Wigmore’s Superstore in Vaimaanga, and Sixtil Eleven Store in Murimart.
Aitutaki – ANZ is located in Amuri at Mango Trading. Open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm. ATM service is located in front of Mango Trading.
Westpac
Avarua, Rarotonga - phone 682 22 014 or email westpaccookislands@westpac.com.au
Monday to Friday 9am-3pm; Saturday 9am-12noon.
Rarotonga Airport - all international flights.
ATM service available at the main branch in Avarua with Westpac ATMs located at the Oasis Energy Centre in Nikao, and at the arrivals area at Rarotonga Airport
Aitutaki – Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9.am-3pm. There is also an ATM in Aitutaki located outside the Westpac branch in Arutanga.
Atiu Branch – Monday to Friday; 8am – 3pm located at the Centre Store in Teenui
Western Union
Avarua, Rarotonga - phone 682 29 907 or email westernu@union.co.ck
Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm; Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm.
Branches in Aitutaki, Manihiki, Penrhyn, Atiu, Mauke, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Pukapuka and Rakahanga.
Business Hours
Normal business hours are: Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm and Saturday 9am-12pm.
Climate
- Warm and sunny all year round.
- April to November, dry and cooler season, 20ºC-25ºC average temperature.
- December to March, wet and warmer season, 26ºC-29ºC average temperature.
- For more information call the Meteorological Centre, ph 682 20 603 or email ops1@oyster.net.ck
Communication
- When phoning Cook Islands from other countries dial 682 then the number.
- Telecom Cook Islands and cyber cafés are located in Avarua and Muri Beach for internet and email services.
- Phonecards, phone and fax services are also available at Telecom throughout the Cook Islands.
- Postal services at Cook Islands Post Office and Telepost in Avarua, Rarotonga;
Monday to Friday 8am-4pm; Telepost also opens Saturday 8am-12pm. Airmail goes out daily week days.
Telepost also provides an international courier service, fast fax and email service.
- Philatelic Bureau in Avarua, Rarotonga for stamp and coin collectors, phone 682 29 336.
- Blue mailboxes for posting letters are placed throughout Rarotonga.
- DHL courier services are available in Avarua.
- Cook Islands Television (CITV) telecasts local and imported shows throughout the week in both English and Maori.
- The AM and FM radio stations (one on each band) offer a mix of music, talk and international news from Australia and New Zealand. Frequencies are AM 630Khz
and FM 105.5Khz.
Consulate Offices
New Zealand 22 201 nzhcraro@oyster.net.ck
British 21 080 mitchell@oyster.net.ck
French 22 424 cassey@eggelton.co.ck
German 24 567 law@bgh.co.ck
Currency
The New Zealand dollar.
Departure Tax
Adult $30
Child (age 2 to 12 years) $15
Infant (under 2 years) Exempt
Departure tax can be purchased from the Westpac Bank at the International Arrivals Terminal (open for all international flights) or at the Westpac branch in town.
Domestic Transport
- Air: Air Rarotonga, phone 682 22 888 or email bookings@airraro.co.ck
- Sea: Inter-island cargo ships that travel once or twice a month depending on cargo. No timetables as ships are scheduled depending on cargo demands.
- Taio Shipping, phone 682 24 905 or email taio@taio.co.ck
Dress
- Informal, cool and comfortable.
- Brief attire is not acceptable in town or villages. Nude or topless sunbathing is PROHIBITED.
- A respectable standard of dress is required for church services.
- Make sure you take reef shoes if you want to explore the reefs at low tide.
Electricity
240 volts AC Hz/ 50 cycle.
North Americans will need adaptor plugs suited for New Zealand to use dual-voltage appliances, such as hair dryers.
For more information you can contact Te Aponga Uira, phone 682 20 054, email info@electricity.co.ck
Emergency Services
Police 999 pwichman@police.gov.ck
Ambulance & Hospital 998 aremaki@oyster.net.ck
Fire 996 jessie@airport.co.ck
Entry Requirements
- Stays of up to 31 days require a valid passport and a return ticket.
- Extensions are granted on a monthly basis, up to five additional months only.
- A fee is payable with each application within 14 days prior to the expiration of the permit. Extensions are granted at two levels. Up to three months NZ$70 (15 years and older), up to five months NZ$120 (15 years and older). Children under 15 years of age are exempt from charges but must report to immigration for official paperwork to be completed.
- For extensions, all visitors must apply to the department 14 days prior to expiration, phone 682 29 347 or email tutai@immigration.gov.ck
Language
English and Cook Islands Maori.
Local Newspapers
Cook Islands News – Phone 22 999, Fax 25 303, e-mail:editor@cookislandsnews.com
Daily information on local events, tide times, weather, foreign exchange and more. Weekly issues of The Cook Islands Herald, Times and Independent are also available, as well as weekly issues of the New Zealand Herald.
Cook Islands Herald, Independent and Times – phone 682 29 460, e-mail bestread@ciherald.co.ck
Local Time
10 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Medical & Dental Services
- Medical and dental services are available 24 hours a day.
- There are no poisonous animals or insects in the Cook Islands, although mosquito repellent is advisable, especially on Aitutaki.
- Rarotonga Hospital, phone 682 22 664 or 682 20 065, email aremaki@oyster.net.ck
Population
19,569 - about half of the population live on the island of Rarotonga.
Public Toilets
Toilet tissue not provided, so carry your own supplies.
Located in:
Avarua – Punanganui Market; Cooks Corner shopping mall and bus depot; inside the Waterfront Arcade; opposite the Police Station
Nikao – Opposite the golf club or near Black Rock.
Panama – Before the airport from town or next to the cemetery.
Vaimaanga – Sapphire Lagoon Restaurant at Wigmore’s Superstore.
Roads in the Cook Islands
- Drive on the left side of the road.
- Maximum speed is 30km/hr in town and villages; 60km/hr outside populated areas.
- A Cook Islands driver’s licence must be obtained from police headquarters in Avarua for $10.
- A practical test is required for all and intending motorbike drivers - this is an additional cost of $5. Phone 682 22 499, email isamaela@police.gov.ck
- When walking or cycling around the island - single file please.
Safety
The Cook Islands are safe but never leave your personal belongings unattended.
Taxes & Tipping
All taxes are included in prices. Tipping is contrary to Cook Islands Custom, however if you feel the service was exceptional, like any other country in the world, we appreciate your acknowledgement.
Transport within Rarotonga
- Rental cars, vans, 4WD, scooters and motorbikes.
- Circle island bus service.
- Taxi services.
Travel Agents
Jetsave Travel
Phone 682 27 707
Email book@travel.co.ck
Cook Islands Holidays.com
Phone 682 21 530
Email askunclejeff@ cookislandsholidays.co.ck
Island Hopper Vacations
Phone 682 22 026
Email vacation@islandhopper.co.ck
Tipani Tours
Phone 682 25 266
Email tours@tipani.co.ck
Matina Travel
Phone 682 21 780, Fax 682 24 780
E-mail sale@matinatravel.co.ck
Tipani Tours
Phone 682 25 266
Email tours@tipani.co.ck
Treks
- Visitors to the Cook Islands are advised not to attempt treks or hikes alone, and to book with an experienced guide.
Visitor Information
• The Cook Islands Visitor Information Centre is located in Avarua next to the ANZ Bank and is open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm and Saturdays 9am to 12noon.
• The Aitutaki Visitor Information Centre is located in Arutanga next to the Oronga Centre Market and open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm.
Water
Some visitors prefer to boil water before use. Most hotels have water filter systems. Bottled water is readily available from local shops.