Cook Islands – Guidebook |
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The Cook Islands offer the visitor a safe, friendly tropical holiday with a varied mix of small personal properties and several medium sized resorts. Self catering and easy driving provide independence for those that desire a "Do your own thing" and many resorts offer jeep, car or scooter hire packages.
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Airport
Rarotonga Airport is 2.5 miles from Avarua township and is both an International and a Domestic Airport.
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Business Hours
On the island of Rarotonga business hours are usually 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.00 am to 12.00 noon on Saturdays.
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Climate
The warm pleasant year round weather offers little seasonal variation in temperature, however drier months are usually from April to November and have an average maximum of about 25°C, while the more humid and damper periods between December and March bring maximum averages of about 29°C.
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Currency & Banking
The New Zealand dollar is the local currency with supplementary local coins and collectors favour the 'three dollar bill'. These are not negotiable outside the Cook Islands. Both Westpac and the ANZ banks operate in Avarua between 9.00am and 3.00pm weekdays. In addition visitors can change travellers cheques and principle currencies at larger stores, hotels and motels and at the airport before each departing flight.
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Customs & Dress
Light casual clothes are suitable all year round, and although the atmosphere is very informal there are many opportunities to dress up. The hymns of the Sunday choirs will be missed unless you bring suitable attire. No shorts or 'off the shoulder' please. Nude or topless bathing will cause offence.
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Departure Tax
Departure Tax is NZD$25.00 for an adult, and NZD$10.00 for a child [2-11 years], infants under 2 years are exempt.
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Drinking Water
Drinking water is quite safe in Rarotonga, however visitors are advised to use bottled water where available.
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Duty Free
The following purchase allowance applies per person over the age of 18 years. Please note these allowances are provided as a guide only. They may be subject to change by the governing bodies without prior notice.
Restricted Item | Allowable Quota | Cigarettes | 200 | Tobacco | 250 grams | Wine/Spirits | 2 Litres | Beer | 4.5 |
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Electricity
240 voltage, and many hotels have 110 volt electric shavers facilities.
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Health
There are no poisonous animals or insects in the Cook Islands. Mosquitos (non-malarial) can be worrisome in some inland areas, but repellents provide protection. Remember to bring your old sandshoes for walking in the water to prevent coral scratches. Locals drink the water straight from the tap, however visitors may prefer boiled water. Rarotonga has a modern hospital with overseas trained staff. There are several doctors and dentists in private practice and there are two pharmacies in Avarua.Unless the visitor is arriving from an infected area, no vaccinations are required.
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Languages
Cook Island's Maori is the local language, but most everyone speaks English too. The culture is very much in evidence in the daily lives of all Cook Islanders. Displays of dance and drama are of a high quality with participation that will bring the visitor close to the Polynesian identity. Both modern and traditional handicrafts, clothing, carvings from wood and the famous Cook Islands' black pearls are readily available from shops and resorts dotted around the island, Avarua, the markets and the Duty Free outlets.
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Location
The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over 850,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean close to the centre of the Polynesian triangle. Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands, 67 square kilometres of mountains and a flat coastal area that is encircled with a magnificent reef enclosing clear turquoise waters. Lush tropical growth, with many beautiful native flowers delight the visitor. Several of the outer islands of the Cooks can be reached by air, of which Aitutaki (a 40 min flight) is both a favourite one day trip and increasingly a total destination for those with interests in recreational pursuits of the Aitutaki Lagoon.
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Population
The total population for the Cook Islands is approximately 21,000, with Rarotonga the largest island being the most inhabited with an estimated population of 9,500.
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Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged as is contrary to Cook Islands custom. However most properties operate a staff Social Fund, which can be contributed to.
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