Cook Islands Basics |
The Basics
Time: Local time is GMT -10.
Electricity: Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. The three-pin flat blade plug with two slanted pins are used.
Money: The currency of the Cook Islands is the New Zealand Dollar
(NZD). Foreign currency exchange is available at the airport and
two banks in Avarua, ATMs are also available in Avarua and are
slowly becoming more widespread. American Express, Visa and
MasterCard are accepted at restaurants and hotels in the main
towns, and travellers cheques in small denominations as well as
major foreign currencies can be exchanged at larger shops and
hotels. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Australian
dollars are the preferred currency for travellers cheques.
Currency Exchange Rates |
|||||||
| NZ$1.00 = | US$ 0.74 | £ 0.45 | C$ 0.79 | A$ 0.81 | R 5.70 | € 0.50 | NZ$ 1.00 |
Language: Cook Island Maori is widely spoken by locals, but English is in common use.
Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. If the visit is solely for tourist purposes, a visa is not required for a stay of maximum 31 days. If the visit is for business purposes, a visa is required. This can be issued on arrival for a stay of up to 21 days.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. If the visit is solely for touristic purposes, a visa is not required for a stay of maximum 31 days. If the visit is for business purposes a visa is required. This can be issued on arrival for a stay of up to 21 days.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. If the visit is solely for tourist purposes, a visa is not required for a stay of maximum 31 days. If the visit is for business purposes a visa is required. This can be issued on arrival for a stay of up to 21 days.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. If the visit is solely for tourist purposes, a visa is not required for a stay of maximum 31 days. If the visit is for business purposes a visa is required. This can be issued on arrival for a stay of up to 21 days.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. If the visit is solely for tourist purposes, a visa is not required for a stay of maximum 31 days. If the visit is for business purposes a visa is required. This can be issued on arrival for a stay of up to 21 days.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals must have a passport valid for the intended period of stay. If arriving for tourist purposes, a visa is not required for a maximum stay of 31 days. If the nature of the visit is for business, a visa is required. This can be obtained on arrival for a maximum stay of 21 days.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. If the visit is solely for tourist purposes, a visa is not required for a stay of maximum 31 days. If the visit is for business purposes a visa is required. This can be issued on arrival for a stay of up to 21 days.
Passport/Visa Note: A passport valid for length of stay, proof of onward passage, adequate financial means to support the stay and proof of confirmed accommodation are required on entry into the Cook Islands.
Travel Health: There is little risk of disease on the Cook Islands, but visitors should take precautions against insect bites and sunburn. Outbreaks of dengue fever can occur, therefore a good arsenal of mosquito repellent and protective clothing is advised. Locals consider the tap water safe, but boiled or bottled water is advised for visitors, particularly to the rural areas. A range of medical and dental services are available on Rarotonga, including a hospital and various pharmacies, but medical facilities in the Cook Islands in general are limited and a comprehensive medical insurance is advised to include air evacuation for emergencies.
Tipping: Tipping is not expected and is contrary to Cook Islands custom.
Safety Information: Visits to the Cook Islands are usually trouble-free. There is relatively little crime, but it is advisable to protect your valuables.
Local Customs: Inhabitants of the Cook Islands are very religious and frown upon inappropriate dress. Beachwear should not be worn in town, and topless sunbathing is a definite ‘no-no’.
Business: The main business centre is Avarua on Rarotonga Island. Business in the Cook Islands is fairly casual, extending to dress (which should also be modest, particularly for women) and punctuality. Meetings will be conducted in English when foreigners are present, although islanders may speak to one another in Maori to clarify their understanding during proceedings, and is not meant as an offence. Meetings usually begin and end with a prayer. Business hours are generally 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Communications: The country code for the Cook Islands is +682, and the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. International Direct Dialling is available, but operator assistance may be required. In the main town of Avarua there is a telecommunications office (Telecom Cook Islands) offering international telephone, fax, email, Internet connections and other services. GSM 900 cellular mobile services are only available on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Duty Free: The following goods may accompany travellers over 18 years to the Cook Islands: 2 litres of spirits; 2 litres of wine or 4 and a half litres of beer, 200 cigarettes; 20 cigars or 250g of tobacco. Only travellers from New Zealand are permitted to import fruit, meat and livestock. No firearms, cartridges or cartridge cases, gunpowder, bullets, and other forms of ammunition are allowed without prior permission from the Minister of Police.