Cook Islands Travel Guide

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Social Conventions

Dress code is informal, though modest attire should be worn when visiting towns or villages. Women are expected to wear dresses for church services and social functions.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The Cook Islands are served by Air New Zealand (NZ) (www.airnewzealand.com), which offers regular flights from New Zealand and Los Angeles. Pacific Blue (www.flypacificblue.com) has flights from Auckland twice a week, and both airlines offer frequent connections from Australia. For details, contact the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.

Departure Tax

NZ$55 for passengers over 12 years of age; NZ$25 for passengers aged 2 to 12 years. From September 2009, this tax is included in all international tickets from Rarotonga.

Main Airports

Rarotonga (RAR) is 3km (2 miles) west of Avarua. To/from the airport: Hotel coaches meet each flight (journey time – 10 minutes). Taxis and buses are also available. Facilities: Open according to flight arrivals and departures and include 24-hour luggage storage facilities, duty-free shops, bank/bureau de change, bars, shops and car rental.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: It is possible to moor yachts at Avatiu Harbour although space is very limited. For maritime matters, contact the Harbour Master, Ports Authority, PO Box 84, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (tel: 28814).

Cargo lines operating to the Cook Islands are run by Express Cook Islands Line Shipping Ltd and Hawaii-Pacific Maritime Ltd but passengers are not accepted on their ships.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into the Cook Islands by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.
• 2L of spirits or wine or 4.5L of beer.
• Goods up to the value of NZ$250.

Prohibited Imports

Fruit, plants, meat and livestock (unless arriving from New Zealand); firearms, gunpowder, ammunition, cartridges and cartridge cases, unless prior permission is obtained from the Minister of Police; and fireworks. Frozen, canned or vacuum-packed foods are permitted but must be declared on arrival.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Air Rarotonga (GZ) (www.airraro.com) runs regular inter-island services to Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Manihiki, Mitiaro and Penrhyn. Limited services operate on Sundays. Discounts are offered on flights to Aitutaki during off-peak hours.

Inter-island flight times: From Rarotonga to Aitutaki is 50 minutes, to Atiu is 45 minutes, and to Mauke and Mitiaro is 50 minutes.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. There are two main roads that circle the island; the Ara Tapu sealed road that runs through villages and past beaches, and the older inland road which winds through local farmlands.

Bus: The ‘Round the Island Bus' operates regular services around Rarotonga from Monday to Saturday. The buses will pick up and drop off anywhere on request.

Taxi: Available on Rarotonga.

Car hire: Several companies offer cars for hire from a number of shops and hotels. Motor scooter and bicycle hire is also popular.

Documentation: Drivers of all vehicles including scooters are required to have a current Cook Islands driver's license, which is obtainable for a small fee from the Police Station in Avarua on presentation of an International or Commonwealth license.