Cook Islands
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Location
The Cook Islands consists of 15 Islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. They lie virtually in the center of the Polynesian Triangle of the South Pacific, flanked to the west by the kingdom of Tonga and the Samoas, and to the east by Tahiti and the island of French Polynesia. The Cook Islands are in the same time zone as Hawaii and are the same distance south of the equator as Hawaii is north, and lay on the Tropic of Capricorn (latitude 9 to 22 south degrees). Rarotonga is the largest of the islands and hosts the international airport and Avarua, the main township, has a good choice of restaurants, shops, hotels and banks.
People
The Cook Islands magical tranquility is matched only by the people themselves. The hospitality is warm and spontaneous, the dancing exuberant, the mood tropical, sultry and relaxed. Cook Islanders share a genuine care for others and although now Christian, the old culture lives on with song, dance and an easy pace of life uncomplicated by the turmoil and hustle and bustle of today's outside world.
Population
Around 20,000 throughout the islands with more than half living on Rarotonga
Culture
Cook Islanders have retained much of their own culture. Although displays of the Cook Islands past are exhibited in the local museum, Cook Islands culture is not confined to restored sites and museum walls. Polynesian identity can be observed in dance and drama at various events during the year, particularly during Constitutional Celebrations. This is a time to renew the warriors' might, the dancers' grace….a time where heritage excels. However, it is the songs of the Kaparima and the hymns of the Sunday Choir and pride in the traditional crafts that exist in the day-to-day lives of Cook Islanders that best define their proud culture.
Food
A wide range of Polynesian and International cuisine - continental, Indian, Chinese, Italian etc. There are many island style cafes serving traditional dishes. All vegetables are fresh and local, as is the seafood (most restaurants have a daily arrangement with a fishing boat). 'Island Nights' should be experienced for both the dancing and the traditional Cook Islands feast. It's called the 'umukai' - succulent food cooked in an underground oven. There are over 2 dozen licensed bars and restaurants on Rarotonga, many offering live entertainment. Night spots stay open till around midnight (later on Friday and Saturday nights).
Currency
New Zealand dollar ($NZD). The Cooks also have their own notes and coinage for use within the country (in tandem with the New Zealand dollar) but they aren't convertible and should be exchanged before leaving (unless you're a coin collector, in which case they may be valuable to you - especially the three dollar note!).
Money & Banking
The resorts and major stores will change travellers' cheques and principal currencies. Banking facilities are available at the airport one hour prior to the arrival of scheduled international flights.
ATMs & Credit Cards
The two travellers' banks on Rarotonga, Westpac and ANZ, are both in Avarua. Travellers cheques and cash (major currencies) can be changed at either bank. They also give cash advances on Visa, MasterCard and Bankcard. Travellers cheques and major currencies in cash can be changed at some of the larger hotels, but the banks offer a better exchange rate.
ANZ Bank has two ATMs, both on Rarotonga - downtown Avarua and at Wigmores Superstore on the south coast. There's also an ANZ agent at Mango's Trading on Aitutaki, with an ATM outside. Westpac has two ATMs on Rarotonga - in Avarua and at the airport - and a branch with an ATM at the Administration Centre on Aitutaki.
Visa, MasterCard and Bankcard are readily accepted at most places on Rarotonga. Westpac and ANZ banks in Avarua give cash advances on all three cards; outer-island branches may accept these cards. American Express and Diners Club are accepted at more-expensive hotels and restaurants.
Climate
Tropical, with the heaviest rainfall and humidity through November to February. (Average temperature over this period is around 25 degrees Celsius, with temperature ranging from 22 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius maximum. The dryer months from April to November have an average maximum temperature of about 26 degrees Celsius. The water temperature is pleasant all year round.
Electricity
240V, three pronged plugs (same as in Australia and New Zealand). Some resorts have 110V for electric shavers.
Getting Around
Driving is on the LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD. There is a choice of hire vehicles on Rarotonga from cars to 4WDs to scooters. There is a good sealed road around the perimeter of Rarotonga and a regular bus service completes the round trip every 45 minutes. Most visitors hire scooters, and if hiring a scooter or a car a current Cook Island Drivers Licence is available from the Police Station in Avarua on presentation of your current licence.
Tipping
Tipping is contrary to Cook Island customs, and not required.
Climate & When to Go
The Cook Islands is a great destination all year round; seasonal variations are slight, with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 28°C in the winter months (May to October) and 21°C and 29°C during the summer (November to April). The Cook Islands has a pleasantly even climate year round, with no excesses of temperature or humidity, although it can rain quite often.
Thanks to its high inland mountains, Rarotonga is often quite wet, and although you'd have to be unlucky to suffer one of the rare week-long rainy spells, bring wet-weather gear with you at any time of the year just in case.
The best times of year to visit are around the months of September and October, when there's a nice trade-off between warm temperatures and reduced humidity; March and April are also good months to come, as the cyclone season has passed and the skies are likely to be clear and sunny.
The wet season is from December through to March, when around 25cm of rain can fall each month; this period is also the most likely time for cyclones, which are becoming more frequent due to warming seas across the South Pacific. On average, a mild cyclone will pass by two or three times a decade, while severe cyclones generally only hit the islands once every 20 years or so - but in 2005, an unprecedented five cyclones tore through the islands in five weeks, suggesting that cyclones may be much more difficult to predict in the future as climate change hits home.
The wet season is also the hottest and most humid time of the year - it can get quite sticky and uncomfortable, so bring along some cool, light clothes. The winter nights can sometimes be quite cool, even chilly, so if you're visiting at this time of year, a warm sweater or jacket will probably come in handy.
The only really tricky time to visit is around the Christmas and New Year period, when many Cook Islanders return home from overseas to celebrate the holiday season with their families. The flights (especially the ones from Australia and New Zealand) can get really packed around this time, and accommodation will be much harder to come by as well. The small planes to the outer islands are also generally booked up months in advance and you'll have a tough time getting a seat at this time of year.
Costs
A 12.5% value-added tax (VAT) is figured into the quoted price of just about everything. If a price is quoted to you 'plus tax' or 'plus VAT', you must add 12.5% to see what you'll actually pay. If you're staying at a resort that includes VAT in its restaurant prices and you're charging meals to your room, make sure you don't get VAT added again when you pay the bill.
Taxes
Please note a departure tax of NZ$25 per person is required to be paid at the Airport upon your departure.