Cook Islands (Rarotonga)
The information below is provided by Lonely Planet readers and is not verified by Lonely Planet. For the official lowdown, contact your nearest embassy or check out our Travel Links.
Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
Customs: Food cannot be brought into the islands. For instance, I had two apples and they confiscated them at the airport.
Pascal Laurin, Singapore (Jan 03)
Travel Tips
People staying on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands should go and watch a local rugby match to experience something of the local culture. There are only a small number of village teams on the island and matches are truly a social event and not to be missed. Just ask a local when and where the next game is and go and join in the fun.
James Thackray, UK (Jan 06)
The best place in Mauke to make contact for local handicrafts is the Friday morning Makete (market) which starts at about half seven or eight at the makete site next to the harbour, next to the tennis court.
Dan Armstrong, UK (Apr 03)
The Cook Island postcard contains a comment that there are no ATMs on Rarotonga. That is not correct. Several ATMs were installed in and around Avarua. There is one downtown and one at the airport which I personally used back in November 2002.
Hans J. Gugger, USA, (Mar 03)
Island Nights are still run at numerous places on the island; usually staggered so they do not conflict with each other. The days that each venue has its island night are usually displayed, and are also listed in numerous information pamphlets (most of which are available at the information centre in Avarua). The cost for attending an Island Night includes a meal. They are good fun and could probably be described as a "must see" when visting the Cook Islands.
A.D. Blythen, New Zealand (Feb 02)
Moving About
Public Bus: (Bus stop is on the main road). The Island Bus circles the island and therefore stops nearby at all hotels and at the airport. Taxi? Very few - there was only one at the airport waiting and they tried to overcharge me NZ$20 for a four km run, one way only. I would not hesitate to highly recommend travellers to take and use the bus when visiting the island or travelling to Avarua. Very efficient, reliable and easy to use. Timetables were available from everywhere. Noteworthy to mention that drivers were very helpful and kind.
Pascal Laurin, Singapore (Jan 03)
The bus is extremely reliable and useful. There are two services every hour, one clockwise and the other anti clockwise. As the distances are relatively short, there is effectively one bus every half an hour. There is also a night and weekend service. Fares are US$2.50 single, US$4.00 return and the ten ride pass is US$17.00.
Trevor Barnes, UK (Jul 02)
We saw many accidents on motor scooters, with people driving too fast then hitting stray pigs, and small dogs, or hitting soft sand or gravel. It is cheap but after seeing at lest 6 accidents, we decided on a car. One advantage was protection from sun and rain, etc. The around island bus is great too, it goes in both directions. It stops at the main shopping center for 30 minutes before repeating the cycle.
Larry Wiechern, New Zealand (Jan 02)
Scams & Warnings
There are many pearl outlets and it is best to really shop around. Paying more does not always mean getting better value, and there is a vast difference in pricing.
Brian Coker, Cook Islands (Nov 03)
Caveat: readers should note that the whole island is ringed by a coral reef, which makes for a wonderfully protected and swimmable lagoon around the entire island. However, visitors fequently get into trouble by swimming or snorkelling inadvertently too close to the reef and find themelves pulled out by the rips or undertows onto (and sometimes past) the reef. Bad injuries occur regularly and fatalities have occurred. The backwash is deceptively strong around 30metres from the reef itself. Stay clear.
Stu Lloyd, Australia, (Mar 03)
Health Hazards: There were warnings everywhere posted on doors and everything else advising that there is a high risk of catching Dengue fever. There was an outbreak of Dengue fever at the time of my visit. Some warnings were pleading for locals to devote efforts in eliminating insect nests in their backyards and ponds in order to reduce the proliferation of the fever.
Pascal Laurin, Singapore (Jan 03)
When snorkeling keep an eye out for trigger fish! They can occasionally take a small nip at unwatched fingers. I learnt to keep my hands in front of me.
Larry Wiechern, New Zealand (Jan 02)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
The diving in Rarotonga is excellent. We did two dives, both on the outside of the reef. The variety of fish was excellent including black and white, pointed reef sharks, tuna, lionfish, moray eels and so on.
Muri Lagoon is beautiful. It provides plenty of opportunities for kayaking and snorkelling inside the reef. Many of the places to stay that are on the edge of the Lagoon have snorkelling gear and kayaks for their guests. A lot of these will also hire this out to other visitors. Don't be deceived into thinking that if the tide is out, or in shallow areas, that there will be nothing to see. The amount of different, and colourful, species of fish is impressive. Even from a kayak numerous interesting creatures can be spotted, plus they are a great way of crossing the lagoon out to the reef for a walk.
A.D. Blythen, New Zealand (Feb 02)
I'd have to say that the Cook Islands are truly Heaven on Earth. I visited the country in June last year and I thought I was in Heaven. I mean, the white sand, the starry sky, the waving palm branches and the natural environment sure kept me relaxed. I would like to thank the island people, on the island of Aitutaki, for their generosity and for making me feel at home while I was there.
Jamie Jaberg, USA (Feb 02)
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