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- If you're driving, monitor your alcohol intake. The Cook Islands' standards of dress and behaviour are modest. Be careful not to offend, especially outside resort areas. Ask locals if you're unsure of customs.
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People also ask
Is it safe to drive in the Cook Islands?
Can You Drive in the Cook Islands on an overseas license?
What are the road rules in the Cook Islands?
Where can I get a drivers licence in the Cook Islands?
Luckily, this complete guide to driving in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands can help with all of the above and more, covering driver’s licenses, vehicle rentals and the road rules you need to know.
- Drive on the Left Side of the Road. Traffic moves on the left side of the road in the Cook Islands. While it might seem like an obvious tip, it’s important to keep reminding yourself if you come from a country where you drive on the right.
- Take it Easy and Stick to the Speed Limit. Don’t be “that guy” that drives around like they’re still in Auckland traffic. The speed limits are pretty low in the Cook Islands: 30 kph in Muri and Avarua, 40 kph in villages and most of Aitutaki, and 50 kph everywhere else on Rarotonga.
- There are No Traffic Lights, Just One Pedestrian Crosswalk and Very Few Sidewalks. That’s right, the Cook Islands is one of those places where the traffic is so relaxed that there is no need for traffic lights.
- Watch Out for Children on the Road. One of many hazards on the roads of the Cook Islands is children! the kids of the Cook Islands aren’t afraid to rule the roads once school is out, so look out for school signs and slow down when approaching a school.
Can You Drive in the Cook Islands With an Overseas License? What License Do You Need to Drive in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands? You’re ready to hit the coastal road around Rarotonga, but what license is required to legally drive?
- Keep An Eye on The Weather in The South Pacific
- Check Your Dates Ahead of South Pacific Time Travel
- There Aren't Many Direct Flight Options
- Avoid The Australian and Kiwi School Holidays
- Fresh Local Produce Makes Self-Catering Accommodation A Good Choice
- Get A Phone Sim on Arrival For Cheaper Net Access
- Take A Credit Card and Carry Some New Zealand Dollars
- Sunday Is A Day of Rest in The Cooks
- Pack Casual Clothes
- Dress Modestly Away from The Water
The Cook Islands are warm year-round, but some seasons are better for travel than others. With drier weather and lower humidity, May to October is a great time to visit. From November to April, the weather is warmer but also wetter – however, rain showers are often short and sharp, clearing after a sudden downpour to a blue sky. December to January...
Traveling to Rarotonga from New Zealand, flights cross the international date line, arriving in the Cook Islands on the previous day. Double-check accommodation to ensure you've booked the correct dates. Similarly, traveling back from Rarotonga to New Zealand, travelers lose a day, and arrive in Auckland the day after they departed.
Rarotonga is linked by direct flights to Auckland, Sydney, Honolulu and Tahiti, with Air New Zealand's service from Auckland to Rarotonga being the only daily international option. Once you reach Rarotonga, things get easier – Air Rarotonga, the Cooks’ national airline, has regular flights from Rarotonga to the country's Pa Enua (Outer Islands), in...
The Cook Islands, especially Rarotonga, get very busy with vacationing families during New Zealand's and Australia's school holidays, putting pressure on prices and availability for accommodations and flights. These breaks usually fall in the two weeks following Easter, the first two weeks in July, and the first few weeks in October. The dates move...
Rarotonga and Aitutaki both offer all-inclusive resort accommodations, but consider renting a self-contained holiday house or beachside bungalow. Having your own fully-equipped kitchen and barbecue facilities increases the options for self-catering, and it's easy to buy local fish and pick up fresh vegetables and fruit from Rarotonga's Saturday mor...
Free internet access is hard to find on the Cook Islands, but Vodafone Cook Islands offers wi-fi hot spots around Rarotonga and Aitutaki that can be accessed for a reasonable cost via prepaid vouchers. Vodafone also sells a Travel eSIM packageincorporating 10GB of data, 30 minutes of international calling and 300 TXTs. Vouchers and Travel SIMs are ...
New Zealand dollars are the primary currency in the Cook Islands and bills can be withdrawn from ATMs on Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Most accommodations, rental car companies and tour operators accept credit cards, but cash is essential for smaller shops and at the Punanga Nui market and Muri night markets, so carry some dollars for day-to-day use. Cha...
In the Cook Islands, Sunday is a quiet day, most often spent with family and attending church. Many shops and businesses close for some or all of the day. If you fancy attending a Cook Islands church service, visitors are warmly welcomed. Expect to be invited to join the local congregation for refreshments at the conclusion of the service.
There's no need to pack your finest threads – the dress code in the Cook Islands is casual, and shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals or flip flops will be fine for most occasions. If you're attending church on Sunday, a collared shirt, and long trousers or a skirt are the right attire for this more formal occasion. Lightweight hiking shoes are recommende...
The Cook Islanders are a famously friendly bunch, but despite the laid-back mood, the islands are quite socially conservative, and it's not appropriate to wear beachwear away from the resort pool or lagoon. A sarong is a handy addition to a packing list to wear after swimming to avoid causing offense.
Below is some information on the road rules and how to obtain a drivers licence in the Cook Islands. The standard left-hand rule applies to driving in the Cook Islands. The maximum speed limit in the main township is 30 km/h and in villages around the rest of the island is 50km/h.
Can I apply for a Cook Islands driver’s license during my visit? Yes. You can apply for a Cook Islands visitors license at the Rarotonga Police Station in downtown Avarua. You will need to undergo a theory (NZD10.00) and practical (NZD10.00) test before you receive your Cook Islands visitor license (NZD20.00).
You have to be at least 16 years or older and hold a current and valid driver’s license in order to drive in the Cook Islands. International visitors (over 16 years) can drive in the Cook Islands for up to six months using their full overseas licence, provided it does not expire, is revoked, suspended or disqualified during that time.
