![]() Vouchers and Travel SIMs are both available from Vodafone's booth at Rarotonga airport. ![]() Vodafone also sells a Travel SIM package incorporating 5GB of data, 30 minutes of international calling and 300 TXTs. Get a phone SIM on arrival for cheaper net accessįree internet access is hard to find on the Cook Islands, but Vodafone Cook Islands offers wi-fi hotspots around Rarotonga and Aitutaki which can be accessed for a reasonable cost via prepaid vouchers. Aim for a budget of NZ$90 (US$63) per day upwards for a backpacker stay on the islands, staying in dorms, taking local buses and cooking meals at your hostel. There are also well-stocked supermarkets on Rarotonga, but goods imported from New Zealand and other far-flung places can be expensive.įor budget travelers, Rarotonga offers a couple of hostels, but camping is not possible on any of the Cook Islands. 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 morning Punanga Nui market. Rarotonga and Aitutaki both offer all-inclusive resort accommodation, but consider renting a self-contained holiday house or beachside bungalow. Prices for accommodation and airfares usually increase around this time The dates move slightly each year, so check the timings on New Zealand's Ministry of Education website and the education websites for Australia's different states.Ĭook Islanders living in New Zealand often visit family in the islands for Christmas and New Year, and also for the annual celebrations leading up to the islands' Constitution Day on August 4. These breaks usually fall in the two weeks following Easter, the first two weeks in July, and the first few weeks in October. ![]() 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 accommodation and flights. Note that there were occasional domestic flight suspensions during the COVID-19 pandemic check inter-island flights are running before making a booking. 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), including the popular islands of Aitutaki and 'Atiu. Starting June 2, discount airline Jetstar will begin offering flights between Auckland and Rarotonga. In the past, Rarotonga was linked by direct flights to Auckland, Sydney, Los Angeles and Tahiti, but as of early 2022, the only flight option was Air New Zealand's service from Auckland to Rarotonga. Time your trip right to enjoy the Cook Islands when the sun is shining from clear blue skies © Blue Orange Studio/Shutterstock Expect limited flight options (for now) December to January is the cyclone season – storms can bring heavy rain and strong winds, but the islands are not severely impacted every year. 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. With drier weather and lower humidity, May to October is a great time to visit. The Cook Islands are warm year-round, but some seasons are better for travel than others. Keep an eye on the weather in the South Pacific The secret to a successful trip to the Cook Islands is to do some prep ahead of time – here are some pre-departure tips. Here's what you need to know when planning a trip to this fascinating island nation. The Cook Islanders are famously welcoming and friendly, English is widely spoken, and you'll find an easygoing mix of 21st-century sophistication and traditional Polynesian values.įramed by the wild blue expanse of the planet’s biggest ocean, these isolated isles are one of the world's great getaways. However, you'll discover on arrival that this is an easy and straightforward place to visit. But being 3234km (2009 miles) from the nearest major landmass, this is a far-flung destination for most travelers. Scattered and remote in the South Pacific, the Cook Islands are a taste of tropical perfection.
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