Entry Requirements
When you come to the Cook Islands, a valid passport and a return ticket will allow you a stay of up to 31 days, but this is currently under review in order to allow visitors the choice of staying up to six months at a time. In the meantime, extensions are granted on a monthly basis – for up to five months. Remember to apply two weeks before your visa expires.

Extensions are granted at two levels:

• For persons 15 years and older: Up to three months NZ$70, up to five months NZ$120
• Children under 15 years of age are exempt from charges, but must report to Immigration for official paperwork to be completed

• 299 cigarettes or
• 250gms of tobacco or
• 50 cigars
• Two litres of wine or spirits or
• 4.5 litres of beer

However goods in excess of $NZ250 could be subject to duty. Frozen and canned food and vacuum packed produce are also permitted but not fruits and plants – these must be declared at Customs otherwise they could be confiscated.

Departure Tax
There is a Departure Tax of $NZ55 for each adult, but children under 12 are exempt. It can be paid at Westpac Bank in Avarua or the International Terminal.

Local Air Transport
The Southern Group of the Cook Islands is connected regularly by the local airline, Air Rarotonga, with Aitutaki having several daily return flights. However travel to the Northern Group is infrequent and usually only on request. For further details contact your nearest travel agent or visit www.airraro.com.

Medical Services
A range of medical and dental services are available in Rarotonga which also includes a hospital. Aitutaki and Atiu also have limited medical aid with very small hospitals.

Emergency services operate on Rarotonga and there is an optometrist plus several pharmacies for prescriptions. Medical and dental services are available and there is a well-equipped hospital with New Zealand trained staff situated in Rarotonga, with a smaller hospital in Aitutaki. There are no venomous snakes and most of the insects are innocuous - but look out for centipedes which do bite. The coral reefs should be treated with caution.

Currency
The Cook Islands’ unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar, supplemented by notes and coinage for local use. The unique local coins and notes are not negotiable outside the Cook Islands, but are keenly sought by collectors worldwide.

Banking
ANZ and Westpac Banks in downtown Avarua are open Mon-Fri from 9am – 3pm. ANZ extends its closing time on Friday’s to 4pm whilst Westpac Bank opens from 9am-12pm on Saturdays. Westpac Bank has an exchange and departure tax service available at the airport for all international flights; this is located at the International Arrivals Terminal.

ATM’s are conveniently located around Rarotonga and Aitutaki and EFTPOS is available at some hotels and stores. Western Union has an office in Avarua offering money exchange and transfers.

Climate 
The Cook Islands enjoy a pleasantly warm and sunny climate all year round. June to August are the cooler months, whilst November to March marks the warmer season, with occasional tropical showers expected. It is also known as cyclone season – something to be aware of although not necessarily a deterrent as they are not a regular occurrence.

The drier months, from April to November, have an average of about 26°C, whilst the warmer, more humid and damp season runs from December to March. During this season the temperature ranges between 22°C (min) and 30°C (max).

The table below indicates the prevalence of sunshine and temperatures. Severe weather is rare and infrequent.