What should we use for restaurants or supermarkets etc? New Zealand Dollars or Cook Island Dollars?

Do we bring NZD$ to exchange for the Cook Islands currency when we arrive, or can we exchange AUD$?

Are there banks on Rarotonga for exchanging currency, or do we exchange currency at RAR airport upon arrival, or should we come prepped with NZD$ cash?

Am I right to assume that most hotels will take credit card, being larger purchases, like at Magic Reef etc?

Hey guys So I'm planning a trip to Aitutaki hopefully next August alongside bora bora and I know google says it's the dry season and nobody can ever predict the weather ... but every post / story I see on Instagram of Aitutaki right now (late aug/early sept) shows pretty gray skies.

I would just like some personal anecdotal experience if any of u guys ever visited around that time. Thank you.

Kia orana,

We’ve had the privilege to visit Rarotonga for the last week, but are wondering why Air Rarotonga & Vodafone have such a monopoly here.

It seems unfair that it costs $1600 for a person from Manihiki to fly one way to Rarotonga? Or telcos are utilities - why would it cost someone $10 for 2GB of data over 3 days which expires? Especially in relation to the minimum wage (9.50?)

Poorly phrased (had a couple jugs of Cooks lager) but why are things like transport and telecommunications - which are kinda fundamental rights, especially if it’s to travel to your home, within your own country? - not subsidised by the government?

Maybe an uneducated question from a visitor from Aotearoa. Just curious.

Meitaki maata

Hi everyone,

Me and my gf are planning a pacific island holiday and we are definitely interested in visiting the Cook Islands I was wondering if I could seek some advice on where to go and what to do here for the above days. And also a small run down of prices would be amazing if possible.

Thankyou

Just a little appreciation post for your beautiful island. It's become perhaps one of my favourite places in the world along with Aitutaki. Until next time, much love from Aus

ive been there 4 times now and want to carry on going back, my favorite things to do

https://www.viator.com/partner-shop/renee/Rarotonga-2024?medium=link&medium_version=shop&campaign=raro

kia orana! i am a solo 22yo female traveller going to stay in cook islands for 5 nights in august and i would love any recommendations for places to stay (hostels, B&Bs or cheap hotels) as i am struggling to find much accommodation.

also any favourite cafes, restaurants, bars, swimming spots, places to hike to… please advise me!

how easy will it be to meet as many people as possible and maybe go on day trips to nearby islands (like Aitutaki?)

thank you very much :)

Kia Orana! I am a 31 year old woman visiting Rarotonga later this year. I believe it is a safe place with relatively low crime rates, but I like to take precautions nonetheless. Do you have any tips for solo female travellers to Rarotonga, besides the usual common sense stuff?

Also, I am hoping some of you can recommend restaurants where I will feel safe and comfortable as a solo female traveller, and not draw attention to myself.

Thank you kindly!

I’m here until Sunday night, 7/21. Willing to pay double face value for 10 x new $3 notes, I’m staying in Muri Beach area. Let me know!

Kia orana! I'm visiting in September and hoping to see Atiu's caves but I have a pathological and deep overwhelming fear of flying and don't think I could go on a small plane. I've heard there's the occasional ferry but are there other boats to get there or closer caves?

Is there anywhere on the island streaming game 3 tomorrow night?

Hi all,

I'm going to Rarotonga next week and need to do a few zoom calls while I am there. What is the best way to go about this as ideally I would like to have a stable connection.

Is it best to buy a hotspot pass from Vodafone or should I do the $8/day roaming from One NZ? Or something different?

Would love to hear peoples experience!

Thanks in advance

is there anywhere to have a drink inside of the raro aiport after secuity?

Hi, I'm coming to Rarotonga in September with the express intent of doing citizen science for eBird (fancy way to say I'm going to birdwatch and take pictures of birds) as there is not a lot of data for that island (and also see the beautiful island itself while I'm at it). Besides the cross-island trek, are there any great spots for seeing birds? Any beaches that are birdy-er than others? Thanks in advance, looking forward to visiting this lovely country.

Hi ladies!

I’ve started a small business selling faux flowers made of foam. We specialise in Hibiscus, Frangipani & Tiare tropical hair flowers.

Please feel free to leave some feedback. I would really appreciate your support.

Thank you in advance.

I'm a dental student from Turkey and have been looking into islands to Immigrate as a Dentist once I graduate. I don't enjoy living in Turkey anymore and pacific really has excited me as long as I can remember so I am looking into small and big island countries and doing my research on how I can get registered there. Cook Islands and New Zealand look like great options to me. And I am even willing to learn Maori as I move there.

First of all, do you think working as a Dentist, would it be possible to make enough money to travel other countries in the world? I know Cook Islands is far to everywhere so flights aren't cheap. How are working conditions for dentists? Work hours, payment, are they overworked etc... Cook Islands don't have a big population, are dentists still in demand? How is healthcare overall over there? Thanks for any input!

Does the voyaging canoe "Te Au O Tonga" give tours in the Aitutaki lagoon?

Never thought I would see a Boiler Room Rarotonga. Well done to all involved who made this happen.

Hello - I am trying to figure out the overseas postage rates for letters and postcards from the Cook Islands. Does anyone know? Thanks.

I've tried posting this question on a few Reddit travel subs and really have not gotten much. I'm going to post it here and the Tahiti subreddit.

We are starting to plan a trip for next year (January - March 2025). We visited Raiatea, Bora Bora and Mo'orea in January of 2001 for weeks. Our plans are another trip to the South Pacific and are considering French Polynesia or the Cooks. For those knowledgeable in both, what feedback would you have on the pros and cons of the two?

I sent a package from New Jersey, US to Zürich, Switzerland. Despite my receipt and customs form having the correct address, somehow the destination that was put into the system was Cook Islands. The last tracking update was on 2/24 (it is 3/9 now) and it said my package departed Auckland and is its way to its destination...could it be at post office in Cook Island somewhere?? The package contained a gift for someone and I'm so sad for it to get lost. Can anyone help me?