How much money should I take to Cook Islands?

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.



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Is the Cook Islands Expensive to Visit? The Cook Islands is more expensive to visit than Australia, the US, Asia and Europe but cheaper than other Pacific destinations like Hawaii, Fiji and Tahiti (French Polynesia).

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Major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. Several ATMs can be found on Rarotonga, Aitutaki has two ATMs and two banks, and cash is needed for the smaller islands.

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Mobiles & WiFi You can buy a Visitor Sim card from the Vodafone offices in Avarua, or from Vodafone at the airport on arrival, or other retail outlets. Depending on the type of SIM your phone uses, you'll need to use a standard, micro or nano SIM. You'll get all three sizes in one SIM card - pop out the size you need.

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The remoteness of the Cook Islands means you've taken some time to get here. Wherever you've flown from. And flight schedules mean you'll likely be looking at around a week long stay at a minimum unless visiting from New Zealand. We had seven days and six nights for our visit.

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Is Tipping Customary in the Cook Islands? It is not customary nor expected for tourists to tip in the Cook Islands. Should you want to reward good service, however, a tip will be well received. There are, however, taxes that you will have to pay during your holiday.

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Vanuatu is the cheapest Pacific Island destination for those who don't want to stray too far! Not wanting to stray too far? Vanuatu is great for its proximity to home and boasts affordable accommodation among the South Pacific Island destinations.

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Tipping is not customary in the Cook Islands and it is frowned upon to haggle over prices.

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The best time to visit the Cook Islands is during the driest months (April to November). The climate is tropical and generally agreeable year-round, with steady humidity levels and temperatures sitting between 75°F and 86°F.

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Top tips for finding cheap flights to the Cook Islands. High season is considered to be January, November and December. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is January. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Cook Islands flight deals.

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Casual clothing is recommended however for wearing in and around the town centre and the non-beach areas of the island. The Cook Island people are quite traditional in this respect and it's not considered appropriate to wear your swimming gear beyond the beaches.

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The Caribbean island of St. Barts is the most expensive vacation destination in the world, largely because of its high accommodation costs, which average $1,770 per night, according to the analysis.

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Basically, after our research, Cook seems to have better beaches and landmarks but it's more developed for tourism and has more occidental influence. Samoa doesn't have paradisiac beaches as Cook, but it's more original and locals preserve and protect their culture.

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A long-time favorite with honeymooners, Fiji is made up of 333 islands in the South Pacific. While it scored the No. 8 spot this year, T+L reader Leslie Waters would have placed it at the very top. Waters said it's an amazing destination with the friendliest people in the entire world!

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Can I drink tap water in the Cook Islands? No. While some accommodation providers have filtered taps, it is always best to boil tap water before drinking it. You can also refill your reusable bottle at filtered water stations around the island.

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11 things to pack for your next trip to the Cook Islands!
  • Jandals/flip flops. We start with a few easy ones and probably the first things you'll throw into your suitcase. ...
  • Swimming Gear and Casual Clothing. ...
  • Sneakers. ...
  • Sunglasses and Oxybenzone free Sunblock. ...
  • Insect Repellent. ...
  • Reef Shoes. ...
  • Snorkel Gear. ...
  • Waterproof Camera/GoPro.


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