According to thenailmythology, the Cook Islands (Cook Island Māori: Kūki ‘Āirani) is an archipelago of 15 islands in the Pacific Ocean (Oceania). The Cook Islands have a free association with New Zealand. The capital of the Cook Islands is Avarua on the main island of Rarotonga. A number of major cities in the Cook Islands are: Amuri and Omoka.
The Cook Islands are known for its beautiful nature. There are mountains, rainforests, lagoons and waterfalls. The coastline of the islands is characterized by beautiful white sandy beaches with clear blue water. The waters around the Cook Islands are excellent for diving and snorkeling to colorful coral reefs and species of fish. The Cook Islands are often used as a luxurious wedding venue. According to zipcodesexplorer, the Cook Islands are also known for their hospitable people.
Where are the Cook Islands?
Travel information of Cook Islands
Official name: Cook Islands
Continent: Oceania
Area: 236 km²
Capital: Avarua
Country code: CK, COK
Population: 17,518 inhabitants (2018)
Form of government: Autonomous parliamentary democracy
Highest point: 652 m (Te Manga)
Distance (Amsterdam – Avarua): 16,310 km
Flight time: approx. 27 hours
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
A detailed explanation of this travel advice can be found on The Netherlands worldwide.
Travel offer
At the moment there are no travel organizations that offer travel to the Cook Islands. If you want to put together your own trip or are looking for separate travel components such as hotels, airline tickets and a rental car, please visit our travel offer page.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about the Cook Islands?
Weather and climate
The Cook Islands have a tropical climate. Temperatures are around 25 to 30 degrees all year round.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for the Cook Islands can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of the Cook Islands can be found at Climate info.
Best time
January, February and March are the best months to travel to the Cook Islands. This avoids the prolonged rainy season. The chance of short heavy downpours is present throughout the year.
Language
English and Cook Island Maori are both an official language in the Cook Islands.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon departure from the Cook Islands.
A visa is not required if you stay in the Cook Islands for less than 31 days. This can be extended for a tourist stay up to a maximum of 6 months.
You must pay a departure tax of approximately NZ$55 per person on departure from the Cook Islands.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in New Zealand (also for the Cook Islands):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
New Zealand Embassy in the Netherlands: nzembassy.com.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting the Cook Islands, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Money and Currency
In the Cook Islands, payment is made with the Cook Islands dollar (NZD) and the New Zealand dollar (NZD).
The current state of these currencies (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in the Cook Islands can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices on the Cook Islands are much higher than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is +30% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (27% cheaper), food (71% more expensive), imported beer in catering (25% cheaper), cigarettes (81% more expensive) and public transport (47% more expensive). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
It is not customary to tip in the Cook Islands.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 12 hours earlier in the Cook Islands.
During our winter time it is 11 hours earlier in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for the Cook Islands can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
You must drive on the left in the Cook Islands.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in the Cook Islands, you must have an English translation of the driver’s license or an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within the Cook Islands.
Electricity
In the Cook Islands you need a travel plug.
More information about common plugs and sockets in the Cook Islands can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 999
– Fire: unknown
– Ambulance: 998
Tap water
The tap water is slightly chlorinated and can therefore cause stomach and/or intestinal complaints.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to the Cook Islands can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from the Cook Islands can be found at Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from the Cook Islands end in.ck.
Cook Islands official website: cookislands.travel.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in the Cook Islands is 00682 or +682.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from the Cook Islands? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Telephone numbers can be found in the Cook Islands Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Cook Islands.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from the Cook Islands.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from the Cook Islands.
Holidays
An overview of all holidays in the Cook Islands can be found on ck.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations on the Cook Islands, supplemented with photos, videos and points of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about the Cook Islands?
At Waarbenjij.nu you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited the Cook Islands. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on the Cook Islands can be found on Protected Planet.
The Cook Islands are not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to the Cook Islands? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported to the Cook Islands.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to the Cook Islands.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 21.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed for men, allowed for women.
Did you know that…
…There is no groundwater in the Cook Islands?
…There is also an island called Cook Island in the Atlantic Ocean?
…Rugby is the most popular sport in the Cook Islands?
…The Cook Islands are named after the discoverer James Cook?
