Visitor Information

The helpful staff of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation provides information upon request. The address is P.O. Box 14, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (tel. 29-435; fax 21-435; www.cookislands.travel). The main office and visitor center is west of the traffic circle, in the heart of Avarua. It's open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, and Saturday 9am to noon. Other offices are:

  • North America: 1133-160A Street, White Rock, BC V4A 7G9, Canada (tel. 604/541-9877; fax 604/541-9812; camadamanager@cook-islands.com)
  • New Zealand: 1/127 Symonds St. (P.O. Box 37391), Parnell, Auckland (tel. 09/366-1199; fax 09/309-1876; nzmanager@cook-islands.com)
  • Australia: P.O. Box 20, Guildord, NSW 2161 (tel. 02/9955-0446; fax 02/9955-0447; ausmanager@cook-islands.com)
  • United Kingdom: Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London SE1 2SX (tel. 020/7367-0928; fax 020/7407-3810; ukmanager@cook-islands.com)
  • Germany: Petersburgstrasse 94, 10247 Berlin (tel. 30/4225-6027; fax 30/4225-6286; europemanager@cook-islands.com)

When you get to Rarotonga, stop by the visitor center and pick up brochures and other current information, especially Jason's What's On in the Cook Islands (www.jasons.com) and the Cook Islands Sun, two free tourist publications that are full of facts, advertisements, and excellent maps of the islands. The daily newspapers, the Cook Islands News and the Cook Islands Herald, provide radio and TV schedules, weather forecasts, shipping information, and advertisements for island nights and other entertainment.

Entry Requirements

Visas are not required for visitors, who can stay for 31 days if they have valid passports, onward or return air tickets (they will be examined at the immigration desk on arrival), and sufficient funds. New Zealand citizens do not need passports to enter the Cook Islands, but do need them to reenter New Zealand. Extensions are granted on a month-to-month basis for up to 5 more months; apply at the Immigration Department in Avarua. Visitors intending to stay more than 6 months must apply in advance from their home country to the Principal Immigration Officer, Ministry of Labour and Commerce, P.O. Box 61, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (tel. 29-363).

No vaccinations are required unless you are coming from a yellow-fever-, plague-, or cholera-affected area.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.