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Cook Islands Practical information The Cook Islands

Area : 93  sq.mi - Population 21380 hab.
The Cook Islands

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Practical information The Cook Islands

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Area

93  sq.mi
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Flights

There are no direct flights from London so you will need to travel via Paris and then either via Papeete or Los Angeles.
London-Paris: 2 and a half hours.
Paris-Papeete: 21 hrs, Papeete-Rarotanga: 2 hrs.
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Jet Lag

population

Population

21380 hab.
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Airports

Rarotonga airport is located 2 miles away from the centre of town. Expect 5 to 10 minutes by taxi (about £4) or 10 min by bus (about 80p).
On your return, expect to pay a £10 tax.
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Security

Good security conditions.
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Languages

Even though the official language is English, inhabitants speak the Maori language of Cook Islands.
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Requirements

Passport valid for 6 months after your return. A visa is not needed for a stay of less than one month, and if you show a valid return ticket. For stays exceeding 31 days, request a visa at the New Zealand embassy in London which costs about £40.
religion

Religion

70% of the inhabitants are members of Cook Islands' Christian Church, 15% are Roman Catholics and % belong to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Other religious minorities are the Mormons, the Assembly of God and local beliefs.
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Currency

Although there is a local currency, the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the currency people tend to use.
£1 Sterling = approximately 2.10 NZD.
There are relatively few places where you can exchange currency (preferably American or Australian dollars).
Exchange as much as you can in Rarotonga. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express credit card are widely accepted, as well as travellers cheques.
There are three ATM machines here.
transports

Local transportation

A scooter is the easiest way to move around. You can also rent a car on certain islands. In both cases, a local driving license is necessary. To get it, show your domestic driving licence at Avarua police station (£4). For short distances, a bike would be a good means of transportation. You can easily rent them in most hotels. People drive on the left. Beware of drivers who are under-the-influence on Friday and Saturday nights.
Buses (Rarotonga only) run Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and on a Saturday morning. If you book beforehand, there are taxis available on Rarotonga and Atiu. The taxis do not have a meter, therefore you have to negotiate the price of the ride before leaving. Air Rarotonga links the different islands together.
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Health

No vaccine is required but protection against tetanus, poliomyelitis and diphtheria is recommended. For a long stay, being vaccinated against typhoid and hepatitis A and B is also recommended.
Plan to bring protection against mosquitoes.
Beware of cutting yourself on the coral reefs.
Although there is little risk, preferably eat cooked food and bottled water.
electricite

Electricity

Voltage is 220-240 V. An adaptor is needed.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

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Taxes and tips

telephone

Telephone

To call the Cook Islands from the UK dial 00 + 682 (country code) + personal phone number you wish to call.
To call the UK from the Cook Islands dial 00 + 44 + personal phone number, without the first 0.