TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(NZD)
New Zealand Dollar |
| Electrical |
240 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 682, City Code, Rarotonga 2+4D |
Time:
GMT - 10.
Electricity:
220 volts DC, 50Hz.
Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 682. Outgoing international code:
00 (operator assistance may be required).
Climate:
Can be quite changeable from day to day and varies throughout
the islands. It is generally hot throughout the year, although
the trade winds provide some moderating influence. Rainfall is
heaviest in Rarotonga, while the northern atolls tend to be drier.
The coolest months are June to August, while November to March
marks the warmer season, which also has the highest rainfall.
Required
clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the
year. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings. Rainwear is
advised in the rainy season.
Food
& Drink: There are restaurants in hotels, and a variety
of independent eating places as well, as a result of the increasing
tourist trade. Local produce includes a wide variety of citrus
and tropical fruits, island chestnuts and garden vegetables. Seafood
features on many restaurant menus and so does coconut as the coconut
palms produce an abundant supply of fruit all year round. Local
meat and poultry are available. At larger resorts you can try
the traditional Polynesian feast known as the 'Umukai', which
involves baking food in an underground oven and is usually accompanied
with traditional entertainment by local people.
Tipping:
Tradition says that all gifts require something in return and
tipping is therefore not practised.
Currency:
New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents, supplemented by notes and
coins minted for local use which are not negotiable outside the
Cook Islands. Notes are in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10
and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10
and 5 cents.
Currency
exchange: Exchange facilities are available at the airport,
banks and in some larger stores and hotels. ANZ Bank have recently
installed an ATM in Avarua.
Credit
& debit cards: Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard and
American Express are all accepted. Check with your credit or debit
card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services
which may be available.
