Jetsave Travel 

- General information

	Max Temp °C	Min Temp °C	Hours Sunshine
JAN	28.8	22.9	179
FEB	29.1	23.1	171
MAR	28.9	22.6	181
APR	28.2	22.0	174
MAY	26.6	20.4	162
JUN	25.6	19.3	169
JUL	25.2	18.6	177
AUG	24.9	18.4	182
SEP	25.3	19.1	177
OCT	26.0	20.0	185
NOV	27.1	21.0	178
DEC	27.8	21.9	181

CLIMATE: The Cook Islands enjoy a pleasantly warm and sunny climate year round. The drier months from April to November have an average maximum temperature of about 26 degrees centigrade with lower humidity levels. A sweater is sometimes needed in the winter evenings June through August. During December through March the humidity is higher with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees centigrade and 28 degrees. Cyclone season is between November and March, however, severe weather is rate and infrequent.

CURRENCY: The Cook Islands unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar. This is supplemented by some Cook Island coins: $1, $2 and $5. The coins are not negotiable outside the Cook Islands, but make for interesting souvenirs. New Zealand dollars may be purchased at the airport, ANZ or Westpac bank, or the Western Union Office, downtown Avarua. Money transfers may be sent to the Cook Islands from anywhere in the world via Western Union Money Transfer Service. Western Union is the quickest, most efficient system to transfer money either to or from the Cook Islands.

ATMS: There are approximately 9 ATMS around the island of Rarotonga provided by Westpac Bank, ANZ Bank and the Bank of the Cook Islands. Aitutaki is the only other island that has ATM service.

CREDIT CARDS: Most major credit cards are accepted at many restaurants, hotels, and stores on Rarotonga. Please note: Credit cards are not widely accepted in the Outer Islands.

DEPARTURE TAX: Adult: NZ $55.00 Child (2-11): From 1 October 2009 there is no departure tax for children.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A visiting visa is not required for stays of 31 days or less. An onwards airline ticket is required. Extension of visitor stays may be granted on a monthly basis for up to 3 months.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE: For the best rates on the island for all the major currencies go no further than GLOBALEX. Globalex has a policy of NO FEES and NO COMMISSION so this means more money for you!! Located centrally downtown, on the main road next to JETSAVE TRAVEL. OPEN: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 12.30pm

INSECTS: The Cook Islands as with most tropical destinations have annoying insects. You will see cockroaches, mosquitoes, and lizards even at the best establishments. Protect yourself against mosquito bites by bringing a burner with small candles, and lemon scent or citronella. These are small items to include in your travelling case and provide a lovely scent to your room while keeping the mosquitoes at bay.

INVESTMENTS: The Cook Islands are an ideal area for investment as the government is stable and tourism is increasing. Foreigners are able to purchase land (60 year lease), private homes and/or businesses in the Cook Islands. The Cook Island Development Investment Board can assist you with queries regarding immigration and investment policy.

SHOPPING: The shopping hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday thru Friday and 8am to 12noon on Saturday. The main shopping area is located downtown, Avarua from Avatiu Harbour to the Portofino Restaurant. Things to buy: Cook Islands black pearls and black pearl jewellery, local wood carvings, handicrafts, paintings and art work. You can find the best prices for locally made ukuleles at the Rarotonga Prison. Atiu coffee, hand-made Tivaevae's (patchwork like quilts), and tie dyed pareus are also excellent choices for gifts or souvenirs. Other sought-after souvenir items include woven baskets, often made from the fibre of coconuts. The attractively carved slit drums (pate), carved bowls, pandanus bags and hand made pottery. "Fruits of Rarotonga" prepare gift packs of locally made jams, salad dressings, and sauces which make ideal presents. Another memento of the Cook Islands could be one of a very colorful range of stamps - sought after the world over. Birds, fish, corals, and flowers have all been featured in the stamps which make a very portable souvenir of the country and an asset to any collection. Shopping in Rarotonga is very relaxed. The quality of the goods is high and they are reasonably priced.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2010

JANUARY
Fri 1st - New Years Day – Public Holiday
Sat 2nd - Public Holiday
Mon 4th - Public Holiday in Lieu of New Years Day
Mon 25th - School Term 1 Begins (12 Wks) To April 16th

FEBRUARY
Sat 14th - Valentines Day
Feb - Canoeing – Sprint Season (Oe Vaka)
Feb - BUSINESS HOUSE SQUASH COMPETITION

MARCH
Thur 4th - Te Mire Atu – Song Composers
Sat 6th - Triathlon – Business House Team Relay (200m Swim, 8km Cycle, 2km Run)
Sun 8th - International Women’s Day
Sat 13th - Penrhyn Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Penrhyn
Sat 13th - Triathlon – Women Only (600m Swim, 16km Cycle, 4km Run)
March - Canoeing – Sprint Season (Oe Vaka)
March - BUSINESS HOUSE SQUASH SEMI/FINALS

APRIL
Fri 2nd - CISNOC Sports Awards
Fri 2nd - Good Friday (Public Holiday)
Sat 3rd - Easter Saturday
Sun 4th - Easter Sunday
Mon 5th - Easter Monday (Public Holiday) Fri 16th To Sun 2nd May - School Holidays Begins (2 Weeks) End of Term 1
Fri 16th - Te Mire Kapa – Dancer of the Year – Rarotonga Junior & Intermediate Finals (Rarotonga Residence ONLY)
Mon 19th - Te Mire Kapa – Dancer of the Year – Akauroa (Papa’a – Expats & Visitors)
Fri 23rd - Te Mire Kapa – Dancer of the Year – Nation Junior/Intermediate Finals
Sun 25th - ANZAC DAY - Public Holiday
April - Purapura Games
April - Air NZ Anzac Golf Tournament
April - Netball Competition – Club Teams Begins

MAY
Sat 1st - International Triathlon
Mon 3rd - Te Mire Kapa – Dancer of the Year – Golden Oldies Finals
Tue 4th - Round Raro Cycle Race
Thur 6th - Te Mire Ura – Dancer of the Year – Senior National Finals (Including participants from the Outer Islands)
Sat 8th - Triathlon – Air NZ Rarotonga International Triathlon - 1500m Swim, 41km Cycle, 10km Run) World Red Cross Day
Sun 9th - MOTHER’S DAY
Mon 10th - Cook Islands Red Cross Day
Sat 22nd - V 12 Oe Vaka Corporate Race
Tue 25th - Palmerston Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Palmerston

JUNE
Mon 7th - Public Holiday - Queen’s Birthday
Mon 7th - Kumete SportsMon 7th
Mon 14th - World Blood Donor Day
June - Canoeing – National Distance Series

JULY
Fri 11th - SOLARE ECLIPSE 2010 MANGAIA
Tue 13th - College Rugby v Old Swinford (UK) 2x teams
Fri 16th - College Rugby v Old Swinford (UK) 2x teams
Thur 15th - College Rugby v BallyClare (UK) U15 & 16’s
Sun 18th - Mangaia Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Mangaia
Tue 20th - Atiu Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Atiu
Wed 21st - College Rugby v Lady Manners (UK) U17’s
Wed 21st - Mitiaro Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Mitiaro
Fri 23th - Mauke Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Mauke
Fri 23th - End of Term 2 - School Holiday Begins (2 Weeks)
Sun 25th - Rarotonga Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Rarotonga
(Observe Monday 26th)
July - Squash – Club Tournament
July - Sailing – National Class Champs – Aitutaki
July - Netball Competitions – Round Finals
July - Golf Michigan Shootout/Palm grove – Open Tournament
July - Canoeing – National Distance Series
Fri 30th - TE MAEVA NUI CELEBRATIONS Float Parade
Sat 31st - TE MAEVA NUI CELEBRATIONS

AUGUST
Mon 2nd - TE MAEVA NUI CELEBRATIONS
Tue 3rd - TE MAEVA NUI CELEBRATIONS
Wed 4th - COOK ISLANDS NATIONAL SELF GOVERINING COMMEMORATIVE DAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Sat 7th - Te Maeva Nui Celebrations Ends
Sun 8th - Manihiki Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Manihiki
Mon 9th To Fri 8th Oct - School Term 3 Begins (9 Weeks) End of School Holidays
Thur 12th - College Rugby v Birkdale (UK) U18’s End of School Holidays - WORLD YOUTH DAY
Sun 15th - Rakahanga Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Rakahanga
Wed 18th - College Rugby v Epsom College (UK) 2x teams
August - Canoeing – National Distance Series
August - Netball – Knockout Tournament Champion of Champions
August - Squash – National Champs

SEPTEMBER
Sun 5th - Fathers Day
Sept - Canoeing – National Distance Series
Sat 25th - ROUND RAROTONGA ROAD RACE (main race)

OCTOBER
Fri 8th To 17th - School Holiday Begins (1 Week) End School Term 3
Mon 18th - End School Holiday Term 4 Begins
Tue 26th - National Gospel Day
Wed 27th - Aitutaki Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Aitutaki
Oct - Canoeing – National Distance Series
Oct - Club Rugby 7’s
Oct - Squash – Cook Islands Open

NOVEMBER
Mon 1st - Turama – All Souls Day
Fri 19th To Friday 26th - VAKA EIVA – Paddling/Canoeing Festival
Nov C- ook Islands International Rugby 7’s
Thur 25th - nternational Food Festival

DECEMBER
Wed 1st - World Aids Day
Sat 5th - 1st Public Appearance of Miss Tiare 2009 contestants at Punanga Nui Market
Sun 6th - Church Service
Wed 6th - Pukapuka Gospel Day - Public Holiday ONLY for Pukapuka
Mon 7th - Te Mire Tiare – Floral Decorated Businesses
Tue 8th - Te Mire Tiare – Schools Ei / Flower making Arrangements - 2nd Public Appearances of Miss Tiare
Tue 8th - Pukapuka Gospel Day – Public Holiday ONLY for Pukapuka
Wed 9th - Te Mire Tiare – Floral Decorated Schools
Thur 10th - Te Mire Tiare – Final Appearances of Miss Tiare
Fri 11th - Te Mire Tiare – Floral Decorated Government Departments
Sat 12th - Te Mire Tiare – Miss Tiare Pageant 2009 Float Parade - Mama’s Pareu Mu’umu’u Fashion - Crowning of Miss Tiare 2009 - 2010
Fri 10th - End of Term 4, School Holidays Begin
Sat 25th - Christmas Day – Public Holiday
Sun 26th - Boxing Day – Public Holiday
Mon 27th - Christmas Day – Public Holiday
Tues 28th - Boxing Day – Public Holiday
Dec - Squash – Christmas Tournament

The Calendar of Events is provided courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.

NATIONAL DANCER OF THE YEAR: Held in April. This is an exciting contest to find the best male and female Cook Island Dancer. There are several eliminating competitions before the final night. You will enjoy the fabulous native costumes, drumming, and dancing.

TRIATHALON: Held Anzac Day holiday in April. Anyone is welcome to participate in this endurance race. Swim, cycle, and run constitutes the components of the race. Even if you do not participate, you will enjoy cheering on the contestants.

FIRE KNIFE COMPETITION: Held in July. This is a new event for the Cook Islands with the first competition held 2001. The small group of young and enthusiastic people want to develop this art form and hopefully turn it into a major event here in the Cook Islands.

STRING BAND COMPETITION: Held in June. This is an exciting contest to find the best string band in the Cook Islands. Usually held at the National Auditorium is always fun to watch.

CONSTITUTION DAY CELEBRATIONS: Held around 4 August. This is the major event of the year for all Cook Islanders as it marks the day of independence from New Zealand. The celebrations commence with a float parade on the last Friday in July, followed by a week of sporting, cultural, and entertainment events. An Agricultural Show is also held during the week with an exhibition of flowers, plants, and produce.

ROUND RAROTONGA ROAD RACE: Held the first week-end in October. Overseas runners and locals alike compete in this popular international event of 31km, which encircles the Island.

GOSPEL DAY CELEBRATIONS: Held in 26 October. This is an interesting event to watch for each year one village is selected to conduct open air performances of stories from the bible. Gospel Day commemorates the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and is celebrated with a real island flair. You will enjoy the colorful costumes and singing.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL: Held in November. This popular event features food from around the world. Everyone gathers to cook their favorite dish. You can find anything from pizza to curry to oriental dishes to local island food to chocolate cake. Prices are very reasonable Tiare Week: Held in November. This is a very special week to visit the Cook Islands as all the shops, restaurants and hotels are decorated with flowers. There is a competition and awards for the most original and best flower displays.

TIPPING: Tipping is not expected in the Cook Islands and there is no service charge added to restaurant or service bills.

HOLIDAY PACKAGES TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Hotels, Airfares, and Accommodation booked through Jetsave Travel are subject to a deposit of 25% within 10 days of booking. Domestic Airfares for all Outer Island Packages must be paid within 7 days of booking. Final payment is due 60 days before arrival to allow for mailing of tickets and documents. All prices are subject to change without notice. This may be due (but not limited) to airfare increases, changes in airline taxes or government departure & custom taxes, or yearly accommodation rate changes. Please note that all prices are valid from 1 April to 31 March of each year. Amendments and Reservation Changes. All changes to confirmed reservations are subject to a change fee of $50 per booking file. Changes to domestic airfares are subject to change fees and/or increased airfares to be advised. Cancellation and Refund Policy. There is a 50% cancellation penalty for domestic airline tickets travelling via Air Rarotonga unless refund is due to cancellation or changes to scheduled flights. Refunds are subject to the individual policy of selected accommodation. No refund applies to house rentals unless accommodation can be re-sold. All refunds are subject to a documentation fee of $250 per booking file plus individual accommodation cancellation fees. Many hotels have a no refund policy if cancelled within 30 days. No Refund applies for no-shows. No Refund applies for unused services. Insurance is recommended for all travellers as protection in case of flight delays and/or cancellations, sickness, and accidents.

INSURANCE: Jetsave travel recommends that all travellers obtain insurance prior to departing from your home city.

QUESTIONS: If there is any information you would like or if you have questions with regards to general information for the Cook Islands, please click on"contact us" below and Jetsave Travel will be pleased to provide any information you require.