5 Reasons You Need to Visit the Cook Islands

Published: December 21, 2018.
Written by: Andree - Destination Specialist, Calgary

The Cook Islands, located between New Zealand and Hawaii, offer a pristine beauty rivalling the more famous South Pacific islands of Tahiti and Fiji. Award-winning Air New Zealand flies direct from North America to Cook Islands, making travel there accessible.

  1. The islands’ beautiful terrain – the Cook Islands are what Hawaii was like 50 years ago but with modern conveniences.  There is lush green vegetation virtually everywhere, jungle-clad mountains, crystal-clear waters, incredible flora and fauna, no big name brands and no building is taller than a coconut tree! Simply indulge in the stunning natural beauty that is virtually all around you.
  2. Getting around the main island is simple – the main island of Rarotonga is easy to travel along (total circumference is 32km!) as there’s just a single road that covers the entire circumference of the island—we recommend renting a scooter to whip around the island!  Alternatively you can hop on the “Clockwise” or “Counter-Clockwise” bus, a public transportation vehicle that travels along the main island’s circumference, with various stops along the way at reasonable transit rates, making for a super laid back way to tour Rarotonga!
  3. Easily accessible – At just 9 hours from Los Angeles, and on the same time zone as Hawaii, jetlag is barely noticeable.  This makes your transition to island life, and escapism, super easy.  The currency is the New Zealand Dollar, which is at-par to the Canadian Dollar so buying souvenirs, going on excursions or enjoying regular meals at one of the island’s many local restaurants and cafes, won’t be too hard on the wallet.
  4. Cultural entertainment at Te Vara Nui Village – Enjoy an incredible evening show combining some history on the Cook Islands with traditional dance, music, drumming, fire juggling and various forms of entertainment accompanied by a lavish island-style feast.
  5. You’ll rarely be bored – Not just a place to lounge on white-sand beaches, you can also partake in island treks, safari tours, glass-bottom boat sailing, fishing trips, yacht tours and diving excursions.  Find your perfect pearl at a black pearl farm or learn a bit of history at the Te Ara Cook Islands Museum.  Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir or two at one of the markets, such as the Punanga Nui Market or the Muri Night Market, where you can buy art, clothing, crafts, jewelry, as well as sample local foods.  What are you waiting for?  Check out some of our awesome Cook Islands Vacations now!

If you’re looking to head over to Australia after your stay in the Cook Islands, a transit through Auckland with Air New Zealand is super easy and you won’t need to clear immigration, customs, or even collect your bags!

Written by: Andree (Destination Specialist)

Contact Downunder Travel today on how we can help you plan a seamless travel experience.

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