Getting in and visas for the Cook Islands

On arrival

You must have a reservation for accommodations pre-arranged, or risk being sent back (or onward) on the next flight out. Though immigration and customs may be a little less strict about this than in the past, and let you reserve at the airport by phone, if nothing is available you will be sent back. Camping on the beach is not allowed.

By plane

Rarotonga International Airport (IATA: RAR) is the main gateway to the Cook Islands. There are daily services to Auckland, New Zealand and weekly services to Fiji and via Papeete (Tahiti) to Los Angeles. The only international airlines at present are Air New Zealand and twice-weekly Pacific Blue. Air New Zealand has code share arrangements with all other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga is a popular stopover on Round the world flights. From April 2007, Air New Zealand ceases its link between Papeete (Tahiti) and Rarotonga

By boat

Rarotonga and Aitutaki are regular stops for cruises operating from Tahiti. Other cruise companies also stop by occassionaly.