Islas Cook: qué saber antes del viaje
Lo esencial
- Most international tourists receive a 31-day visitor permit on arrival without applying for a visa first; carry onward travel, funds and accommodation evidence.
- Carry NZD cash for the outer islands: card payments and ATMs are concentrated on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
- Entry rules are separate from New Zealand. Check transit permission for any route through New Zealand or Australia.
Entrada y visados
The tourism authority’s 26 October 2026 update grants NZ/Australian passport holders 90 days and other international passport holders 31 days on arrival. Immigration describes the international permit for stays of less than 31 days. No advance visa is required for qualifying short tourist visits; confirm the exact expiry at entry and apply separately for extensions.
Validez del pasaporte: International passports: at least 6 months beyond departure, per current tourism authority entry guidance.
En la frontera pueden pedir
- Show onward/return travel, sufficient funds and accommodation arrangements.
- Permits are subject to identity, character and health requirements; tourism permission does not authorise work.
Aduana
- Declare food on arrival and check Customs restrictions before packing.
Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: cookislands.travel ↗, mfai.gov.ck ↗, cookislands.travel ↗
Dinero
Se usan tanto efectivo como tarjetas. Tarjetas sobre todo en ciudades y zonas turísticas.
Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard
Apple Pay — sin datos · Google Pay — sin datos
Dónde cambiar dinero
- Use bank or authorised foreign-exchange services on Rarotonga.
Dónde no cambiar
- Do not carry local Cook Islands money expecting to exchange it abroad.
Cajeros: ATMs on Rarotonga and Aitutaki accept Visa/Mastercard. International-card withdrawal fees apply; confirm the displayed charge.
- Local coins/notes circulate but are not legal tender outside the Cook Islands.
- Cards/EFTPOS are common on Rarotonga; carry cash for outer islands.
Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: cookislands.travel ↗, cookislands.travel ↗
Normas y prohibiciones
Prohibido
- Illegal-drug possession, use and trafficking can bring prison sentences and heavy fines.
Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo
- A short visitor permit does not authorise paid work or study; use the appropriate permit.
Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: travel.gc.ca ↗, mfai.gov.ck ↗
Cultura y ropa
Religión: Respect church and village customs; ask hosts about religious visits.
Ropa: Dress modestly in towns, villages and churches; reserve brief swimwear for appropriate beach settings.
Etiqueta
- Avoid nude or topless sunbathing; the tourism authority warns this causes offence.
Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: cookislands.travel ↗
Clima
Warm year-round. December–March is warmer, humid and damp; April–November is relatively drier. June–August is cooler; conditions vary between islands.
Mes a mes
- enero: Jan: warmer, humid and damp
- febrero: Feb: warmer, humid and damp
- marzo: Mar: warmer, humid and damp
- abril: Apr: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- mayo: May: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- junio: Jun: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- julio: Jul: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- agosto: Aug: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- septiembre: Sep: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- octubre: Oct: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- noviembre: Nov: relatively drier; pack a light layer for evenings
- diciembre: Dec: warmer, humid and damp
Mejor temporada: Choose relatively drier April–November for general outdoor plans; check forecasts before sea trips.
Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: education.gov.ck ↗, cookislands.travel ↗
Qué llevar
- NZD cash for outer islands
- Modest clothes for church and village visits
- Light sweater for cooler evenings
- Rain protection and sun protection
- Passport and onward-ticket evidence
Qué no llevar / prohibido importar
- Depending on outer-island ATMs
- Nude or topless sunbathing
Práctico
Enchufes: 240 V AC, 50 Hz; Australian/New Zealand three-pin sockets.
Agua: Check drinking-water arrangements at your accommodation and carry safe water on outings.
Circulación: por la izquierda
Móvil y eSIM: Vodafone Cook Islands offers travel SIMs/eSIMs; check roaming charges and island coverage before relying on connectivity.
Seguro: Include hospital treatment and medical evacuation; outer-island healthcare is limited.
Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: cookislands.travel ↗, cookislands.travel ↗, travel.gc.ca ↗
Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.