Cook Islands Travel Safety
New Zealand's Associated States
Travel Safety in Cook Islands
General travel safety in Cook Islands on a scale of 1 to 4 — where 1 is safe and 4 is dangerous. Data compiled on the basis of Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Country
Cook Islands
Updates
Updated: 13 Mar 2024 • Still current at: 25 Mar 2024
Status
LEVEL 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions, safety and security concerns. Laws and social customs could differ significantly. You could face terrorist attacks, civil unrest, violent crime, or unique health threats - but overall, the risks are not great.
Safety and Security Tips
Road safety
Coastal roads on Rarotonga are paved. Driving at night can be dangerous due to poor visibility and road conditions. Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country. Traffic accidents involving motorcycles are common. If you ride a motorcycle, bicycle or scooter, you and any passenger must, by law, wear an approved helmet.
Swimming
Coastal waters can be dangerous. Injuries and fatalities have occurred due to tidal changes and breaks in the reefs. Wear reef shoes in the water. Seek local advice on which parts of the lagoon are safe for swimming, and follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities.
Women's safety
Cook Island is generally safe, women travelling alone should maintain personal security awareness. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Women, particularly foreigners may be subject to unwanted male attention and catcalls in certain places. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise increased caution throughout your travel.
Crime
Petty crime occurs. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police999
- Fire996
- Ambulance998
Local Law and Culture
Dress and behaviour
To avoid offending local sensitivities: dress conservatively, behave discreetly, respect religious and social traditions.
LGBT
The laws of the Cook Islands prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Those convicted could face long imprisonment. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to the Cook Islands.
Driving
Traffic drives on the left. You can drive in the Cook Islands with your driver's licence, as long as the class of vehicle you intend to drive is covered by this licence. To drive a different class of vehicle, you must obtain a valid Cook Islands visitor's licence from the police station in Avarua, for NZ$20 and upon presentation of your own licence.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Cook Islands.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.
The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
