Your complete student travel guide — airports, visas, cities, climate & programs
🏛️ Capital
Avarua
📍 Region
Oceania · Polynesia
👥 Population
15,040
📐 Area
236 km²
📞 Calling Code
+682
🕐 Timezone(s)
UTC-10:00
Official Language(s)
Currency
$ Cook Islands dollar (CKD)
The Cook Islands has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, ranging from 24–30°C (75–86°F). The wet season runs November to April with higher rainfall and occasional cyclones, while the dry season (May–October) offers more stable weather. Northern islands tend to be slightly warmer and wetter than southern islands.
Plug type(s) used in Cook Islands:
Tipping is welcome but not obligatory. Round up or leave a small amount.
Cash is widely used. Card acceptance is growing but not universal — carry both.
The Cook Islands is generally very safe for travelers with low violent crime rates, though petty theft does occur in larger towns and tourist areas—keep valuables secure. Be aware of strong ocean currents and reef hazards when swimming or water sports; always check local conditions and heed warnings from locals or tour operators.
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U.S. Department of State
⚠️ Travel Advisory 📄 Visa InformationOpens on travel.state.gov
Register your trip and locate emergency contacts before you depart.
🏛 U.S. Embassy Directory ✅ Register Your Trip (STEP)STEP alerts you during emergencies and helps the embassy locate you.
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