Some helpful information for planning and booking your holiday
We recommend you have a read through this information first and also check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions for more helpful advice.
If your questions are still unanswered, please click below to send us an email. We aim to respond to all email requests within 24 hours. Our contact details include...
Email & Phone numbers
jennie@experiencerarotonga.co.nz
We can be contacted on (0064) 4 934 8199 or mobile (0064) 21 256 1331.
Booking your Accommodation
This is booked on a first-come, first-served basis, and is based on availability at the time of booking. We can generally hold bookings for up to 48 hours again this is dependent on availability. A deposit is the only way a property will be secured for you.
Booking/Payment details
All prices quoted are in New Zealand dollars, the official currency of the Cook Islands. All prices quoted include the government tax of 12.5%.
Booking and payment requirements do vary by property. We will provide you with all the necessary information when we send you a costing.
Costing/Quote
We are happy to give you a cost estimate however to give you an accurate quote please provide us with the following information…
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Total number of adults (12 years and over) and if children under 12, please state ages
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Flight information including flight numbers and day/time of arrival/departure IN Rarotonga (please note you cross the dateline coming from NZ)
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Early check-in and/or late check-out requirements
Transfer options will be noted on the costing. We do recommend that you organise these at time of booking, at least your arrival transfer…your departure transfer can be arranged if necessary when you get here.
Once you have confirmed in writing that all costs and details are satisfactory, a deposit is required (also noted on the costing) to confirm the property for you.
Deposit
We are working on behalf of individual owners and therefore require a deposit of 50% to secure the property for you. It is possible for Experience Rarotonga to reserve the property with the owner for up to 48 hours if required. If the owner receives an enquiry for any/all of the dates reserved then it is our intention to negotiate the right for you to immediately secure the property with a deposit. We cannot always guarantee that the property will be held without deposit.
We pride ourselves in having a degree of flexibility with all bookings so please talk to us with your requirements.
We offer a variety of payment options including Credit Card (MasterCard or Visa), Telegraphic Transfer and Bank Cheque (in New Zealand dollars). While the currency in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar we do not accept personal New Zealand cheques.
The banks charge the vendor between 3-5% on each credit card transaction. If possible we would appreciate it if you can consider the other methods of payment.
If you do decide to pay by credit card please feel free to phone us on (00682) 28921.
Confirmation
Once we have received and processed your payment for the deposit we will send you confirmation via email with payment and all the appropriate details noted.
Balance
The balance of the total payment is due on arrival and payment details will be noted with your confirmation via email.
Cancellation information
This is not a topic we like to dwell on but if the need arises you can be certain that we will work with you to find a solution that works for both parties. Cancellation policies vary by property.
Again we will advise you of the cancellation policies when we respond to your request.
Time zone
The Cook Islands is 10 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
If coming from New Zealand, Fiji or Australia please remember you cross the dateline. Please carefully check your tickets for exact arrival/departure times IN Rarotonga.
Check-in and Check-out times
**This is an important piece of information**
As most flights arrive in Rarotonga either early morning or late evening, please ensure you have accommodation for when you arrive. It is advisable to consider the early Check-in or Late Check-out options.
Normal Check In time is 12pm (midday) - does vary by property.
Normal Check Out time is 10am - does vary by property.
Generally the following rules apply throughout the Cook Islands, however some properties offer variations on this. We assess each situation based on your request.
For Arrivals after 6pm and before 6am, you are required to book a full nights accommodation for this night.
For Arrivals after 6am and before Check-in at 12noon, an Early Check-in is required.
For Departures after 10am and before 6pm guests wishing to stay on at their accommodation are required to book a Late Check-out.
We are happy to provide you with the cost of any of the above.
Air travel arrangements
Unfortunately we do not provide airline availabilities or book flights. Click on our Getting Here page for information on airlines, flights and links to their websites.
www.airnz.co.nz or
www.pacificblue.com.au
It is preferable to have your confirmed flight numbers and day and time of arrival/departure IN Rarotonga when sending through your request. We have found that some people prefer to check availabilities for accommodation before confirming flight bookings. This is no problem, simply email us your tentative dates and we can check availabilities for you.
From our experience you cannot make airline bookings more than 12 months in advance. If this is the case we will be happy to work with you on this.
We do however require confirmed flight details before we can confirm accommodation bookings.
Transfers
Transfers are not generally included in the accommodation price unless stated. A one-way transfer is approximately NZ15.00-NZ$20.00 one-way (adult) and NZ$7.50-NZ$10.00 for children (5-12 years), under 5 years are generally at no charge.
We do recommend having an airport pick-up organised prior to your arrival and we will be happy to assist you when you make your booking.
Immigration laws
It is a requirement to have confirmed accommodation before entering the Cook Islands.
Rarotonga International Airport
The Cook Islands’ international airport is located on Rarotonga, just outside the main township of Avarua. All international and domestic flights to the outer islands depart from here. Normal check-in for international flights is 2 hours prior to scheduled departure. Final check-in for international flights is generally 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure. .
For domestic flights; check-in opens 45 minutes prior to departure with final check-in half an hour prior to scheduled departure.
Please check these times with your airline.
Departure tax
Is NZ$30.00 for adults and NZ$15.00 for children (aged 2-12 years). Under 2 years are exempt.
Do we need a Visa for Entry? How long can we stay?
Immigration policy allows you to enter the Cook Islands without a Visa. All visitors are required to have a valid passport and valid ticket for onward travel.
Stays of up to 31 days require a valid passport and a return ticket.
Extensions are granted beyond the 31 day visitor permit on a monthly basis, and up to five months only. A fee is payable with each application within 14 days prior to the expiration of the permit. Extensions are granted at two levels, up to three months is NZ$70 (15 years and older) and up to five months is NZ$120 (15 years and older).
Note: children under 15 years of age are exempt from charges but must report to Immigration for official paperwork to be completed.
Call Cook Island's Immigration on (00682) 29347 or email tutai@immigration.gov.ck for more information.