💰 Quick Context: The New Zealand Dollar
The Cook Islands uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD / NZ$) as its official currency. A coffee costs NZ$5–8, a restaurant meal NZ$20–50, and a hotel night NZ$150–600. Quick math for Americans: multiply by 0.6 (NZ$10 ≈ US$6). The Cook Islands also mints its own coins (Cook Islands Dollar) at 1:1 with NZD. These coins are legal tender locally but worthless outside the country, so spend them before you leave or keep them as souvenirs.
🎧 Order New Zealand Dollar Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order NZD → CEI Currency Exchange🏝 Rarotonga Is Your Only ATM Stop
The Cook Islands has a total of about five ATMs, all on Rarotonga. Aitutaki has very limited banking (one BSP branch, sometimes with an ATM). The other 13 islands in the group have no ATMs and no card facilities at all. If you are heading to Aitutaki or any outer island, withdraw all the cash you need in Rarotonga before you fly out.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands runs on a mix of cards (at resorts and tourist-facing businesses on Rarotonga) and cash (everywhere else).
Cards work at larger resorts (Pacific Resort, Muri Beach Club Hotel), hotels, and restaurants on Rarotonga. Some tour operators and scooter rental shops accept cards. A few places on Aitutaki accept cards at the front desk. Cash is needed for stalls at Punanga Nui Saturday Market, local cafes, food trucks on the main road, the island bus (NZ$5 per ride), taxis, and all purchases outside resort lobbies.
New Zealand travelers already have the right currency. Australians can easily get NZD before departure. Americans should use ATMs on arrival in Avarua or order NZD in advance. Budget NZ$50–100 per day if staying at a resort with meals included, or NZ$100–200 per day for independent travelers. Budget extra for outer island trips where there are no ATMs.
How to Get NZ Dollars for Your Cook Islands Trip
The Cook Islands uses the New Zealand dollar (NZD) as its primary circulating currency, alongside the local Cook Islands dollar (CKD) which exists mostly for souvenir-coin purposes. For US travelers this means the cost-comparison math runs through the standard USD-to-NZD rate. Cards work at the major Rarotonga resorts (Pacific Resort, Muri Beach Club, The Edgewater, Crown Beach), most tourist-facing restaurants, scooter rental shops, and a few Aitutaki front desks. Cash still helps at Punanga Nui Saturday Market, the island bus (NZ$5 per ride), taxis, food trucks on the main road, and outer island spending. Two cheap routes for getting NZD: pre-order before takeoff or pull from an ANZ or BSP Cook Islands ATM after landing in Rarotonga.
Order NZ dollars before you fly
For pre-arrival NZD, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical New Zealand dollars to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery. Your home bank can also order NZD (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi all stock it as a flagship currency). Allow 3–7 business days. The Cook Islands does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Cook Islands trips: a Wise card for resort and full-service restaurant card payments, plus a starter envelope of NZD for Punanga Nui market runs, the island bus, and taxis. If you've come through Auckland, leftover NZD from the New Zealand leg works perfectly.
Withdraw from a Cook Islands bank ATM
Once you're on Rarotonga, the cheapest source of NZD is one of the local bank ATMs. ANZ Cook Islands, BSP (Bank South Pacific) Cook Islands, and Bank of the Cook Islands all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards. Withdrawal limits run roughly NZ$500–1,000 per transaction. Bank ATMs cluster around Avarua (the main town on Rarotonga) and at RAR (Rarotonga International) airport arrivals. Coverage on Aitutaki is concentrated at one or two ATMs near the airport and main resort area. The outer islands have no ATMs at all, so withdraw enough NZD on Rarotonga before flying to Atiu, Mangaia, or any of the more remote islands. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what an ANZ Cook Islands withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & resort exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in the Cook Islands. The currency-exchange counter in arrivals at RAR (Rarotonga International) advertises rates that look reasonable but routinely runs 5–10% off the interbank rate. The exchange windows inside Pacific Resort and Crown Beach Resort lobbies bake the markup into the rate. And the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades layer DCC pitches and operator fees on top. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at ANZ, BSP, or Bank of the Cook Islands; decline DCC; and remember leftover NZD from a New Zealand stopover works perfectly. Cook Islands does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-NZD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in the Cook Islands
ATM options are extremely limited. There are only two banks in the entire country: BSP (Bank of the South Pacific) and ANZ. Both have branches and ATMs in Avarua, Rarotonga's main town. Plan your withdrawals carefully, because machines do run out of cash, especially on weekends and around cruise ship arrivals.
BSP (Bank of the South Pacific)
The main bank in the Cook Islands with branches in Avarua and a small branch on Aitutaki. BSP has ATMs in Avarua town and at a few spots around Rarotonga. This is your best bet for reliable withdrawals. The Aitutaki branch may have an ATM, but do not count on it.
Top Pick
ANZ Cook Islands
Part of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. ANZ has a branch and ATMs in Avarua. International cards are processed smoothly thanks to the ANZ global network. A solid backup if BSP machines are out of cash.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Some card terminals at resorts or tour operators may offer to charge you in USD or AUD instead of NZD. Always decline and choose NZD. Choosing your home currency means the merchant (not your bank) sets the exchange rate, which includes a 3–8% markup. Select "NZD" or "local currency" at every prompt. This applies at ATMs too.
ATMs to Avoid in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands does not have predatory tourist-trap ATMs. The real danger is assuming you can find an ATM outside Rarotonga.
Relying on Outer Island ATMs
Aitutaki may have a single BSP ATM that sometimes works. Beyond that, there are zero ATMs on any other Cook Island. Do not plan to withdraw cash anywhere except Rarotonga.
No ATMs AvailableWeekend and Cruise Ship ATMs
Even on Rarotonga, ATMs can run dry over long weekends or when a cruise ship docks and hundreds of passengers withdraw cash at once. Try to withdraw on weekday mornings for the best chance of a working machine with sufficient cash.
Timing RiskPaying by Card in the Cook Islands
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at resorts, hotels, larger restaurants, and some tour operators on Rarotonga. American Express has very limited acceptance. EFTPOS: New Zealand EFTPOS cards work at some businesses on Rarotonga, a useful bonus for Kiwi travelers.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless tap-to-pay is growing but not widespread. Some newer terminals at resorts like Pacific Resort Aitutaki and Nautilus Resort support it. Apple Pay and Google Pay are very limited. Do not depend on mobile payments. The Cook Islands has no local mobile payment platform for tourists.
Where Cards May Not Work
Punanga Nui Market (Rarotonga's Saturday market) is cash-only for most stalls selling pareu, fresh fruit, and cooked food. Local cafes and food trucks along the main road are cash-only. The island bus circling Rarotonga is cash-only (NZ$5 per ride, clockwise and anticlockwise). Taxis prefer cash. All outer islands (Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia) should be assumed cash-only. Budget guesthouses often prefer cash or bank transfer over cards.
Tipping in the Cook Islands
Tipping Guide
Tipping is not part of Cook Islands culture. Locals do not expect tips, and overt tipping can feel awkward. A sincere "meitaki maata" (thank you very much in Cook Islands Maori) means more than cash. Some upscale resorts have a communal staff tip pool. NZ$5–10 per day into the jar is generous if one is available. Ask at the front desk. At restaurants, no tip is expected. Rounding up the bill at tourist restaurants is appreciated but not required. For lagoon cruise and island tour guides, NZ$5–10 per person is a kind gesture. Taxi and diving/snorkeling guides: no tip expected, but NZ$5–10 is appreciated after a good trip.
Island Life & Practical Money Tips
Cook Islands Coins as Souvenirs
The Cook Islands mints its own coins that are legal tender at 1:1 with NZD. Designs feature sea turtles, the tangaroa (god of the sea), and traditional motifs. The $3 triangular coin is especially popular with collectors. These coins are accepted locally but are worthless in New Zealand or anywhere else. Spend any Cook Islands coins before you leave, or keep a few as keepsakes. All banknotes in circulation are standard New Zealand Dollar notes.
Outer Island Cash Strategy
Aitutaki: the most visited outer island. One BSP branch may have a working ATM, and some resorts accept cards. Still, bring NZ$200–400 in cash from Rarotonga to be safe. Atiu, Mangaia, and Mauke: these southern group islands have no ATMs and no card facilities. Bring all the cash you need from Rarotonga. Accommodation is often homestay-style and cash-only. Northern group islands are extremely remote and completely cash-based.
Plan for weather delays. Flights between islands can be delayed or cancelled by weather. Carry an extra day or two worth of cash as a buffer. Scooter rentals are the most popular way around Rarotonga (NZ$25–40 per day). Some shops accept cards, but many prefer cash. The Cook Islands has a 15% VAT on goods and services, usually included in posted prices.
Money Safety in the Cook Islands
Staying Safe
The Cook Islands is one of the safest destinations in the Pacific. Violent crime is extremely rare. Petty theft is uncommon, but do not leave valuables unattended on Muri Beach or at your accommodation.
Use ATMs during banking hours at BSP or ANZ branches in Avarua. Machines are accessible 24/7, but branch staff can help if a card is swallowed during business hours. With only two banks and a handful of ATMs on the entire island, a second card on a different network is essential. If one ATM rejects your card, walk to the other bank.
Keep cash secure in a money belt or room safe, especially on outer islands where you may be carrying several days' worth of spending money. The Cook Islands is small enough that some card issuers flag it as unusual. Mention "Cook Islands" and "New Zealand" (if transiting Auckland) when calling your bank ahead of travel.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend New Zealand dollars like a local in the Cook Islands.
Get the Wise Card →Frequently Asked Questions
What currency does the Cook Islands use?
The Cook Islands uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). All banknotes are standard NZD notes. The Cook Islands also mints its own coins (featuring sea turtles, tangaroa, and a unique $3 triangular coin) that are accepted locally at 1:1 with NZD but have no value outside the islands.
Are there ATMs on Aitutaki or other outer islands?
Aitutaki has one BSP branch that may have a working ATM, but it is unreliable. No other outer island (Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, or the northern group) has an ATM. Withdraw all the cash you need on Rarotonga before flying to any outer island.
Can I use Australian or US dollars in the Cook Islands?
No. The Cook Islands uses NZD exclusively. Australian dollars and US dollars are not accepted at businesses. If coming from Australia or the US, withdraw NZD from BSP or ANZ ATMs in Avarua (Rarotonga) or order NZD before your trip.
Do ATMs run out of cash in the Cook Islands?
Yes. Rarotonga's ATMs can run dry over long weekends and when cruise ships dock, as hundreds of passengers withdraw cash at once. Withdraw on weekday mornings for the best chance of a working machine with sufficient cash.
Is tipping expected in the Cook Islands?
No. Tipping is not part of Cook Islands culture and can feel awkward. A sincere "meitaki maata" (thank you) is more meaningful than cash. Some upscale resorts have a communal staff tip pool where NZ$5–10 per day is generous if available.
How much cash should I bring for a week in the Cook Islands?
For a week on Rarotonga at a resort with meals included, NZ$350–700 covers extras like scooter rental, market shopping, and activities. Independent travelers should budget NZ$700–1,400. Add NZ$200–400 for each outer island visited.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★★☆ | Resorts, hotels, tour operators on Rarotonga |
| BSP / ANZ ATMs on Rarotonga | Low (no operator fee, fair rate) | ★★★☆☆ | Cash for markets, buses, outer islands |
| Bring NZD from New Zealand | Best (no conversion needed) | ★★★★★ | NZ residents. Already the right currency |
| Order NZD before your trip | Low (small delivery fee) | ★★★★☆ | US/AU travelers wanting cash on arrival |
| Outer island ATMs | N/A (they barely exist) | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Not an option. Withdraw on Rarotonga |
Cook Islands Quick Facts
| Currency | New Zealand Dollar (NZD / NZ$). Cook Islands coins exist at 1:1 but are not accepted elsewhere |
| Cash vs. Card | Cards at resorts on Rarotonga. Cash for everything else. Outer islands are cash-only |
| Best ATMs | BSP and ANZ in Avarua, Rarotonga. About five ATMs total in the country |
| Outer Islands | No ATMs beyond Rarotonga (Aitutaki may have one). Bring all cash from Rarotonga |
| Card Acceptance | Good at resorts and tourist restaurants on Rarotonga. Limited everywhere else |
| Tipping | Not part of local culture. Generous but not expected at resorts |
| Souvenir Coins | Cook Islands coins (including the $3 triangle coin) make great souvenirs. Spend them before leaving |
| Best Strategy | Card for resorts. ATM cash on Rarotonga for everything else. NZ travelers: bring cash from home |