Money in the Cooks

Travelling to Cook Islands shorty, just wondering what people recommend in the way of travelling with money over there.

I don't have a debit card so that is out of the question, and would prefer to not use my credit card.

I have been investigating a 'Cash Passport' card (from Travelex) but I need to know if the ATMs are suitable to use for this - they need to have the VISA sticker on them.

Thanks

Cook Islands use New Zealand dollars as their currency. So you could take NZ$ as cash or as NZ$ travellers cheques.

The "cash passport" cards available in the UK are bloody expensive to use - and travelex supplies one of them. Safer than cash, yes, but no more cost effective than a travellers cheque. You may have trouble finding ATMs on a good number of the Cook Islands - if you plan on leaving Rarotonga.

Ask your credit card provider if you can put cash on your credit card, in the form of a credit. You might then be able to withdraw the cash from atms. Be aware that most debit/credit card providers will charge you a set fee per transaction, plus another "hidden" fee of about 2.75 to 3% on the exchange rate they give you.

Only ATM outside of Rarotonga is Aitutaki (in the Cooks).

Trav checks are a good choice, need not be in NZ dollars, they exchange US, Australian, Canadian , UK pounds, etc at the two banks in town.

American Express also has a card you can put money on and use it like a debit card. Don't know how many places take Amex in Raro but the larger restuarants, hotels etc do. I would suggest getting travelers cheques and cashing them into NZ dollars at the bank in Avarua. Keep your cash locked up at your lodging in the office or safe provided.

sunny regards,
shully