{"id":3622,"date":"2018-10-17T16:57:17","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T16:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.svenlucaworld.com\/?p=3622"},"modified":"2019-04-18T12:51:44","modified_gmt":"2019-04-18T12:51:44","slug":"reisebericht-cookinseln","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.svenlucaworld.com\/en\/travel-report-cook-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel report COOK ISLANDS - The South Sea paradise with the famous Muri Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Visa and entry requirements Cook Islands:<\/strong>
\nPassport required
\nFor a tourist stay of up to 31 days, visas are issued free of charge at the airport.<\/p>\n

Information from the Foreign Office about your Cook Islands trip:<\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/www.auswaertiges-amt.de\/de\/cookinselnsicherheit\/226552<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 islands in the southern Pacific with a population of almost 20,000. The sovereign state is in free association with New Zealand and consists of the southern islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Palmerston, Takutea as well as the main island of Rarotonga, where three quarters of the total population lives. The northern islands of Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga and Suwarrow are mainly atolls or coral reefs that are difficult to access.<\/p>\n

The country's two official languages are English and Rarotongan, and the Cook Islands dollar is used as the national currency, with 1 euro corresponding to around 1.70 CID. The Cook Islands dollar is pegged at a consistent 1 to 1 ratio to the New Zealand dollar.<\/p>\n

Christianity is the widespread religion in the Cook Islands. Half of the island's population is overweight and obese, one of the highest rates of any country and territory in the world. The archipelago has experienced a steady decline in population, also the largest percentage of any country in the world.<\/p>\n

The Cook Islands' economy relies primarily on its offshore businesses and the resident banks that use the country as a tax haven. Small quantities of oranges, pineapples, tomatoes, zucchini and peppers are exported from agriculture. Peppers, melons, bananas, coconut palms and papaya are also grown in the country, primarily for their own needs.<\/p>\n

The capital and largest city of the Cook Islands is Avarua, with around 6,200 residents. Avarua is located on the north coast of the main island of Rarotonga and is both the seat of government and the administrative center of the island state.<\/p>\n

The main attractions of the capital include the Cook Island Christian Church, the Punanga Nui Street Market, the Wildlife Centre, the Art and Local History Museum, the Matai Wreck, the Visitor Center, St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Matuti Brewery, Titikaveka Beach, the night market, the botanical garden, the marine nature reserve, the Muri lagoon beach, the Black Rock beach, the library and the special cultural museum.<\/p>\n

In March 2019, I traveled to the Cook Islands as the third-to-last country ever during my big Pacific tour. My visit was limited exclusively to the main island of Rarotonga and I lived not far from the largest city, Avarua. Due to my unplanned longer stay in Samoa, I was unfortunately only able to spend two days on the beautiful island due to lack of time.<\/p>\n

After I moved into my cozy resort on the first day, with a room and a terrace right by the sea, not far from Avarua, I immediately set off to explore the capital on foot. The city is relatively clear, very easy to walk through in about an hour and actually has few highlights. The restaurants were more interesting towards the evening, most of which were located in a fantastic complex right on the water and had an indescribable sea view.<\/p>\n

For the second day I booked a complete island tour for 100 euros. The impressive stretches of coastline, the predominantly green landscape with the associated mountains and the many coconut palms make the Cook Islands one of the three most beautiful Pacific islands in my opinion. The clear highlight of my trip was the visit to the world-famous Muri beach, at the lagoon of the same name. For me, this kilometer-long stretch of beach is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world due to the slightly yellowish, fine sand and the bright turquoise water color. This and the equally beautiful beach on the black rocks are particularly suitable for a day of swimming.<\/p>\n

Rarotonga is a uniquely beautiful holiday island, with some very interesting attractions. On this fantastic island you can only feel good and is therefore the perfect place for a longer holiday.<\/p>\n\n