Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?

Certain types of credit and debit cards are accepted in Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and the Cook Islands, including major brands, as long as a four-digit PIN is encoded. Bank cards that are accepted in the Cook Islands include:

Most stores, restaurants and accommodations on Rarotonga and Aitutaki accept credit and debit cards, otherwise known as EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) for you Kiwis. For paying your way outside of Rarotonga and Aitutaki, however, it's best to have enough cash for the entire duration of your outer-islands stay.

Where You Can't Use Cards to Pay in the Cook Islands

Some instances where credit and debit cards are not accepted include on the Rarotonga bus, the markets (although there is a mobile BSP ATM at the Punanga Nui Market), roadside produce stalls, taxis and smaller tour operators. As mentioned, it's best to have the cash to pay your way on the islands outside of Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

ATMs in the Cook Islands

There are many ATMs in convenient places around Rarotonga, as well as three ATMs in Aitutaki.

See ATM locations in Information, Shops & Services on Rarotonga and Information, Shops & Services on Aitutaki.

All ATMs accept international Visa and MasterCard, and dispense money in New Zealand Dollars.

There are three main fees to be aware of when paying with debit and credit cards in the Cook Islands: the foreign currency exchange fee, credit/debit card surcharges imposed by the vendor, and ATM withdrawal fees.

Foreign Currency Exchange Fees

Seasoned travellers will know that the bank issuing your credit or debit card often has a fee for a “foreign currency service” or something similar each time you make a transaction overseas.

Check with your bank to determine the percentage for using your credit card in the Cook Islands. It’s usually a fee of 1-3% of the transaction in your home currency. This fee is often also applied when using an ATM in the Cook Islands.

Credit/Debit Card Surcharges

Another credit card fee you may experience in the Cook Islands is a surcharge implemented by local businesses. Many businesses in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands charge a fee of 2.5-3% on each transaction for using a foreign credit or debit card. We've even seen some surcharges as high as 5%!

ATM Withdrawal Fees and Limits

Additionally, a withdrawal fee is applied when using an overseas bank card at an ATM in the Cook Islands. The fee is usually around NZ$5.50-$7 per withdrawal.

There is a BCI ATM in Avarua, however, that does not charge a withdrawal fee for New Zealand-issued bank cards. Find it outside of the BCI Bank in Avarua - not the ones on the main street but around the corner.

It's also worth noting that withdrawal limits vary depending on the ATM.

Because of the additional fees applied to foreign card transactions, we recommend using other payment methods to pay for your way around the Cook Islands. It's how we personally travel, and we saved a substantial amount of credit card fees by using cash as much as possible during our last trip.

Find out more in What is the Best Way to Pay in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?