10 Safety Tips for Driving in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Traffic in the Cook Islands moves on the left side of the road. While it may seem like an obvious tip, it’s essential to remind yourself if you come from a country where you drive on the right side of the road.

Remind yourself to drive on the left when pulling out of an intersection or when getting back in the car after having a break from driving. You’ll get used to it in no time!

Bonus tip: The road through Avarua has four lanes, with two lanes on either side of a separation, featuring parking areas, trees, and coffee stands. Traffic flows left on either side of the separation. Don't make the mistake of driving up the wrong way!

Don't be "that guy" who drives around like he's still in Auckland traffic. The speed limits are pretty low in the Cook Islands: 30 kph (18.6 mph) in Muri and Avarua, 40 kph (24.9 mph) in villages and most of Aitutaki, and 50 kph (31 mph) everywhere else on Rarotonga.

Driving at a leisurely pace also allows you time to react to the many hazards that are on the Cook Islands' roads - more on those throughout this list of safety tips!

That's right, the Cook Islands is one of those places where the traffic is so relaxed that there is no need for traffic lights. There are very few pedestrian crossings or sidewalks, while there are only a handful of roundabouts in Avarua.

With the lack of extra traffic control, you'll need to be extra mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians. More on the latter in our next point...

One of many hazards on the roads of the Cook Islands is children! The kids of the Cook Islands aren't afraid to rule the roads once school is out, so look out for school signs and slow down when approaching a school.

Especially on the outer islands, like Aitutaki, kids will run out onto the road with little warning, so drive slowly.

Another regular hazard on the roads is animals of all kinds! On Rarotonga, be wary of dogs running (or plodding, as the case may be) across the road, while on just about every road in the Cook Islands, chickens, roosters, pigs and crabs are added into the mix.

Slow down and let the animals pass by unscathed - remember, most of them are people's pets!

On Rarotonga, the Clockwise and Anticlockwise buses make their rounds along the main road, as do school buses, church buses, etc. When you're behind a bus, remember that it will make frequent stops.

Be extra mindful of offloading passengers, especially school children, who may run across the road. You can overtake buses when it is safe to do so.

Riding a scooter comes with its own set of rules and safety tips, which we cover extensively in our 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. One of the most important things to remember, however, when riding on Rarotonga is to wear a helmet.

It is the law for both driver and passenger to wear helmets, so make sure you factor the cost of a helmet into hiring.

Unfortunately, the most common crime affecting tourists in the Cook Islands is petty theft. With that in mind, make sure you don't leave valuable items, such as money, a camera, a passport, a phone, or a wallet, on display in your car or scooter.

Take them with you or hide your valuables, and remember to lock your vehicle. For more advice on keeping safe, check out our Cook Islands Safety Tips.

Most of the roads you'll be using in Rarotonga and Aitutaki are sealed roads that are in relatively good condition. There are a few instances on these islands, and especially on the other outer islands, where roads are either gravel, dirt or flattened coral.

Drive extra carefully on these roads and watch out for loose gravel and potholes.

While the shade of a coconut tree can be a tempting place to park your car, it comes with the risk of a dented roof or cracked windscreen from falling coconuts. It’s more of a damage concern for your rental vehicle than a safety concern.

However, it’s claimed that coconuts take the lives of around 150 people each year by falling on their heads, so you want to reduce those odds!