Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Cook Islands take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
For me, the bus system in Rarotonga was frustrating mainly because of timing and cash. The schedule was loose, especially evenings, and when the bus did come, the driver wouldn’t accept the $20 note I had from the airport ANZ ATM. He told me to go change it at a shop first, which made me miss that bus. As a visitor used to contactless cards, being stuck without small cash felt backwards. Bring coins or you’ll be annoyed.
I actually loved how simple it was in Rarotonga. Just wave the bus down on the ring road, hand over NZD $5, and enjoy the ride. The views along the lagoon from Muri to Black Rock were stunning. I withdrew from Bank of the Cook Islands ATM near the market in Avarua, then swapped larger bills at the hostel desk for coins. No cards accepted, but the whole setup felt laid-back and straightforward, which matched the island vibe perfectly.
I stayed at a hostel near Muri Beach and rode the clockwise bus into Avarua daily. The driver collected NZD $5 cash each trip. When I tried to hand him a $50 bill I’d just taken from the ANZ ATM in town, he told me flat-out to find change first. I ended up buying water at a corner shop just to get smaller notes. The ride itself was easy, but you really need exact change to avoid hassle.
Cook Islands has no metros, just the circle buses around Rarotonga (clockwise and anticlockwise). They’re cash-only, usually NZD $5 per ride, paid directly to the driver. No card readers on board. ATMs from ANZ and Bank of the Cook Islands are in Avarua and at the airport. Since most accommodation is along the main ring road, buses are reliable but infrequent in evenings. Carry coins or small NZD bills since drivers don’t break large notes easily.