Families travelling with children will love coming to the Cook Islands. This destination is extremely beautiful, with a fantastic choice of beach and outdoor activities which are suited to kids of all ages. As tourism is the main industry here, Cook Islanders are extremely welcoming of tourists and will instantly charm you with their warm smiles and hospitable nature. They love kids too – so don’t be surprised if the locals make a fuss over your little ones. Wherever you go in the Cook Islands, you’ll be sure to receive a warm reception and the resorts often feature fantastic facilities for kids. Big theme parks and manmade attractions don’t exist here but the natural landscape creates a wonderful playground for kids who love the outdoors and there are some fantastic tours, excursions and boat trips which will interest young children as well as teens.

Traditional dishes from the Cook Islands make great use of the amazing local produce, including the ample seafood! If you love fish, you’ll be guaranteed to find the freshest catches in the Cook Islands as restaurants usually have daily fish supplies from the local fishermen. Some traditional dishes you may like to try include Rori (sea cucumber served with butter and garlic), Ika (raw fish marinated in a vinegarette and served with a creamy sauce), Rukau (mashed taro leaves with coconut cream and spices), and Umukai (meat cooked in the earth). Because coconuts are grown all year round, the healthy refreshment of coconut water is a popular accompaniment with meals. Tropical juices and alcoholic beverages are also available at most restaurants. Due to Cook Island customs, tipping is not required.

Doing things the Polynesian way means doing it with love – and this very much reflects the culture of the Cook Islanders. As a Polynesian island country, modern life is very much focused on family, extended family and friends and the Islanders are extremely sociable as a community. Big families and communal living defines family life here; grandparents often live with younger generations and even nieces and nephews often house together as one big happy group. Taking on customs and traditions from its Polynesian heritage mixed with customs from its European influences over the years, the country has formed its own unique identity.