Variety, fun, easy shopping and great bargins, it’s all available to visitors who would like to explore the many shops, craft places, and markets. The main shopping area is in Rarotonga, located in downtown Avarua. Rarotonga does not have precious stones, antiques or haute couture clothing. Instead, visitors will discover unique black pearls, handicrafts of excellent quality, colourful clothing and electrical goods at very reasonable prices.

In Avarua shops line the main road from Avatiu Harbour to the Portofino Restaurant. Shopping hours are normally from 8am to 4pm during the week, and from 8am to noon on Saturdays. Some resort and village shops are open during the evening and on Sunday, and the airport shops are open for international flights. The Cook Islands have avoided the trap of encouraging pushy sales people offering dubious goods. In fact, the retailers in general are extremely obliging and gracious and are even inclined to refer you to another shop if they think a certain item will better suit your needs. Visitors can breathe a sigh of relief in knowing that the quality of goods is high and they are reasonably priced, If you decide to buy something do not attempt to bargain as this is not an accepted custom in the Cook islands.

The duty free traders are mainly centered in Avarua with a few shops in resorts and at the airport, The several duty free shops offer an array of competitively priced goods ranging from cameras, watches, stereos, fine china and famous brand perfumes. Rarotonga’s largest department store is the Cook Islands Trading Corporation (CITC) offering Avarua’s widest selection of goods.

The CITC has its origins in the colonial days of last century when it not only supplied goods for the local community, but also exported local produce in its own sailing vessels, There are also a number of smaller island-style general stores where you might sample some of the tropical jams and preserves which also make inexpensive gift items. Another good souvenir item is a CD or tape of local groups performing the drum dance. The wild and frenzied tempo of the music is bound to revive your best memories of the Cooks. You might also like to consider purchasing a book about the Cook Islands - the Bounty Bookshop has a good selection. Other specialty stores in Rarotonga include fashions, gifts, stationery, chemists, camera shops, arts and crafts and of course exquisite pearl shops.

Mother of pearl and other highly polished shells make distinctive pieces which are often admired. Black and red coral also make popular jewellery items, whether locally produced or imported they make most unusual forms of jewellery. Rarotonga is blessed with many fragrant and exotic flowers, and these are used in locally produced perfumes, oils and soaps. The most fragrant scents are tipani (frangipani), tiare (gardenia), and pitate (jasmine). The islands’ handicrafts are highly prized. Wood carvings, fine grass skirts and baskets are all locally produced. The handicrafts may appear common in the shops, but back home they will make great conversation pieces. One of the first things a visitor should buy is a brightly coloured pareu. It is an all-purpose wrap around cloth garment easily worn by both men and women, and is ideal for casual wear in the hot island climate. A pareu sells for around NZ$15 (and upwards).

Dresses, skirts and blouses of the same material are popular with women. Men can pick up an island style aloha shirt of the same material for around NZ $25 to NZ $40 Joyce Peyroux Garments and TAV Ltd. are large local clothing manufacturers. For the discerning shopper with an eye for a good buy, TAV’s tropical sundresses can be bought at local outlets for half the price you might pay in Hawaii. Visitors should also check out the dozen or so clothing outlets for everything from island style clothing, made to measure garments and ready to wear exclusive imports.

Another memento of the Cooks could be one of a very colourful range of Cook Islands stamps - sought after the world over. Birds, fish, corals and flowers have all been featured in the stamps which make a very portable souvenir of the country and an asset to any collection. Similarly, Cook Islands banknotes are avidly sought by collectors throughout the world. Some of the older notes include a renowned image of ‘Ina and the Shark’ by local artist Rick Welland. If you appreciate art vou may like to add something or start a collection of your own. The Cook Islands’ superb climate and relaxed lifestyle have attracted a number of fine artists from foreign lands. These artists are keen to welcome visitors to their studios where works range from colourful tropical oil paintings to portraits, sketches and water colours of island scenes.