Top Reasons to Go

Get Away From it All: Rarotonga, The Cook Islands' principal landmass, is a cool 700 miles southeast of Tahiti, its nearest neighbor.

Be Supportive, Economically: Tourism is the main industry on these teeny tiny islands, providing nearly 70 percent of the country's GDP.

Take Home a Truly Unique Souvenir: If you have a driver's license elsewhere, you can get one on the Cook Islands for just NZ$20.

Explore the Undersea: Get your PADI certification or forgo it for snorkeling in the crystal clear blue waters.

Gorge Yourself on Fruit: Produce is seasonal, and when it rains, it pours; avocados, mangoes, passion fruit, guava, and oranges are all sweet, plentiful, and cheap.