TRAVEL TIPS FOR TAHITI AND
FRENCH POLYNESIA

All travelers must present a valid passport to board a flight to French Polynesia. Your first and last name on your passport must match your international air tickets. You will also be asked to present your passport to clear "Customs" in French Polynesia and upon return from French Polynesia. Your passport must be valid for 180 days beyond your return date. U.S. and Canadian citizens only need a valid passport and do not need a VISA to enter French Polynesia. Citizens of all other countries may need a VISA in addition to a valid passport and should consult the nearest French Consulate or French Embassy as early as possible. It can take several weeks to obtain a VISA. It is solely the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that all needed documents are complete and up to date for valid entry into the country.

The Pacific French Franc (CFP) is the currency used in French Polynesia. It is not valued the same as the EURO. The average value of the CFP in relation to the US Dollar has been running: US $1 = 80-90 CFP

Normally, the best exchange rates are received when you pay by credit card. Most major credit cards including American Express, Visa and Master Card are accepted at hotels and most restaurants and shops on larger islands. It is always best to confirm current policy directly with each establishment. Traveler checks are widely accepted. Generally, a better exchange rate is given for traveler checks than for cash. Banks will provide the best rate for currency or traveler’s check exchange. Banks are located in Faaa Airport in Papeete Airport and on most islands. Hotels also exchange currency and traveler checks but may give a less favorable rate. U.S. currency may be accepted as direct payment in hotels, restaurants and large shops, but will get a low rate of exchange. There are a few ATM machines available the main islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, which you may use with your major credit card or debit card.

Please note that some credit card issuers may charge a fee for any transactions outside of the U.S., so you should contact your provider to verify any charges you may incur for using your credit card in French Polynesia.

Historically, tipping has been contrary to the Tahitian custom of hospitality. While tipping is still not a common practice, it is beginning to be seen in some restaurants and hotels on the larger islands of Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tahiti. Still, there are no hidden service charges, prices quoted on menus, hotels, or shops are all inclusive, and you need not tip.

Items such as sunscreen, batteries, videotape, film, tennis balls etc. tend to be very expensive in French Polynesia. A bottle of sunscreen can easily cost $25+ in store. We suggest you bring plenty of these items for your trip.

Before you go, you may want to purchase an inexpensive disposable underwater camera to take pictures while snorkeling or during shark feeding excursions. Disposable underwater cameras can be purchased for around $8 in most chain stores in the United States. However, they cost as much as $40+ in Tahiti.

As with any tropical climate, we suggest you bring insect repellant as a precaution for mosquitoes, which can, on occasion, be annoying in the interior sections of the islands.

You will also find that outside of Papeete, shoes are seldom worn by the locals or visitors. Instead, sandals and "flip flops" tend to be the "norm" for this casual environment.
Clothing should be light, even in the evenings which remain pleasantly mild. You may need a light plastic rain-coat or a windbreaker for the odd tropical downpour, a hat to shield you from the tropical sun, drivers license, reef or water shoes, mask and snorkel (many hotels and cruise ships will have loaners) a supply of photo film or video tapes, sun glasses, aspirin, possibly a large beach towel, band-aids, personal medications, etc.

There are small grocery stores on each island and most are usually within walking distance of your hotel. You can purchase soft drinks, fresh baguettes, cheeses, croissants, pastries, snack foods, juices, etc. at prices that are not much higher than in North America. After a few days of expensive hotel breakfasts and paying $5 for bottled water at your hotel, you may wish to visit these stores to stock up on items that would allow you to prepare your own simple "in room" breakfast or lunches and help spare your pocket book.

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On Manihi, Tikehau, Rangiroa, and Huahine there are virtually no restaurants outside the hotels. However, Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti each have several good restaurants located outside the hotels. These restaurants range in service from small, simple, family owned businesses to large, elegant dining. In many cases the restaurants outside the hotels tend to be less expensive than hotel restaurants and offer excellent food selections. We encourage you to try some of the local restaurants, not only to give you a wider selection of atmosphere and food, but also to make it easier on your wallet!

You should consider using a calling card, public phone, or a prepaid phone card that can be purchased in many places in the islands