French Polynesia Travel Guide

French Polynesia Travel Costs

Accommodation – A bed in a 4-5 bed dorm starts at 3,200 XPF ($32 USD) per night. Some dorms can be found for the same price but have upwards of 15 beds so just be sure to double-check if you don’t want to be stuck in a huge dorm. Free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities are standard. Many guesthouses with dorms also have outside barbeque areas as well.

Budget hotels start at 6,900 XPF ($68 USD) for a double. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and coffee/tea maker. Budget villas start at 11,500 XPF ($115 USD).

Airbnb is available around the region with private rooms starting at 5,100 XPF ($50 USD) per night. Entire homes/apartments cost around 12,600 XPF ($125 USD).

Wild camping isn’t prohibited here, however, there are a few campgrounds around the region costing 2,000 XPF ($19 USD) per night.

Keep in mind that only certain islands have budget-friendly accommodation. Bora Bora has fewer budget options than Moorea or Tahiti, so you’ll need to book in advance to secure the most budget-friendly accommodations there. Once you get into the remote Aural Islands or Marquesas, budget accommodation is virtually nonexistent.

Food – French Polynesian cuisine relies heavily on staples like fish, bananas, breadfruit (similar to jackfruit), and pork. You’ll find a heavy French influence, including delicious fresh baguettes. Food trucks (known as roulottes) are a cheap way to fill up on tasty snacks and meals. Poisson cru (marinated fish), poe (fruit pudding), and suckling pig are all common offerings.

Expect to pay around 1,800 XPF ($17 USD) for a meal at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine. For ethnic food like Chinese, you’ll pay about the same while a pizza costs around 1,400 XPF ($14 USD).

For a three-course meal of traditional food and a drink, prices start at 2,500 XPF ($25 USD). Beer and lattes/cappuccinos cost around 300 XPF ($3 USD) while a bottle of water costs 100 XPF ($1 USD).

For a week’s worth of groceries including staples like rice, fish, and seasonal produce, expect to pay 5,100-6,100 XPF ($50-60 USD).

Backpacking French Polynesia Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, prepare to spend 7,100-9,100 XPF ($70-90 USD) per day. On this budget, you can stay in a dorm room, cook most of your meals, eat the occasional meal from the food trucks, do cheap activities like hiking and snorkeling, limit your drinking, and stick to just one island/archipelago. If you camp you can lower your accommodation costs by 30%.

On a mid-range budget of 28,000 XPF ($275 USD) per day, you can stay in a budget hotel or Airbnb, eat out for all your meals, drink a little, go diving, and rent a car or scooter to get around.

A luxury budget of around 101,000 XPF ($1,000 USD) per day you can stay at four-star hotels, eat at any restaurant you want, fly or cruise to other islands, take guided excursions, rent a car, and indulge in spa visits. The sky is the limit!

This chart can give you a rough idea of day-to-day costs. Prices are in USD.

French Polynesia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

French Polynesia is an expensive place to try and visit on a budget. You really have to pick and choose your battles or you’ll blow through your budget within the first couple of days. Here are a few ways you can save money in French Polynesia:

• Look for package deals – You can often find package deals on sale that include hotels, food, and activities. Don’t hesitate to book a package deal if it’s cheaper.
• Limit your inter-island travel – Traveling between islands is expensive. Stick to just one or two if you’re on a budget.
• Skip the over-water bungalow – Unless it’s a bucket list dream and you want to splurge, skip booking those fancy over-water bungalows. Sure, they’re cool, but they are super expensive!
• Make sure breakfast is included – Book a hotel or guesthouse that includes breakfast. You’ll save a few bucks each day, which adds up!
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle. LifeStraw makes reusable bottles that have built-in filters that ensure you water is clean and safe.

Where To Stay in French Polynesia

Budget travelers have limited options here. Some guesthouses that have dorm rooms though and most include breakfast or have self-catering facilities too. Here are a few suggestions to help you save money in French Polynesia:

• Fare Om (Mo’orea)
• Pension Motu Iti (Mo’orea)
• Pension Te Miti (Tahiti)
• Deck Backpackers (Tahiti)
• Manomano Lodge (Tahiti)

How to Get Around French Polynesia

Ferries – Ferries are available between Tahiti and Moorea (45 minutes, 3,000 XPF/$30 USD) as well as Bora Bora and Maupiti (2 hours, 4,500 XPF/$50 USD). For islands further afield, such as the Marquesas or the Austral Islands, you’ll need to book a multi-day cruise or sailing charter to access them via boat (and you’ll pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to do so).

Buses – Buses are available on Tahiti. Fares are 200-600 XPF ($2-6 USD) depending on the distance. There are three main routes that more or less connect the whole island. Buses have set schedules, though they often detour from them to pick up random passengers so plan accordingly.

There are no buses on Bora Bora, however, private shuttles can take you around for 300-400 XPF ($3-4 USD).

Flying – Flying around French Polynesia is the most convenient way to get around. It’s also prohibitively expensive. The 1-hour flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora costs 45,000 XPF ($450 USD). The 3.5-hour flight from Tahiti to the Marquesas costs 69,000 XPF ($680 USD). Avoid flying if you’re on a budget.

Car rental– Car rentals can be found for as little as 3,550 XPF ($35 USD) per day. You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car but there’s no reason to rent a car here.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking around the islands is pretty easy and safe. Make sure you have plenty of time to get where you need to go. Signs aren’t really necessary, however, speaking a little French will go a long way. Hitchwiki is the best resource for hitchhiking, however, they currently don’t have much information on the islands.

When to Go to French Polynesia

The most popular time to visit French Polynesia is between June and August. The climate is at its driest and the weather sits comfortably around 25-35°C (77-95°F). This is also the busiest time of year so you may need to book in advance.

To beat the crowds, consider visiting in May or September. The weather is still perfect but you’ll have slightly fewer crowds.

It’s a little rainy between November and April, however, there will still be plenty of sunshine and humidity. Make sure to stay somewhere with AC to keep the humidity at bay.

How to Stay Safe in French Polynesia

Crime, including petty theft, is incredibly rare in French Polynesia. Keep your valuables secure, don’t flash expensive jewelry or cash, and lock your guest house when you leave. Do that and you’ll be fine.

Visitors are required to carry ID on them at all times so make sure to always have ID on you when you’re about. Dengue Fever can be an issue so be sure to get the vaccine before you go.

Tropical storms, including cyclones, can occur between November and April. Check the weather regularly before heading out on your own (especially if you’re going into the water).

There is a lot of coral here so bring water shoes to avoid getting cut when swimming.

While the main islands have decent medical facilities, keep in mind that evacuation or repatriation from here will likely cost over $10,000 USD. Medjet is great for that.

Make sure you have travel insurance. It will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

French Polynesia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

Below are my favorite companies to use when I travel to French Polynesia. They are included here because they consistently turn up the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are always my starting point when I need to book a flight, hotel, tour, train, or meeting people!

• Momondo – This is my favorite flight search engine because they search such a wide variety of sites and airlines. I never book a flight without checking here first.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is another great flight search engine which searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. While I always start with Momondo, I use this site too as a way to compare prices.
• Airbnb – Airbnb is a great accommodation alternative for connecting with homeowners who rent out their homes or apartments. The big cities have tons of listings!
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Intrepid Travel – If you want to do a group tour around French Polynesia, go with Intrepid Travel. They offer good small group sailing tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on a tour with anyone, go with them. And, as a reader of this site, you’ll get a discount when you click the link!
• Rome 2 Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. Just enter your departure and arrival destinations and it will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost. One of the best transportation website out there!
• Couchsurfing – This website allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting locals who can tell you the ins and outs of their city. The site also lists events you can attend to meet people (even if you’re not staying with someone).
• World Nomads – I buy all my travel insurance from World Nomads. They have great customer service, competitive prices, and in-depth coverage. I’ve been using them since I started traveling in 2003. Don’t leave home without it!
• Booking.com – The best all-around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have a no money down policy, great interface, and the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.

French Polynesia Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading on the road and need some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

What’s the best backpack for traveling long-term? I recommend the REI Flash 45 Pack. It’s light and comfy, front loading, and fits perfectly in an airplane’s overhead bin.
Size: 45-47L
Straps: Thick and cushy with compression technology that pulls the pack’s load up and inwards so it doesn’t feel as heavy.
Features: Removable top lid, large pocket at the front, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt

If you want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the best travel backpack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts (Unbound Merino is my preferred company. If you’re a member of NM+, you can get 15% off your purchase)
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 6 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 razor
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Band-Aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Earplugs
• Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad holiday)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water bottle with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List
I’m not a woman, so I don’t know what a woman wears, but Kristin Addis, our solo female travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the basics above:

Clothing

• 1 swimsuit
• 1 sarong
• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan

Toiletries

• 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you use
• Hair bands & hair clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate List For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack

French Polynesia Travel Guide: Suggested Reading

Tahiti Beyond the Postcard: Power, Place, and Everyday Life, by Miriam Kahn
While Tahiti and the islands are seen as a stunning paradise, the history of the region is much more complex. For over 30 years, France tested nuclear weapons in the area, much to the dismay of the local population. If you want to understand the country beyond how it is marketed in tourist magazines, this is a good book to start with as it strips away the romanticism to humanize the people and their struggles.
 
 
 

Tahiti: The Marriage of Loti, by Pierre Loti
This autobiographical novel is set in 1872 in Tahiti. It focuses on the budding love story between a local and a French naval officer and is a great example of the prevailing Imperialist attitudes at the time that romanticized the “exotic” colonies abroad. Not only does it provide insight into how the colonies were viewed historically, but the writing is haunting beautiful and the descriptions of the land are vivid and captivating.
 
 
 
Breadfruit , by Célestine Hitiura Vaite
A fun, insightful novel that sheds light on Tahiti, its culture, and specifically, it’s women. The book is the first in a series, written by French Polynesia Vaite who brings the island to life through her incredibly characters. It’s warm, funny, and will transport you directly to the tropics.
 
 
 
 
 
Kon-Tiki, by Thor Heyerdahl
In 1947, Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl set out from Chile in a balsam raft to prove that the South Sea Islands had been populated by South Americans, and not Asians as had been assumed. After 4,300 nautical miles, he was proven correct, carried to French Polynesia by the ocean’s currents. The book, as well as the 2012 film, bring this epic and dangerous journey to life. It’s one of the last great expeditions in modern history.