GENERAL INFORMATION
- Country Quickfacts
- Things to know before you go
- Arrival Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Islands at a glance
- Total Tahitian Experiences
- Cuisine of Tahiti
- Honeymooning & Weddings
- Tahiti Accommodation
AIR-LAND INCLUSIVE
From Canada
- Moorea
- Tahiti & Bora Bora
- Tahiti, Moorea & Bora Bora
- Tahiti, Moorea & Tikehau
- Tahiti, Moorea & Manihi
- M/S Paul Gauguin
From The US
- Moorea
- Tahiti & Bora Bora
- Tahiti, Moorea & Bora Bora
- Tahiti, Moorea & Tikehau
- Tahiti, Moorea & Manihi
- M/S Paul Gauguin
TRAVEL IDEAS
- Exotic Tahiti 3 days
- Tahiti Island Hopper 11 days
- Romantic Bora Bora 3 days
- Moorea 3 days
CRUISES
STAYS OF DISTINCTION
ONE STOP REZ CENTRE
Please help us improve our site by sending us feedback to .
Goway IslandsEscapes can arrange for you to stay at any of Tahiti's hotels and resorts.
FUN FACTS
• Hawaii gets more visitors in 10 days than Tahiti does in an entire year.
• Those things that look like mailboxes outside the homes of Tahitian residents are not for mail, but for French bread delivery. Residents get a fresh loaf dropped off twice a day. But alas, they must go to the post office to retrieve their mail!
• The letter "B" does not exist in the Tahitian language. Bora Bora is actually Pora Pora, meaning first born, but early visitors heard it as Bora Bora.
Tahiti & Her Islands
ARRIVAL GUIDE
Language
The official language of French Polynesia is French but many locals still speak traditional Tahitian language together. This language is called reo ma'ohi : "reo" means Tahitian.
The Tahitian language includes few hundred words but the complexity of the syntax makes it possible to build elaborate sentences. In hotels and tourist environment, English is also widely spoken.
Entry Requirements
U.S. and Canadian visitors need only a valid passport and round-trip ticket for stays of less than one month. Citizens of other countries should consult their travel agents or the French Consulate.
Departure Tax
No Departure Tax.
Time Difference
Polynesia (*) is GMT - 10. (10 hours behind the Greenwich Meridian time)
Currency and Exchange Rate
The currency used in French Polynesia is the French Pacific Franc ("XPF" or "CFP"). Its exchange rate with the Euro is fixed flat rate (no fluctuation). Although US dollars are widely accepted in most tourist places, the applied rate is likely to be 1 USD = 100 XPF.
We advise you to exchange your home currency into French Pacific francs upon arrival either at Tahiti international airport or at any bank of Papeete.
Bank notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
Tipping
Although not forbidden, tipping is not usual in French Polynesia and consequently it is not expected. But of course, if you feel that you were well attended, your tip will always be appreciated.
Business Hours
Stores are open weekdays from 7:30 am. to 11:30 am. and from 1:30 pm. to 5 or 6 pm. Downtown Papeete, most of the shops also open on Saturday mornings. Many services are still not available on Sundays. Always check with your hotels or your host before.
Banks are always closed on Saturdays & Sundays.
Hospitals & Clinics in Papeete
In French Polynesia, medical care is generally very satisfactory and medical infrastructure is comparable to what you would find in most developed countries. The most modern facilities are located in Tahiti.
Hospitals and private clinics are mostly concentrated in Papeete. The most famous and modern entities are the Mamao City Hospital as well as Cardella and Paofai private clinics. They are open 24 hours. But you will also find an hospital in Raiatea, Nuku Hiva as well as large infirmaries in the Australs and Tuamotu archipelagoes.
- Hospital Mamao : Tel (689) 42 01 01 or (689) 46 62 62
- Clinic Cardella : Tel (689) 46 04 25
- Clinic Paofai : Tel (689) 46 18 18
This emergency unit of doctors and medical personnel will come to your hotel in Tahiti to attend to your needs :* SOS Medecins : Tel (689) 42 34 56
Pharmacies
You will find many pharmacies in Papeete area and several around the island. The pharmacies rotate night and weekend or holiday duty. You can check with your hotel to find out which one is open.
Telephone
Direct dialing for local and international phone calls is available everywhere in French Polynesia. Local phone numbers are composed of 6 digits and the country code for French Polynesia is 689. Note that there is no area code applicable. The unit is worth 33 CFP.
You can either call from your hotel or from a public phone. Calling cards are available for purchase at any post offices, newspapers stores or shops with phone booths nearby.
Power Voltage
Power voltage used in French Polynesia is 220 Volts (60 Hz). Be sure to double-check your appliances compatibility before plugging them in. Converters / adaptors are usually available upon request at your hotel front desk.
