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| Learn about Tahiti
| | Visitors to Tahiti and her Islands ponder this weighty question while strolling on world-class sunny beaches, snorkeling over stunning coral reefs, or idling away the day on the balmy, secluded quiet of their over-water bungalow. Whatever the answer, no one goes home unimpressed. The word is spreading quickly. Tahitian tourism is steadily rising, especially among North Americans - generally upper-middle and higher income people who stay a week to ten days, visiting more than one island. " Tahiti " names both the largest island and, in common parlance, the five archipelagoes comprising French Polynesia , officially a French Territory . The ratio of water to land area is amazing. Spread across an astounding 1.5 million square miles of ocean are 118 islands with only 1,544 square miles of land, Tahiti is not only vast, these are truly wide open spaces. Tahiti may be "down under" (below the Equator), but surprisingly it is in Hawaii's time zone, just 2 hours behind US west coast / Pacific Standard Time (three hours during Daylight Saving time, April through October). Upscale, commercial and westernized French Polynesia is what visitors find on the islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora where luxury and conveniences match anything in America or Europe . The bustling capital, Papeete (pah-pee-ay-tay), sets the tone for the island of Tahiti . But there is another " Tahiti ", the one adventurers may find more enchanting. On the outer islands such as Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea , Manihi and Rangiora, fewer conveniences also mean less traffic, fewer tourists, lower prices and, in some cases, even more beautiful natural settings. Getting closer to to native French Polynesians, say, in the street markets, may be easier on the remote islands. Wherever one goes in French Polynesia four things stand out as life enchantments: memorable landscapes and seascapes, diverse recreational options, delicious and interesting food both in restaurants and on the streets, and smiling, friendly local people. A winning combination. Tahiti lies between Australia and California , seven and one-half hours by air from Los Angeles , slightly below the Equator. TOP | | What is the Time difference Between the US and Tahiti? | | Polynesia is GMT - 10 which means 10 hours behind the Greenwich Meridian time. But don't forget that Gambier Islands are 1 hour ahead of Tahiti and Marquesas islands 30 minutes. USA Pacific Time: when it is noon Pacific Time, it is 10:00 am in Papeete USA Eastern Time : when it is noon Eastern Time, it is 7:00 am in Papeete France : when it is noon in France, it is midnight in Papeete
Japan : when it is noon in Tokyo on Tuesday, it is 05:00 pm in Papeete on Monday
New Zealand : when it is noon in Auckland on Tuesday, it is 02:00 pm in Papeete on Monday. TOP
| | What is the Power voltage?
| Power voltage used in French PPowerolynesia 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. TOP
| | “PK” & geographical addresses ? | Even in Papeete (Tahiti), very few businesses or individuals have a well defined geographical address with a street number and name. Polynesians use some major points of interest as a referral and then spot the address.
In larger islands like Tahiti, Moorea, locals use 3 parameters to indicate an address
* PK that stands for Point kilometer + a number
* Seaside or mountainside compared with the road
* West or East coast
ex : PK 18.5 / mountain side – West coast
This address would be located on the west coast at 15 kilometers away from downtown Papeete on the mountain side. TOP | | 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.
But many services are still not available on Sundays. Always check with your hotels or your host before. For instance, banks are always closed on Saturdays & Sundays. TOP | | Where I can do my Laundry?
| All the first-class hotels in Tahiti and Her Islands have laundry service and there is a dry-cleaning service in Papeete and Faa'a. TOP
| | Camera & Film processing? | Because of salt water causing definitive damage to your camera, we would advise you not to bring highly sophisticated cameras on all sea excursions. One simple way to handle this is to buy a small disposable camera when you wish to take pictures on the lagoon. Some of these cameras can go underwater.
Remember that the lagoon becomes a mirror on sunny days. Pay great attention to the excess luminosity and exposure.
In Tahiti, a 24-hour film processing service is available in some shops. In other islands, it can be much longer. As for the rates, they are often much more expensive than at home. TOP | | What aboutTips? | 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. TOP | | Mail or Bottle to the Ocean?
| Polynesian post offices offer the same kinds of services as you would find in your home country and are generally open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mail sent to Europe and the U.S.A. will reach its destination within 8 to 15 days.
Note that apart from Papeete, the mail is not individually distributed in French Polynesia. We use the P.O. boxes of our neighboring post office. TOP | | Telephone? | Direct dialing for local and international phone calls is available everywhere in French Polynesia. The unit is worth 33 CFP. Local phone numbers are composed of 6 digits and there is no area code applicable. You can either call from your hotel or from a public phone with calling cards that are available for purchase at any post offices, newspapers stores or shops with phone booths nearby.
You will also be able to call with your GSM cel phone using the local network VINI.
* To call your country from any local phone (*), please dial the following numbers :
00 + International code + Area code
+ phone number
(*) some exceptions may apply if you are calling from your hotel room. Please check with the reception desk. | International codes | | Argentina | 54 | France | 33 | Portugal | 351
| | Australia | 61 | Italy | 39 | U.K. | 44 | | Belgium | 32 | Japan | 81 | U.S.A. | 1 | | Brazil | 55 | Monaco | 33 | Switzerland | 41 | | Canada | 1 | Norway | 47 | Germany
| 49 | | Chile | 56 | Caledonia | 687 | Spain
| 34 | | Colombia | 57 | New Zeland
| 64 | | | TOP | | Do Polynesian speak English? | The official language of French Polynesia is French but many locals still speak reo ma'ohi, that is to say one of the local languages (reo means language). Besides, many Polynesians speak English. TOP
| | Driving around | In Polynesia, people drive on the right side of the road. Rules, signals, priorities are the same as in Europe.
There is only one essential precaution: drive slowly. Actually, the roads are often narrow and not always well maintained and may present some holes especially after heavy rains and hairpin curves are often not indicated. Finally, pedestrians and even the two-wheel vehicles are carefree. You will meet on a daily basis people alone or within a group jogging in the middle of the road or kids crossing highways.
Don’t be in a hurry. Remain calm. You would not want to waste your holidays to save a couple of minutes! TOP | | Safety | Good news! Polynesia is one of safest places on earth.
Tourists don't need to be concerned with safety. Actually, delinquency, thefts and aggressions are practically non-existent on most islands. Tahiti is surely the worst regarding this issue but remains very quiet compared with most Europeans or US cities. TOP | | Customs | Upon your arrival in French Polynesia, you must declare all goods you are carrying with you and pay the relevant duties and taxes to the customs office.
No duties or taxes to pay
You can profit from the following franchises per person :
* 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of smoking tobacco
* 2 bottles of alcohol, champagne or wine
* 1 bottle of perfume (50 g) and 1 bottle of Eau de Toilette (1/4 l)
* 500 grams of coffee
* 100 grams of tea
Nevertheless, alcoholic beverages and tobacco are not permitted for people under the age of 17.
Prohibited items
Drugs, counterfeit items or cultured pearls (not declared at the time of entry) of non-French Polynesian origin.
Prohibited goods unless prior authorization
* Domestic pets
* Importation of live animals, animal’s products, products of animal origin
Contact : "Food and Veterinary Department" for further information
PO Box 100 - Papeete
Tahiti
Tel (689) 42 81 47
Fax (689) 42 08 31
* Plants, plant products and other goods subject to sanitary control
Contact : “Plant Protection Department” for further information
PO Box 100 - Papeete
Tahiti
Tel port (689) 54 45 85
Tel airport (689) 82 49 99
* Cultural objects, works of art, antiques and medicines (home customs)
* Guns, weapons and all kinds need a certificate of authorization issued by the high Commissioner’s office in Tahiti
* Telephone, telecommunication equipments, radio gear, VHF, radar need an import license issued by the post and telecommunication office or by the Telecommunication division of the high Commissioner’s office in Tahiti.
In any case, it is strongly recommended to seek advice from Customs before your departure. TOP
| | Vaccinations
| A certificate of vaccination against tetanus, hepatitis A and B is recommended (but not compulsory) to all travelers.
Attention: a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for travelers coming from zones known as infected.
Other than that, no specific vaccination is obligatory to enter French Polynesia. TOP | | Medical Care | 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 developped countries. The most modern facilities are located in Tahiti but you will also find an hospital in Raiatea, Nuku Hiva as well as large infirmaries in the Australs and Tuamotu archipelagoes.
The most famous and modern hospitals and private clinics are mostly concentrated in Papeete and open 24 hours :
· Mamao Hospital : Tel (689) 42 01 01 or (689) 46 62 62
· Clinic Cardella : Tel (689) 46 04 25
· Clinic Paofai : Tel (689) 46 18 18
Moreover, 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.
Medical evacuations (Evasan)
They are carried out by Air Tahiti planes or by helicopters and will conduct you to the nearest hospital.
To think about when packing
A first aid kit should have: antibiotics, an anti-diarrhea product, a moisturizer, an antihistamine, a disinfectant, aspirin, bandages, a pair of sunglasses, an mosquito repellent, a pomade to care for punctures and cuts, a sun cream, a pair of scissors, tweezers, alcohol, a thermometer as well as a small case of sterile material, needles, and compresses. | | Natural dangers | The sun
For those whose skin is sensitive to sun exposure, we do not recommend using monoi or one of its derivatives that won't protect enough against UV. Actually, UV are responsible for damaging epidemics cells which release substances dilating the blood vessels: it is sunburn. The middle-term effects consist in tiredness, cramps and an unquenchable thirst. You must know that one hour of sun exposure is equivalent to 8 km of walking! The long term effects are early and accelerated ageing skin and cancer as well. We advise you to avoid the sun at its peak moments -between 11am to 3pm, and to limit yourself to only two hours of exposure a day, and finally to drink abundantly.
Dengue fever and mosquitoes
Mosquitoes may disturb tourist life but there are some precautions to take. There are many products on the market with which you can rub or spray on yourself. Dengue fever comes from female mosquitoes that are infected with a virus which will be transmitted to humans while biting. The first symptoms appear brutally : high fever, headaches and muscular pains associated with a strong feeling of tiredness that will last for 4 to 7 days. Best is to rest in bed and to take some pills of Doliprane. There are 5 or 6 different forms of dengue fever and the most dangerous one will lead to internal hemorrhage if not treated properly. This is why aspirin must be absolutely avoided.
Shark
Probability of being attacked by a shark is minimum but it is strongly advised to keep at the distance with this wild animals. Ciguatera
It appears in zones where coral has been destroyed and where toxic algae proliferate. These are eaten by fishes -sea-perch, emperors, parrot-fish, jack crevallis, surgeon fish- whose flesh becomes toxic. Then the disease is transmitted to human. It is strongly advised to eat head, viscera and roe. The symptoms of Ciguatera are a tingling sensation in the face and hands, vomiting and diarrhoea. The treatment is symptomatic and in case of serious dehydration, hospitalization can be necessary. Shark Probability of being attacked by a shark is minimum but it is strongly advised to keep at the distance with this wild animals.
Coral
Coral is in reality a calcareous concretion made by animals called polyps to protect themselves from predators. Scratches are thus frequent and red blotches may appear on the wound. A good tip is to put lemon juice on any scratches as soon as you get out of water. Actually, even a minor wound can infect rapidly under the tropics. In the event of a very strong infection, see a doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic. We advise you to wear plastic sandals when bathing among the corals or walking on coral reef.
Bite
Cones, sea urchins, starfish, stone fish can bite. The best protection is to wear plastic sandals when bathing among the corals or walking on coral reef, and the best advice is not to try to touch them voluntarily. On the spot, clean the wound with a disinfectant and go and see immediately a doctor. TOP
| | Food & water | The Tahitian food is mainly made out of natural fresh products such as fruits and vegetables that are sold every day at Papeete Market for instance. Meat is also safe, either produced here or imported from New zealand. Moreover, sea-product-lovers will enjoy the great diversity of fish -from lagoon or deep-sea fishing- prepared in dozen different ways.
Tap water is only completely safe in Papeete and Bora Bora ; elsewhere prefer local bottled spring water like Eau Royale or Vaimato that are of good quality. Besides, all sorts of French mineral waters are also available.
In the event of diarrhea it is suggested you avoid eating raw fruit and vegetables as well as frozen foods and replace the above with rice and a lot of drinking. TOP | | Currency and Exchange Rate
| The currency used in French Polynesia is the Franc of the "Compagnie Française du Pacifique" usually called French Pacific Franc. Its abbreviation is XPF or CFP.
Its exchange rate with the Euro is fixed flat rate (no fluctuation). 1 Euro (€) = 119.33 Pacific Franc (XPF) Although US dollars are widely accepted in most tourist places, we suggest 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. TOP
| | Credit Cards & ATM’s | Major credit cards (American Express, Dinners, Visa, and MasterCard) are generally accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops of Tahiti. On the other hands, they are refused on markets, smaller shops and generally on smaller islands.
Many ATM’s are available 24h/24 in Tahiti (check the waterfront), Moorea and Bora Bora. Moreover, the Bank of Polynesia and Socredo have offices at Faa’a international airport. But again, one should be aware that this is not the case on smaller islands. TOP
| | Cost of living, taxes, VAT | Your budget
French Polynesia is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Since all products are imported, transportation charges have to be added to most goods prices. Additional high import taxes worsen this situation. On some products and services, European and US rates can be doubled or tripled.However, it is possible to minimize your expenses. The easiest is obviously to buy an all inclusive stay. But if you wish to travel freely, note that a housing in a pension in double occupancy will cost you on average 100 USD per night and as much as five times more in a deluxe resort. If you agree to live in harmony with the local inhabitants (to eat a fish dish with rice daily), you will spend a minimum 20 USD a day, not including lodging.
Common rates:
* draft beer: 450 XPF
* coffee: 220 XPF
* sandwich: 350 XPF
* meal for 2 in a standard restaurant: 8,000 XPF (wine included)
Tourist Taxes
1. A tourist development tax for classified hotels rooms and tourist international cruises only * 5% for classified hotels rooms * 200 XPF per person and per day for international cruises
2. A visitor tax only in Bora Bora, Moorea-Maiao, Huahine, Rangiroa, Papeete, Faa’a, Punaauia
* 150 XPF per person per day on international classified hotels and international cruises
* 50 XPF per person per day on non-classified hotels
Children under the age of 12 staying with their parents are exempted
These taxes are supposed to be used to protect nature & environment, create public infrastructures, support local events as Hawaiki Nui Vaa'a, Heiva, create panoramic sites...
V.A.T.
* The Value Added Tax (or TVA in French) was added in 1998 on all goods and services, including accommodations, food & beverages, room and meal packages, transportation, activities and excursions.
All the restaurant, shops, boutiques, services, activities prices are all tax included. TOP
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