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Travel Tips for a Tahiti Vacation

Location of Tahiti
Tahiti and Her Islands lie halfway between California and Australia. It is an easy, 8 hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles or a 12 hour non-stop flight from New York’s JFK. You have the choice of several national airlines including: Air Tahiti Nui (voted 4th best airline in the world by Skytrax) Air France, Air New Zealand and Hawaiian Air (via Hawaii).

A Tropical Climate
French Polynesia enjoys a warm, tropical climate. The average temperature is about 79°F. We are a tropical destination blessed with lots of sun and enough rain to keep the waterfalls flowing and the flowers blooming. French Polynesia is well outside the South Pacific cyclone pattern, so there is no cyclone or hurricane season as is found in the Caribbean.

Water temperature remains fairly constant. It averages 79°F in the winter season (southern hemisphere) and 84F during the summer. From the ocean surface to 166' below there is only a one-half degree difference in temperature. Most people dive in a 2/3 mm wetsuit.

Time Difference
Tahiti and Her Islands are 2 hours behind Los Angeles. If it is noon in Los Angeles, it is 10 am in Tahiti. However, during Daylight Savings, the difference is 3 hours.

Entry Requirements for French Polynesia
Nationals of the USA and Canada are allowed to stay one month without a visa. You must have a valid US Passport VALID FOR SIX MONTHS FROM TRAVEL DATE and a return OR CONTINUING ticket.

Citizens of the following countries may stay 3 months without a visa: All countries of the European Union also citizens of Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican. Citizens of the following countries may stay 1 month without a visa: Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, United States and Uruguay.

Visitors from other nations in South America, Africa and Asia need to apply for their visa before entering French Polynesia. Visas for France are not valid.

Entry requirements may change at any moment. If you have any questions, please contact your nearest French Consulate or Embassy. Visas are issued in Tahiti and may take up to 3 weeks to be returned back to the French Consulate.

No immunizations are required for entry into Tahiti. However, visitors arriving from other countries that have infections such as cholera, yellow fever, and/or the plague as defined by the World Health Organization may be asked to present certificates of inoculations to gain entry.

International Airline Tickets
If you booked your international flight with True Tahiti you will be receiving e-Tickets. Once your account is paid in full, we will email you your tickets.

Receiving Your Travel Docs
When you arrive in Tahiti and exit customs, you are to walk straight ahead to the Tahiti Nui Travel Desk. There will be a representative in red standing next to a sign with your name on it. He/she will provide you all of the travel documents for your trip.

Baggage Restrictions
International: Air Tahiti Nui
Coach: Allowed 2 pieces at 23 kilos each (50 lbs).
First Class/Business: Allowed 2 pieces at 32 kilos each (70 lbs).
Infants (all classes): Allowed 1 piece at 10 kilos each (22 lbs) + 1 folding stroller.
Any piece over 32 kilos (70 lbs) will not be accepted and must be shipped as air freight.
A maximum of 4 pieces per passenger allowed (including the 2 free & 2 excess baggage).
Excess Charges
Excess Weight: For each bag in excess of 23kgs (50 lbs) and up to 32kgs (70 lbs), an excess fee of $25.00 will apply.
*Excess Piece(s): For each extra piece and up to 32kg’s (70lbs) maximum per bag, please contact the airline directly.
Inter-island:
Normally when flying inter-island on Air Tahiti, passengers are allowed baggage up to 20 kilos (44 lbs). There is however an exception for divers who may bring 25 kilos (55 lbs). To qualify you must present your dive certification card and international ticket at the check-in counter.

Luggage Carts
Luggage carts are free when you arrive at the international terminal. The Air Moorea terminal is about a 5-minute walk outside. If you are headed that way, we advise keeping your luggage in a cart. Outside of the international terminal you will need a 100 franc coin to use the carts.

Airline Seating
On all inter-island flights, try to sit on the left side of the airplane for the best view, except when flying to Tahiti from the Society Islands, sit on the right. There is no assigned seating.

Electrical Equipment
Electric voltage in French Polynesia is 220v. Most hotels have 110v outlets for electric razors. A converter/ adapter kit is typically needed for other appliances. We use the same plugs as in France with two round prongs.

Language
French and Tahitian are the official languages of French Polynesia. On the main islands, you will find English is spoken in all the hotels and in most shops and restaurants. Communication is rarely a problem. Find out more about the Tahitian language here.

Medical
Tahiti has an excellent health system with outstanding doctors, dentists and pharmacies. There are private clinics and a large hospital on the main island of Tahiti, while the outer islands have hospitals, dispensaries and/or private practitioners. There is a decompression chamber located on Tahiti.

Bugs & Sun
Humans are not the only ones who love paradise! We do have mosquitos. Most all of the large resorts spray daily for mosquitos, but the smaller pensions do not. They will however provide a mosquito coil and or net for your bed. Be sure to bring some mosquito repellant AND sunscreen!

Currency
The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (XFP). Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and boutiques. However, as you get to some of the outer islands in the Tuamotus you will find credit cards are accepted at fewer places. ATM machines are available but often malfunction with U.S. issued cards. As such, we do not encourage the use of ATM machines in the islands. You will also find the US dollar is accepted by many different establishments.

Telephone
The telephone system in Tahiti is very good and easy to use. There are many public phones booths throughout the islands. They are operated with phone cards (telecarte) that can be purchased at the airport coffee shop, some magazine stands, gift shops, and of course at the post office. Please note that many hotels charge very high rates for long distance calls to the US and Canada. Hotel long distance rates can be as high as $14/minute.

Cell Phones
Your phone must be compatible with the GSM 900 Mhz network. Call your provider to find out. For more information, click here to visit the VINI web site.

Alcohol & Cigarettes
Cocktails are expensive at the major resorts and some people like to save money by bringing their own alcohol. You are allowed to bring 2 liters of alcohol and 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of smoking tobacco.

Tipping
Traditionally, tipping has been contrary to the Tahitian custom of hospitality. It is neither required nor expected. However, if you receive particularly good service from someone the gesture will be appreciated. Mind you, they may not accept it but you will not be insulting them either. Note: In Tahiti, the prices quoted on menus and in stores are all inclusive. There are no hidden costs.

Tattoo by James Samuela, Moorea Tattoo

Tahitian Tattoos, Tattoo Artists in Tahiti
Tahiti is the birthplace of tattoo and many tourists who never even considered a tattoo, find their minds are changed after visiting Tahiti. There are many tattoo artists on each island of Tahiti and it’s important you feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Ask to see photos of their work. Many tattoo artists will show you drawings that are copies of other peoples work and it is only through photos, you will get a true sense of their capabilities. Once you find an artist you like, go for it. Tahitian tattoo is a highly respected art form and sought by travelers the world over! Jamues Samuela, co-owner of True Tahiti, is also one of Tahiti's most renowned tattoo artists. You will find James Samuela's Moorea Tattoo located on the main beach of the Moorea InterContinental Resort.

Dress
Tahiti & Her Islands are an extremely casual place. You will find yourself in bathing suits, t-shirts, shorts and/or sundresses. Cotton & linen are perfect tropical fabrics. The local pareo (sarong) is ideal to wear during the day and can even be dresed up at night. You will also find that outside of Papeete, shoes are seldom worn by locals or visitors. Instead, sandals and flip-flops are the norm. Most men wear shorts and perhaps slacks in the evening. For women -- light dresses and resort wear are appropriate eveningwear. Be sure to pack reef shoes for walking on coral and a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen to shield you from the tropical sun. Also bring some insect repellant as the mosquitoes seem to know exactly who the tourists are! You may want to bring a light plastic raincoat or a windbreaker for the occasional tropical downpour.

What to Bring on a Tahiti Vacation
Items such as sunscreen, bug repellant, 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. You may also 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 US, 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, particularly in the interior sections of the islands. Take care not to over-expose your body to the tropical sun and don’t forget to bring your personal medications. You may want to include asprin and band-aids.

Drinking Water
Although tap water in hotels and restaurants is generally safe to drink, we recommend buying some bottled water. You will find it to be much cheaper outside of the hotels at any of the local magazins (markets).

Personal Safety/Terrorism
Tahiti is very safe by any standard and violent crime is a rarity. Theft does happen occasionally, but you need not be concerned. Just don't be careless (all hotels have room safes). It is safe to walk anywhere at any time. As far as "terrorism" is concerned, this is probably the safest country you can visit. Low population, zero immigration policy and strict border control (only 1 point of entry) make these islands a haven of peace and safety. There is also a very pro-American sentiment at all levels of the population.

Good To Know
Should you encounter any coral cuts, blisters etc, the best way to prevent an infection from forming is to apply fresh lime juice to the cut.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included with the packages and other arrangements offered by True Tahiti Vacations; however for your protection and peace of mind, we highly recommend you insure yourself against trip cancellation, medical emergencies or illnesses and baggage loss. A search on Google will offer several different companies, we recommend insuremytrip.com.