Organize your stay French Polynesia
Money French Polynesia
The currency in French Polynesia is the Pacific franc (symbol: XPF or CFP - Change Franc Pacifique). In this guide, we'll use the XPF symbol, which is the most widely used in Polynesia. There is no fluctuation between the euro and the Polynesian franc, so the exchange rate remains constant. 1 € = 119.33 XPF. 1,000 XPF = approx. €8.38. Your local purse will be filled with coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 XPF, and bills of 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 XPF.
Budget & Tips French Polynesia
In French Polynesia, life isn't all about low prices... Between import duties, taxes and transport costs, bills quickly climb.
Here'sa rough guide (they do, of course, tend to vary between supermarkets, restaurants and hotels): a baguette costs around 190 XPF in Tahiti (more expensive in the outlying islands), a viennoiserie 240 XPF, and a cocktail between 800 and 1,400 XPF. How about a sandwich? Between 250 and 1,000 XPF, and the famous raw fish between 1,000 and 1,800 XPF. For a dish of the day, count 1,000 XPF in a snack bar, and from 1,500 in a restaurant. Feeling a little thirsty? Bottled water costs between 280 and 450 XPF, coffee between 200 and 450 XPF, and draught beer between 400 and 800 XPF. Oh, and don't forget: in Bora Bora, the price goes even higher!
To get the most out of Tahiti and its islands, plan on spending a minimum of €3,000 to €3,900 per person for a 10-day stay (the minimum to soak up the Polynesian atmosphere), including airfare from Paris and some of the islands, in a comfortable setting close to the locals, with guesthouse-style accommodation. Add around €50 to €130 per person per day for a "classic" stay with accommodation in a classified hotel and half-board at the hotel. Add another €150 to €400 per person per day for a stay in a luxury bungalow-style hotel on stilts, with organized excursions and sports activities. These tips are based on double-occupancy rates, because if you go it alone, everything costs more.
Ten days is indeed the minimum to hope to catch a glimpse of the immense Polynesia, but it's still not enough to soak up its gentle way of life. It's barely enough to discover two or three of the most touristy islands, and there are five archipelagos to visit! Depending on your budget, you can reasonably expect to spend between two and three weeks in such a remote destination, to get a good feel for the country (i.e. between €3,500 and €6,500).
All stores, restaurants and cafés display their prices inclusive of all taxes, but this is not always the case with accommodation, especially family-run guesthouses, where prices are sometimes quoted exclusive of tax and sometimes inclusive of tax: check before you book!
On the spot, you'll find it easy to withdraw cash on the major islands and tourist attractions. Beware, however, that this will not be the case everywhere: some small islands, such as Maupiti, are not equipped with ATMs! So take the precaution of withdrawing enough money on arrival, especially as small establishments generally don't accept credit cards.
Passport and visas French Polynesia
A biometric passport valid for six months after return is required for travel to French Polynesia (in the event of an extended or unscheduled stopover in the USA). Nationals of Monaco, Switzerland, the European Union and Canada benefit from a three-month visa-free stay.
If you are passing through the United States, even for a short transit, you must fill out an ESTA application on the Internet, which costs US$21 per person (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/). Be sure to check that you're on the official site, as there are a number of sites that give the impression of being government sites, and which will have no qualms about charging you more. Allow around 72 hours for your application to be validated (or not). Authorization is valid for 2 years, so make sure you have proof of approval (the printed confirmation, for example).
In addition, all goods must be declared and the corresponding duties paid at the customs office (see www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr).
Driver's license French Polynesia
You will need your driver's license if you plan to rent a vehicle or even take part in a quad bike tour. Think about it!
Health French Polynesia
Tahiti's health situation and overall hospital infrastructure are comparable to those of Western countries. Tahiti has two clinics (Cardella and Paofai) and two hospitals (Mamao territorial hospital, near Papeete, and Taravao hospital). It goes without saying that French Polynesia has the best supply of general practitioners and specialists. Elsewhere, only Moorea and Raiatea have hospitals. On all the islands, you can normally consult a doctor or, failing that, a dispensary nurse. In the event of a major emergency on an insufficiently equipped island, you will be repatriated to Tahiti by Evasan (medical evacuation): by helicopter, you will be taken to the nearest hospital.
In addition to sunburn and sunstroke, nono bites, tourista and coral wounds, beware of mosquitoes at all costs! Although Polynesia has no predators for humans, this pesky insect can potentially cause you a lot of trouble: dengue fever is relatively widespread here, as is chikungunya, and zika to a lesser extent. Almost all Polynesians have caught them, and all will tell you that it's no fun at all... These diseases can be dangerous, so protect yourself well. Forget metropolitan mosquito repellents and buy some locally: Off and Aerogar are far more effective. If you're a bit "anti", remember that the risk-benefit ratio for a two- or three-week stay is unquestionably in favor of these products, despite their dubious chemical composition. A more natural alternative is monoi citronella.
Last but not least, in humid conditions, scars take much longer to disappear than in our latitudes, and are also more easily infected. So be sure to disinfect your wounds.
Mandatory vaccination French Polynesia
No mandatory vaccination to travel to Polynesia: it's always one less thing to deal with before departure!
Security French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a relatively safe destination, only the risk of cyclone deserves special attention if you plan a trip during the rainy season (roughly from November to April).
On the spot, one of the main dangers may be found on the roads. French Polynesia is indeed one of the regions of France where the number of road deaths is the highest in proportion to the population. Don't expect the traffic conditions of emerging countries either - rules exist and are enforced - but pay special attention to pedestrians, cyclists, dogs and scooters, the main victims of the road, who can appear at any time in front of your bumper. At night, be extra careful! It is not uncommon to come across children riding bicycles with no lights, no brakes, and sometimes even riding the wrong way "to better see the cars coming". Be very careful!
Beyond this risk, rare violent outbursts can occur in discotheques when the atmosphere is at its peak and the alcohol starts to take effect. In this case, it is better to leave the establishment than to find yourself in the middle of a fight.
Visitors should also respect the local spirit and adapt their culture to Polynesian life, not impose it. An open-minded attitude will lead to surprising and pleasant encounters, while a lack of respect will lead, as in any country, to discord. These negative examples are relatively rare, but it is advisable to report them in order to be able to react in the best way and have an excellent stay.
The French national police are present in Tahiti and the only police station in the territory is located in Papeete, on Avenue Bruat. In the islands, the gendarmerie is in charge of the surveillance of the territory and is sometimes the only one to represent the French State. They know the country well, its problems and dangers, and will be able to direct you for any difficulty. Some urban communes also have a municipal police force. In general, the welcome is smiling, the flower in the ear, and the civil servants are friendly and helpful.
Time difference French Polynesia
In French Polynesia, the time is GMT -10. As France is at GMT +01, there is a time difference of -12 hours in summer and -11 hours in winter between Polynesia and the mainland. Example: when it is 11am in Paris on D-Day in summer, it is 11pm in Tahiti on D-Day-1. When it is 10am in Paris on D-Day in winter, it is 11pm in Tahiti, day D-1. However, there are a few exceptions: the Marquesas archipelago is half an hour ahead of Tahiti; the Gambier archipelago, one hour. Easy!
Spoken languages French Polynesia
The official language in Polynesia is French, and almost everyone speaks it correctly. So you will have no trouble being understood. However, although they have long been banned, ancestral languages still exist on some islands of the archipelago. This is notably the case of the Marquesan in the Marquesas, and the Austral, who still speak practically one language per island (except Tubuai, which lost its language to Tahitian). The paumotu of the Tuamotu and the mangarevien of the Gambier Islands are less and less practiced; the Tahitian on the other hand, officially recognized since 1980, is used in everyday life, just like French, on the rest of the territory. The staff of hotels and tourist establishments also speak English, more rarely German or Japanese.
Communication French Polynesia
Communicating in Polynesia in 2025 is much easier than it was even ten years ago: cell phone reception is relatively good (on the main islands, well enough to make calls and send text messages), and broadband has even arrived in Tahiti and on ten islands in the Tuamotu and Marquesas! Overall, connection speeds are "acceptable", but slower on the islands than in Tahiti (or even much slower!). Most of the tourist islands have at least one place to connect; if not, restaurants, guesthouses and hotels are generally equipped with wifi. The latter sometimes charge for the service.
Today, there are two Internet service providers in French Polynesia: Vini, which enjoyed a lucrative monopoly for many years, and Vodafone. Both offer solutions tailored to visitors, with a SIM card costing just a few hundred XPF, to be topped up with phone credit and/or Internet data. Top-ups can be purchased online, in any store or at any post office in the territory.
Electricity and measurements French Polynesia
Everything is 220 volts, with the same plugs as in France, although some luxury hotels offer both 110 volts and 220 volts. But it is 60 Hz, against 50 Hz in France. If this does not pose a problem for most appliances, some of them may run 1.2 times faster (60 divided by 50).
In the remote islands, electricity is often private, thanks to generators, or solar. It is more and more rare to find 24 volts, but it still exists.
As in France, we speak in meters, kilometers, grams and kilos.
Luggage French Polynesia
A few shorts, Bermuda shorts, T-shirts, blouses and swimsuits will suffice. For evenings, light pants and a blouse will do the trick. For your feet, opt for boat shoes (without socks, of course!), and pack a pair of tennis shoes for walks. Don't forget your aquashoes (those famous waterproof PVC shoes, e.g. Tribord from Decathlon) for less sandy seabeds, and of course, the essential flip-flops to complete the "I'm on vacation in paradise" look.
Sweaters stay in the closet (unless you're planning to visit the Australs), as do suits. Casual is the rule, so much so that even businessmen and government ministers don't swap their pareos and floral shirts for suits except on very special occasions or when traveling abroad.
As for ties, members of the Mormon Church are practically the only ones to wear them in the country. You'll see them riding their bicycles with their helmets on all the islands of Polynesia. Even in Tahiti's most exclusive hotels and clubs, you'll have no trouble getting in wearing jeans, sneakers and a T-shirt. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs generally prohibit shorts, sandals and tank tops, so any other garment will do.
