The 20 MUST-KNOW when you travel to Tahiti:

-VISA/PASSPORT

Every visitor to the United States must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the date of departure. No visa is required for citizens of a country that has a visa waiver agreement with the United States.

Countries with visa waiver agreements include:
Canada, France, most European Union countries, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand

PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds travelers from the 27 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries that as of June 26, 2005, they must have a machine-readable passport to enter the United States without a visa. Citizens from other countries require a tourist visa good for 90 days that can be obtained from the nearest U.S. consulate.

As Entry Requirements and Customs Regulations are subject to change without notice, always check with your travel arranger and/or the proper authorities before traveling internationally. It is the responsibility of each passenger to carry the proper travel documentation and to meet the entry conditions of each country on their itinerary

-AIRPORT/AIRLINE

Flight times:

AIR TAHITI NUI

From Los Angeles to Papeete: 8h ( non –stop)

From New York (JFK) to Papeete: 12 h / 40 m from gate to gate ( non-Stop)

Baggage Allowance:

For Adult/Child Economy Class:
1 carry-on max 22lbs *Plus personal item (No carry-ons for infant)
2 Checked bags max 50 lb (Infants 1 piece max 22 lbs, plus folding Stroller. )

For Adult/Child First Business Class:
1 carry-on  max 22lbs *Plus personal item (No carry-on for infant)
2 Checked bags max 70 lb 32 kg (Infants 1 piece max 22 lbs, plus folding Stroller. )

In addition to your maximum allowance, the following personal items are permitted in the cabin (except infants): Walking stick, cane or crutches, Handbag or pocket book, Small camera case or binoculars, Infant bag or baby food, Briefcase or laptop computer with case.

Any piece that weighs over 70 lbs / 32 kg's will not be accepted and must be shipped as AIR FREIGHT

Air Tahiti Nui has interline agreements with many carriers for our connecting passengers. Therefore most Airlines can transfer your baggage to our Airlines. Minimum connecting times in Los Angeles are 3 hours.

-TIME DIFFERENCE to US, east 5-6 hours and west coast 2-3 hours

-CALLING TAHITI FROM THE US: 011 689 + Number

-CALLING THE US FROM TAHITI: 001…number

-LANGUAGE: French, Tahitian, English is widely spoken in tourist areas and hotels.

-ARRIVAL IN PAPEETE: It takes about 2 hours to clear immigration/customs, get your luggage and meet our agency outside the Faaa Airport Terminal. Our agency will meet you with a traditional flower lei you will see your name on a big white board when you come out of customs) and exchange Vouchers  and inter-island tickets with you. You will also receive a detailed day by day itinerary with pick up/drop off times for transfers etc.

- AIR TAHITI INTERISLAND FLIGHTS

-Check in time: about 1 hour before flight departure time.

- Baggage allowance:

Within cabin: 1 piece with dimensions not exceeding 45 x 35 x 20 cm ( 17” x 13” x 7” ) and weight under 3 kg (6.6lbs). Cabin baggage exceed weight or quantity allowance (as trolley...etc) will be checked-in and subject to the existing rates.

In the luggage hold : length + width + height must not exceed 150cm (59"); wheel and handle included. A maximum of 3 baggage items per person can be checked-in on free-of-charge baggage allowance: 

-passenger booked in Y boarding class: 20kg (44lbs)

- passengers connecting to/from an international flight( like Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles or New York): 20kg (44lbs)

- an extra 5kg (11lbs) allowance is dedicated to divers. Proof must be provided at the time of check in. 

If you exceed the baggage allowance (weight or quantity of baggage items), all extra will be accepted according to avaibility and will be subject to the existing rates.

-Inter Island Flight times: from Papeete to Moorea ( 5 minutes) to Bora Bora ( 45minutes). You need to sit on the LEFT hand side of the plane to have a great overview of the Society Island chain on your flight to Bora Bora.

-HOTELS CHECK IN / CHECK OUT TIMES:

Your Check in time varies from Hotel to Hotel between 01-03 pm. The Hotels usually let you check into your room/bungalow upon arrival if it is serviced however it you should need to wait for check-in time, they offer you a transit room, where you can change cloth and store your bags, so that you can maybe enjoy a nice swim in the ocean or pool or a sumptuous breakfast in one of their restaurants.

Check out time is 11 am in almost all hotels. Most hotels will let you stay in your room/bungalow till your flight leaves the islands depending if their rooms are available (usually in low season). Most hotels offer a Transit room or bungalow (from complimentary to a minimal fee) for their guests convenience. We recommend to book a nice ½ day Excursion with your concierge on your departure day to be able to fully experience the island your are staying in.

-MEAL PLANS / DINING:

The modern Tahitian cuisine is a fairly balanced melange of French, Chinese and Polynesian influence. Fish and seafood lovers may well mistake Tahiti for nirvana, vegetarians can happily pick through the available produce, and even steak lovers can come away satisfied.

All hotels offer various meal plans, like Continental or American Breakfast, lunch and 3 course dinner. Tahiti is not an all-inclusive destination. The most economical way to prepay meals, would be to go with a daily American breakfast and 3 course dinner. To pre-pay your meals is taken the guess-work out of figuring out the prices on your menu, however it also takes the freedom to venture out and explore one of the unique restaurants outside of the hotels. Most restaurants on the islands offer a free pick up/drop off transfer from/to your hotel.

Prices for meals are to compare with dining in a 5 star hotel in Hawaii or first class restaurant in San Francisco or New York.

-DRINKING WATER: Tap water is considered safe for drinking, however bottled water is widely used.

- DINING RECOMMENDATIONS IN BORA BORA
You should make a reservation with the concierge upon arrival for any of the below restaurants or we are happy to help you with any reservation in advance:

Villa Mahana – most expensive, great dining experience, charges 30 USD for transfers (will appear on your bill)

- Kaina Hut – great food, local ambiance, free transfers

- Top Dive – former chef of the Paul Gauguin Cruise, great food, free transfers

- Matira Beach Restaurant, French cuisine, free transfers

- Fare Manuia (just next to the Moana Hotel) , VERY LOCAL SETTING, however great food, inexpensive, free transfers

- Blood Maries, local ambiance, famous celebrity, however dining experience is rather mediocre (Luau Style). We would recommend to take a drink at the bar and save the money for one of the above restaurants.

-CAR, SCOOTER, BIKE RENTALS

Most islands (Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora) have car rentals agencies located in the airport, downtown or even in the various hotels. 4-wheels drive vehicle are available on request. For car, scooter or bike rental please ask your concierge at the hotel!



-SNORKEL EQUIPMENT: most hotels offer Snorkel equipment for free and it is already in your bungalow upon check in!

-INTERNET ACCESS: as of yet, only one internet provider exists in French Polynesia, MANA, who invoices the connection at 34 CFP per minute (ie : 0,25$ / mn) without subscription. You can make the connection with the following information:

-Telephone number of the server: 36-88-88

-Log in: Anonymous

-Password: anonymous

It is possible to retrieve your emails while on vacations since several Internet cafes are now available in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Most of the hotels provide internet access for a fee of around 10-20 US per hour to their guests, either with a plug in their hotel rooms or through a Business Centre.

- BANKS and EXCHANGE of CURRENCY

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.

For your best exchange rate, we suggest to exchange your home currency into French Pacific francs upon arrival either at Tahiti international airport or at any bank of in the Society Island Chain. The Airport and banks have convenient ATM Machines, where you can exchange your Dollar Bills starting from 20 US) into French Polynesia Francs. As there is no tipping in French Polynesia, we suggest to only carry a small amount of cash for smaller items you might want to buy in a supermarket ( like a bottle of water or sandwich). Visa Cards usually carry the Best Exchange rates and all hotels and most tour-operators, excursion companies, restaurants and shops can nowadays be paid with a Credit Card ( most accepted are VISA and MASTERCARD)

We recommend to take the Credit Card with lowest –out of the United States service charge fees- (this fees can run between 1 and 3 % depending on your Credit Card)

- TIPPING: Tipping is not accepted practice in Tahiti.

- WHAT TO WEAR  

With such warm temperatures, dress requirements in Tahiti are decidedly casual. Yet, out of respect for the Polynesian locals, you should come prepared to dress. During the day on the outer islands, shorts, bathing suits, or the local pareu (2 yards of cloth wrapped around the body in any of several ways) are acceptable. In the evenings, many hotels do ask the men to wear long pants and a shirt and not be barefooted. Casual shoes, thongs, jeans or slacks and a Polynesian shirt are quite acceptable. A light sundress, slacks or shorts are considered appropriate for the ladies. Between June and September, evenings may occasionally be cool enough to warrant

a light sweater. And even though tropical rain showers are refreshing rather than chilling, a lightweight raincoat that folds into a pocket or a purse may also come in handy.

- WHERE TO BUY BLACK PEARLS

Tahiti cultured pearls are pearl concretions that are secreted inside the black-lipped Pinctada Margaritifera, species of pearl oysters cultivated mainly in the lagoons of French Polynesia. They consist of thick pearly layers containing organic substances and calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite.

Just a few addresses:

ALL PEARLS, Prince Hinoi Street, Tahiti
Tel +689 45 22 99 / Fax +689 42 33 86

ALMA VENUS, Rue Clappier, Imm Farnham, Downtown, Tahiti
Tel +689 42 77 33 / Fax

AUTHENTIC, Commercial center Raehau, Moorea
Tel +689 56 29 96 / Fax

FREDERIC MISSIR – BORA BORA GALLERY, Matira
Tel +689 67 66 75 / Fax

HUAHINE PEARL & POTTERY, Faie marina
Tel +689 78 30 20 / Fax

RANGIROA TAAROA BIJOUX, Ohotu - Avatoru
Tel +689 96 03 04 / Fax +689 96 03 04

- LAYOVER TIME IN PAPEETE

We recommend to take a nice farewell dinner at the nearby Interconti Hotel (3 minutes from the Airport, approx. 20 USD Taxi fee). The Hotel features two nice restaurants, one of them overwater and a bar that is open till the last flights leaves Papeete. You can store your luggage with the Bellboy at the entrance of the hotel. Your check-in time is at least 2 hours before departure time.

- STORAGE FACILITIES AT THE PAPEETE AIRPORT

Luggage Storage Opening hours

Monday 4am – 12.30am

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 5am – 12.30am

Friday 5am – 11am

Saturday 5am – 12.30am

Sunday/national holidays 5am – 12.30am

Cost: per item charge applies per 24 hours (see below) (Feb 07)

Small volume (vanity) 395 XPF 3,5 €

Middle size suitcase 640 XPF 5,5 €

Big box 950 XPF 8,0 €

Surfboard (short board) 1,100 XPF 9,00 €

One cover–several boards 1,600 XPF 13,5 €

Surfboards over 2 metres 2,200 XPF 18,5 €

Windsurfer 2,700 XPF 22,5 €

Currency accepted: Euro, AUD, NZD, USD, XPF

Credit cards: Visa and Mastercard

Copyright 2005 Pacific for Less