Welcome to The Real Tahiti Travel Information! If you are planning a vacation to any of the tahitian islands, you will find the information on this page absolutely essential, and you should real through it thoroughly before booking your vacation! Congratulations on choosing Tahiti - You will not be disappointed with your upcoming vacation.

1. Getting Here - Travelling to French Polynesia/Tahiti/BoraBora

Tahiti is an easy 7.5 hour direct flight from Los Angeles (LAX). It is just south of the equator, midway between Australia and South America. It is in the same time zone as Hawaii (2 hours behind Los Angeles time), but because it is on the other side of the equator, the seasons are reversed.

Two Airlines fly from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti:

1. AF - Air France. Connects Tahiti and LAX 4 times a week. Operates a fleet of 747.
2. TN - Air Tahiti Nui. Connects Tahiti and LAX daily. Departs at 1pm or 11:30pm. During peak seasons, flights may be twice daily.

For more information (important instructions, luggage info, arrival info, etc), please visit the official LAX website.

For other airline information from other places in the world, visit getting to papeete.

Getting from Papeete to Bora Bora:There are no flights that fly directly to Bora Bora from the US. Once you arrive in Papeete, Tahiti, you must commute to Bora Bora via Charter Plane, Boat or Helicopter. For more information on these means of travel, click here.

Generally, though, all details are handled for you by the travel agent, at least when you book through our website. You don't need to book this commute directly.

2. Things you NEED to Know - Quick, essential facts about Tahiti and Bora Bora

• Climate: Polynesia enjoys warm, tropical weather year round, with 2 main seasons. The months from November through March are warmer and humid. A drier season runs from April to October. The average year-round temperature is 78 degrees F, and the average water temperature is in the low 80s.
  
  
• Currency: The local currency is the CFP -Central Pacific Franc- (the currency code is XPF). To get the BEST exchange rate, use banks on the island, not hotels.
  
  The following forms of payment are accepted for exchange: all legal bank notes, international credit cards, and travelers checks (an exchange commission is charged on the latter)
  
  
• Customs: There are limitations on certain items that you can bring in to Tahiti. The most common problems people face:
  • Tobacco: No more than 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars.
  • Alcohol: No more than 2L.
  • Perfume: Less than 50 grams or 1/4 liters.
  • Coffee: 500 grams.
  • Tea: 100 grams.
    
    
• Sun Screen: The tropical sun in Tahiti is very hot. Be sure to always wear high-index sun screen to protect your skin.
  
  
• Language: The official language of the region is French. Secondary language is Tahitian. English is understood and spoken at all hotels as well as at most shops and restaurants.
  
  
• Swimming: Swimming is a hugely popular activity in Tahiti because of the beautiful turquoise water and warm tropical temperature. However, some caution should be observed. Do not swim when:
  • You've eaten recently
  • You have ingested alcohol or medicine recently
  • You have been exposed to the sun for a lengthy amount of time
  • You feel tired or unwell in any way
    
    
• Taxes: There is no sales tax in Tahiti. Enjoy!
  
  
• Telephone: Phone numbers in Tahiti have only 6 numbers instead of 7, and are arranged as follows: 12.34.56.
  
  The telephone system in Tahiti is excellent. There are public phones (multilingual) in all the islands and most of them are operated with phone cards (telecarte ) which can be readily purchased at the airport coffee shop, in some bars (bar- tabacs), at some magazine stands and of course at the Post Office.
  
  These phone cards are priced according to time unites pre loaded in a microchip embedded in the card. The phone box debits the card and tells you how many units you have left as you are talking. There are cards priced at 1, 2 and 5 thousand Pacific Francs depending on the number of units. You will find these public phones everywhere in French Polynesia, even in the most remote atolls.
  
  From the US to Tahiti dial: 011 + 689 + phone number.
  From Paradise to the world dial: 00 + country code + area code + number.
  
  All the hotels have direct dial, but they may charge you up to $10 per minute to the USA.
  
  
  
• Tipping: Tipping is not customary and actually goes against the Tahitian notion of hospitality. It is polite to not leave a tip at restaurants and hotels.
  

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