FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Tahiti

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Papeete each year. The main ones are listed below.

The opportunity to experience the Tere Fā'ati the annual Polynesian ritual of shared happiness. Programme: Island tour in ‘trucks' (traditional bus covered with flowers), music, dance, swimming, food tasting and local fruits.

Religious festival and public holiday in French Polynesia, commemorating the arrival of Protestant missionaries from the London Missionary Society in Matavai Bay (5 March 1797).

Christian religious festival whose date varies. On the programme: chocolate treasure hunt in the city, games and workshops for children.

Large annual gathering: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, the British frigate that landed on April 28, 1789, gather on the island of Tubuai. Books and archival footage tell the story of the first Europeans who arrived on the island.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

This civil celebration in French Polynesia is the day in 1880 when King Pomare V donated his States to France.

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution. It plays as a symbol of the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Papeete, it is also the occasion for the Heiva i Tahiti celebrations. On the programme: songs and traditional dances in honour of the island.

The custom of All Saints (Turamara'a) is required under the sun. This is the day when the Tahitians pay homage to their ancestors. The graves are flowered, and brightened with paint or white sand.

On this day, citizens gather at war memorials to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

The Christmas holidays are celebrated all over the island, houses are decorated and the children eagerly await the opening of their presents. A large Christmas market is held in downtown Papeete.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Papeete, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Tahiti

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	23 / 73.4	33 / 91.4	251 / 9.88	Not the best period to go
February	23 / 73.4	33 / 91.4	243 / 9.56	Not the best period to go
March	23 / 73.4	33 / 91.4	423 / 16.6	Not the best period to go
April	23 / 73.4	33 / 91.4	141 / 5.55	Not the best period to go
May	22 / 71.6	32 / 89.6	101 / 3.98	Not the best period to go
June	22 / 71.6	31 / 87.8	75 / 2.95	Good period to go
July	21 / 69.8	31 / 87.8	52 / 2.05	Good period to go
August	21 / 69.8	31 / 87.8	42 / 1.65	Good period to go
September	22 / 71.6	31 / 87.8	52 / 2.05	Good period to go
October	22 / 71.6	32 / 89.6	88 / 3.46	Good period to go
November	23 / 73.4	32 / 89.6	149 / 5.87	Not the best period to go
December	23 / 73.4	32 / 89.6	248 / 9.76	Not the best period to go

Tahiti International Airport

The Tahiti International Airport is located about 5 km (about 3 miles) southeast of Papeete.

• 3 terminals:
  • T1 (domestic flights)
  • T2 (domestic flights)
  • International terminal (Air France)

• By car
• From the Tahiti International airport, it takes about 15 minutes to reach the city centre of Papeete via Pouvanaa a Oopa Avenue.
• At the airport, two parking lots are available to travellers: 1 for long-term parking and 1 for medium-term parking.
  • For long-term parking, count XPF 150 between 15 minutes to 1 hour (first 15 minutes are free) then XPF 300 from 1 to 2 hours.
  • For medium-term parking, count XPF 200 for up to 30 minutes, XPF 220 between 30 minutes and 1 hour, and XPF 400 between 1 hour and 2 hours.
• Many car rental companies have counters near the International terminal. Rates from XPF 5,500/day.

• By Bus/Truck
• Bus lines run at a frequency of 20 minutes from the airport to downtown Papeete. It costs about XPF 200. An increase of 50 to 70% applies between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and on Sundays and holidays.
• For buses and 'trucks', the stop is in front of the international terminal, across the parking lot.

• By Taxi
  A taxi stand is located at the exit of T1 (the domestic terminal). The drive from the airport to the centre of Papeete lasts around 10 minutes and costs about XPF 2,000 (night fare is about XPF 2,500).

• Services: bars and restaurants, boutiques, free Internet access (Wi-Fi), luggage storage available in the airport.
• Telephone: +689 40 86 60 60
• Website: www.tahiti-aeroport.pf

GETTING AROUND Tahiti

The car is the ideal mode of transport to explore the island, though some sites are not accessible by vehicle, at which point it is possible to rent a bike or even a horse. Public transportation exists but unfortunately, they are not widespread and poorly organised; buses and trucks, however, are the most commonly used means of transport by the population. Hitchhiking is also very common.

By car

The best way to travel around Tahiti is by car. Several car rental agencies are available in the city centre (from XPF 3,000 per day). Public parking facilities are available all around the centre (from XPF 150 per hour).

Bus/trucks

• Bus: about twenty bus lines serve the city and outlying areas. The buses have no specific stops; just make a sign to the driver and they will pick you up. One of the main stops is located right in downtown Papeete, Rue François Cardella in front of the central market. A ticket costs about XPF 200.
• Trucks: for their part, are a typical means of transport in the Pacific Islands. They are colourful bus trucks equipped to transport about forty passengers. For reasons of safety and pollution, the government has decided to gradually replace them with buses.

Taxi

There are many taxi ranks in Papeete. There is an initial charge of XPF 1,000. Add XPF 130 per kilometre.

By boat

To visit an island (motu) or a pearl farm, you can hire an outboard skiff, small launches or even a pirogue that you can rent by the day locally. Apart from Tahiti and Moorea, ferries also connect some nearby islands.

Visitor information

Once in Papeete, do not hesitate to connect with tourism professionals to advise you and organise your stay.

Fare Manihini

• Address: Ferry terminal, 2^nd floor, Boulevard Pomare, BP 65, 98713 Papeete, Tahiti
• Telephone: +689 40 50 40 30
• Website: https://tahititourisme.uk/en-gb/

• Telephone: +689 40 56 50 55
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/comitetourismemoz/
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

• Address: BP 144, Vaitape, 98730 Bora Bora
• Telephone: +689 40 67 76 36
• Website: www.borabora-tourisme.com

• Address: P 32, Taiohae, 98742 Nuku Hiva - Marquesas
• Telephone:+689 40 92 08 25
• Website: https://destinationmarquises.com/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Tahiti is the Franc Pacifique CFP (XPF).

MYR1 = XPF24.31

XPF1 = MYR0.04

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Papeete counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

No vaccination is required to stay in Papeete, except for nationals from risk areas.
However, it is better to be up to date with universal vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B.
Other recommended vaccinations:

• hepatitis A
• typhoid
• possibly rabies.

For more information, contact your Air France centre for international vaccinations:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Beware of 'ciguatera' food poisoning due to algae, which is contracted by consuming certain carnivorous fish from the lagoon. For more information: https://www.ciguatera.pf/index.php/en/

Tap water is drinkable in Papeete and throughout Bora Bora island. It is however recommended to drink bottled water.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for the territory of Papeete

Contrary to other overseas departments, overseas territories are not part of the Schengen area. An identity card is therefore not sufficient for European residents. You will need a passport valid for a period of at least 6 months after leaving French Polynesia.

If you are from a country with which France has signed visa waiver agreements (see list), you must present a valid passport and regulatory documents indicating the purpose of your stay, your financial means while in French Polynesia and your repatriation guarantee (e.g. adequate and valid travel insurance certificate, a valid return ticket to the country of residence, etc.).

If you are not affected by any of the previous cases: you must present a valid passport, a valid short-stay visa expressly mentioning its validity in French Polynesia (common Schengen visas are not accepted since the territory of French Polynesia is not part of the Schengen area), regulatory documents indicating the purpose of your stay, your financial means while in French Polynesia and your repatriation guarantee (e.g. adequate and valid travel insurance certificate, a valid return ticket to the country of residence, etc.).

For more information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/

Useful Addresses

Foreign embassies and consulates in France

Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Tahiti, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+689

+ phone number (without 0)

-18 : 00
of time difference with
Kuala Lumpur

There is no daylight savings time in Tahiti

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:15 p.m. to 3:45. p.m.

Government offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30. p.m.

220V / 110V 60Hz

Tipping

In Papeete like in all French Polynesia, restaurants and cafes, a supplement for servers is already included in the bill. However, it is customary to leave a tip when you are satisfied with the service.