French Polynesia (Australia and Pacific) Overview and Details for Budget Travel, Vegetarian Phrases, Coffee, What to Wear, Average Costs, Articles and Adventures (Leslie's Travel Snacks)

Overview

Average Costs | Being Vegetarian | Tipping Practices | What to Wear

The go-to visual is the over-water bungalows of Bora Bora and yes that's what's here, but you can also experience it for a lower cost than mortgaging your house. It's still not a budget traveler's paradise, but it IS paradise! While many tourists are here to drop a lot of dough on an expensive hotel and over-priced meh food, you CAN do it for less money and really enjoy the beauty of this place! The gorgeous turquoise waters, jagged green mountains, and good snorkeling are highlights.

Transportation will cost you (unless only staying on Tahiti) (not only inter-island transport, but the taxi/shuttles), hotels can be found for semi-reasonable but still not cheap, and there are grocery stores and roadside food with enough selection to allow you to eat and drink for pretty cheap. As far as activities, the water is free and you don't need much more than that.
Dec 2024

Average Costs

The daily total includes all lodging, food, booze, transportation, sightseeing, visas, etc. I don't include the money I spend on gifts for friends and I do not include the flight price.

$98.83 / day

6 days in Dec 2024
My travel buddy paid for most of the lodging, we ate groceries in the room, and only did one outing. Transportation is pricey.

Lodging (shared)	Food	Booze	Transportation	Other Stuff	$1 Exchange
$59.47	$10.70	-	$28.66	-	0

Daily Total	# of Days	Date	Notes	Lodging (shared)	Food	Booze	Transportation	Other Stuff
$98.83 / day	6 days in Dec 2024 My travel buddy paid for most of the lodging, we ate groceries in the room, and only did one outing. Transportation is pricey.	$59.47	$10.70	-	$28.66	-	0

Being Vegetarian in French Polynesia

With so many Western dishes, it's quite easy to be vegetarian. Even doing budget grocery shopping, there's plenty of produce, cereal, cheese, fresh bread, etc. Even the roadside stands have at least one selection, there's Thai food, plenty of options.

Tipping Practices

General:

As pricey as everything is there, it is not a tipping culture. It is not expected nor necessary and the locals don't do it.

Restaurants:

Although French Polynesia is not a tipping culture, it is becoming more common on Mo'orea to tip in restaurants, but not as much as in North America. Tip a little for exceptional service.

Tours:

If you have a pricier tour, you may want to tip your guide, but it's not mandatory. I follow the "do as the locals do" rule, which is generally don't tip - it's simply not the culture.

Taxis:

No, no need to tip. Feel free to leave extra change to save them the hassle of making change though, but also not necessary.

What to Wear

It's hot and sunny, but you can also get some pretty decent tropical rain. It's also quite casual unless I suppose if you're inside a fancy resort. You won't be out of place in some flowy pants and matching tank top or a long sundress, but that's about as fancy as you might want, even to wear out to dinner or in the city of Papeete. Otherwise, beach clothes and something to cover up from the hot sun.

You don't have to worry about being too conservative or fashionable. Bring a few swimsuits, some beach wear, comfortable light clothing, a hat, and a couple pair of sandals. Done. ;) Oh, and a rain jacket just in case.