Tahiti
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Location
This probably isn't the island whose photograph was on your holiday brochure. No, there aren't any sweeping white beaches and vistas over a neon blue lagoon are few and far between. Yet this is the heart of French Polynesia and it would be a shame to bypass the waterfall-laden, shadowy mountains, unpretentiously beautiful black-sand beaches and distinctly Polynesian buzz that make Tahiti a gem in its own right. Many people immediately hightail it out of Tahiti for the white-sand bliss of Mo'orea or Bora Bora so that ironically, the most accessible and well-known island of French Polynesia remains more off the beaten track than its far-flung sisters.
The island is very much centralised around Pape'ete, the pint-sized chaotic capital with its traffic jams and smells of flowers, sweat and salt air. To islanders addicted to the city pace of life, this is the only place to be and they lap up the gritty nightlife, cinemas, music and endless array of food on hand.
While visiting Pape'ete is a must, it's the outdoor action outside the city and cultural offerings that woo visitors to extend their stay. Hike through archaeological sites, up never-ending river valleys and past coastlines dotted with wild passion fruit. In July catch the country's most spectacular festival, the percussion and dance-heavy Heiva and from July to October go whale-watching with far fewer tourists than you'll find on Mo'orea. Year-round on Tahiti Iti there's a chance there will be big waves at Teahupoo and you can hire a boat to watch pro surfers tackle the break's cavernous tube up close.
People
The Tahitian people maintain their heritage and tradition through oral history based on the adventures of gods and warriors. Surfing, a common activity, practiced throughout the Island, is actually the sport of the gods. Surf riding was favoured by the Kings and due to this colourful legend the people of Tahiti keep the sport apart of their lives to preserve the history and tradition of ancient Maohi ancestry. All through out the island, the Polynesian people have rich and colourful tattoos which represent Tahitian culture. The word tattoo originated in Tahiti and each tattoo has a certain asthetic meaning. Native tattoos describe all sorts of objects in nature such as oceans and the sun. In Polynesian culture tattoos are signs of beauty and in earlier times were ceremoniously applied when reaching adolescence. Tropical flowers are found everywhere on the island, but did you know that the Hibiscus blossoms are apart of the Tahitian culture as well? Tradition holds that if taken, women and men wear a flower behind their left ear. Be apart of the culture and remember this fact when wearing your Hibiscus flower behind your ear.
Population
220,000 (2008)
Food
Tahiti is famous for its food, and throughout the islands there are excellent restaurants offering French, Italian, Polynesian, American, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine.
The major hotels often offer two types of restaurants, simple or gourmet, and organize evenings around generous buffets with dance shows featuring the best troops.
Other options include bistro fare, and, in Papeete, sidewalk cafés and the 'Roulottes'. These mobile cafés offer good, inexpensive food from pizza and crepes to steak and chips.
There is plenty of delicious seafood, including clams, crayfish, shrimps and local ocean fish. Tropical fruits include pineapple, coconuts, mangoes, limes, papaya, oranges and grapefruit. Traditional Tahitian fare includes the national dish of poisson cru (raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk), and the local pork is featured in many Tahitian dishes.
Meat and chicken is good, mostly imported from New Zealand. Moreover, sea-product-lovers will enjoy the great diversity of fish -from lagoon or deep-sea fishing- prepared in dozen different ways. People who don't care for fish or are vegetarian will also be pleasantly surprised by the dishes available to them.
The restaurants on Bora Bora and Moorea are as legendary as the islands themselves. The hotels have restaurants that offer gourmet dinning and service, with a magical view of the lagoon. Traditional Polynesian evenings are often organized after dinner, when visitors are entertained by the most talented musicians and dancers on the island.
The cost of a meals in the good restaurants is comparable to what you'd pay in a major city, about $80 per person, plus wine.
Climate & When to Go
Tahiti is a 12-month destination, with predictably tropical weather year-round. The average year-around temperature is 26 deg.C. Fresh tropical breezes and ceiling fans are for the most part sufficient to maintain comfort indoors. Many hotels are air-conditioned. Water temperatures average 26 deg.C in the winter and 29 deg.C in the summer.
Currency
French Pacific Franc (CFP), is on parity with the French Franc
Money & Banking
Money goes fast in Tahiti and ALL the islands! Second only to Japan, French Polynesia has the next highest cost of living in the world, and if you haven't experienced it, it can be quite disconcerting. It really takes planning and a little self discipline if you want to live within your means, otherwise when you get home, you're going to be looking at a stiff credit card bill!
Some thoughts: If you've got a lot of money: Just go have fun! Buy whatever you want, stay wherever looks good, and eat where you want...Don't skimp because living it up in Tahiti is good fun! Unfortunately, if you are looking for a cost effective holiday experience, French Polynesia may not be the best destination!.
Electricity
Electricity in French Polynesia / Tahiti is 220 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you travel to French Polynesia / Tahiti with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.
Getting Around
Papeete, Tahiti is the main hub from which all Island vacations in Tahiti Polynesia begin. Having the only international airport in all of French Polynesia, it's the starting point for your Tahitian experience. So unless you own your own yacht or jet, you'll need to make arrangements to get to Papeete first, no matter what your other island plans may include.
The main island of Tahiti is of course a major destination by itself. The common travel scenario is to first arrive in Tahiti and explore the island, and from there begin to explore the other islands comprising French Polynesia.
Tipping
Tipping in Tahiti and Her Islands is not required, nor expected.
Taxes
There is no sales tax in Tahiti. However, a special 2% reduced rate Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to all rented accommodations (hotel rooms, pensions and family stays), and room and meal packages -- both American Plan (3 meals) and Modified American Plan (breakfast and dinner). A 4% VAT rate applies to purchases in shops, stores and boutiques. A 6% VAT rate applies to bars, excursions, car rentals, snacks and restaurant involving meals not included in a room-meal package.