French Polynesia through the eyes of a traveler - almost a complete collection of promotional stamps from tourist avenues. "Endless white beaches? " In stock. "Crystal clear coastal waters? "And how! "Variegated flocks of tropical fish? "Where are they without them, dear ones. "Wild tropical greens? "Well, you understand.

The coolest thing is that all of the above is true. Of course, there were some shortcomings, to which one can include fair prices for tours, as well as a long docking flight, capable in itself to turn into a trip.

French Polynesia - is 118 very different in terms of terrain and nature of the islands, offering wealthy travelers from overseas beach rest category VIP .The main contingent of local tourists - real gourmets, travelers who have already visited many unique points of the world .A special contingent is a newly-married couple who can afford to hold a wedding ceremony in this heavenly place .Plus, of course, the non-poor divers, who are here real expanse .Tours to French Polynesia are often combined, with visits to other destinations: Easter Island, Saipan Island and not only .

The capital is Papeete, the administrative center of all French Polynesia.

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The main resorts of French Polynesia

• Islands of the Society:
  • Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha'a, Huahine
• The Tuamotu Archipelago:
  • Manihi, Rangiroa, Tikehau
• Marquesas Islands:
  • Nuku Hiva, Hiva'oa

For a complete list of cities, islands and paradise towns, look at the city page and the resorts of French Polynesia.

How to get

The most popular, shortest and also visa-free option (but more expensive than other flights) is the Moscow-Tokyo flight Aeroflot or JAL (on Mondays) plus the connecting flight of Air Tahiti Nui Tokyo-Tahiti (3 times a week ) with an overnight stay in Tokyo. A Japanese visa is not needed if you stay in the country for up to 72 hours.

Less popular (due to the need for an American visa), but a relatively inexpensive flight airline Air France Moscow - Paris - Los Angeles - Tahiti (Papeete). On the way back there will be a stop for at least one night in Paris (it is inevitable when flying Air France, if desired, the duration of stay in Paris can be increased), so you will also need a French transit visa. Time of flight - more than a day. Flights are carried out three times a week.

Flight Moscow - New York Delta Airlines plus connecting flight Air Tahiti Nui New York - Tahiti: an American visa is also necessary. Duration: 24-26 hours without connection time.

• Can I get to French Polynesia from Novosibirsk?

French Polynesia visa

A visa to French Polynesia is issued in the French embassy, ​​in the Department of Overseas Territories of France, and is officially called the "visa for a trip to the overseas territories of France". The usual French Schengen visa for a trip to French Polynesia is invalid.

Customs

Import and export of local and foreign currencies is not limited, the declaration is needed for more than 7500 EUR. Duty-free can import up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 g of tobacco, up to 2 liters of wine and a liter of alcohol stronger than 22 °, up to 500 grams of coffee, up to 100 grams of tea, up to 50 grams of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water, amount up to 5000 XPF. It is prohibited to import all food products of animal origin, plants, fruits, weapons, ammunition and drugs, as well as counterfeit products and artificial pearls.

Useful phone numbers are

Tahiti Tourist Office: 505-700

Tourist office of Bora Bora: 677-636, 677-031, 677-236

Tourist office of Moorea: 562-909

Hua Hin Tourist Office: 688-634

Unified rescue phone number: 15 or 423-456

Police: 17.

Transport of French Polynesia

The main way to move between islands is by plane. Local airline Air Tahiti connects regular flights of 35 islands. Between the islands you can navigate and on private planes or helicopters. In addition, you can swim from one island to another on a high-speed catamaran.

On many islands there is a public transport system Le Truck, consisting mainly of water transport, and only a small part - from land.

On some islands there are paved roads, along which buses run, in other places public transport is an unheard of thing. It is best to rent a car or rent a bicycle.

In general, a safe and very common mode of movement on the islands remains hitchhiking: you can see a lot of travelers and locals voting on the roadside .On the more popular among the tourists islands there are car rental points .For a small car will have to pay 7500-10000 XPF, including insurance and unlimited mileage .To travel around the islands by bike is a great pleasure; distances here are rarely long, and traffic is difficult .Rent a bicycle can be on many islands for 1500 XPF per day .

Safety of tourists

To enter the country you do not need to do any vaccinations. Here is a very well-developed modern healthcare structure, everywhere they strictly monitor hygiene. Water from the tap in hotels and restaurants is suitable for drinking.

On the island it is worthwhile to take shoes with a reliable sole: on many reef areas there are sharp pebbles, and in the coastal zone there are prickly sea animals. It is better to enter the water in plastic slippers - to avoid cuts and burns on corals. Poisonous animals and insects on the islands do not.

The climate of French Polynesia is

The islands are conventionally allocated two seasons - warm and humid (November-May) and cool and dry (June-October). In fact, the difference between them is insignificant, the temperature on any day of the year fluctuates between +20 .. + 30 ° C.

The average air temperature in Papeete in ° C, by month: January +30, February +29, March +29, April +29, May +25, June +24, July +24, August +24, September +25, October + 27, November +28, December + 29.

The sun in French Polynesia shines very brightly, and the precipitation falls a little. Rains can be both short-term evening rains, and prolonged drizzle, lasting up to several days.

See also the weather forecast for the main resorts and cities in French Polynesia.

Magic Bora Bora

Fairy Moorea

Morning in Tahiti

French Polynesia hotels

Hotels on the islands invariably "at the level" - both in terms of service, and in terms of numbers. Usually it is a bungalow, some of which is located on the shore, and some - on the platforms that go to the sea.

Banks and exchange points

Banks are open from 7:45 to 15:30 from Monday to Friday, some are open on Saturday evenings.

US dollars and EUR are accepted for payment almost everywhere, but the course is different everywhere. The currency can be exchanged at the airport, at the bank or at the hotels. The most advantageous to have with you is EUR, which in all hotels and exchange offices are changed at the official rate. Dollars are often taken not at the most profitable rate. "Credit cards" can be used in hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist institutions.

Shopping and shops in French Polynesia

Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00, on Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30.

Of French Polynesia, usually brought "mono" (special oil to strengthen sunburn and soften the skin), crafts from shells, mother of pearl, fruit liqueurs .In Hawaii, tourists buy aquarium fish, they take pieces of frozen volcanic lava for memory, and on the Marquesas Islands they buy hand-made articles carved from wood .And, of course, black pearls - as part of jewelry and valuable knickknacks .In Papeete - the capital of the island of Tahiti - there is even a Pearl Museum .In addition, the city has many shops where you can buy pearls, for other souvenirs should go to the Central Market .

Kitchen and restaurants

In the Polynesian cuisine, the presence of European and Asian cuisine is felt. Fresh products are mainly used, very popular fish of all kinds, cooked in a variety of ways: it is consumed in fried, boiled and even raw. The most popular dishes are raw fish a la tahitienne, marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk, as well as Chinese ma'a tinito, which includes pork, beans, Chinese cabbage and pasta. No family (and not only family) holiday on the islands can not do without a suckling pig, fish, breadfruit, yams and bananas baked in banana leaves.

Large hotels organize evenings with Swedish tables where you can delight your taste with local culinary delights accompanied by national dances.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of French Polynesia

Located in the capital of the Museum of Pearls and colorful local markets, where you can see first hand almost any fruit or vegetable. And on the island of Moorea you can see the sacred mountain Mt. Rotui, Cook's Gulf and the ruins of an ancient temple.

And yet most of the sights of French Polynesia are of a natural nature or are below sea level, that is, under water. About this is written in detail on the page of diving in French Polynesia. Photo of French Polynesia (154)