The capital of Tahiti and all of French Polynesia, Papeete is a tiny but quite modern city in the wilderness of the paradise of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Flavors of tropical flowers here freely flow between government buildings, tickle the nostrils stuck in a real European traffic jam of travelers and turn the blond heads of golden moths going to hang out to the disco to the rhythms of fashionable DJs. The inconsistency and urbanism in Papeete do not conflict - on the contrary, they complement each other.
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How to get to Papeete
Tahiti International Airport (it's also the main airport airport of the country) is located in the place located near Papeete Faa'a. Here, the vast majority of flights from all over the world land. For information on the options for the flight from Russia, see the French Polynesia page.
You can get from the airport to the center of Papeete by a municipal bus (le truck) or taxi. The bus route here is one (Papeete-Faaa-Outumaoro), so there is no risk of taking the wrong number. During the day, buses run at a frequency of 15 minutes, after 10 pm the activity drops noticeably; a similar situation is observed on weekends. The fare is 150 CFP in the afternoon and 250 CFP after 18:00
For a taxi ride in Papeete prepare to give around 1500-2000 CFP for the day. Be sure to discuss the fare in advance and better once again say the estimated cost.
Papeete can also be reached by numerous ferries and catamarans from other islands of French Polynesia: popular destinations include Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahin and Raiatea.
Climate
| Papeete weather forecast for 10 days |
Transport in the city
Papeete extremely disposes to walking: the city is very compact. Fun for the sake of you can ride a bus (the cost within Papeete is 100 CFP). To do this, do not necessarily look for a stop, vigorously waved the approaching bus rather energetically, and the driver will pick you up. From this it follows that such movement will not be fast, to put it mildly, as those who wish to board the bus will come across literally at every crossroads.
Papeete also enjoys cycling. Rent a bicycle will cost about 1500 CFP per day.
Another popular way of traveling around Papeete and the whole island is by passing. It is safe, although, of course, in every concrete case one must be guided by common sense. To stop the car, you need to extend your hand with your thumb up.
Cuisine and restaurants Papeete
Most catering establishments for every taste and purse are located on the recently refined architects and landscape designers of the Papeete Embankment . To get a cheap snack, be guided by restaurant signs with the end of "-snack"; in other places (designated by the "restaurant" itself, as well as in the hotels), prices start at 2600 CFP for a modest sandwich . In addition, on the square opposite the waterfront (place Vaiete) every evening there is a gastronomic paradise called Roulottes: mobile kitchen van , serving almost any dish: from ice cream and pizza to traditional Polynesian raw fish and Chinese fast food . A democratic meal will cost around 1500 CFP, and for this money you can eat up to the dump . From local gastronomic specialties Try "live" beer (for example, in "Les 3 Brasseurs" or "Bieres Import") .
All prices are given for December 2010.
Shopping and stores
Souvenirs, products of folk crafts, as well as delicious fruits can be bought in the central market of Papeete - Le Marché, recently experienced a global reconstruction. Opening hours - from 6 am to 6 pm, on Sundays activity is minimal, if not to say that it is not at all.
For products made from black pearls and individual pearls, go to jewelry boutiques in the center of Papeete (Le Quartier du Commerce) and a specialized shop at the Pearl Museum. Prepare to give a few hundred EUR for large quality copies; At the same time, it is possible to purchase small placers without much damage to the wallet.
In Papeete, you can also buy quality French products: perfumes, clothes, shoes. For this, take a look at the two shopping malls in the city center - Le Center Vaima and Le Fare Tony.
Book popular Papeete hotels at the best prices
| InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa from 19,108 rubles Faaa Pointe Tahiti, Faaa |
| Tahiti Airport Motel from 7 785 rubles Faaa Face Aeroport De Tahiti, Faaa |
Entertainment, excursions and attractions Papeete
There are not many attractions in the city that can captivate a selective tourist, almost everyone who came to Tahiti. The indisputable must-see is the Pearl Museum, created in 1998 by the "pearl king" Robert Wang. Numerous exhibits fascinatingly tell about the place of pearls in history and philosophy, poetry and religion, its role in art and science. There is also an extensive collection of jewelry.
The Tourism Office recommends a pedestrian route with 12 stops: the house of the last Queen of Tahiti, Marau Taarora ,Chinese Quarter Ku Myung Tong ,Park Assembly and pond of Queen ,a giant banyan tree on Tarakhoy Square (under the branches of which ,as they say ,Gauguin himself was applied to absinthe) ,place for swimming writer Pierre Loti ,outdoor frescoes by artist Ravello ,The Wyami hospital is an example of colonial architecture ,Stella in memory of the burned observatory on Fayer Hill ,hotel Stewart (view from the window which was immortalized by Henri Matisse) ,Park Bougainville with two ship cannons and a natural park in the river valley Photo ,supplying the city with fresh water
Take a walk in the gardens of Paofai: on 5 hectares fragrant exotic plants, in the shade of which you can sit on comfortable benches.
In addition, from Papeete, you can take a ferry to the island of Moorea: the journey time is only 20 minutes Photo by Papeete (16)