Mini-Guide --------------- Vacationing in Tahiti Travel Tips General Information Calendar of Events Weather in Tahiti --------------- Baskets Birds Black Pearls Black Pearls Farming Black Pearls Culivation Black Pearls Mystique Bligh, William L.A, de Bougainville Bounty Mutiny Breadfruit Canoes Churches --------------- Coconut Palm Contemporary Art Marquesan Artistry Cook, James Dance Diving French Polynesia Fare Fish Hooks Food --------------- France & Polynesia Gardens of Eden Gauguin, Paul Hall, James N. Heiva Festival Hinano History Island or Atoll? Lagoon Fish --------------- Language Leis and Hei Le Moine, Charles Literature Mamaru Gowns Marae Matisse, Henri Melville, Herman Michener, James Monoi Movies in Tahiti Musical Instruments --------------- Navigation Omai Operation Bobcat Pandanus Papeete Market Pareo People Poisson Cru Polynesian Art Raau Tahiti Rock Art Les Roulottes Shells Shopping --------------- Stamps Stevenson, R.L. Tama'ara'a and Ahima'a Tamanu Oil Tapa Cloth Tattoo Tattooing Tiare Tiare Apetahi Tifaifai Quilts Le truck Vanilla Wallis, Samuel Weddings Woven Hats

Travel Tips

Throw away your watch, don a pareo, place a flower behind your ear, and you're dressed for the vacation of a lifetime.

Location Just a little over 8 hours non-stop flying time from Los Angeles, French Polynesia is located midway between California and Australia.

Climate Polynesia enjoys warm, tropical weather year 'round, with two main seasons. The months from November through March are warmer and humid. A drier season runs from April to October. The average year-round temperature is 78oF, and the average water temperature is in the low 80s. French Polynesia is well outside the South Pacific cyclone pattern, so there is no cyclone or hurricane season as is found in the Caribbean. For more detailed information on Tahiti's year 'round weather patterns, click here

Time Difference Two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, Tahiti is in the same time zone as Hawaii.

Entry Requirements U.S. and Canadian citizens require a valid passport. Citizens of all other countries should check with their travel agent or the French Consulate. No immunizations are required.

Electrical Equipment Electric voltage is 220v, and most hotels have 110v outlets for electric razors. A converter/adapter kit will generally be needed for other appliances.

No Tipping! Tipping is not customary, and is actually contrary to the Tahitian idea of hospitality. This represents savings to you when compared with other destinations.

Dress Comfortable and cool, natural fabrics such as cotton sundresses or T-shirts make perfect daytime wear. Slacks and a golf shirt for men, and light dresses and resort wear for women are appropriate evening wear. Shorts, bathing suits and the local pareo, a sarong-like wraparound garment, are the ideal daytime wear on the outer islands. Be sure to pack reef walkers or old tennis shoes for walking on coral, a hat or sun visor, and sunglasses.

Language French and Tahitian are the official languages. English is spoken in hotels and in most shops and restaurants, so communication is rarely a problem.

Health Polynesia has modern medical and dental services, pharmacies, private clinics and a large hospital in Tahiti. The outer islands have hospitals or dispensaries, and private practitioners. Take care not to over-expose your body to the tropical sun, and pack a good waterproof sunscreen. Although tap water in hotels and restaurants is generally safe to drink, we recommend bottled water which is sold by all hotels.

Currency The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (CFP). Banks, located on each island and at Tahiti's International Airport, generally give a better rate of exchange than hotels. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, boutiques and other tourist establishments.