OrangeSmile Tours Best destinations around the world - Travel Guide
Tahiti Island

Preparing your trip to Tahiti Island: advices & hints - things to do and to obey

1. The best time to visit the island is from May to October, the rest of the year is the rainy season, especially frequent storms occur in January. However if you are not afraid of storms and tropical downpours, which are strong but do not last for a long time, then in the rainy season you can have a perfect relaxation on the island as well. The average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius with a light breeze.
2. In order to visit Polynesia, you need a special visa, which is obtained in the Embassy of France, in the department of Guadeloupe. It is not a Schengen visa, so visa denials are very rare. Keep in mind that during the off-season, which lasts from November to April, the trip will cost you less since there are not so many tourists on the island. Moreover, if you choose not the most popular hotels, indeed you can save a lot.
3. The wild animals are not dangerous here, so there is no chance to meet either snakes or scorpions. However, if you still have minor injuries, almost all hotels have emergency medical assistance. In general, the islands have a high-level health service; in case of need, you will find both hospitals and pharmacies. Before your trip, you will not need any special vaccinations.
4. If you are getting ready for your trip to Tahiti, stock up on sunscreen creams and sunburn treatments; since it is very easy to get a sunburn in the tropical climates, take a wide-brimmed hat and light clothes with long sleeves. As for your fancy eveningwear, you’d better leave it at home; the everyday style is in fashion here, even if you go for a dinner to the restaurants.
5. The cities are not very big here, so you can explore all the sights while walking around, or another option is to rent a bicycle (there are many rental centers on Tahiti). If you are planning to have longer trips, take advantage of the local buses. There are lots of them here and they go to every district of Papeete. The particularity is that there are no bus stops on the routes, but if you wave your hand anywhere in the city, a bus will stop. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
6. We do not recommend hiring a car because the local drivers drive very fast and do not follow the rules, so it is better to use a taxi and stay away from the road when walking, especially if you are outside the city. If you decide to hitch a ride, be sure to discuss the amount of money you will pay for the service provided.
7. You can travel to the other islands of French Polynesia by ferry or by ships; the regular service is available here. Alternatively, you can go by plane. Everything depends on the budget you can afford.
Before everything else, Tahiti is a paradise for fans of extreme water sports activities. Thousands of professional surfers come here every year to conquer the coastal waves. The Billabong … Open
8. The work schedule of many stores is different from the usual one. The large stores work from 7:00-8:00 to17:00 with a break from 12:00 to 13:30. Some minimarkets are open until 10 p.m., so there will be no problem if you need to purchase some products or any other little necessity. Please, note that it is better to visit the hypermarkets on a weekday since on Saturday they close at 11 a.m.
9. Most of the restaurants also work during the day and in the evening, you might want to visit Les Roulottes - the food trucks in the central square of Papeete. Their food offerings are very diverse and not expensive.
10. Many hotels on Tahiti do not include breakfast in the room rate! Specify the conditions of your hotel accommodation in advance, because the average cost of one breakfast at a hotel is around $ 25, and having lunch at a restaurant in the city costs $ 70-80.
11. At the central market, you can buy different souvenirs, crafts of the local artisans and exotic fruits and vegetables. However, if you have an opportunity and some free time, try to search for souvenirs in the small shops located on the streets of the city since there you can buy them cheaper.
12. You can have your meal not only at the expensive restaurants, furthermore, you can also buy your food from street-food traders or other places offering burgers, pastries, pizza and other delicacies for fair prices.
13. The local water is appropriate for drinking. However, if you do not plan to stay in Polynesia for a couple of months as a minimum, you should not use the tap water; otherwise, the process of acclimatization may complicate your holiday. In addition, do not forget about iced drinks since the ice is made from the same tap water. Give preference to the bottled mineral water.
14. The crime rate in Tahiti is very low, but picking and stealing still do happen; while walking in the crowded places, have an eye on your wallet and phone.
15. If you are planning to do some mountain hiking, choose a pair of suitable shoes; despite the heat, walking in slippers along the slick trail ways, which are often wild and undeveloped, will be very difficult and dangerous.
16. The coastal waters of Tahiti are home to sharks, sometimes they swim very close to the shore. Although there is almost no record regarding shark attacks in this region, yet one cannot be too careful. Meanwhile, the beautiful seabed is also not quite safe, watch out for the corals, they can be very sharp and seriously damage your legs. There are practically no sea urchins in Tahiti, but if you are traveling to the archipelago’s other islands, we recommend taking special plastic water shoes along with you.
Tahiti Island - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What to visit being in Tahiti Island - unique sights

Moorea

From the series “The Most Beautiful Islands on the Planet”
The island of Moorea is an excellent place to relax and enjoy the water sports. Temae Beach is one of the most comfortable and popular beaches. The picturesque island is more than 133 square kilometers, so every holidaymaker can find a place where he can relax. Recently, few first class hotels were opened on the island, where most of the locals work today. … Read further

City tours, excursions and tickets in Tahiti Island and surroundings

French Polynesia: travelling advices

6. When faced with a ramp or shark in the water, it is important not to panic but calmly sail away. Shark attacks in the waters of French Polynesia are very rare, as most of these frightening water inhabitants are non-aggressive. Dangerous wart fish only stings when stepped on, but it is better not to completely keep away from the moray eels living in corals.
7. French Polynesia is a great place to relax, especially on the water. For tourists who want to take a dive wearing a mask and tube, it is better to bring these diving gears along with you on your trip, and if you do not have them, buy in your home country. One of the reasons for this is hygiene. This does not mean that Polynesians do not wash masks and tubes that they offer for rent, but it is always better to be on the safe side. The second reason is the price. It is often cheaper to buy a mask and snorkel at a sports store and take them with you on a journey than to rent them on the islands.
8. The inhabitants of French Polynesia do not like indiscretion, so you should not flaunt expensive things so that the islanders would not think that you are trying to humiliate them. Thefts on the islands are rare, but not many people have heard of more serious crimes like robbery, but leaving an expensive phone or camera unattended is not advisable.
9. It is necessary to carry a passport with you everywhere, and a photocopy is best. Going out without an identity card is not allowed by law. You would not be imprisoned for this of course, but you can get into an unpleasant situation with the local police and spend several hours in the station. … Open
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Tahiti Island

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Photos of Tahiti Island

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Tips for the cities around Tahiti Island

Travelling to Tahiti Island - advices and tips. What should be provisioned in advance, the rules you might want to follow, and the things you better avoid doing in Tahiti Island. We help you to make your trip smooth and easy, with no unexpected surprises.
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