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Fly Non-Stop to Papeete from Seattle or Los Angeles

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Where memory-making opportunities and picturesque adventures await you among scenic valleys, grottoes and waterfalls. Find yourself wonderstruck during a visit to ancient archaeological sites and the Gauguin Museum. Take it all in and go deep-sea fishing or shark feeding, and enjoy the dining, shopping, and exhilarating nightlife of bustling Papeete.

Tahiti Hotels

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More About Tahiti

Overview

The largest of the Society Islands, Tahiti is a mixture of Polynesian, French, and Chinese cultures. The island, made up of the main island Tahiti Nui and the peninsula, Tahiti Iti, is also the most developed of the South Sea destinations. Long before the cruise liners weaved through the distant reef, others sought out these exotic beaches: Captain James Cook on Endeavour, William Bligh on Bounty, and many of the great Polynesian voyagers. Romantics also entered the harbor. Moby Dick author Herman Melville and artist Paul Gauguin, among many, were greeted with the soaring sight of magnificent Tahiti, towering over the town of Papeete. The town itself is a relatively recent invention, founded in 1818 by whalers (the indigenous Polynesians were based farther up the coast at the beautiful Matavai Bay). Papeete is still very much a provincial French town, albeit one with a distinctly Pacific flavor.

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Before You Go

Airport Check-In: It is recommended that you reconfirm your flight information and check in for your flights at the airline’s website 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Please bring all your final documents with you. It is important to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure for all domestic flights, and three hours prior to departure for international flights. For domestic flights within Tahiti, you are required to check in one hour prior to departure.

Required Documents: U.S. citizens must travel with a valid passport and a ticket for return or onward travel. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens might be different, and visitors are encouraged to verify the documentation/visa requirements with the nearest consulate or embassy. Rules are subject to change at any time, without notice. For the most current information, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Newlywed Information: Tickets and other travel documents must exactly match your current passport and other identification. If not, you could be denied boarding and no refund will be forthcoming. For requirements and information regarding marriages performed in a foreign country, please visit the consulate of the particular country.

Honeymoon Packages: Some hotels require you to present a marriage certificate or license for you to receive the honeymoon package. Please bring your marriage documentation with you if you are traveling on a honeymoon package.

Minors: If a minor (under 18) is traveling, please provide the appropriate travel documents for the trip. Review required documents here, https://www.dhs.gov/travel-overseas.

Luggage: Baggage allowances and fees vary by airline. For airline baggage fees and policies please visit https://www.costcotravel.com/Info/Airline-Baggage. If baggage fees do apply, this cost will be additional and must be paid directly to the airline.

Duty Free/Customs: When returning to the U.S., the duty-free allowance may vary by country. Please visit http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens for information regarding U.S. Customs and more.

Travel Health Information: For the most current worldwide health information, consult your family physician or the official website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-800-232-4636. You’ll find information on recent outbreaks, required vaccinations, insect protection, illness and injury abroad, and more.

General Safety Tips: By taking a few simple security precautions before and during your vacation, you can help ensure that you, your traveling companions, and your valuables are as safe and secure as possible.
  • To make it easier to replace your passport if it’s lost or stolen, in addition to your passport, take a photocopy of your passport information page (keeping it separate from your actual passport).
  • Carry only a limited amount of cash, just enough for gratuities and incidental purchases. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be replaced if lost or stolen.
  • Always lock your hotel room door (including patio and balcony door on any level of the building) and use the peephole before opening the door.
  • Store your valuables (such as cash, credit cards and airline tickets) in the hotel’s in-room safe or front desk safety deposit box.
  • If you must carry valuables on your person, do so in a pouch or money belt concealed under your clothing. Purses and backpacks can be easy targets for thieves.
  • For complete and current safety and security information, including travelers' tips, public announcements, travel advisories and more, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Climate:
Average Fahrenheit Temperature:
  • December through February: 82° to 83°
  • March through May: 84° to 82°
  • June through August: 80° to 79°
  • September through November: 79° to 81°

Tropical Storm Season from November to May

Water Safety: Tap water is safe to drink.

Local Currency: French Pacific Francs

Currency Information: For exchange and cash advances in CFP, banks can be found at Faa’a International Airport, in downtown Papeete and throughout the islands. Hotels also will exchange U.S. dollars for CFP. On the primary tourist islands, major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and boutiques.

Electricity: The voltage is 110 or 220 volts (60AC) depending on the islands and the type of accommodation. A universal adapter/converter is recommended.

Time Zone: Tahiti - French Polynesia Standard Time

Local Language: French | Tahitian

Do Not Forget: Visitors are reminded to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, reef walking shoes, swimwear, insect repellent and after-bite medicine, personal prescriptions, a camera, film/memory card, an extra camera battery and a disposable underwater camera. During the rainy season, lightweight rainwear is advised.

Top Experiences

  • Papeno’o Valley : The best way to see the interior of the lush island is on a 4x4 tour. Hiking trails and waterfalls are abundant all over the island.

  • Swim with Sealife : August through October, Humpback whales migrate through the islands. Stingrays and sharks are also in the surrounding area.

  • Papeete Market : This market is open every day and you can find fruit, vegetable, vanilla, souvenirs, and less expensive places to eat. It is also near the pearl markets.

  • Arhoho Blowhole : Bordered by a black sand beach, this natural wonder has a powerful eruption, making impressive photo opportunities.

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Transfers

Region: Papeete
Transfer Company: Marama Tours
Telephone: 689-50-74-74

Address:
BP 6266
98702 Faa'a Center
Papeete, Tahiti
French Polynesia, 98702
Emergency Telephone: 50-74-74 (24 hours)
Instructions: Upon arrival at the airport, claim your luggage and proceed through customs and immigration. A Marama Tours representative wearing an orange Polynesian Tapa-design uniform will greet you outside the airport.