Where Is Tahiti? Are you debating whether to book that Tahiti island vacation? Or perhaps you want to know what it’s like to take a trip to Tahiti from someone’s perspective? If you’ve travelled to other island places like Hawaii, you might be thinking if Tahiti is worth the trip.
If so, you are in the proper location. Here are my thoughts on Tahiti’s value for money and the key information you need to know.
Is Tahiti a Good Vacation Spot?
With its breathtakingly blue seas and overwater bungalows, French Polynesia is renowned for luring tourists from all over the world.
It is obviously not intended for everyone, though. It could be a fantastic vacation spot or money down the drain, depending on your personal interests.
Examine your hobbies and Tahiti’s excursion options to determine which category best describes you.
Tahiti is a Good Holiday Spot if
Do you enjoy reading a nice book while relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun? Or perhaps you enjoy being outside and wish to climb to breathtaking panoramic viewpoint spots and waterfalls, surf Tahiti’s renowned surf breakers or get up close to the varied undersea life.
Alternately, you might be someone who deeply values education and exposure to the diverse, rich cultures of the world. Tahiti is a fantastic destination for a holiday if any of these statements apply to you.
Of course you won’t like Tahiti if any of the aforementioned descriptors don’t strike a chord with you. These are considered to be the three primary groups that tourists tend to fall into based solely on what I saw and the people I connected with.
Vacationing in Tahiti is not recommended if
There are some more circumstances in why visiting Tahiti might not be the ideal holiday decision for you, besides not being interested in anything I just listed.
Tahiti is a far cry from a large metropolis if you long for the atmosphere of a place like Paris or Milan and the sound of whirring vehicles. The majority of the buildings are a few floors tall, maintaining the French aesthetic. You won’t find tall towers everywhere, not even in the capital, Papeete.
If you dislike tropical temperatures, Tahiti may not be the best choice for you. This denotes unpredictable weather that is always warm and humid. A lightning storm that disrupts your plans appears out of nowhere one minute and bright, blue sky the next.
These are a few factors to take into account, but it always pays to do additional study to determine whether Tahiti is an appropriate holiday destination for you.
Tahiti Is It Worth It?
Despite Tahiti’s attractiveness, you might be thinking if it’s really worth the money given its sometimes high cost. When you take a trip or spend a lot of money on something and are then let down, it’s the worst, kind of like the infamous Paris Syndrome.
Additionally, what if you’ve currently visited Hawaii or an additional destination in the Caribbean? If Tahiti is simply more of the same, is it really worth it?
If you’ve ever travelled to the island of Hawaii, is Tahiti worth the trip?
The knowledge that Tahiti and her islands have to offer is unmatched, speaking as someone who has travelled to Hawaii frequently and other island places.
Hawaii, for instance, frequently complies with American ideals of convenience and travel. This entails a sizable number of American fast food restaurants, several urbanised town centres with sizable malls, and frequently crowded beaches and hiking trails. In essence, there are fewer undiscovered treasures.
French Polynesia, meantime, has a mysterious and mythical quality. The impression of being alone, far away, and almost otherworldly is still present in Tahiti and several of the smaller islands, such as Huahine. Although the cost of visiting has increased over time, it feels much less commercial and more genuine.
In conclusion, I would say that Tahiti is absolutely worth the money to visit if you have any desire or interest in the things that it has to offer. I really think Tahiti offers an entirely distinct experience from locations like Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other island destinations since it is in a class of its own.
Is an Affordable Trip to Tahiti Price It?
I would contend Tahiti is worthwhile even if you have a limited budget. Contrary to popular belief, you can still enjoy yourself even if you can’t afford to splurge on an overwater bungalow!
For comparison, I recently spent over an entire week on holidays in Tahiti for a total cost of only about $1650. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Additionally, you don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars each week on far-flung excursions in order to fill your schedule. There are so many inexpensive or free activities all throughout the island.
How Would Tahiti Be?
Have you ever been to another nation and gone through culture shock? I have, and it may significantly affect your experience, frequently not in a positive manner.
Below are the fundamentals for what you need to know in order to have a better understanding of what to anticipate if you travel to Tahiti.
Where in the World Is Tahiti?
The biggest of the 118 separate islands and atolls that make up French Polynesia in the southern Pacific Ocean is Tahiti. It is situated almost halfway between Sydney, Australia, and Los Angeles, California.
For comparison, a direct flight to Tahiti takes approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes from both San Francisco and Los Angeles in California. Tahiti is divided into two parts: Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti. Tahiti Iti (Little Tahiti) is the smaller southeast region, and Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti) is the bigger northwest region.
Which Language is Used?
French and Tahitian are the two official languages of Tahiti and her islands.If you have some prior knowledge of French, you may be eager to practise and brush up on your language abilities. Just so you’re aware, French accents in French Polynesia are significantly unlike from those in France.
I discovered that I had to keep asking the natives to repeat themselves. Nevertheless, putting my skills from foreign language classes to use was rewarding and enjoyable!
Do not worry if you are not fluent in French. The majority of the population is literate in simple English. Communication of more complex inquiries or ideas may require a little patience, but overall you shouldn’t have too many issues.
Speaking “hello” and farewell in Tahitian goes a long way, even if you don’t know any additional words. It demonstrates your want to understand and become a part of the community.
When my friends and I used Tahitian to welcome people, they were always grateful and glad to see us.
Which Currency Is Used In French Polynesia?
The French Pacific Franc, sometimes known as XPF, is the currency used in French Polynesia.
There are several silver and gold coins available that are worth 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 francs. French Polynesia, meanwhile, uses banknotes with denominations of 500, 1000, 5,000, and 10,000 francs.
Word of caution: I strongly advise carrying some XPF even if you have a travel credit card and can avoid international transaction costs. Numerous small retailers and companies do not accept credit or debit cards. It’s also helpful if you want to leave a tip.
Having said that, you can attempt haggling with US dollars if you are unable to obtain any XPF or if you unexpectedly run out of money while travelling.
We didn’t know in advance that the locals only accepted cash when my buddies and I went on an outing with them. The cost of the two-hour excursion was 5,000 francs, or around $43 USD. The native, however, suggested that we give him $50 USD because we were low on cash.
Since the conversion is obviously imperfect, we undoubtedly lost money, but as a last resort, it might be able to help you out.
How Would You Describe Tahiti’s Infrastructure?
The infrastructure in Tahiti is probably very unlike from what you’re used to, as I briefly said previously. For instance, Tahiti’s interior is heavily forested, hence the majority of its structures and residents are located near the coast.
Additionally, you might observe that the buildings on the island tend to be smaller and more understated in terms of architectural design as you explore the area. Although some people might find this to be less impressive, I thought it was nice. You could sense how much the people utilised and cherished the areas since they felt more personal.
There are also a lot of roundabouts, which could surprise you. There is often only one main route you use to go to your next location, unless you are in the capital, Papeete. In actuality, the entire island may be encircled by a single road.
This implies that you probably won’t be able to readily do a U-turn if you unintentionally miss your turn-off. You’ll need to keep going till you see the next roundabout.
I’ll be the first to confess that it’s okay to not be accustomed to operating a vehicle on roundabouts. Not once, not twice, but three times, my buddies and I failed to take our turn. It goes without saying that it was a long day.
Local Food Industry
Tahiti is renowned for its broad variety of delectable exotic fruits and fresh seafood meals.
“Poisson Cru” was one of the most ordered items that we saw on almost every menu. Poisson Cru, which translates directly to “raw fish,” often includes raw tuna along with other ingredients such onions, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and coconut milk. Even though I don’t like seafood, I have to confess that this was very nice.
Because Tahiti is filled to the brim with seafood dishes, if you happen to love fish and seafood you’re in for a special treat.
Oh! Also, Moorea has a tonne of fantastic tours and activities if you’re only there for a day. For instance, some of the experiences that are primarily centred on food allow you to learn how to prepare real meals while also allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture!
Three Things That Make Tahiti Worth Visiting
There are three well-liked pastimes within and around Tahiti, besides living in an overwater house and relaxing on the beach, in my opinion.
Trekking
Walking in Tahiti’s green and lush hinterland is one of the nicest things to do.
I highly recommend going to Tahiti’s famed Fautaua Waterfall if you are prepared for a reasonably strenuous climb, even though there are many trails that are suitable for all levels of endurance. It was the pinnacle of my trip and one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.
Swimming while taking in Teahupoo
Tahiti is well-known around the world for its stunning surf breaks and vividly blue seas. Anywhere on the island, you’ll probably see a local carrying a surfboard as they head to the shore. There are surf breakers all across the island that are comfortable for novices to ride!
However, think about taking a taxi boat out to see Teahupoo if you want to see something insane that is particular to Tahiti. If you’ve never heard of Teahupoo, it’s one of the world’s biggest and best waves that attracts both experienced surfers and casual surfers.
I headed to Teahupoo with my closest buddy and our surfboards, and although though it was a smaller day out on the water, our hearts were pounding. Both spectacular and terrible describe the wave. Anyone can appreciate Teahupoo’s power as a natural force.
Scuba diving
Snorkelling in Tahiti’s breathtakingly blue seas is the third greatest thing to do when visiting the island. You get the ideal opportunity to get up close and personal with the rich aquatic life thanks to its clean waters.
My companions and I snorkelled at least once a day, usually twice, while we were in Tahiti. Swimming in such pristine seas and getting to connect with the marine creatures was very liberated.
They will make sure you see the finest of Tahiti and show your all the hidden treasures. It’s a chance you really shouldn’t miss up on!
Tahiti Travel Season
If you’re considering travelling to Tahiti and wondering when to go, I suggest visiting between April and June and September and November, which are considered the shoulder seasons.
While it’s generally advised to visit a location during the off-peak months, I understand that this isn’t always feasible. The fairy schedule creator isn’t always on our side, which is unfortunate but not surprising.
If it applies to you, you might be considering.
Is It Paying It to Visit Tahiti in the Summer?
It goes without saying that French Polynesia is crowded with visitors, honeymooners, and couples in the summer. Due of the limited availability, prices increase as demand from tourists rises.
Despite this, I still believe a summer vacation to Tahiti is worthwhile. As I said earlier, if you’re willing to give up some of the nicer amenities, it is completely doable to travel on an economical basis to Tahiti.
In addition, Tahiti’s dry period includes the summer. In layman’s terms, this indicates that there are often milder temperatures and more sunny days than wet ones.
Of However, even with that stated, Tahiti’s weather is unpredictable, so you should always be ready for the prospect of a downpour.
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