Heading to Bora Bora for your honeymoon? You're almost certainly going to visit Tahiti on your way there. Most international flights to French Polynesia land at Faa'a International Airport on the island of Tahiti. And from there more than 90% of travelers will catch a flight to another island within 24 hours.
But should Tahiti be more than just a stopover? I think so!
For the most part, you won't spend your time in Tahiti drinking Hinanos on the porch of your overwater bungalow. As a tourist, on the surrounding islands you'll fit right in as nearly everyone you encounter is there for their honeymoon or a special occasion. But on Tahiti things are a little more real. Afterall, about 70% of French Polynesians live on this island.
Tahiti isn't the island for the world's most impressive 5 star resorts. That's Bora Bora. Most people pick a hotel near the airport and stay for 1 night. I'd recommend extending your stay to at least 2 nights. Tahiti has a lot to offer and much of it likely within walking distance of your hotel.
And the views: insane!
During my visit, I stayed at the newer Hilton Hotel Tahiti due to its proximity to Papeete (the main city on Tahiti). The InterContinental is also nice, but for me it was in the wrong direction for exploration. The Hilton's rooms were solid and the hotel premises very nice with a lovely pool and amazing views of Moorea. Another perk of staying at the Hilton was being able to use my Hilton Honors Points to stay for free.
I spent most of my time in Tahiti walking the streets of Papeete. The heart of the city was an easy 20 minute walk from my hotel. If you're taking the ferry to Moorea, the Papeete Ferry Terminal is where you'll find your ride.
More than once (ok, every night) I ate at one of the food trucks at Place Vai'ete in downtown Papeete. My favorite was the beef chow mien, but there were plenty of options to choose from.
I wanted a local Polynesian sarong and the Papeete market had a great selection. The market was mixture of clothing shops, fresh local produce, and some cafes and restaurants. I found a fruit juice stand in the market that was delicious.
My biggest regret was not purchasing a hand-made handbag at the market because I thought it was a little pricy. I ended up seeing similar bags for double the price on the other islands!
So is Tahiti worth more of your time than a layover? Absolutely! You won't regret staying two nights in Tahiti and giving yourself a full day to explore Papeete. Then you'll be ready to relax all day on Bora Bora.
Comments