Tahiti travel and visitor guide with hotel, airport, airline and vacation information. Compare Tahiti vacation packages, hotels and cruise deals. Tahiti is the biggest and most famous island in French Polynesia. For over 200 years Tahiti has been a destination that allured travelers from all over the world. Papeete is bordered by an aqua-blue sea and gorgeous beaches laced with palm trees. The landscape is downright magnificent, and the people friendly and helpful.
Tahiti is served by Faaa International Airport (Airport Code: PPT) in Papeete. Airlines serving Tahiti include United, Quantas, Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui. Travel to the neighboring islands is short, convenient, and easily arranged. The domestic airlines, Air Tahiti and Air Moorea, are located at Tahiti Faa’a Airport. Visit our Airports & Airline section for more information.
Tahiti is leading the charge in an attempt to gain independence from France. But at the same time, the citizens are welcoming, and everywhere you go in Papeete is a place of beauty and tranquility. Scuba diving, exploring, and dining in the fabulous Tahitian restaurants are among the most pleasurable activities. The food in the city is delicious, and all of the beaches accessible from Papeete are gorgeous and offer a plethora of water sports. Tahitians adore beauty contests and celebrations, so festivals and grand parties seem like weekly events. Visit the Official Tahiti Government Tourism Site for more information.
Passport, Visa & Embassy Information
For stays of up to one month, there are no visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. A foreigner with a residence card for the U.S. is not exempt from the above requirements and should consult the French Consulate based in the U.S. for information. You are required to have a valid passport, return/onward ticket and sufficient funds to cover your planned stay. Visit our Immigration section for more information.
Everyone should be aware of Customs issues relevant to cruisers. ANY boat entering French Polynesia (and that includes French registered boats too) is subyect to customs entry dues (about 15% to 25% of the surveyed value) IF that boat stays in French Polynesia MORE THAN 1 YEAR in ANY 2 YEAR PERIOD (or if you take a job locally, or sell your boat in F.P.). Time on the hard or in a marina, while owners are outside of the country, can be excluded by prior arrangements with Customs. Failure to comply with customs regulations can lead to confiscation of your boat until taxes and heavy fines are paid! Visit Noonsite, the website for cruising sailors.
Citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa for stays of up to three months; citizens of other countries should consult the French Consulate.
As entry requirements are subject to modification without notice, it is advisable to check with the French Embassy before departure.
France maintains an embassy in the U.S. at 4101 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20007 (tel. 202-944-6000).
Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency.
