When you think of French Polynesia, you probably picture Bora Bora’s luxurious overwater villas, Disney’s Moana and a vacation that is overall $$$? No? Just me?
While spending a year in one of the most remote places on the map (New Zealand) I started wondering “how much farther and more isolated can I get?”
I am not going to lie to you and say that French Polynesia is cheap, but we found plenty of ways to make it as affordable as possible. We visited two islands in 13 days, which I think was the perfect balance: enough time to experience the beauty and personality of both, without feeling rushed.
Table of Contents
The Basics
- Hello: ‘Ia ora na (yo-rah-nah)
- Thank you: Māuruuru (Ma-roo-roo)
- Currency: French Pacific Franc (XPF)
- Language: Mostly French
- Tap water: Not potable so bring or buy bottled water.
- Legal drinking age: 18
How to get around
We booked a rental car through the most affordable company on the island.
Eco Car is conveniently located across the street from the airport, and for 13 days we paid $646.00 USD or 67,437 XPF. They have pretty much every option from scooters to vans; petrol to electric and everything in between, so there is something for nearly every type of traveller and budget.
Accomodation in Tahiti
Accommodation is usually people’s biggest expense when traveling, especially in French Polynesia, in this case we prioritized affordability, while still wanting to stay relatively close to the activities we had planned to do in the area. Although Tahiti is a fairly small island, traffic can still be an issue, I guess that tends to happen when most people rely on the same road. Choosing a convenient location made a big difference.
We stayed in N’JOK Papeete on our final night before flying back to New Zealand, but I honestly wish we had stayed longer. The apartment was spacious and located close to the city, with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and even a backyard where you could relax barefoot in the grass. If you’re planning to spend a few days exploring Papeete, I highly recommend staying here.
- Price: $103 USD / 10,928 XPF per night
- Best for: Families, and friend groups.
- From airport: 10 min by car
Pension Te Miti was the first place we stayed in, a cute little hostel that even had breakfast included. But don’t go expecting to party. They had an obscene amount of old people staying there. Maybe it was just the crowd while we were visiting, but every night at 9 p.m., one older woman would wake up the entire hostel just to tell us to tip toe. This hostel was walking distance to two amazing beaches, both of which were great for snorkeling.
- Price: $35 USD / 2,156 XPF/ per night (4 bed dorm, with breakfast included)
- Best for: Solo travelers, couples, families
- From airport: 15 min by car
- To Papeete: 20 min by car
Hitinui Guest house was cozy and comfortable, with two rooms, a large garden and my favourite feature, air conditioning.
We wanted to be able to explore different parts of the island without having to constantly drive up and down the same main road. Staying here allowed us to be closer to Teahupo’o and several nearby waterfalls.
- Price: $121 USD / 12,880 XPF per night
- Best for: Families & Friends
- From airport: 1 hour (ish) by car
- To Papeete: 1 hour by car
Accomodation in Mo’orea
In my opinion this was my favourite place we stayed, mostly because there was a cheeky pool and plenty of space for us to spread out.
It is located inside a gated community which sounds fancier than it is, but the setting was comfortable and convenient. There is enough room for at least five adults.
- Price: $170 USD / 18,015 XPF / per night
- Best for: Family and group of friends
- From Ferry: 35 min by car
- From Airport: 32 min by car
This was our final accomodation in Mo’orea, it was another lovely place with tons of space and a small pool. The only downside was that the ants and other bugs came out at night and created a highway across the main walls. Aside from that, we really enjoyed our stay.
The location was perfect for accessing Mt. Mou’aputa, which we planned to climb during our visit. It also was an opportunity to explore the other side of the island.
- Price: $157 USD/ 16,665 XPF/ per night
- Best for: Families and group of friends
- From Ferry: 20 min by car
- From Airport: 28 min by car
- To Mt. Mou’aputa: 15 min
Beaches
In Tahiti and Mo’orea the locals say that there are “locals only beaches” but we learnt that there is technically no such thing because the beaches are public property. Keeping that in mind I don’t think you should waltz onto any beach because upsetting the locals is never a good idea.
Be careful if you drive there. We had a scary looking man, who I am almost positive was not a parking attendant (because as long as you’re not in the city centre, parking is free on the island), approached us and asked for 1,000 XPF to park our car. We ended up driving away and coming back by foot. We then had no problems and it was a fantastic beach to snorkel with loads of fish and sting rays to keep you entertained.
If you go, treat yourself to a coconut ice cream from one of the roulottes. Maybe it was the sun or the salt water, but it was the best ice cream I’ve had in a while.
The beach was also an amazing spot for snorkeling. The water is quite shallow, making it easy to explore or simply sit with your “toes in the water, ass in the sand” and listen to some Zac Brown Band
Of all the beaches, this one had the best sunset views, I mean c’mon look at this —>
If you hadn’t gotten your fill of blue ass water yet then you will love this place. Just down the road from the Sofitel with the overwater bungalows, you will find a hidden road that takes you to some of the bluest, clear water I have ever swam in. Of course I had to grab my mask and go for a snorkel. The corals were nothing spectacular but the colour of the water and the visibility makes up for everything. Also, watch out for the falling coconuts, those are a killer.
Ferries
We took the ferry from Tahiti to Mo’orea. We chose Tuatea Ferry – A round trip with a car is $140 USD / 8,800 XPF, while a round trip for one adult is $35 USD / 2,200 XPF.
There are a few companies that take you on the big ferry to different islands. Aremiti Express & Vaeara’i
They all leave from the same ferry terminal in downtown Papeete, depending on your booking the prices can vary. Once you are aboard, head to the top deck and keep your eye out for whales. If you’re the seasick type, stay on the lower levels and head to the back of the ship. The journey is only about 45 min.
Activities Tahiti
Teahupo’o Wave – Free*
I’ll be honest here: when we arrived at Teahupo’o, I was expecting a little more. If you’re not familiar with the famous Teahupo’o wave, it’s where they held the surfing events for the 2024 summer olympics.
If you visit, don’t expect the wave to be close, or particularly visible from shore. It’s located beyond the reef, and if you do want to see it up close you can find water taxis that will take you on a tour. When we asked, we were told it cost approximately $70 USD / 7,450 XPF, and passengers had to stay inside the boat the entire trip.
In my opinion, you could skip this stop, unless, of course you’re planning on going to “hang 10”.
“Machu Picchu” hike – Free
The man who ran the first hostel we stayed at told us about this hike, saying that most tourists aren’t aware of it. You have to do it!
It’s a flat, easy, but a long 20km (round trip) hike through lush forest, with beautiful waterfalls along the way. At the end you’re rewarded with spectacular views.
Faarumai Waterfall – Free
We had a few rainy days during our visit. Instead of sitting inside, we thought the best thing to do would be to visit some of Tahiti’s waterfalls.
Faarumai is home to three waterfalls ranging from 40 to 100m high. Thanks to the heavy rain the falls were absolutely incredible. Trying to go into the plunge pool was a mission, the water felt like tiny bullets hitting my skin, and trying to see where I was going felt like trying to run in a dream where you keep falling down.
If for whatever reason you want to stay dry, on the path to the left there is about a 10 – 15 min walk and leads to a better viewpoint of the other two falls.
Water Gardens Vaipahi – Free
This charming little park is filled with some gorgeous flora. You can stop to stretch your legs and take a small 15 – 20 min stroll around the gardens, or follow one of three uphill trails for views of the reef/ ocean from above.
Grottes De Mara’a – Free
If you’re trying to escape a bit of the sun, these caves are worth a visit. The main cave is more than 80 meters long and has clear water that is perfect for a refreshing swim.
Activities Mo’orea
Toatea lookout – Free
If you’re driving past, Toatea lookout is a great place to stretch your legs and take in the views. From here, you can look out over the luxurious overwater bungalows and enjoy a beautiful view of Tahiti.
Mou’aputa Mountain – Free
Buckle up, because this hike was not easy. Mou’aputa mountain is a STEEP, 9.5km climb with ropes to help you along some of the more challenging sections.
Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with one of the best views of the entire island.
According to the locals, you can hire one of the local high school kids to guide you from the parking area. With a guide, you may also be able to enter the cool hole in the mountain. Since we decided not to go with a guide we decided not to risk it.
*Do not go if it is or has been raining the past days.
*Also be aware of the small fire ants that are on the trees. We didn’t notice until it was too late and while hiking below the tree line, we became extremely itchy every time we touched a tree. The irritation eventually went away, but it was definitely not pleasant.
I recommend starting early. We started our hike at around 10am, but once we arrived at the top we had maybe 30 min of views before the afternoon clouds came in.
Three Pines Lookout – Free
In the area there is another lookout called, Opunohu Lookout (or Belvedere Lookout) which is perfect… for parking your car. If you really want the best photo for Instagram, you’ll have to work for it a little. You can drive up to the lookout, and there’s a hikers’ parking area just before the final turn. From there, walk up toward the lookout and enter the forest on the left, you’ll see the trail almost immediately.
When facing away from the view, take the trail on the left. You’ll come across two forks during the hike; both times, take the trail on the right.
The Three Pines Lookout is approximately a 45-minute hike from the parking area. The trail feels a little longer than it actually is and can be quite muddy, so this probably isn’t the time to wear your brand-new Nikes.
Once you reach the summit, reward yourself with a swing above the treetops while taking in the 360° views of both bays and the rest of Moorea.
Moorea Expeditions – Whale swimming – $ 280 USD / 29,815 XPF
This was not only the highlight of the trip, but also one of the biggest items I’ve ever been able to check off my bucket list.
If you find yourself planning a trip between August and early November this is a must do experience. I know it is a little pricey but it is worth every cent. After swimming with the whales, the tour takes you to a sandbar in one of Mo’orea’s famous lagoons, where the sting rays act like puppy dogs and white / black tip reef sharks where swimming all around us.
It was a full day of unforgettable wildlife encounters, and by the time we returned to land, I genuinely didn’t know what to do with myself. How do you go back to normal after a day like that?
French Polynesia introduced several regulatory changes at the beginning of 2026 to help make the whale encounters as ethical as possible. It’s also important to note that, by law, you’re required to wear a lifejacket. However, an exemption is made for people wearing a wetsuit, whether it’s a full length wetsuit or a shorty.
Since wearing a life jacket sounded less than ideal and probably not very flattering, we brought our own. Thankfully the tour company works with a rental provider, so you can rent one for an additional fee if needed.
Other Tips
Food
One way we tried to make the trip as affordable as possible was by shopping at local grocery stores. When you’re traveling, preparing some of your own meals is a great way to save money. We would make breakfast at our accommodation and have a meal out once a day. Since French Polynesia’s part of France, you can always count on a baguette and some good French cheese to save the day, and your budget.
Roulottes (Food Trucks)
These are everywhere in French Polynesia and quickly become one of my favourite places to eat. You’ll find all kinds of options, from poke bowls and savory or sweet crepes, to burgers and even pizza. Of course, there are plenty of fancy restaurants to choose from, but you’ll end up paying significantly more for the experience.
I think I had a tuna poke bowl at least once a day! Most meals cost around $12 – $18 USD / 1,200 – 1,900XPF, making roulottes a delicious and relatively affordable way to eat out while traveling.
Beers
Our favourite beer and the main local beer is Hinano, often called “the beer of Tahiti” it is a light, crisp lager brewed in Tahiti and available throughout the islands
Beer is sold at the grocery store but we learned three things:
- Chilled alcoholic drinks, generally cannot be sold in stores
- There are restrictions on when you can buy alcohol.
- Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm
- Saturday and Sunday / public holidays 8am – noon
- If you buy a full crate of beer, you’ll usually pay a refundable deposit. Once you return the crate with all the empty bottles inside, you’ll get your deposit back.
There are a million ways to explore French Polynesia, from ATV tours and sailing sunset cruises, to snorkeling excursions and everything in between. We probably only scratched the surface, but these were the activities we chose to experience as much of the islands’ wild beauty as possible without having to sell a kidney.
French Polynesia may not be the cheapest destination, but it doesn’t have to be reserved for people with a luxury resort budget. With a little planning, you can spend your days chasing waterfalls, hiking through lush forests, swimming with whales, and eating tuna poke from a roulotte all without breaking the bank.
Māuruuru,
D