With its beautiful tropical islands, cerulean lagoons and a vibrant, community-oriented tradition, French Polynesia is the form of journey vacation spot daydreams are product of. It’s positioned within the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Australia and the US, and is made up of 121 islands divided into 5 archipelagos. Tahiti is the primary island and residential to the capital metropolis, Papeete.

Regardless of its popularity as a luxurious vacation spot – with spots like Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows famously catering to honeymooners – French Polynesia is now extra accessible than ever earlier than, because of frequent flights from the US mainland and the arrival of funds airways similar to French Bee. 

So whether or not you favor high-end luxurious on a non-public island, procuring at Papeete’s recent meals market or mountain climbing to a hidden waterfall, there’s one thing for everybody. The toughest half? Deciding which islands to go to.

Regardless that I reside right here and have been fortunate sufficient to discover the islands, I’m all the time amazed at how totally different and distinctive each island and atoll is. For me although, it’s not the seashores or the landscapes that make this place magic, it is the real heat and generosity of the folks that reside right here.

When ought to I am going to French Polynesia? 

French Polynesia enjoys a tropical local weather and temperatures hover round 25–30°C (77–86°F) year-round. There are solely two seasons: the dry season and the wet season or “scorching and warmer.” 

The dry season, from Could to October, is when the climate is mostly sunny and nice. The moist season, which runs from November to April, is when it is best to anticipate extra heavy downpours, humidity and an elevated threat of cyclones. In Tahiti, this season is named matari’i i ni’a (the “season of abundance”) and it’s welcomed joyously with ceremonies and dance.

Being an island nation, there may be unimaginable marine life right here: the whale watching season runs from July to November, whereas the Tuamotu archipelago may be the world’s prime vacation spot to dive with hammerhead sharks from December to March. In the meantime, July to November is one of the best time to swim or dive with manta rays.

June via August are the busiest months for tourism in French Polynesia, and coincide with the islands’ greatest cultural competition, the Heiva, and different main occasions such because the Tahiti Billabong Professional. Funds vacationers might discover cheaper costs touring throughout the off-season, with September via November additionally having typically good climate.

How a lot time ought to I spend in French Polynesia? 

After flying all the way in which to French Polynesia, it is best to spend no less than 5 days right here at a minimal. It’s sufficient time to discover one or two islands similar to Tahiti and Bora Bora, absorb essentially the most scenic spots (similar to Teahupoo or Matira Beach) and get a style of the native tradition with a conventional dance present, for instance. However 10 or extra days is right, supplying you with time to discover one other archipelago or simply do because the locals do and benefit from the gradual unhurried tempo of life within the islands.

Is it straightforward to get in and round French Polynesia? 

French Polynesia has one worldwide airport, positioned in Tahiti near Papeete. Most worldwide flights to Tahiti come via New Zealand or the US (normally LA or San Francisco), though direct flights from Tokyo, Japan are additionally accessible on a semi-regular foundation.

The quickest and hottest (to not point out the costliest) option to journey between islands is by air, and there are two home airways that join Tahiti to over 40 islands. Relying on the island, flights could be restricted so it’s finest to guide in-advance with Air Tahiti or Air Moana.

Native ferries provide another choice for interisland journey, normally at a cheaper price level. There are frequent providers between Tahiti and different Society Islands, the archipelago that features Bora Bora and Mo’orea. Native ferry corporations embody Vaeara’i, Aremiti and Apetahi Express, and the ferry terminal is positioned in Papeete. 

For getting round, most islands frequented by vacationers (together with Tahiti, Mo’orea and Bora Bora) provide automotive and scooter rental choices. On another islands like Maupiti or Fakarava, it could be simpler to get round by bike or on foot. Understand that on the few islands that provide public transport, will probably be unreliable and rare, though the general public bus providers in Tahiti are enhancing. From the worldwide airport in Tahiti, it’s attainable to catch a bus to Papeete and different city facilities.

High issues to do in French Polynesia 

With over 100 islands to select from in French Polynesia, and lots of extra actions, it may be tough to know the place to begin planning your journey. However listed below are 4 of the best possible issues that you simply should not miss right here within the islands.

Keep in a single day in an overwater bungalow

Nowhere does opulence fairly like French Polynesia, and staying in a single day in a non-public overwater bungalow overlooking the lagoon is an expertise in contrast to some other. Should you wish to calm down in luxurious, get up to a postcard-perfect view, and revel in perks like breakfast hand-delivered by canoe, that is for you. The most effective overwater bungalows are at high-end resorts such because the Four Seasons, Le Taha’a and St Regis.

Expertise the Heiva 

Yearly in July, French Polynesia celebrates the Heiva festival in an explosion of colour, dance and track that lasts round two to a few weeks. Occasions embody enormous dance performances, singing and chants, and conventional sport competitions. Whether or not it’s watching rivals husk coconuts at lightning velocity, marveling on the dancers’ intricate handmade costumes or listening to coronary heart pounding beats of conventional Tahitian drums, there’s one thing for everybody. It’s fairly merely one of the best time to expertise Polynesian tradition at its most joyous. 

Spend a while on a distant atoll within the Tuamotus

The Tuamotu archipelago in French Polynesia is made up completely of atolls: ring-shaped islands of sand and coral that encompass stunning lagoons. They’re a paradise for ocean lovers, providing unequalled diving, snorkeling, fishing and even browsing. And there’s one thing magical about visiting a few of the most distant islands inhabited by human beings – even the celebs are higher out right here. A few of the hottest atolls to go to embody Rangiroa, Fakarava and Tikehau.

Eat like a neighborhood on the roulottes (meals vans)

Roulottes are meals vans that pop up most nights alongside the roadside in Tahiti, and on many different islands in French Polynesia. They provide enormous parts of native meals favorites, which have a mixture of Tahitian, French and Chinese language influences. Typical dishes embody steak frites (steak and fries), poisson cru (uncooked fish marinated in coconut milk) and chow mein. To seek out one of the best roulottes, head exterior of the vacationer areas and search for locations which are full of locals: I assure you’ll depart with a contented stomach.

My favourite factor to do in French Polynesia 

I really like mountain climbing in French Polynesia. Whereas the islands are normally all concerning the water, the land is simply as unimaginable. Exploring lush inexperienced valleys, swimming beneath waterfalls, having fun with 360-degree views from mountain ridges: mountain climbing right here is all the time an journey. Certainly one of my favourite and most accessible hikes is the Fautaua valley hike, positioned simply 10 minutes exterior of Papeete metropolis. It’s doable in half a day with spots to swim alongside the way in which, and ends in one among Tahiti’s most beautiful waterfalls, with a drop of over 100m (328ft). For one of the best expertise and for security I’d suggest hiring a information. To entry the hike, it’s needed to acquire a allow and pay a small payment on the Papeete Metropolis Corridor.

How a lot cash do I would like for Tahiti and French Polynesia? 

French Polynesia is an costly vacation spot, and it’s recognized for luxurious tourism. Nevertheless, there may be a variety of lodging accessible to go well with most budgets, all the pieces from tenting and family-run guesthouses to uber-luxurious resorts on privately owned islands. Word that money is required right here, significantly exterior of Tahiti, though utilizing credit score and debit playing cards to pay is changing into extra frequent.

• Hostel room: 3000–5000 CFP (US$26–44) 

• Fundamental room for 2: 5000–8000 CFP (US$44–70) 

• Self-catering residence (together with Airbnb): 10,000–35,000 CFP (US$88–308) 

• Public transport ticket: 200–600 CFP (US$1.76–5.28) 

• Native-style baguette sandwich: 300–600 CFP (US$2.64–5.28)

• Dinner for 2 at a meals truck: 4000 CFP (US$35)

What do I must find out about diving in French Polynesia?

French Polynesia is a diver’s dream, with ultimate situations virtually year-round and a shocking array of marine life and underwater surroundings. June, July and August carry the commerce winds which suggests the seas could be tough throughout these months. Word that diving right here is pricey; it prices round 10,000 CFP (US$88) for a single dive, although most operators provide package deal offers.

For rookies, islands like Tahiti and Mo’orea provide certification packages or the chance to do a discovery dive to search out out what it is like. For knowledgeable divers, head to the Tuamotu archipelago for unimaginable drift diving and marine life.

Can I journey to Tahiti and French Polynesia on a funds?

Sure, you may. Listed here are my money-saving ideas: 

• Examine funds airline French Bee for reasonable flights to Tahiti from Paris and the US. 

• Plan your journey round only one or two islands; I’d suggest sticking to Tahiti and Mo’orea.

• Keep away from eating places and eat out at native meals vans.

• Search for lodging no less than two to a few months upfront on websites like Airbnb. 

• If in case you have your coronary heart set on staying in an overwater bungalow and the cash to spend, spend money on the expertise. Head to one of many islands exterior Tahiti for fewer crowds and views with out the city sprawl of the primary island. My favourite islands for overwater bungalows are Taha’a, Bora Bora and Rangiroa.

• Take into account renting a scooter or taking public transport as an alternative of renting a automotive. 

Is French Polynesia protected?

French Polynesia is a protected place to journey and an ideal place to travel solo or with kids. Nevertheless, it may be harmful to discover the islands’ valleys, mountains and oceans with no licensed information. Pure occurrences like flash floods and rip currents could be unpredictable – keep protected by heading out with a educated knowledgeable.

What languages are spoken in Tahiti?

Making the hassle to be taught no less than a couple of phrases in French and/or Tahitian earlier than you arrive will make an enormous distinction. Outdoors of the vacationer areas, most individuals don’t communicate English, and a pleasant Iaorana or bonjour will go a great distance.

Is the water protected to drink?

The quick reply is “it relies upon”. Even on the primary island of Tahiti, there are locations the place the faucet water just isn’t protected to drink. It’s all the time finest to ask a neighborhood or drink bottled water in the event you’re uncertain.

Fronting onto a rugged stretch of shoreline, Lima is usually used as a stepping stone to succeed in bucket-list websites similar to Machu Picchu, however the capital of Peru has change into a vacation spot in its personal proper.

This bustling metropolis greater than makes up for its chaotic site visitors and humdrum climate with out-of-this-world delicacies, dramatic coastal views and excellent museums. We might say the capital of Peru has rather a lot going for it — an nearly overwhelming quantity. However Lima is among the much less well-known cities within the Americas, so it helps to know what to anticipate.

That will help you benefit from your journey to the Metropolis of Kings (and simplify your journey planning) listed below are a couple of helpful issues to know earlier than touring to Lima.

1. Be ready for grey skies

This can be a heads up for individuals who undergo from seasonal temper swings in drab climate – do not assume this coastal Latin American capital is the land of sunshine.

For each month of the 12 months outdoors of Peru’s summer season season (January to March), the skies over Lima are persistently grey. This generally is a enormous disappointment for unsuspecting guests – and might put on down even these ready for this quirk of the Lima climate.

Maintain this in thoughts when planning the timing of a trip to Lima. On the plus aspect, the Peruvian capital is dry almost all 12 months spherical and you may keep lively on the malecón (waterfront esplanade) to maintain your power ranges and temper up.

In case you are in dire want of Vitamin D, take into account a day journey down south to Pachacamac or a weekend journey to Reserva Nacional de Paracas the place the solar is extra prone to make an look.

2. Obtain a rideshare app for straightforward journeys round Lima

Lima sprawls over quite a few broadly unfold districts, so it’s possible you’ll spend a great chunk of time commuting. Although there are a handful of low cost and accessible methods to get round Lima, your greatest guess is to depend on a rideshare app similar to Uber or Cabify.

Even when you’ve got an honest stage of Spanish or are touring in a gaggle, the chance of theft or getting scammed when taking an unmarked taxi off the road in Lima might be not well worth the few soles (Peru’s official forex) distinction in value.

3. Base your self in a district that fits your pursuits in Lima

There are such a lot of great neighborhoods in Lima, every with its personal distinctive character and attributes, and with the sprawling nature of the town, it pays to remain near the belongings you wish to see.

Do a little bit of analysis to find the most effective neighborhood in Lima for you – some areas are higher for individuals touring with youngsters, whereas others enchantment to vacationers seeking to keep to a budget or these looking for a style of native nightlife.

Most vacationers keep within the hip district of Barranco or centrally-located Miraflores, and for good cause. However less-visited districts similar to Pueblo Libre or Magdalena del Mar may woo you with their top museums and genuine vibe.

4. Contemplate distance and site visitors when organizing your day-to-day itinerary

Sprawling throughout greater than 1000 sq miles, Lima is the biggest metropolis in Peru and one of many 5 most populous cities in South America. Whereas most of the most touristed districts are shut neighbors, a number of the best things to do and see in Lima are on reverse sides of the town.

Don’t waste a bit of your go to to Lima commuting. As a substitute, make investments a little bit of pre-travel time in mapping out what every district has to supply, so you may plan your days based mostly on actions and sights which are shut to at least one one other.

For instance, it is a good suggestion to pair gallery visits in Barranco with lunch or dinner in a Miraflores restaurant, or a visit to Pueblo Libre’s extremely thorough and informative Museo Larco with a drink on the identical district’s famed Queirolo pisco bar.

5. Don’t haggle excessively and preserve money helpful

Talking of respect for native tradition, let’s discuss haggling. Many tour businesses encourage vacationers to cut price for higher costs, reassuring them that it’s merely a part of the Peruvian tradition.

Nonetheless, whereas it’s common in Lima markets to see distributors and patrons discussing a greater value, there’s a level the place arguing exhausting for a less expensive value turns into disrespectful.

Most of the artisans in Lima come from the highlands or tropical lowlands – distant areas the place it’s troublesome to earn a gradual earnings and the standard of life is way decrease than within the cities and most international locations vacationers come from. Until you may ensure that the seller is charging an extortionate quantity, take into account settling for a barely increased than the locals value to assist assist native households.

Additionally remember the fact that many small companies, in addition to unbiased artisans, will solely settle for money they usually might not have change, so carry loads of small payments.

6. Study a couple of primary Spanish phrases and phrases for simpler travels

A fast search on Fb will flip up hyperlinks to quite a few teams of English-speaking expats who fell in love with Peru and arrange a base in Lima, however the overwhelming majority of locals don’t communicate fluent English.

Fortunately, rideshare apps cast off the necessity to give detailed instructions to taxi drivers, and purchases in markets can usually be negotiated with just a few inventive gesturing.

Nonetheless, to slot in, and scale back the possibilities of being scammed, learning a few phrases in Spanish is an efficient solution to categorical your respect for locals and be much less of an outsider on this strongly Spanish-speaking metropolis.

Many locals will give a passing greeting of qué tal (how are you?) or buen dia (good day), and doing so your self will put a smile on individuals’s faces.

Figuring out your numbers can also be useful relating to paying a good value – costs could also be hiked for individuals who solely communicate English.

7. Belief your intestine intuition when consuming road meals

Picarones (squash and candy potato fried donuts), anticuchos (skewered beef coronary heart), emoliente (a thick natural drink served piping scorching) – the listing of tempting road meals choices in Lima goes on and on.

And whereas the meals served on the sidewalks of Lima present a scrumptious, budget-friendly solution to sample the flavors of Peru, your abdomen might not be on board with the lax (typically non-existent) sanitary requirements employed by road distributors.

When selecting whether or not to eat from a road meals stall, go together with your instincts. Again house, you wouldn’t eat from a spot that has extra flies than clients, or from a cook dinner who does not wash their fingers or use gloves for meals prep, so don’t danger it in Lima.

One other vital rule of thumb for newcomers is to satiate your yearning for ceviche in a correct restaurant; raw fish on the road is a quick monitor to a abdomen bug.

8. Observe big-city security precautions to keep away from theft in Lima

Lima is a reasonably protected vacation spot for vacationers relating to severe crime – however that doesn’t imply it is a good suggestion to stroll round city at nightfall together with your digicam or a shiny new telephone on show. As with every giant metropolis, opportunistic crime, particularly theft, is prevalent in Lima.

To keep away from dropping a treasured useful merchandise, be road sensible and conscious of your rapid setting. Don’t go away your purse, bag or telephone within the seat subsequent to you whereas driving in a taxi or a public bus, and keep away from strolling round together with your pockets on apparent show in your again pocket.

Cellphone snatching on the street is one other downside. Do not be too shy to ask for instructions or to make use of a paper map versus carrying your telephone in entrance of you as a digital map, particularly in neighborhoods much less frequented by vacationers.

9. Suggestions for staying protected as a solo girl in Lima

Lima is mostly protected for feminine solo vacationers. Be cautious (as, sadly, we all the time should be) of keen gives of rides from drivers of unmarked taxis or free rounds of drinks at a bar. And keep away from strolling alone at evening, significantly in quiet elements of city.

For security in numbers, discover a like-minded traveler out of your hostel (or attain out to expat residents on Fb teams) to affix you on outings.