French Polynesia Travel Guide

Full Name

Overseas Lands of French Polynesia

Former Name

French Colony of Oceania

Capital City

Papeete

Government Type

N/A

Area Size

total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)

Time Zone

UTC/GMT -9 hours

Climate

French Polynesia is located in the tropical zone of the southern hemisphere, the weather is tropical. The winter season is May through October. During this period, the early morning low temperatures go no lower than the high 60's. The daytime highs are generally in the mid-80's. Less rain and a little less humidity than in the summer. However, being tropical, the humidity is usually 75 to 80%. The summer season is November through April. At night, the low temperatures are usually in the mid-70's and daytime highs range from 85 to the low 90's. This is when they get their heaviest rainfall. Severe tropical storms are not very common in the area of French Polynesia. The last hurricane that caused any significant damage was in December 1989. The most severe weather heads for these islands during years when the El Niño is occurring.The weather described above basically pertains to the Society Islands. The Marquesas Islands are much closer to the Equator, so their weather tends to be warmer with more rainfall. At the other extreme, the Gambier Islands are about as far south of the Equator as the northern part of Mexico is north of the Equator.

Geography

The islands of French Polynesia have a total land area of 4,167 square kilometres scattered over 2,500,000 square kilometres of ocean. It is made up of several groups of islands, the largest and most populated of which is Tahiti.

Languages

French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Culture

Arts and crafts in French Polynesia include carving and weaving. Tattooing is also a Polynesian art. Traditional dancing is popular and performed by amateur and professional groups.

History

The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996.

Travel Information

All major flights to French Polynesia fly into Faa'a International Airport in Papeete, Tahiti. Once you arrive, you can catch shuttle flights to other islands via Air Tahiti.

Accommodation

French Polynesia offers a wide range of hotels. The quality and location of most hotels is excellent, although many travellers have to get used to the high prices in French Polynesia.

Visa Requirements

Only French citizens can enter French Polynesia without a passport and the visa requirements are much the same as for France itself. Western European and Scandinavian citizens are allowed to stay for up to three months without a visa. Citizens of Canada, the USA, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand can stay up to one month without a visa, but all other visitors need a visa to enter.

Getting Around

Though cars are available for rent on a few of the islands they are not the most economical or practical way to get around. The price range is US$40 to 50 per day. You must be at least 18 years old to rent a car; some rental agencies require a minimum age of 25. Be sure to inspect and note all dents and scratches on the outside of the car before leaving the agency. An American driver's license or one from another country is valid in French Polynesia for up to 90 days. Taxis can be expensive and are available only on the more populated islands. Accept a ride only in a taxi that has a working meter and be sure to settle on a price before you leave. If you have any problems or questions about a particular taxi, write down the license plate number and the driver's name then call the tourist office. Similar to a public bus service, les trucks are pick-up trucks with the beds converted into a sitting area. Long benches flank each side of the bed. Most locals travel this way; savvy tourists do as well because this mode is much more affordable than taxis. Les trucks wait outside the airport and at the ferry stops so you don't have to call ahead for one. In Papeete, they have scheduled stops at certain points where you can get on and off; in more remote towns, you can simply wave to one as you would to hail a cab. Fares are written on the outside of the truck and increase after dark.

Health & Safety

A yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers to French Polynesia arriving from an infected area. Immunisation against hepatitis A is recommended, and the territory is subject to increasing outbreaks of dengue fever. A typhoid vaccine is also suggested for most travellers. Tap water in hotels is safe to drink, but bottled water is also freely available throughout the islands. Tahiti has good health facilities with pharmacies and a large government hospital. There are a few private doctors and clinics in the outer islands. The only decompression chamber is at Papeete. Medical insurance is recommended for travellers. Visits to French Polynesia are usually trouble-free. The crime rate is low, but sensible precautions should be taken with valuables. Tropical storms and cyclones can occur between November and April.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year's Day 6 Apr - Good Friday 9 Apr - Easter Monday Ascension Day Whitmonday Assumption Day 5 Mar - Missionary Day 1 May - Labor Day 14 Jul - Bastille Day 8 Sep - Internal Autonomy Day 1 Nov - All Saints Day 11 Nov - Armistice Day 25 - Christmas Day

Currency

Pacific Franc (XPF)

Electricity

110/220 v

Working Hours

Business hours from 8.00am to 12.00noon and 1.30pm to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Emergency Numbers

15(ambulance) 17(Police) 18(Fire)