The official currency of Tahiti is the CFP Franc (XPF). It's best to exchange money or use your credit card in Tahiti. If you can't buy some before your trip, the next best options are Australian Dollars (AUD), US Dollars (USD) or Euros (EUR).
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U.S. dollar and European euro notes (but not coins) are widely accepted as cash in the islands, although at less favorable exchange rates than at banks. You will probably get a more favorable rate if you change your money in French Polynesia rather than before leaving home.
Guests traveling to smaller or remote islands should ask their Tahiti Travel Specialist about ATM availability. The amount of cash that a traveler exchanges is a personal preference but a good guideline is approximately $100-$500 per week of travel.
French Polynesia uses the Global System for Mobiles (GSM) technology. Check with your wireless company before traveling to see if you have a GSM phone. If so, you may be able to use it in the islands if your home provider has an international roaming agreement with the mobile network Vinia (www.vini.pf).
You should use a credit card in French Polynesia. The ones that are accepted on our main islands are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, etc. However, only cash will be accepted in Tubuai, Ua Pou, Mangareva, or on other small islands.
The U.S. dollar is not only widely accepted for commerce in both Canada and Mexico, but also in a host of tourist destinations including the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Sint Maarten, St Kitts and Nevis, the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and the BES Islands including Bonaire, Sint Eustatius ...
While meal prices in Tahiti can vary, the average cost of food in Tahiti is F5,740 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Tahiti should cost around F2,296 per person.
If you decide to tip people in Bora Bora, you can do so using either XPF (preferred) or US dollars. It is easy for locals on the island to exchange US dollars for the local currency.
The languages spoken in Bora Bora are Tahitian and French. However, due to the high tourism population, many natives of Bora Bora have learned to speak English.
You can drink tap water in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora and in all the international resorts. It is usually fine in family hotels and in the other islands but we recommend that you ask your hosts for confirmation.
Theft and other petty crime is most common in the capital Papeete. Make sure you keep a good grasp on your bag as you move around town, especially in crowded areas. The main streets with bars and clubs can get rowdy at night, so be careful, especially if you are a woman. Some beaches on Tahiti are a bit dangerous.
You need a power plug adapter in French Polynesia, when living in the United States of America. You also may need a voltage converter. Be extra careful with certain appliances because of the difference in frequency.
Tahitians are considered to be some of the most genuinely friendly and kind people of the world. But, Tahitians are also known for being a little shy as well.