You'll certainly want to have some cash on hand for small purchases and the occasional tip. Euros and US Dollars are not widely accepted in the islands; therefore, local currency is best.
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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.
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.
To summarize, tipping in French Polynesia is not required nor expected! Unlike places in Canada and the United States, such as Calgary and San Diego, where servers are heavily reliant on receiving tips to have a livable wage, French Polynesia automatically factors in the cost of their staff's salary in your bill.
Shoes should be removed before entering someone's home in French Polynesia. When greeting each other in French Polynesia, people use handshakes or a kiss on the cheek. It is considered rude to get into the room, and not greet everyone except for large crowds.
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).
In resort restaurants, tipping approximately $2 to $3 per person is acceptable. In higher-end restaurants, plan on a $5 tip at a minimum. Tip the bartender and pool staff $2 to $3 per interaction and the concierge $5 for services. Tipping shuttle drivers is also customary.
In resort restaurants, tipping approximately $2 to $3 per person is acceptable. In higher-end restaurants, plan on a $5 tip at a minimum. Tip the bartender and pool staff $2 to $3 per interaction and the concierge $5 for services. Tipping shuttle drivers is also customary.
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.
Is Tahiti Expensive to Vacation? The short answer is more often than not, YES. In comparison to the other 20+ countries around the world that I have visited, Tahiti is definitely on the more expensive side. To give you a point of reference, a vacation in Tahiti is comparable to a vacation in Paris or London.
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.