Is tipping expected in French Polynesia?

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.



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Tipping. Tipping is not customary in the Islands of Tahiti and therefore not expected. It is left at your discretion for exemplary service.

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General etiquette
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.

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There is no standard tip amount in Bora Bora.
You can tip whatever you feel is appropriate based on the service you receive, similar to how it works in Europe. Continue reading this guide to find out what is generally considered a good tip for each type of service.

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Tipping your taxi driver in Tahiti is not mandatory or expected. Although, you can always leave a 5 to 10% tip if you enjoyed your ride.

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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.

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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.

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Yes, many lodging establishments, eateries, and retail stores in Bora Bora accept credit and debit cards, but some small shops may only accept cash.

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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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Drinking water:
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.

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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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1) Japan: Tipping in Japan is not a common practice and can even be perceived as rude, impolite, and may even be confusing. Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on quality service and hospitality.

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Drinking water:
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.

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Breakfasts in The Islands Of Tahiti
For the breakfast, if you would like to eat like a Polynesian here what you can try: Tahitian or Chinese raw fish, “firi firi” (Tahitian donuts), banana crepes, “pua roti” (roasted porc), coconut flavor bread and Chinese bakeries (chao pao, bouchon, nem, navet).

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Affordability. It actually costs less to stay at a resort in Tahiti than a basic hotel in Maui! Surprisingly, I found Tahiti a relatively affordable destination — at least compared to Hawaii, especially more popular islands like Maui.

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Some guests leave a lump-sum tip on the last day of their stay, but a better practice is doling out incremental tips daily, as hotel housekeepers might have different day-to-day room assignments. A daily tip more closely ensures your gratitude goes to the specific worker who services the room each day.

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While tipping is allowed at some resorts, it is optional, so you won't have to worry about staff pressuring you to do so. You don't have to feel bad about not being able to or wanting to tip everyone.

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According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), guests should tip housekeeping anywhere between $1 to $5 per night for a mid-range or business hotel. For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more.

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