French Polynesia: main airports
French Polynesia has three airports with active connections: Papeete Airport, on the island of Tahiti, the main gateway to the archipelago, Bora Bora, a famous luxury destination for overwater bungalows, and Moorea, Tahiti's sister island known for its spectacular bays.
French Polynesia: recommended activities
French Polynesia: visa and entry requirements
Unlike French Guiana, French Polynesia is not part of the European Union, despite being French overseas territory: a valid passport is required, an ID card is not sufficient. Most Western nationalities, including Italian, do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
French Polynesia: safety
French Polynesia is generally considered very safe for tourists, with a very low rate of violent crime; the usual precautions against petty theft in the tourist areas of Papeete remain valid.
French Polynesia: health situation
No specific vaccinations are required for entry. Dengue risk is present: mosquito protection is advisable. Papeete's healthcare facilities are of French/European standard for common emergencies; for the more remote islands, insurance with possible medical evacuation is strongly advisable.
French Polynesia: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the CFP franc (Polynesian franc), pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate; credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and resorts, cash remains useful at local markets and on smaller islands. For connectivity, the operator Vini (Onati) covers most of the archipelago with prepaid SIM cards available at the airport. The cost of living, especially at the resorts of Bora Bora and Moorea, is among the highest in the world.
