Everything you need for French Polynesia, step by step
Tap a stage of your trip — we'll show the categories that matter right then.
Sort the paperwork, lock the flights, land already connected.
Land in French Polynesia like you already know the place
A three-step plan from your couch to your first coffee in town. Each phase shows what locals actually use.
Before you go
1–2 weeks ahead — sort the basics from home.
- Visa & immigration
Check if you need a visa and apply early.
Top pick:iVisa
- Flights & airports
Book flights and save your boarding pass offline.
Top pick:App in the Air
- Hotels & stays
Reserve your first 2 nights — pin the address.
Top pick:Agoda
- Travel insurance
Get insurance that covers your activities.
Top pick:SafetyWing
- eSIM & internet
Install an eSIM so you have data the moment you land.
Top pick:Airalo (eSIM provider)
- Translation
Download an offline translator for the local language.
Top pick:DeepL Translate
When you land
First hour at the airport — get connected and moving.
- Taxi & rides
Open the ride app — skip the airport taxi queue.
Top pick:E-Tahiti Taxi
- eSIM & internet
Activate your eSIM before leaving the gate.
- Money & payments
Withdraw a small amount of local cash from an ATM.
Top pick:Banque de Tahiti
- Maps & navigation
Save offline maps for your destination.
Top pick:Apple Maps - Public transport
Buy a transit card at the airport station.
Top pick:Ferry Services (e.g., Aremiti, Terevau)
- Car rental
Pick up your rental at the airport counter.
Top pick:Rentalcars.com
While you're there
Once you're settled — eat, explore, enjoy.
- Food Delivery
Order from the app locals actually use.
Top pick:E-Tahiti
- Restaurants & dining
Book a table — many spots are reservation-only.
Top pick:TheFork - Nightlife & bars
Find what's on tonight, not the tourist trap version.
Top pick:Resident Advisor
- Events & tickets
Grab tickets to a local event or show.
Top pick:Eventbrite
- Tours & attractions
Skip the line with mobile tickets.
Top pick:Airbnb Experiences - Pharmacy & health
Locate the nearest 24/7 pharmacy.
Top pick:Annuaire Optamois Santé (Santé.pf)
Help the next traveler — earn points
Rate apps you used, write a tip, climb the French Polynesia leaderboard.
Essentials in French Polynesia
One tap to install — straight from the locals' shortlist.
Say it like a local — French Polynesia
Essential phrases in the local language. Tap the speaker to hear it.
About French Polynesia
About French Polynesia: French Polynesia offers a slow pace centered on turquoise lagoons and volcanic peaks.
French Polynesia offers a slow pace centered on turquoise lagoons and volcanic peaks. While major resorts on Tahiti and Bora Bora accept credit cards, you will need CFP francs for local markets and smaller islands. Most travelers navigate between atolls via domestic flights, though speaking basic French assists when using communal buses.Browse by category
Every category that locals in French Polynesia use day-to-day.
Food Delivery
Order food from local restaurants.
- E-Tahiti
- Mana'o Delivery
- Resto In
- Tahiti Foods
Restaurants & dining
- TheFork
- Google Maps
- HappyCow
- OpenTable
- + 2 more
Messaging & social
The chat & social apps locals actually use every day.
- Facebook Messenger
- + 4 more
Translation
Break the language barrier.
- DeepL Translate
- Google Translate
- iTranslate Translator
- + 4 more
Taxi & rides
Taxi and ride-hailing apps
- E-Tahiti Taxi
- InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa Concierge
- Manava Suite Resort Tahiti Concierge
- + 3 more
Flights & airports
- App in the Air
- FlightAware
- Flighty
- + 1 more
Travel insurance
Cover for medical, trip & gear
- SafetyWing
- Heymondo
- Allianz Travel
- + 3 more
Hotels & stays
Find hotels and short stays
- Agoda
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- + 4 more
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