Lonely Planet Tahiti & French Polynesia

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781786572196
• eBook ISBN: 9781786573971

#1 best-selling guide to Tahiti & French Polynesia* Lonely Planet Tahiti & French Polynesia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Swim in the sparklingly clear waters, hike to waterfalls, dive into coral wonderlands, then sips cocktail by the beach -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Tahiti & French Polynesia and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Tahiti & French Polynesia Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, environment, islander life, arts, religion, sports, etiquette, popular culture, literature, cinema, food, drinks, dining out. Over 30 maps Covers Tahiti, Mo'orea, Huahine, Ra'iatea & Taha'a, Bora Bora, Maupiti, The Tuamotus, The Marquesas, The Australs & the Gambier Archipelago and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Tahiti & French Polynesia, our most comprehensive guide to Tahiti & French Polynesia, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's South Pacific guide for a comprehensive look at all the region has to offer. Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet, Celeste Brash, Jean-Bernard Carillet About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. *Best-selling guide to Tahiti. Source: Nielsen BookScan. Australia, UK and USAeBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

Tahiti

Tahiti Highlights

Papeete

Around Tahiti Nui

West Coast

East Coast

Taravao & Tahiti Iti

Tahiti

Pop 186,909

Why Go?

What Tahiti lacks in wide white-sand beaches, it makes up for in waterfall-laden, shadowy mountains, unpretentiously beautiful black-sand beaches, sheltered blue lagoons and a distinctly Polynesian, modern buzz. This is the heart of the islands, where the cultures from all the archipelagos are mixed in the cacophonous, dusty, yet smiling and energetic capital of Pape'ete. Outside the city, explore the majestic, mountainous interior on a 4WD tour, learn to dive in the translucent lagoon, wander amid mystical archaeological sites, and from July to October go whale-watching. In July, catch the country’s most spectacular festival; the percussion and dance-heavy Heiva. Stay at a resort or head to Tahiti Iti to experience a more traditional pace of life – all international air travel goes through Tahiti, and it would be a shame to miss such an essential part of this region's cultural puzzle.

When to Go

ATahiti enjoys a year-round tropical climate, but you're most likely to get good weather in the dry season, from May to October. During this time the weather is cooler, and the drier west and north coasts in particular will likely have lots of sun and clear skies – but this is the tropics and rain is possible at any time of year.

AThe rainy season begins in November and continues until the end of April, with frequent heavy showers and occasional storms, but you could also luck out and have clear skies.

AThe island has a rather busy social calendar year-round, but in July Pape’ete is in full swing with the Heiva.

Best Places to Stay

A Vanira Lodge

A Mitirapa Villa

A Taaroa Lodge

A Reva

A Intercontinental Resort Tahiti

Best Places to Eat

A Place Vaiete Roulottes

A Le Lotus

A Blue Banana

A La Plage de Maui

Tahiti Highlights

1 Embarking on a boat excursion past the road’s end at Teahupoo to visit the remote Fenua Aihere and Te Pari.

2 Peruse the colorful Marche de Pape'ete and dine at the very local-style waterfront roul...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Tahiti & French Polynesia
• Tahiti & French Polynesias Top 15
• Need to Know
• If You Like...
• Month By Month
• Itineraries
• Which Island?
• Diving
• Travel with Children
• Regions at a Glance
• Tahiti
• Moorea
• Huahine
• Raiatea & Tahaa
• Bora Bora
• Maupiti
• The Tuamotus
• The Marquesas
• The Australs & the Gambier Archipelago
• Understand Tahiti & French Polynesia
• Tahiti & French Polynesia Today
• History
• Environment
• Islander Life
• French Polynesia in Popular Culture
• Food & Drink
• Directory AZ
• Transport
• Health
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers