Tahiti and French Polynesia
The information below is provided by Lonely Planet readers and is not verified by Lonely Planet. For the official lowdown, contact your nearest embassy or check out our Travel Links.
Travel Tips
I arrived in Tahiti on Dec 5th '05 and could not use my Australian cirrus card in any ATM, nor could I use my Mastercard. I was told that if I went inside the Bank of Polynesia in Papeete, they had a swipe machine that they used to give cash advances on credit cards but it was broken when I called. Then a lady at the bank of Tahiti gave me the banks own account number and said I could do a funds transfer from my bank in Australia to that account and pick it up in 48 hours but it didnt show up and I was flat broke. I had to leave French Polynesia on the next flight out. Please, anyone going to Tahiti, seriously consider bringing all cash. There is little or no crime in Tahiti and its very safe to carry cash.
Philip Doyle, Ireland (Dec 05)
We used New Zealand ordinary bank cards (Cirrus) in the ATM's with no trouble. Visa accepted all over.
Kate Lang, New Zealand (Oct 05)
In Moâ??orea, I think a car is the only way to go unless youâ??re staying there for a while. The car rental people were ready for us when we hit the dock, so itâ??s very easy to get one. No local credentials are required to get one, just a passport.
Jim Parker, USA (Jun 05)
Although I did not face this problem, I found out that it is not uncommon for bank machines in French Polynesia to run out of money. I recommend having a Visa card when travelling there, as it seemed to be accepted in many places (hassle-free) or, at the very least, banks accepted this credit card.
Martha Kernohan (Oct 02)
We have been informed that ONLY European cirrus cards are accepted at the ATMs. We were stuck in Papeete for seventy two hours with no Money because our cirrus card is from Australia.
Nadege Todorov, Australia (July 02)
Moving About
As the Ono Ono is down you might consider a flight pass for inter island travel. We found that for the same price it would have taken to fly from Tahiti to Bora Bora, we could buy the pass and go to Maupiti and Moorea as well.
Laura Losee, USA (June 01)
Scams & Warnings
Warning about taxi scam. This year I have been in Tahiti and I am very worried about the taxi-driver. The six kilometer ride from the airport to papeete cost a hefty 2500 CFP per car. Some of them want this amount per person!!! As I asked some other traveller to share a taxi but the drivers did'nt take us!!! Then I have taken a paper and a pen, have written the licence-plate number and asked the taxi-driver about her name and I said I would make a report of her and I am sure, you loose your taxi-licence. After that she became very friendly and we could share a taxi.
Christian Schober (Apr 02)
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