Preparing for Your Trip to Polynesia

Coming to Polynesia:

French citizens wishing to stay in Polynesia must have a passport valid for 6 months after the end date of their stay if they pass through the United States. Additionally, an ESTA is mandatory to transit through this country https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. On site, your ID card is sufficient for traveling between the Polynesian islands.

Citizens of the European Union and Switzerland do not need a visa as long as their stay is less than three months. For more information, click here.

Health:

French Polynesia does not present any particular health risks.

Customs:

A customs declaration will be given to you during your trip. Find out about import tax exemption limits by clicking here.

Currency and Exchange:

The currency used in Tahiti and Its Islands is the CFP franc (international abbreviation: XPF). It has a fixed exchange rate with the euro (100 F.CFP = 0.838 Euros or 1 Euro = 119.33 F.CFP). International credit cards are accepted. Note that some atolls in the Tuamotu Islands, as well as the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands, do not have exchange offices. At Tahiti Faa’a airport, an exchange office is available and open during international flight departure and arrival times.

Flight Times and Time Difference:

Between France and French Polynesia, there is an 11-hour time difference in winter and a 12-hour difference in summer. France is ahead of Polynesian time.

Climate:

French Polynesia enjoys a tropical climate, with trade winds constantly blowing and refreshing the atmosphere of our islands. It feels like summer all year round! Nevertheless, there are two distinct seasons: the dry season, which lasts from March to November with temperatures ranging from 21 to 27°C, and the rainy season, when nature is more lush, from November to March with warmer temperatures ranging from 25 to 35°C. The warm tropical rains rarely last more than 30 minutes.