Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# changing money at airport? Camping Rangiroa? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
rururu8877 09:59 UTC 27 Jun 2008 | Hi, we're going next week to FP and we'd appreciate very much indeed if you'd take the time to help us. Here our questions: Is it a bad idea to change all the money for our trip at the airport in Papeete? We arrive in the evening and we leave next morning to the Islands (Bora Bora, Huahine, Rangiroa, Fakarava). Changing money in Bora Bora is OK? ATM machines? Banks? And in Rangiroa? Is it better to ATM or to change money? Are euros accepted? Should one have XPFs left, is it easy to change them back into euros at the airport at departure (Papeete)? We're having problems to find accomodation in Rangiroa. Is it easy to find camping there? Dorm beds? Thank you very much for your help. Any comments are much appreciated. |
newfie43 23:20 UTC 27 Jun 2008 | We were in FP in 2006 and had a lot of problems with getting money. We bought some XPF's with us from Canada(poor exchange rate) and hoped to rely on using ATM's for the rest of our needs. We tried everywhere and could not get an ATM to accept our card. We were able to use a credit card at some places but had to change up travelers cheques(US dollars) at the banks, which charge a hefty fee to do so. I don't know if you would get a better rate at the airport in Papeete, but if so, I would change most of my money there. We had some euros with us but could not use them. Don't know about changing back to euros when you leave as we were heading to New Caledonia and used them up there. Sorry I can't help you with Rangiroa but could suggest you ask at www.tahiti-explorer.com - I think they have a section on their forum for Rangiroa. | 1
nukuhiva2 17:13 UTC 30 Jun 2008 | ATM machines did not work for us either. I spoke with French fellow travelers and they couldn't get money out of the machines either. Your best bet is to change money at the bank in Faa'a airport on Tahiti. | 2
jmk 15:12 UTC 08 Jul 2008 | Hi ATMs didn't work for me either. Made my first trip pretty challenging. Don't count on them. Joan | 3