Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Traveling from Santiago, Chile toward the Pacific Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
wolf89 21:35 UTC 08 Feb 2011 | Hello everyone, I´m backpacking now in South America (now in Mendoza), and I was planning to buy a ticket for next month from La Paz, Bolivia to Easter Island (with connection in Santiago), and then I was thinking for myself ¨why not keep on before going back to La Paz?¨ So far I´ve managed to understand that the best island for backpackers is Fiji, but is access to there from Easter Island and Tahiti is quite limited (I think that even Air New Zealand stop the route from NZ to Tahiti...didn´t managed to find any). So, getting to Tahiti isn´t a problem from Easter Island, my question is that if it´s a friendly place for a one backpacker? Does it´s easy to find a company in hostels with dorms there? Or it´s completly honeymooners islands? Also, I´m on a budget too (not that less, but I don´t want to spend too much), there is only one flight a week back to Easter Island. So you recommand me to stay for one week in Papeete and Moorea, or should I get Air tickets to the other islands and stay for even more time? How much more expensive is that? Thanks for any help in advance, Maayan |
wolf89 16:18 UTC 09 Feb 2011 | I´ve made a little more research, and I wonder if this route sounds fine- Santiago - Easter Island for 5 days - Tahiti, Papeete for the first day, then -5 days in Moorea - Cook Islands, Raro. for also -5 days - Aitutaki for a couple of days and then hopping back to Chile. Questions: 1. Considering the budget, I will get the cheapest dorms, what you think is going to be the costs of all this travel ? my plan to travel 2 to 3 weeks, depending how far I will get (Cook Islands is not a sure thing) 2. Maybe Im rushing too much, and I should just stay in Tahiti and give up Cook islands or just getting to Raro. without Aitutaki? As the flights from island to island aren´t cheap. thanks in advance ! | 1
silvanocat 23:27 UTC 09 Feb 2011 | You are far too rushed. I would stay in French Polynesia for the entire trip. If going to the Cooks I would skip Rarotonga as Moorea is a far more dramatic version of a high island and Aitutaki provides a beautiful contrast but it would be cheaper if you just flew out to a Tahitian atoll instead. Here is some budget accomodation info for French Polynesia: Tahiti Island Tahiti Island 2 Moorea Moorea 2 Moorea 3 | 2
newfie43 00:15 UTC 10 Feb 2011 | I agree with Silvanocat with regard to just visiting French Polynesia. With the money you would have spent on flights to Rarotonga and Aitutaki you could look into the Air Tahiti pass(easy enough to purchase this on their web site) giving you the opportunity to visit other islands. The Cook Islands are similar to FP in scenic looks and Bora Bora would be a good option as it has the beautiful lagoon similar to Aitutaki. Huahine is also a great island to visit being less touristy, more traditional and welcoming. All the islands will have some form of budget accommodations and food purchased at roulottes and small stores is fairly reasonably priced. | 3
wolf89 19:16 UTC 10 Feb 2011 | Thanks!! Bora Bora is kind of a dream for me since ever, never though about it because it looks impossible to ever get there. you made me exicted!!! So I checked it up there http://www.airtahiti.aero/articles.php?id=69 and should I get the second option including Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti. What are the other islands: Raiatea and Maupiti, are they worth visiting? About Huahine I've never heard..yet. but I will research it. Does it make any sense that flight from Papeete to Bora Bora costs almost like the Air Tahiti Pass? And also, all talks about non cheap accomadation in Bora Bora, is that true? In worst case of all I can just cook for myself with my own stove.. (but I doesn't have tent anyway) Thanks so much! Maayan | 4
newfie43 04:50 UTC 11 Feb 2011 | If you have not already done so check out Tahiti Sun Travel - it has information on all the islands with budget accommodations listed(although no prices) - it should give you some ideas of where you might like to go. We used the air pass and took in Huahine (our favorite) - Chez Guynette(check their web site) is a good budget place to use as a base, Raiatea- beautiful island with good hiking, Bora Bora - loved the lagoon(do a snorkel/shark/ray trip) would definitely return, and Moorea - very sociable place. Most of the budget places/camp grounds will have some kitchen facilities, but you could exist on baguettes, cheese and fruit with an occasional pizza(surprisingly good). We also found the cost of a trip to Bora Bora to be very expensive and were surprised to find the airpass to be so reasonable(back in 06). FP has the reputation for being ultra expensive as it caters to the 'over the water bungalows' types but with a little research you can do the trip for a lot less! | 5
wolf89 00:05 UTC 12 Feb 2011 | Thanks again, So with that airpass (the 2nd option), How would you recommand me to spend 14 days in the FP? As I´m not sure if to give time also to Maupiti and Raiatea, and to have more time in the rest of the islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine and Bora Bora), or should I not miss them too? What´s your opinion? Maayan | 6
newfie43 00:04 UTC 13 Feb 2011 | With your time line I would consider 2 nights Tahiti- you might need one on either end to make airline connections and 4 nights in Moorea, Bora Bora and Huahine. We found Moorea and Bora Bora somewhat similar but preferred Bora Bora. Maupiti would be a good choice in place of either Moorea or BB if you want to sample a really laid back place without all the extra tourist amenities. We rented a car and drove around Tahiti but unless you are into surfing there is not much to see and do. A couple of the places we stayed had bikes - a great way to get around. Good luck with your planning! | 7
wolf89 18:20 UTC 13 Feb 2011 | Hi, From what I´ve read around 4 days in Bora Bora might be too much? Should I add days to Moorea or even go to Maupiti for 2 days? As it would be free if I get the air pass ticket that include this island anyway. Thanks...again! | 8