Bora Bora Airpass

Hey there guys,

just a quick answer: where to buy the Bora Bora Airpass?

I cant find any "BUY ONLINE" link at Air Tahiti website.

Ive asked a quote at Island Adventures http://english.islandsadventures.com/home.php and they asked me a fee to proceed, i'll pay no drama, but it is the right way to get this pass or should i check better the airline website?

Another question: been already Easter Island and once i got off the plane many people came over asking me if i had already booked a place to stay, and that time i did; the thing is: booking any accommodation in FP is a must or is it possible to get off the plane and decide where to go to sleep?

We will be in FP next month and by the Bora Bora pass we'll make this route
Tahiti > Moorea > Huahine > Raiatea > Bora Bora > Tahiti but i didn't booked any room ( we dont wanna spend millions and would like to stay in guesthouse or whatever means stay with locals) what do u guys suggest to me?

Cant wait to be there
Thanks a lot ciao from Italy

This is the link to reserve a ticket on Air Tahiti (Buy a ticket and then the Reserve it Directly link). It's transmitted via email, they will get back to you in a couple of days regarding availability of flights. You would then fax then your credit card information (because email is an insecure means of transmission). When you arrive you would pick-up the ticket at the Air Tahiti office at the airport.

It's a very good idea to book accomodations in French Polynesia. When you get off the plane in Tahiti people will not be coming up to you and offering you a room. You will only see inbound travel agency representatives waiting for package tourists and those with pre-arranged transfers.

The advantage of not booking accomodations (except for your first night if you have to stay on Tahiti island) is that you can buy a Passe Bleu (link to information on my blog) which offers a substantial savings over the airpass purchased overseas.

The disadvantage is that you can't really "decide where to sleep" on the spot because the accomodations are not next to each other but all over the islands. There are not many of them, once you start looking at accomodations online you may find a place or two that seems very special. It will only have a few rooms, how can you be assured of a place there unless you make reservations? Most islands have none or very sporadic public transportation so unless you rent a car you won't be able to get around to see the accomodations or to the accomodation from the airport. Most likely there will not be anyone offering rooms at the airport (I've certainly never noticed anyone though I have heard of cases).

I would suggest that you take a look at the links that I posted in the FAQ or the links on my blog and get an idea of what is available at what prices. There is a travel agency in the airport, Tahiti Nui Travel, that could sell you a pass and make reservations. I have heard of travel agencies charging booking fees and pensions charging more for guests who come via a travel agency to cover the commission so be aware of prices beforehand.

As i read so far about FP, Silvanocat u're great, thanks a lot.

I ve sent some email and i'll see whats gonna happen..

Cheers!

Alimo - An excellent site for getting information about Tahiti is www.tahiti-explorer.com. They have a very active and helpful forum. I would also suggest having a look at Jan Prince's Tahiti Guidebook as she lists accommodations in all price ranges. Last year we did the same route you are taking and found her book to be excellent in helping us decide where to stay. If you would like more information send me a PM.

No, it's nothing like Easter Island on arrival! There are few if any accommodators waiting. The int'l flights often come in in the middle of the night. I'd try to book as much as you can in advance. Check www.tripadvisor.com for the better places you are thinking about (they don;t usually include guesthouses, etc.).

But as Silvano said, most places are not right next to the airport, and transfers are good to have arranged in advance. You can't easily get around Moorea, for example, to check places out after arrival, same with BOB, so just do as much research as you can and pick a place on each island. If you can just pay for one night in advance, that's good, as you can then move somewhere else if it's horrible.
Have fun!