Info On French Polynesia

Hi,

My fiancee and I got a very good flight to Papeete for late September/early October from NYC. We want to go for a couple of weeks but are traveling on the U.S. Dollar.

My question is how difficult is it to get around the islands and to find reasonable/beautiful lodging? Is it cheaper or even possible to book lodging and boat transport on our own? We have traveled to about 40 countries in high and low budget terms. Is it very expensive or difficult to arrive and figure things out? It seems like it may be mostly a "package" tourist place but really hoped not.

Thanks!

Hello, I'm so sorry I don't speak English
I went in French Polinesia on october 2002. It isn't a package place there were many honeymoon couple but backpapers too.
we made the trip yourself . if you would like see far island you need a flight pass that cost too much.
if you are lokking for bungalow whit underwater floor thes cost a lot but not if you sleep in nice, clean ,bungalow and eat local food in small pension . it's possible also camping.
otherwise is an expansive place because everything is imported.
read my other post below

Beautifull pictures

Sorry, my other reply in THAITI ON A CHEAP

Do tell about the good flight and where you got it.

French Polynesia is not a packaged backpacker destination like Thailand or Vietnam. There are package tourists who go to the resorts and there are independent travelers. The split is 50/50 overall but for the North American market it's probably 90/10. You certainly can book lodging and boat transport on your own (unless you want a cruise you have no choice but to book it on your own). And from what I've priced it has always come out cheaper, not like what one would expect on a package where the sum should be less than the total of the parts. You should arrive with a plan as there are no touts or Khao San Road type travel agencies. (I'd prefer to have my accomodation reserved in advance because I'd hate to arrive to find out that the place I've determined to be perfect is not available.) I've posted links in the FAQ and on my blog to a few sites that list accomodations, take a look at those. As for the USD, the current exchange rate is around $1 = 70 cfp. While most non-resort accomodations aren't beautiful (meaning the buildings/rooms) their locations usually are.

I think it is very easy to book your own tour in Tahiti. I found the food to be very good, many different price ranges.
Very easy to get flights from island to island. Ferry available to Moorea. Try looking at tripadvisor.com.

I'd book the first couple of nights in advance, probably on Tahiti itself, to get a feel for things. Then head out to Moorea for several days. Good value at some of the places, check Silvanocat's links, as always she knows more than most of us about great values in FP. Again, I'd book the first night or two there in advance, so you know you have a place when you arrive. If you find another place you like, you can move over for a few days if there's room.

I'd definitely hit Bora Bora for maybe three days, but after that it's not worth the added expense as opposed to the other islands. Maybe hit Huahine or Raiatea on the way back from BOB.

Spet/Oct is a good time to visit. Not too hot or humid, but still warm and mostly sunny. Have fun!