Französisch-Polynesien: Reiseführer, Visa und kostenlose Unterkunft · 2026

The legal currency is the CFP franc, which has a fixed exchange rate with the euro. Cash and cards are widely accepted for transactions. Larger vendors also accept foreign currency in select situations.

Tipping is not customary in restaurants or hospitality venues across the islands. Prices listed at local dining establishments, food trucks called roulottes, and casual snack counters are all-inclusive. Gratuities are neither required nor expected.

French serves as the sole official language and is spoken across daily administration and commerce. Indigenous Polynesian languages, particularly Tahitian, are widely spoken by the local population. Knowledge of basic French helps when traveling outside major resort complexes.

Air Tahiti operates domestic routes across the archipelagos, supplemented by regional carriers such as Air Moana. Multi-island flight passes allow travelers to combine multiple destinations into an itinerary. Local transit and paved roads serve the larger islands of Tahiti and Moorea.

Protective footwear such as reef shoes prevents cuts from sharp coral formations and stings from stonefish. Lagoon sharks and stingrays are generally docile, but moray eels hiding in crevices can bite if disturbed. The territory maintains low general crime levels, though unattended belongings remain susceptible to petty theft.

Mobile data service is available through domestic network providers Vini and Vodafone. Visitors can purchase physical prepaid SIM cards by presenting a valid passport at authorized retailers or activate an eSIM online. Underwater fiber cables connect the main island groups to support cellular connectivity.