Budget — French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a premium destination — that parameter has to be built into your planning from the start. The reference budget of €250/day/person covers a comfortable mid-range trip: family pension or 3-star hotel (€90-150/night for two), meals in snacks and food trucks (€20-30/person for a full meal), essential activities (lagoon excursion, snorkelling) and local transport.

A comfort/luxury traveller (honeymoon, signature trip) should plan instead for €500-1,200/day/person: 4-5 star hotel with overwater bungalow (€500-2,500/night depending on resort), fine-dining restaurants (€60-150/person), private excursions (€200-500/day). The best Bora Bora resorts (Four Seasons, St Regis, InterContinental Thalasso) reach €1,500-2,500/night in high season.

A budget traveller can keep costs to €150-180/day/person by prioritising: traditional family pensions (€40-80/night with half-board), meals in food trucks (€10-15/person), free activities (public beaches, snorkelling from shore, hiking), public transport (Le Truck bus on Tahiti, inter-island ferries). This style is entirely viable but means giving up the overwater bungalow and private excursions.

Practical tips: withdraw cash in XPF before heading to the Tuamotus and the Marquesas (few ATMs). Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, less in small pensions. Wi-Fi is included in most hotels but often slow — for reliable connectivity, buy a local Vini or Vodafone SIM at the airport on arrival. Tipping is not expected in Polynesia — a smile and a mauruuru are enough. For diving, validate your level (PADI/CMAS) with the local clubs who often require a try dive or refresher. Finally, pack reef-safe SPF50+ sunscreen (oxybenzone-free, to protect the corals) — mandatory in some marine reserves.