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Tahiti is known as the ideal tropical vacation destination, with its lush tropical mountain peaks, pristine parks and beaches, as well as plenty of culture and activities to enjoy.  Tahiti is undoubtedly one of the most revered travel destinations that you should visit at least once in your life. This South Pacific paradise offers beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear streams, lush valleys and colorful tropical flowers, as well as white sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters.  You will enjoy taking pleasure in the many unique eccentricities that this fun-filled island has to offer, and you can now find the most affordable online Tahiti travel deals that will ensure you have the time of your life in Tahiti at a low price. You can easily find affordable Tahiti hotel accommodations or a Tahiti cruise vacation.

Tahiti enjoys balanced weather patterns based on its renowned tropical climate.  The climate in Tahiti is usually sunny and pleasant with average yearly temperatures of around 80°F (27°C).  Being in the Southern hemisphere, Tahiti’s summer month’s run from November through April, producing slightly warmer and more humid days. The months of May through October are slightly cooler and dryer.  Either way, Tahiti is enjoyable all months of the year and is a top honeymoon destination.  Tahiti consists of a largely multicultural society which encourages interaction among people from various cultural backgrounds.  However, the majority of its residents are French and Tahitian, probably the reason these are the two most spoken languages in Tahiti with French being the more dominant of the two.  Nonetheless, other languages like English, Filipino, Italian, Spanish and German have been steadily cropping up in the region.  Although French and Tahitian are the official languages, English is widely spoken in the tourist areas.  Also, US dollars are accepted in the tourist areas, as well as most major credit cards. 

Located around 17º Latitude just south of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, you can find daily flights direct to the Tahitian city of Papeete from major USA airports, like Los Angeles and Honolulu.  The flight from Los Angeles takes around 7.5 hours, and Tahiti shares the same time-zone with Hawaii (it’s around 2,700 miles south of Hawaii), so there is not much jet lag to experience.  The Faa'a International Airport in Papeete Tahiti is the only major airport present in French Polynesia.  Consequently, all international flights taken to French Polynesia must land in Tahiti.  International airlines going to Tahiti include Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Air, Qantas, Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, as well as others.  One way to get the most out of a visit to French Polynesia is to take a Tahitian cruise.  Major cruise lines like Princess, Celebrity, Crystal and the more intimate Paul Gauguin Cruises offer spectacular itineraries that include visits to Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, the Marquesas and more.  Land and cruise combo packages are offered that include your choice of luxury hotel on Tahiti both before and after your sailings.  Papeete is the main hub for most cruise lines in French Polynesia.

Tahiti is the largest (around 400 square miles) of 118 islands that make up French Polynesia, which includes the islands of Bora Bora and Moorea.  Bora Bora is 161-miles from Tahiti, however, the Island of Moorea is only 12-miles across the water from Tahiti and is clearly visible from the west shore of Tahiti and is just a short 30-minute Ferry boat ride away.  You can also take a short 10-minute plane ride.  Many visitors stay on Moorea which has some fabulous 5-Star resorts.  The Aremiti Ferry service is the easiest way to get to Moorea and you can even rent a car on Tahiti and Ferry it to Moorea (make Ferry reservations for that) for a day trip.  Once you are in Tahiti, there are several ways to travel around the island.  Most people opt for a more affordable means of transport such as rental cars or the famous "Le Truck" public transportation.  However, if your pockets are deep enough, there is no harm in taking taxis, which can get expensive, or even private limousine and car services.

The capital city of Papeete is vibrant with markets, world-class fine dining, nightclubs, shows, cruise ships and high-end beach resorts & spas.  Along the waterfront you’ll discover unique shops and markets offering Tahitian art works, pearls & jewelry, restaurants and lively bars with live music.   A variety of popular shops are located in and around the Vaima Center, a four-level shopping center that includes restaurants, book stores and banks.  Two blocks from the waterfront you’ll find the 155 year old public market, called Le Marché.  Here you can shop with the locals from hundreds of stands selling fruit, flowers, spices and Tahitian crafts.  After shopping you can enjoy a bite to eat at Vai'ete Square from the numerous food wagons (called roulettes) featuring authentic island cuisine in a lively outdoor setting.  From there, take a stroll through Bougainville Park, a peaceful oasis with running streams, a massive banyan tree and lush vegetation. 

Tahiti features many white sandy beaches and clear lagoon waters that are perfect for diving, snorkeling, and plenty of water sports.  The water temperature averages 79°F (26°C) in the winter and 84°F (29°C) in the summer (North America’s winter months).  Visitors to Tahiti can enjoy surfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, outrigger canoes and powerboat rentals.  Tahiti is one of the best destinations for beginning as well as advanced Scuba divers.  The clear shallow waters offer perfect visibility and more advanced divers can explore colorful coral ocean walls, sunken ships and planes, and abundant schools of tropical fish and sea life.  The Topdive dive shop at the InterContinental Resort has professional dive masters that will take you by boat to the best dive locations and keep you safe.  By boat it’s easy to find a secluded islet for a private day trip.  If you’re pleasure is simply spending a memorable day on the beach, Tahiti’s popular Point Venus peninsula is lined with beautiful black-sand beaches and a romantic lighthouse at the point.

The lush jungle-like interior of Tahiti features deep flower-filled valleys and green mountain peaks rising high above the valley floor.  The island’s interior offers spectacular towering waterfalls, natural pools, grottos, lakes and lava tubes. Visitors can hike the interior, or take a guided 4x4 vehicle or horseback ride tour.  For the horse enthusiast Tahiti has a number of first-class riding stables.  Rides in the mountains are often accompanied by picnic lunches and riding lessons are available for the beginner.  Ciao Tahiti Excursions offers one of the most popular 4x4 off road all terrain vehicle day tours of the island, taking you to the best spots.  On the south side of the island you’ll find Tahiti's only golf course, the Oliver Breaud International Golf Course.  This 6944-yard, par 72 course features sprawling fairways, two man-made lakes, clubhouse, driving range, pool, restaurant, pro shop, and tennis courts.  On the nearby island of Moorea, the Jack Nicklaus designed Moorea Green Pearl Golf Course in Temae is situated between beautiful lagoons and mountains and features numerous bunkers, stretches of water and a driving range over a lake.

Tahiti has its share of museums, cultural and historic sites to visit.  There are several popular annual events, theatre performances, and festivals featuring traditional dances and music of Tahiti.  The Gauguin Museum is dedicated to artist Paul Gauguin who lived on Tahiti.  The museum is located in the lush Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens and features exhibits from the late painter.  The beautiful Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands features exhibits of Polynesian history, historic artifacts and rare collections of art carvings.  Tahiti’s Pearl Museum is devoted entirely to the history and practice of cultivating pearls as well as their place in history, religion and mythology.  Another popular visitor spot is the James Norman Hall Home.  Mr. Hall, a resident of Tahiti in the early 1900’s, co-authored Mutiny on the Bounty and wrote numerous other stories about the South Seas.  Hall’s home is preserved so visitors can see Hall’s original writing desk, art collection, and an over 3000 book library.  Other sites in Papeete and around the island include the Notre Dame Cathedral of Papeete, the Papeete Town Hall, and the Tomb of Queen Pomare V and the royal family.

Dining in Tahiti can be pricey, but even the food on grocery store shelves is not cheap.  Regardless,  if you really love French and Pacific Rim cuisine then you will enjoy the culinary treats Tahiti has to offer.  For dinner, the best 5-star gourmet dining restaurant in Tahiti is reportedly the Chez Remy which is loved for its fantastic meals, great wine selection and admirably hospitable staff.  However, other restaurants like Le Carre at Le Meridien Resort are also revered by people looking for pricey, but classy dining restaurants with excellent gourmet food.  If you want a fantastic panoramic view, Le Belvédère has a spectacular view of the city and Moorea from its 2,000 foot location above Papeete.  L'o a la bouche restaurant in Papeete is a hidden favorite for good quality authentic French cuisine with a casual Bistro ambiance.  Le Coco’s in Punaauia just south of Papeete serves eclectic and creative French and Pacific Rim cuisine with a romantic oceanfront view and very intimate ambiance.  The food and the presentation are excellent and the service is super.  Le Lotus restaurant at the InterContinental Resort 4-miles south west of Papeete serves up some of the best French and Continental cuisine alongside a beautiful lagoon under thatched-roof dining rooms, with a breathtaking view of Moorea.  The ambiance is romantic, the food is delicious, and the service is professional and attentive.  If you’re on a budget and your pockets are not so deep for fine dining, you can still enjoy great food at the famous snack-shops-on-wheels in Papeete called "Roulottes" where great Local Island, Chinese and French dishes are served.

If your hotel preference is to stay at very special 5-Sar resorts, VoyageMonkey.com recommends the following:  Le Meridien Tahiti, which sits on a lush tropical beach front property and includes over water bungalows, state-of-the-art amenities, fine dining, a large pool and a spectacular private lagoon.  The InterContinental Resort Tahiti is located on a pristine property with a private lagoon, large infinity pool, fine dining, spacious luxury guest rooms and over the water bungalows.  Just across the water on the nearby island of Moorea, we recommend the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort which is settled on the edge of a beautiful lagoon with the island of Tahiti in the background, and features fine dining, world-class amenities and 114 luxurious bungalows built over the water.  Also on Moorea, the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa is a true tropical paradise nestled between mountains and a lagoon, and features lush gardens, over the water bungalows, pools, fine dining restaurants, and a luxury spa.

Tahiti constantly streams with tourists all throughout the year, so it is recommended that you book your travel early and avoid waiting for last-minute deals.  Tahiti is a perfect tropical vacation destinations and easy Online Travel Booking is a great way to book your Travel Reservations and find discount travel deals to Tahiti.