Holidays in Papeete

Papeete is located in Tahiti in French Polynesia and is one of the most picturesque cities in the South Pacific. Papeete has fine sandy beaches, an interesting landscape with impressive waterfalls and bustling marketplaces selling local goods. With exciting watersports and fascinating local areas to explore, Papeete holidays promise to be a memorable escape to the paradise of Tahiti.

Papeete holidays: Getting around

The nearest airport is Faa'a International Airport, which is close to Papeete. From the airport, visitors can get to the town via local bus service or taxi. Hiring a car is also possible while holidaying in Papeete. The weather in Tahiti is great all year round, but it could be a good idea to avoid the busy summer months of July and August. The time zone is GMT-10.

Papeete holidays: Where to start

A good place to start in Papeete is to explore Papeari's Botanical Gardens. A large park of lush wildlife, these gardens are a fine place to relax and enjoy nature. In the gardens, visitors will find the Gauguin Museum, dedicated to the celebrated French artist. Gauguin loved the Tahiti area and the museum contains his artwork and biographical information. Le Marché is a two story marketplace at the heart of Papeete. This marketplace is an excellent opportunity to sample delicious food and buy local goods, such as Monoi, the strongly scented Tahitian oil, or pareu, traditional Tahitian clothing. A day trip to the nearby island of Tahiti Nui should be undertaken to visit Les Trois Cascades, three stunning waterfalls.

Holidaymakers in Papeete can relax on Tahiti's fine sands, or try their hand at watersports activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling. The Olivier-Breaud Golf Course is a perfect spot for an afternoon game. In the evening, head to one of Papeete's fine restaurants around the To'ata Square area which serve freshly caught seafood and other local specialities.