Holidays in French Polynesia - without a doubt, the dream of any tourist. And this is not surprising, because such magical names as Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tubuai, Community Islands or the Marquesas are directly related to this region. In general, we can say that this is the overseas territory of France, located in that part of the Pacific Ocean where the Southern Tropical Belt passes. The province unites five archipelagos, and in total totals 118 more or less large islands. On the largest of them, Tahiti, is the capital of the region - the city of Papeete.
Despite the long (about a day) and difficult flight, tours to the islands of French Polynesia are very popular. Where to go to the Russian traveler for the first time? Choose Tahiti or Bora Bora. These islands can be reached by plane. You will find here a complete immersion in the tropical bliss, the atmosphere of Polynesian hospitality, combined with the highest level of European service. Hotels on Bora Bora are considered the best in the world. And in Tahiti you are guaranteed a rich excursion program: forays into the depths of the island, a visit to the aboriginal village and the native market.
French Polynesia can offer tourists many more amazing islands. For example, Moorea is interesting in that there are almost never waves near its shores. From the vagaries of the ocean lagoon protects the belt of coral reefs. And getting there is quite simple: only half an hour by ferry from Tahiti. Local hotels do not practice high-rise and noisy buildings. It offers secluded bungalows, sheltered in lush tropical greenery or just standing on stilts in the water. A visit to the aboriginal village of Tiki Village with refreshments and national dances will expand your horizons.
French Polynesia is located on the other side of the globe from Moscow. Therefore, you can only get here with transfers. If you trust Air France, you also need to open a Schengen and American visas. After all, the plane makes two more landings: in Paris and Los Angeles. Delta Airlines planes also land in New York, which means an American visa is required. When flying with Aeroflot, which operates a flight from Novosibirsk, you only need permission to enter a tropical paradise.
What kind of document is this? Many mistakenly believe that if French Polynesia is a “colony” of a European power, then a Schengen visa is enough, because it gives the right to come to the metropolis. But this opinion is incorrect. Although you need to contact the Embassy of the Republic of France for permission to enter, it is called quite differently. This is a visa to overseas territory.
French Polynesia has a developed transport network, mainly air. Air Tahiti airplanes run between 35 islands, like our minibuses. Ferries and speed catamarans are also common. On the large islands there are roads and public land transport - buses. Many hotels rent bicycles. No vaccinations are required before traveling to this country; dangerous infectious diseases are eradicated there. But it will be useful to grab some bathing shoes, which will protect your feet from cuts on corals and from injections of sea urchins.