How to See Tahiti for Less

Tahiti is a fantasy destination for many, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. Just a short eight-hour flight from Los Angeles, you can get to Tahiti from the West Coast in the same amount of time it takes you to reach Europe.

But Tahiti is not Europe in any way, shape or form. Because of its remote location and jaw-dropping scenery, Tahiti and its neighboring islands are one of the most expensive destinations to visit on Earth.

Before you plan your Tahiti trip for a honeymoon or other special occasion, consider these strategies to save:

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Choose Day Trips Carefully

One of the best aspects of staying in Tahiti is the fact that so many gorgeous, bucket-list islands are just an hour away. That’s why many people take day trips to nearby Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Rangiroa and others.

However, you should thoughtfully plan which islands to visit if you’re hoping to keep costs down because some are a lot more expensive to visit than others.

Getting to Bora Bora can only be accomplished with a round-trip flight from Tahiti that will set you back around $400 per person, for example. On the flip side, you can take a ferry to Moorea for less than $35 round-trip.

Leverage Credit Card Rewards

Travel credit cards offer tons of ways to save on your trip to Tahiti, from your hotel to your airfare. You can fly Air Tahiti Nui using American AAdvantage miles or Air France, for example.

Plus, there are numerous hotels you can book in Tahiti entirely with hotel points. The InterContinental Resort in Tahiti and Le Meridien Tahiti are both good options.

READ MORE: 5 Ways to Enjoy Bora Bora for Less

Book a Tahiti Cruise

Several cruise lines visit Tahiti and its surrounding islands, and these options offer a smart way to save. While they’re not “cheap,” they can offer value when compared to a land-based vacation there.

Windstar Cruises, for example, offers luxury Tahiti itineraries starting at $3,999 per person. While that’s fairly expensive, it’s not outrageous when you consider what’s included—round-trip airfare from LAX, lodging, hotels before and after the cruise, plus many of your meals and activities.

Skip the Overwater Bungalow

The type of room you book will play a role in the total price of your trip. While an overwater bungalow is the stuff of dreams, you’ll save a bundle if you can skip it and enjoy the water from the beach instead.

For example, a king room on land at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort costs just $296 per night, but an overwater villa starts at around $1,173 USD per night.

READ MORE: Soaking Up Tahiti’s Casual Vibe

Bring Food and Alcohol

Food and drink in French Polynesia are expensive, but you will save money by bringing at least some of your own. Fortunately, you can bring up to two liters of liquor or wine into the country in your luggage.

Snacks of any kind are generally fine as long as they aren’t considered “agricultural products.” So yes, bring packaged granola bars, but you might want to leave the pumpkin seeds at home.

Any food or drink you can bring will be to your benefit: With cocktails in many Tahitian hotels costing $20 USD or more, having a fifth of vodka and some mixers will work wonder for your vacation budget.