Tahiti On A Budget: 11 Ways To Save On Vacation

Tahiti conjures an image of swaying palms, forested mountains, sugar-sand beaches, clear turquoise lagoons, and, of course, overwater bungalows. In a word, you'll think "paradise." But visiting paradise comes at a cost. When you add up the price of airfare, dining, lodging, and other sundries, a trip to Tahiti will take a chunk out of your bank account. The territory relies heavily on importing many items due to its remote location moored in the South Pacific. These range from certain foods and drinks that won't grow there due to the tropical climate to more critical items like supplies for buildings to facilitate the construction and maintenance of hotels and homes.

Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia and the gateway to its many islands, will never be a budget destination like some of the nations of Southeast Asia. However, you have options for making your trip more affordable. From choosing the best time to fly to creative ways to see the islands, even those watching their pennies can enjoy the territory by following these cost-cutting Tahiti travel tips.

Tahiti, an aspirational destination, usually ranks high on lists of the world's most romantic islands. However, experiencing the allures of the territory for yourself will likely add up. At the lower end, anticipate spending approximately $1,500 per person per week while in Tahiti (excluding plane tickets), though that number could fluctuate drastically depending on your travel style. By some estimates, a meal for two at a nice restaurant can cost almost $200. Two weeks on the island at a good resort, even in low season, can easily run into five figures. You can expect airfare alone to exceed $1,000 roundtrip from the United States even at the low-end during the quiet season.

As a bucket-list escape, many people dream about visiting this portion of the world only once. Part of its elusive nature stems from the island's distance from the U.S. A flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti takes around eight hours, but not everyone lives on the West Coast; many travelers will have to endure longer transit times to reach their accommodations. Once on the island, options for your stay range from simple to the lavish overwater bungalows, with the latter costing hundred of dollars per night, if not thousands.

Tropical Tahiti is warm year-round, but there are two distinct seasons. High season is the "dry" season (March to November), when temperatures average about 80 degrees and there's minimal rain. Low season is the "rainy" season (December to late February), when the air is a bit warmer (high 80s) and more humid with bursts of showers that typically last a half hour or less (and rarely ruin an entire day). Visit during low season to snag the best hotel prices, which can dip 25-40 percent in January and February.

Flights from Los Angeles to Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport in Papeete don't come cheap. Air Tahiti Nui and Air France/Delta are the nonstop options and roundtrip economy fares range from just under $900 to more than $1,600. Use an airfare comparison tool to check for the lowest airfares. Flying on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday versus Sunday or Monday, for example, might save you several hundred dollars per ticket, especially during peak wedding/honeymoon season. Booking at least six months in advance can lock in a cheaper airfare, too. Also, consider United, which offers direct flights from several U.S. cities.

As you're pricing flights and hotels, also search online for package deals that bundle airfare, airport transfers, accommodations, and some meals into one per-person price (generally starting in the $2,500-$3,500 range for seven nights). You'll find deals from online travel agent sites, Costco, Air Tahiti Nui, and others. Shop around for the best options that include daily breakfast (and preferably several dinners) since food costs are one of the biggest budget-busters.

Booking an overwater bungalow in Tahiti, or any of the islands in French Polynesia, will likely blow a giant hole in your budget. Some of the more plush options can set you back more than $2,000 a night. Multiply that by seven for a week's stay, and you could buy a great used car with low mileage for those sorts of sums. Thankfully, you have more choices for accommodations than overwater bungalows (as gorgeous as they look and sound).

Many resorts have hotel rooms and garden bungalows priced at $200-$400 per night. A few to check out are Pearl, Manava, Hilton, and InterContinental resorts on Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. Book most nights in a room or garden bungalow and then trade up to an overwater bungalow for the last night or two. Tip: Overwater bungalows are cheaper on Moorea than Bora Bora.

Tahiti features multiple affordable smaller hotels and resorts. Though they might not sit right on the beach or anywhere near the water, these places have rooms for less than $100 per night. Alternatively, consider guest houses, often owned and run by families, that give travelers a more local and intimate experience on the island.

If you're a fan of vacation rentals, Tahiti can be a great deal, especially if you employ a few simple strategies to avoid high Airbnb fees. You'll find dozens of options with prices in the $60 to $150 per night range. The website has wide-ranging selections, such as rustic bungalows and breezy apartments with sea views, at much more palatable prices. Just keep in mind that some residences might be a distance away from markets or beaches and, beyond Tahiti island itself, public transport is limited. Be sure to figure those logistics into your budget ahead of time. Travelers who go this route should also consider taking steps to make their Airbnb stay safer.

Most first-time visitors see the main three islands (Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora). However, if you want to save money and prefer less-touristy locales, look into Huahine and Raiatea (located not far from Bora Bora) or Rangiroa, Tikehau, or Fakarava (located in the Tuamotu islands and known for diving).

While cruising Tahiti doesn't come cheap, there is inherent value (no interisland flights are required and all meals may be included) if you can score a sale fare. Windstar Cruises has air-cruise-hotel packages that include flights from Los Angeles, transfers, a pre-cruise hotel night on Tahiti and a seven-night cruise on 312-passenger Star Breeze, starting at $5,199 per person in 2024. Paul Gauguin Cruises also has seven-night sailings in 2024 on 330-passenger The Gauguin, starting at $5,160 per person. These may not seem like deals, but in a place where every little thing adds up quickly, a seamless cruise experience might be worth it.

Resort breakfast buffet prices are $30-$60 per person, so it' smart to bring along protein bars and buy local fruit and yogurt for a light DIY meal; another option is to order one room-service breakfast and split it (there is usually enough food for two). Also, plan to dine locally rather than just at the resort — there are typically small mom-and-pop restaurants within a short walk or bike ride from many properties — and make lunch your most filling meal since menu prices inflate after sunset. If you do have dinner at your resort, check out the bar menu, which is often less expensive than restaurant menus.

Wine, beer and spirits are more expensive in Tahiti than at home, but you can save by packing a few bottles in your checked luggage and/or buying your preferred alcohol at a duty-free shop or local market and enjoying cocktails on your terrace rather than by running up a big bar tab. Some resorts have a happy hour with reduced prices, so that's the time to be social.

Some things just need to be experienced — like Bora Bora and its brilliant lagoon. Don't skip it, just search for the best possible deals. And if you can splurge, book a soothing Polynesian taurumi massage with scented monoi oil. If feeling adventurous, a shark and stingray feeding followed by a picnic on a private motu (a small sandy island) is definitely worth it.