Browse our "Best of" lists to find the top-rated properties in Papeete – based on 3,632 reviews from real guests
#1 of 24 hotels in Papeete
#2 of 24 hotels in Papeete
#3 of 24 hotels in Papeete
If possible, don't go in the rainy season between Nov-Feb. Check out the food trucks down on the port wharf - we didn't discover these until our final night & the food was fantastic, decent portions, tasty & best value for money. Had we found them earlier, we would have eaten there every night.
This is a typical town without charm, public transportation is efficient , tourist traffic sustains the economy, basic needs are often hard to meet: changing money is a hassle, especially since weekend closure of banks is definitive, public entertainment is always limited, this city is the only entry point to the attractive atolls in Tahiti for the airplane tourists, streets are not clean, vagrants will approach tourists,car rentals are often exhorbitant, local people are friendly, use of English is limited, local food at night stalls is good indeed, freighters will take passengers to outer islands and perimeters,it is possible to negotiate prices for airline tickets with available discount vouchers or identification ( cards can be secured for senior citizens, etc). Treat this city as a necessary intermediate stopover on your way to the outer islands...some of which will disappear soon and forever as climate changes raise water levels...paradise anon!
Beautiful country, very friendly people, government need more improvement to meet the basic of tourism requirements, like freeways signs, like the exiting to the Airport, to the central Papeete, too much water ponds on the street, cars parked on the sidewalk ( pedestrian have carefully walk on streets!
Dont book hotel in town. Many great hotels on black sand beaches with pools not far from town. Worth the $$. All islands in French Polynesia VERY expensive. Restaurants, shops, souvenirs, excursions, taxis, etc. But must say most beautiful area of world I've ever seen!! MAGICAL! Don't let $$$ make your decision. Worth every franc! PS. Exchange rate when I visited approximate 1/1. Very good.
Don't stay in downtown Papeete unless you like all the traffic and city noise. Resorts outside of town offer shuttles to the city if you want to go. Beautiful views all around the island and the Tahitians are very friendly!
Didn't expect Papeete to be so metropolis compared to the neighbouring islands, Moorea and Bora Bora. Having said that, I loved Papeete. Loved the people, culture, music, food, etc.... I would return in a heart beat.
“The location is wonderful. Peaceful and quiet. Near the Hilton hotel. A restaurant is connectioned to the hostel. Great breakfast.”
“fantastic owner perfectly located clean, quit and comfortable fair price free pickup and and transport to the airport superb breakfast”
“We stayed here in the middle of our trip between island excursions and at the end of trip. It was just like having our own clean, modern, comfortable place in Tahiti. There is a grocery store a 10 min. walk down the hill and restaurants 15 to 20 min walks away including the great food trucks at the wharf area. The washer was great to have and the outdoor area was so pleasant for breakfast. The owner was helpful with advise and arranging taxis when needed.”
“Well situated to explore Papeete, nice clean flat, excellent air con, good kitchen, airport pickup, nice host, no bugs, nice rooftop pool. Good value option. They were also super cool about a late checkout. It really helped us out.”
“Could not be better, everything was excellent. Martine was very helpful in contacting our pension on another island and arranging a reliable taxi driver for our trips on the island. Very quiet and secure location in a short walking distance from noisy downtown. Great bonus - bikes that we could ride to the nearby beach for a swim and around Papeete. Thanks a lot Martine and Georgi for your great hospitality - Grazyna, Basia, Wiesia & Zbyszek”