Cost of living, taxes, VAT

Your budget

French Polynesia is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Since all products are imported, transportation charges have to be added to most goods prices. Additional high import taxes worsen this situation. On some products and services, European and US rates can be doubled or tripled.

However, it is possible to minimize your expenses. The easiest is obviously to buy an all inclusive stay. But if you wish to travel freely, note that a housing in a pension in double occupancy will cost you on average 100 USD per night and as much as five times more in a deluxe resort. If you agree to live in harmony with the local inhabitants (to eat a fish dish with rice daily), you will spend a minimum 20 USD a day, not including lodging.

Common rates :

  • draft beer: 450 XPF
  • coffee: 220 XPF
  • sandwich: 350 XPF
  • meal for 2 in a standard restaurant: 8,000 XPF (wine included)
  • Papeete / Moorea (one way): 1,200 XPF (by ferry)

Tourist Taxes

The following taxes are to be included in your bill:

1. A tourist development tax for classified hotels rooms and tourist international cruises only.

  • 5% for classified hotels rooms
  • 200 XPF per person and per day for international cruises

2. A visitor tax only in Papeete, Faa’a, Punaauia, Moorea-Maiao, Bora Bora, Huahine, Rangiroa, Mataiva and Tikehau.

  • between 50 and 200 XPF per person per day, depending of the island and loding category

Children under the age of 12 staying with their parents are exempted.

These taxes are used to protect nature & environment, create public infrastructures, support local events as Hawaiki Nui Vaa’a, Heiva, create panoramic sites…

V.A.T.

The Value Added Tax (or TVA in French) was added in 1998 on all goods and services, including accommodations, food & beverages, room and meal packages, transportation, activities and excursions.

  • V.A.T.  on  services is 13%
  • V.A.T. 2011 on hotels, small boarding houses, food and beverages is 6%

All the restaurant, shops, boutiques, services, activities prices are all tax included

Rem : all rates published in The Tahiti Traveler are also tax included.


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