Bora Bora Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Self-service 'Laverie' in Vaitape center near the Champion supermarket |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Centre Médical de Vaitape (Urgent care); serious cases are airlifted to Tahiti (CHPF) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Deep Ocean Spa at InterContinental; private sessions at Moorea Yoga |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Bora Bora Fitness (Vaitape center); 1,500 XPF per day pass |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
No delivery apps; some 'Snacks' (local eateries) offer phone-in pickup |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Poisson Cru au Lait de Coco (Raw tuna with lime and coconut milk) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Arii Moana (Four Seasons) offers specialized vegan menus; Saint James for veggie pastas |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Bora Bora Pâtisserie in Vaitape for French-style pastries and macarons |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Chin Lee Supermarket (Vaitape) for local prices on staples |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Very limited; most rely on mainland Tahiti vendors like Odyssey.pf |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Not available; residents shop at Super U or Champion in Vaitape |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Lucky House (Fare Manuia) near Matira Beach for wood-fired pizza and cocktails |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Brasserie de Tahiti (Hinano Beer is the local staple available everywhere) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Wine Shop Bora Bora (Vaitape) for high-end French imports |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Roulottes (food trucks) in Vaitape square at night; $15-$25 per meal |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
La Villa Mahana (Mediterranean-French fusion by Chef Damien Rinaldi-Dovio) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Mount Otemanu (viewing by boat or helicopter) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Galeria Alain Despert (World-renowned local artist studio) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
WWII Guns (Coastal defense guns left by US Navy at Point Fitiiu) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Saint-Pierre-Célestin Church (Vaitape) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Heiva i Bora Bora (Cultural festival in July with dancing and singing) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Vaitape Village (The heart of local life and craft) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Traditional dance performances at the InterContinental or Le Bora Bora hotels |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Vaitape Sunday morning market for fresh fish and local produce |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Live Tahitian ukulele and drumming at Bloody Mary’s Restaurant |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Limited; mostly traditional murals on school buildings and community centers |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Te Fare Tahiti (Private classes for Poisson Cru preparation) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Bora Bora Art Station (contemporary local sculptures and paintings) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The Fare Pote’e (traditional meeting houses) on surrounding motus |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The Tiare flower culture and Polynesian voyaging traditions |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Coral Gardens (Snorkeling spot near the Sofitel Private Island) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Valley of the Kings (Ancient banyan trees and marae ruins) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The 29km main island ring road for cycling; Mount Pahia trail for hiking |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Amanahune Viewpoint for sunset and lagoon vistas |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Lush interior valleys for the rare Blue Lorikeet |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Not permitted on public beaches; only via private resort-organized excursions |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
OPT (Office des Postes et Télécommunications) for mail; DHL for air freight |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Viti Shop in Vaitape (basic mobile/tablet repair only) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Recreation rooms at larger resorts like the Conrad Bora Bora Nui |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Private French or Tahitian tutors found via local Facebook community boards |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Small municipal library in Vaitape; limited English selection |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Maison de la Culture (Vaitape) for local workshops |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
None; standard gaming is done at home via satellite internet |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Gambling is illegal in French Polynesia; no casinos |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 520,000 XPF per m² ($4,750). Example: 40 m² = $190,000 |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 400,000 XPF per m² ($3,650). Example: 40 m² = $146,000 |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 490,000 XPF per m² ($4,480). Example: 60 m² = $268,800 |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 380,000 XPF per m² ($3,475). Example: 60 m² = $208,500 |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 450,000 XPF per m² ($4,120). Example: 80 m² = $329,600 |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 350,000 XPF per m² ($3,200). Example: 80 m² = $256,000 |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Standard rate 25% (subject to localized Polynesian tax codes) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
0% to 15% depending on residency status and tax treaties |
| 🏦 Tax System |
French Polynesian tax autonomy; no personal income tax for residents on local earnings |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
0% (There is no personal income tax in French Polynesia) |
| 🧾 VAT |
13% for services/goods; 5% for hotels (TVA) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No; French territorial rules apply with significant local autonomy |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, Contribution des Propriétés Bâties (CPB), roughly 0.5-1% of value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Approx. 9-11% for notary fees and registration taxes |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
High (No personal income tax), but very high cost of living and strict visa requirements |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 10,600 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
20-50 Mbps download via Viti or ONATI fiber; Starlink is now widely used for 100+ Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
100 CFP Franc (XPF) ≈ 0.91 USD. Fixed to Euro: 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable in most luxury resorts; however, bottled or filtered water is recommended in local areas |
| 🔌 Power |
220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A, B, C, and E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Vini or Vodafone JP; expect to pay 2,500 XPF ($23) for a SIM with 10GB data |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Banque de Polynésie, SOCREDO; local cards and major credit cards accepted at resorts |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Luxury Overwater Bungalows (Conrad, St. Regis) or local 'Pensions' (Tahitian guesthouses) |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Resorts and major shops are cashless; small local fruit stands and snacks require XPF cash |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb is available in Vaitape and Faanui; average $150-$300/night for local villas |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Village Temanuata (Matira Beach) starting at approx. $120/night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Matira Point for mainland access; Motu Piti A’au for luxury resorts |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Vaitape for proximity to shops, banks, and slightly more stable land-based internet |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
No dedicated coworking; Resort business centers (e.g., InterContinental Thalasso) serve this purpose |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Aloe Café in Vaitape; offers decent Wi-Fi and air conditioning |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Informal gatherings at Yacht Club Bora Bora; no formal tech/nomad meetups |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Bora Bora Yacht Club Friday nights; Expats in Tahiti/Bora Bora Facebook groups |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No apps; Hotel shuttles or Taxi Bora Bora (+689 87 70 79 70). $20-$40 per ride |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Manu Taxi Moto or Avis Bora Bora; Bicycles approx. $20/day, Scooters $50/day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Matira Beach (the only public beach on the main island) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Air Tahiti (the domestic carrier) and Air Moana |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Air Tahiti Nui, United, and French Bee (via Papeete) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
One main coastal road (29km circumference); no highways |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Vaitape Pier (shuttle boats to airport motu and other islands) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Le Truck (local bus) is irregular; no formal pass system exists |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Inter-island ferries like the Terevau Piti or Apetahi Express to Raiatea and Maupiti |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING BORA BORA