Health and Wellness
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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