Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Birdwatching Locations
- The plateau of Tohovii for the 'Pihiti' (Ultramarine Lorikeet)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted on remote beaches like Hooumi with local permission
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Vaipo Waterfall (Tallest in French Polynesia) in Hakaui Valley
- National Parks Nearby
- Nuku Hiva Nature Reserves (Managed locally)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The trek to Anaho Bay from Hatiheu
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Col de Muake (paragliding takeoff spot) overlooking Taiohae Bay
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- OPT (Office des Postes et Télécommunications) in Taiohae
- Tech Repair Services
- None; must be sent to Papeete (Tahiti)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local schools or community gathering halls
- Language Classes
- Private Marquesan (Enana) lessons via the Cultural Center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Small municipal library at the Marie (Town Hall)
- Community Centers
- The 'Pae Pae' structures used for communal gatherings
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in French Polynesia
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,500 per m² (Very limited market; land ownership usually restricted to residents)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800 per m²
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €150,000 for a small bungalow
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €110,000 for remote plots
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €220,000
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €180,000
- Corporate Tax
- 25% - 28% depending on revenue
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents in some cases, otherwise 15% (Taxe sur les Revenus des Valeurs Mobilières)
- Tax System
- Territorial (Tax is paid to French Polynesia, not France directly)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- No personal income tax for individuals in French Polynesia (CST-S applies to salaries only)
- VAT
- 16% (TVA), with reduced rates of 5% and 13% for essentials
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Generally no, but French anti-avoidance laws may apply if linked to mainland France
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on rental value; very complex land tenure (Indivision)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-11% (Registration and Notary fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes; 0% personal income tax makes it highly attractive if residency is established
Essentials
- City
- Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
- Population
- 3,000
- Internet Speed
- 10-20 Mbps (Via Natitua submarine cable; Starlink is the preferred nomad choice for 100+ Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- CFP Franc (XPF); 1 USD ≈ 110 XPF. Fixed rate to Euro: 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water (Vaimato) or filtered water
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Vini or Vodafone JP; Vini has best coverage on Nuku Hiva. Starter packs ~2,500 XPF
- Banking for Expats
- Banque de Polynésie and SOCREDO in Taiohae; ATMs available but high fees for foreign cards. Revolut works at merchants
- Accommodation
- Mostly 'Pensions' (Family guesthouses) and small lodges like Le Nuku Hiva Keikahanui Pearl Lodge
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. Large hotels/grocery stores take card; small cafes and snacks require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; direct booking with Pensions (e.g., Pension He'e Tai Inn) is standard
- Budget Accommodation
- Pension Koku'u (approx. 8,000 XPF/night including breakfast)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Taiohae Bay (Main hub for services and harbor access)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Taiohae (Only area with reliable electricity and proximity to the OPT post office for Wi-Fi)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None; Private Starlink at high-end rentals or the OPT (Post Office) Wi-Fi zone
- Best Cafe for Work
- Moana Nui in Taiohae (Centrally located, allows laptop use during off-peak hours)
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at the Taiohae Yacht Quay; most networking happens with the sailing community
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly 'Magasin' gatherings; Facebook Group: 'Marquises - Annonces et Infos'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Local taxis available by phone. Airport transfer to Taiohae costs ~4,000 XPF per person
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available at Pension He'e Tai Inn; approx. 5,000 XPF per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Anaho Bay (Requires hiking or boat) or Hakaui Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Tahiti (Flights from Papeete/UA Pou)
- Top International Airline
- Air Tahiti Nui (Via Papeete), French Bee
- Highway Access
- Only one main paved road connecting the airport (Terre Déserte) to Taiohae
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Nuku Hiva Airport (NHV) and Taiohae Wharf
- Public Transport Passes
- None; hitchhiking (Le Pouce) is a common local practice
- Regional Travel
- Aranui 5 (Cargo/Cruise ship) or speedboats to neighboring islands like Ua Pou
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital de Taiohae (Equipped for emergencies; medical evacuations go to Tahiti)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Informal sessions at Pearl Lodge; no dedicated commercial studios
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Outdoor functional fitness at the Taiohae waterfront or hiking the 'Sentier des Chèvres'
- Laundry Services
- Available through local Pensions (approx. 1,500 XPF per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poisson Cru (raw fish in coconut milk) and 'Kaku' (breadfruit paste)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; Restaurant Le Mana offers vegetable-based stir-fries on request
- Best Dessert Spots
- Snack Vaeaki for local fruit-based sorbets
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Magasin Kamake (Taiohae) for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None; Amazon does not ship here reliably. Local logistics via Air Tahiti cargo
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Le Keikahanui Bar for sunset drinks; very quiet nightlife
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Hinano (Tahitian beer) is the standard
- Wine Bars
- Le Nuku Hiva Lounge (extensive French wine selection)
- Street Food Stalls
- Taiohae 'Roulottes' (food trucks) serving steak-frites and poisson cru
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le Snack (Pizza and Burgers) at the quay
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Tiki of Tumevu and the Notre Dame Cathedral (constructed of volcanic stone)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée Enana in Taiohae
- Historical Sites
- Kamuihei, Tahakia, and Teiipoka ceremonial sites (Tohua)
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Marquises
- Annual Events
- Matavaa o te Fenua Enana (Marquesas Arts Festival) - held every 4 years
- Cultural Districts
- Hatiheu Village for traditional culture
- Theater Venues
- Outdoor dance arenas (Paepae) during festivals
- Local Markets
- Taiohae Artisan Market (Marché artisanal) for wood/bone carvings
- Music Scene
- Ukulele and traditional percussion performances at local feasts
- Street Art
- Traditional Marquesan Tattoos (Patutiki) - widely considered 'living art' here
- Cooking Classes
- Arranged privately at Pension Kanahau
- Art Galleries
- Exhibition space at the Tourist Office (Comité du Tourisme)
- Historic Buildings
- The German Church at Hatiheu
- Local Heritage
- The Marquesan Cross and the tiki-spirit carvings