How to Find Hotels in Tonga

Relax and enjoy a truly magical getaway on the Pacific island of Tonga. Secluded beaches, friendly locals, gorgeous accommodations and sparkling ocean waters make Tonga a favorite among vacationers, especially newlyweds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Credit card
• Hotel reservation
• Plane tickets
• Passport
• Computer
• Map
• Rental car

Know Your Destination

1. Absorb the natural beauty of the area. Tonga is world-famous for its beaches and unique accommodations.
2. Learn a few Tongan phrases before traveling. English is commonly spoken here, but Tongan is the official language.
3. Convert your dollars to the Tongan Pa'anga, often referred to as the PT or T$.

Organize Transportation

4. Fly into Tonga's main airport, Fua'amotu International, or alternatively, catch a plane into Lupepapau'u International Airport.
5. Enter the country on a private yacht through any of five entry points on various islands.
6. Catch the ferry between islands or take Tonga's new domestic airline to see all the sites.
7. Hire a taxi for intra-island travel. Taxis are easily recognizable and a cheap, reliable way to get around on the large islands.
8. Take a bus for low-cost travel between Tonga's major attractions.
9. Rent a car for a scenic drive around the big islands. Renting a car in Tonga is relatively easy and inexpensive.

Choose Your Lodging

10. To book accommodations, contact Tonga Visitors Bureau at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
11. Reserve a room at a smaller resort for a more intimate experience of Tonga. Some of these premier accommodations offer such amenities as private beaches and secluded cabanas.
12. Book your accommodations at one of the larger hotels or resorts on any of the large, inhabited islands of Tonga. You'll find a high concentration of English-speakers near large resorts as well as secluded beach areas.

Be Familiar With Local Information

13. Respect local religions. Tonga is a primarily Christian nation with a large population of Catholics and Mormons.
14. Drink kava. This tea has long been an important aspect of many traditional religious and cultural customs.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid risky behaviors and situations, as diseases such as hepatitis are common.
• Prices for accommodations can be slightly lower during the rainy months from October to March or April.
• Direct flights to Tonga are only available from neighboring countries and islands like New Zealand, Australia and even Hawaii. Expect to make a stop in one of these locations before proceeding to Tonga.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• The weather in Tonga is beautiful and consistent, but bring a rain jacket because rain showers are common even on the nicest days. Heaviest rainfall occurs during the Northern Hemisphere's winter months, October to March, though daily temperatures will still be in the 80s.