How to Find Cheap Hotels in Moorea

The gorgeous French Polynesian island called Moorea is a paradise for those who enjoy clear blue seas, friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. Popular with honeymooners, Moorea does have cheap accommodations if you know where to look.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A passport
• A computer with access to the Internet

Know Your Destination

1. Go snorkeling! The waters around Moorea contain an abundance of fascinating marine life, including beautiful tropical fish. Sharks, whales and sea turtles can also be spotted.
2. Lie on the beach. No trip to Moorea is complete without at least one day spent relaxing on the soothing sands, gazing at the clear blue waters.

Plan Your Transportation

3. Consider the following when planning your flight: the only international airport is located in Tahiti, just 5km away from the Tahitian capital, Papeete. From this city, visitors take a cheap and scenic 17km ferry ride to Moorea. Ferries leave Papeete for Moorea several times a day.
4. Drive around the island or take an ATV tour. Know that in French Polynesia, people drive on the right side of the road. Driving laws are the same as those in Europe.

Find Cheap Accommodations in Moorea

5. Be flexible. Renting a primitive bungalow that may not have air conditioning or hot water offers a more authentic Moorea experience and will be very cheap.
6. Expect to pay relatively high prices for rooms at local resorts and hotels (over $100 a night in most cases and sometimes considerably more). You can often save money, though, by buying food at local markets instead of eating at restaurants.
7. Visit The Tahiti Traveler Web site to get an overview of available accommodations in the area. You can sort the listings on this Web site by location, price and amenities.
8. To book accommodations in Moorea, call The Tahiti Traveler at 689-83-5160 or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• Although it is not considered offensive, tipping is not common in French Polynesia and is therefore not expected by locals. If you feel a tip has been earned, you can certainly give one--but it's not necessary.
• Ask your hotel about adapters for any appliances like hairdryers that you will be bringing with you. The power voltage used in French Polynesia is 220 volts. If your appliances are not equipped for this voltage, they could be damaged or destroyed if you plug them into an outlet.
• Plan to travel during the cheap time of the year in Moorea, which is spring or fall. The busiest and most costly season on the island is between May and October, peaking in August. The month of January is not a desirable time to visit as the island receives a lot of rain in that month.