French Polynesia power plugs and sockets, telephones

FRENCH POLYNESIA: DOCUMENTS

All visitors to French Polynesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 3 months following the date of arrival. The visa, for citizens of the European Union, is not necessary if you are staying for less than 3 months. Citizens of other countries may be required to apply for a visa.

For driving in French Polynesia, a national driving license or sometimes an international driving license is required. Driving is on the right. The use of seat belts, a child seat and a helmet for motorcyclists are mandatory.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: HEALTH INSURANCE, TRAVEL INSURANCE, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

French Polynesia has a good health care service, there are good public and private hospitals in Tahiti, while in the other islands there are small hospitals or infirmaries for first aid. It is highly recommended for the tourist to take out medical insurance that covers all health costs and also allows the repatriation of the patient in urgent cases.

For the documents needed to travel to French Polynesia we always recommend checking the country’s official website.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: VACCINATIONS

No vaccination is mandatory.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: MOBILE PHONES AND INTERNET

The dialing code for calling French Polynesia is 00689. Emergency numbers: 17 Police; 15 Medical Aid; 18 Fire Brigade. Public phone booths are located in both Tahiti and other islands.

The mobile telephone network in French Polynesia is served by VINI-Tikiphone (OPT) which operates on a GSM mobile network system (900MHz). The mobile phone network covers 62 islands of French Polynesia (practically all the inhabited islands of the Society, Austral, Marquesas and most of the Tuamotu archipelagos are covered by the mobile phone network), the technologies used are the 2G, 3G and 4G.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: POWER PLUGS AND ELECTRIC SOCKETS

The voltage of French Polynesia is 230 volts 60 Hz, the same that is used in Europe. The power plugs and sockets used in French Polynesia have two round plugs (C and E), that is, similar to those used in France.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: CURRENCY AND BANKS

Franc CFP (XPF). The CFP Franc has a fixed exchange rate with the Euro: 1 Euro = 119.33 CFP Francs

Banks in French Polynesia are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.00 (on Friday they close at 15.00). It is recommended to change cash in the banks of Papeete or at the airport, not all islands have banks or exchange offices. ATMs are present in Tahiti and some of the other islands. Credit Cards are generally accepted in the main hotels, shops and restaurants. If you plan to stay in small pensions and small tourist facilities it is better to be provided with cash.