Let’s be clear right off the top: “Tahiti on a budget” is a phrase that should come with a little wink and maybe a footnote. Budget is relative, especially when we’re talking about a collection of volcanic islands in the South Pacific where the water looks Photoshopped and a fancy drink can cost more than your last Uber ride. But can you experience the magic of The Islands of Tahiti without selling a kidney? Yes. Should you still bring your credit cards? Also yes.
The Islands of Tahiti on a Budget
Let’s Define Budget for Tahiti
Let’s be honest, those overwater bungalows you have on your vision board? Gorgeous. Dreamy. Also about $800 CAD a night in the off-season. But are you really going to skip visiting one of the most breathtaking places on Earth just because your bed isn’t floating? If your answer is “yes,” then this probably isn’t the blog post for you. But if you’re more of a “hell no, pour me a Hinano and show me the sand” kind of traveller, then keep reading. We’re about to break down how to do Tahiti on a budget—a beer budget.
Getting There
Air Tahiti Nui and Air Canada both fly to Papeete, with round-trip sales popping up a couple of times a year. If you’re flexible with your dates, or the kind of person who checks Google Flights for fun (hi, it’s me), you can scoop up a deal that leaves room in your budget for other essentials, like sunscreen and cocktails.
French Bee is another great option and a low cost air carrier, which is your best bet for maintaining your budget. You’ll need to get to San Francisco first, but that’s a pretty great place for a layover if needed. Since air is often the most expensive part of the journey you can ascertain what you’ll need to budget up front by entering in your travel dates. And then start saving those pennies.
Travel in The Shoulder Seasons
The beautiful thing about the shoulder seasons in the Islands of Tahiti is that they line up nicely with the times North Americans are looking to escape our frozen wasteland. Peak travel season in Tahiti is during our summer, and frankly not many of us want to leave home during the only time we get decent weather.
When we’re trudging through snowmageddon to get to work however is a different story, and The Islands of Tahiti thankfully are still boasting average daily temperatures in the low 80s. While you may get more rain during this time, it’s generally short-lived and it’s hard to detract from the beauty of the islands with a little rain. Besides, as a winter hardened Canadian, I’ll take warm showers over ice cold blizzards any day.
Swap the Overwater Bungalow For A Tahitian Guesthouse
Again overwater bungalows are stunning, iconic even but they’re also, in my opinion, not worth the money. Instead, opt for a pension or guesthouse. These locally-run gems are cozy, charming, and cost a fraction of what the big resorts charge. Bonus? You’re supporting local families and probably getting better breakfast.
Tahitians are naturally hospitable people, so you’ll find plenty of options in Tahitian Guesthouses to stay at throughout the islands. We stayed at Marama Lodge in Tahiti. Three nights, which included breakfast, lunch and dinner for three, came to $500 Canadian. With that kind of money, I actually did splurge on a couple of glasses of champagne. What can I say? I was feeling flush with those prices.
The real benefit here though was getting to know our gracious hosts, Marama and Mitiana, and their five children. While I admit at first it felt a little odd sharing a home with strangers, it turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We ended up making friends and that was more than worth the price of admission.
Stay in Smaller Boutique Resorts
Of course you’re to going to find big chain resorts in the Islands of Tahiti like the Four Seasons and Intercontinental, but those resorts are not in your budget. The best part though is it’s more than okay because there are a number of small, independently owned properties that will blow your mind.
In Moorea, you’ll find the delightful Linareva Resort. Much like efficiency cottages in Canada, these small bungalows come equipped with a small kitchen so you can make your own food. Hopping on a bike here to go the market is super easy, and I might add incredibly scenic.
I would be remiss if I also didn’t mention the shark show right off the dock every night.
In Taha’a you’ll find the irresistible, six bungalow resort called Fare Pea Iti. Run by Parisian ex-pats, you get a personal touch here that is impossible to find in a larger property.
As an added bonus, this resort is a short boat ride away from one of the most beautiful and untouched coral gardens in the world.
Getting Around The Islands of Tahiti
It is uncommon for anyone to visit The Islands of Tahiti and only stay on one island, especially when there are 118 to choose from. Once you’ve decided your itinerary (an ideal trip would be 14 days and 5 islands), it should be fairly easy to establish how much budget you’ll need to set aside for transportation with Air Tahiti. Be sure to check out their island hopping passes to save even a little more money.
I hate to break it to you, but this one is a budget-buster, so you will need to save hard for this before leaving. There is little competition when it comes to getting from one island to the next. That being said, it’s 100% worth it.
Budget Friendly Dining in Tahiti
Save your fine dining splurges for one or two nights. The real magic? Tahitian roulottes—food trucks that serve fresh, affordable eats like poisson cru (Tahitian ceviche), grilled meat, and crepes. Bring cash and your appetite.
If you love fresh fruit and seafood then you’ll be in heaven anywhere you roam in The Islands of Tahiti.
One of the most delightful things about visiting this area is you’ll find fresh fruit like banana, pineapple, mango, and coconut in abundance here. Not just found on farms, fresh fruit grows everywhere. Tuna is also a staple , so if you love tuna tartar you’ll be in heaven.
Where things get expensive is when you start to order things that have to be shipped to the islands. Much like Iceland in this respect, the Islands of Tahiti and French Polynesia, are isolated. If it doesn’t grow there, it has to be shipped and that is where your dollars start to add up.
Your best bet in Tahiti is to eat fresh, local fare and forget the Triple A filet imported thousands of miles across the ocean. Added bonus, if you eat this way, you’ll actually go home healthier and leaner than when you arrived. How often can you say that on a holiday?
It’s Not Just Bora Bora
Okay, for heavens sake people. Let. It. Go. Bora Bora is no more the apex of visiting the Islands of Tahiti, than New York City is for the entire United States. I blame Couples Retreat for this obsession people have with it.
Crystal blue waters, lush green landscapes, and breathtaking sunrises exist everywhere in the Islands of Tahiti, and at a much more affordable rate than what you’ll pay in Bora Bora
Having been to a few of the islands though I can tell you that Taha’a is perhaps more beautiful and significantly more affordable than Bora Bora. Other islands to consider are Raiatea, Manihi, and Rurutu.
Pack Smart (and Light)
Everything in Tahiti is expensive,because most of it is imported. Don’t count on buying forgotten essentials. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, bug spray, a reusable water bottle, and any medications you may need. Also: protein bars don’t hurt. Because you’ll cry paying $9 for a granola bar at a hotel gift shop.
FREE , My Favourite Four-Letter Word
Some of the best things to do in Tahiti cost nothing: snorkelling off the beach, hiking lush trails, watching the sun dip behind jagged peaks, visiting local markets, or pretending you live there while walking barefoot everywhere.
Tahiti on a budget is 100% doable if you adjust your expectations and skip the curated Instagram experience. You’ll still leave with tan lines, camera roll bragging rights, and a deep belief that this was money well spent—even if it wasn’t exactly cheap.
Wondering if The Islands of Tahiti for good for families? Read more here.
(Updated April 2025 – still budget-ish, still beautiful)
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