YSK: If you’re ever planning to visit French Polynesia, consider choosing Maupiti over Bora Bora.
YSK: If you’re ever planning to visit French Polynesia, consider choosing Maupiti over Bora Bora.
Maupiti is what Bora Bora used to be before it became overly touristy - more authentic, secluded, and affordable. I say this as a Maupiti native.
When I went to Australia, it was cheaper to get there by staying a few days in Tahiti. I got a cheap room, kind of like an air bnb, it hosted like 4 guest rooms with a very nice garden and the guy made a very good breakfast each day. I got a rental car and drove all around the island, went for a couple hikes, went to the public beaches, ate fresh seafood and very good french coffee and food. My roaming wasn't working so I kinda just went at the whole thing blind. I couldn't read anything because I don't speak French, and directions were easy since there's just one main road that goes around in a circle on the island. Driving a manual Suzuki Swift was fun as hell, way uhh "looser" of a car than I'm used to in the states.
Overall though, I had a great time in Tahiti. It's beautiful and everyone there is very laid back and friendly. I saw a couple resorts there with private beaches and cruise ships and I could not imagine a worse way to experience French polynesia. I cannot understand the mindset of people on their honeymoons that are terrified to leave their perfectly curated hotel experience or whatever. When I travel I want to travel and see as much as I can of how things really are and how people live, eat, etc
Don’t worry, I’m poor so I won’t be visiting either.
Won't this just make Maupiti the same as today Bora Bora?
Luckily Lemmy isn't that popular yet. (Plus we're all poor.)
Maupiti doesn’t have the massive tourist infrastructure that Bora Bora has - and it likely never will. Bora Bora received significant foreign investment to become what it is today: the go-to destination for a luxurious tropical paradise experience. Even larger islands, like Moorea, have tried to reach the same level of fame, but haven’t been able to match Bora Bora’s status. For example, there are no hotels or resorts on Maupiti - accommodation is limited to locally run pensions.
Which one doesn't have dinosaurs on it?
https://www.tahititourisme.com/preparing-you-trip/accommodations-in-the-islands-of-tahiti/
Filter by island. Plenty of options.
Definitely, but Maupiti is the island which provides the most similar experience to Bora Bora specifically. They're close to each other and have had strong historical cultural links. For example, if someone was more into lush vegetation, mountainous, cultural stuff, I’d recommend Huahine. Tahaa has the vanilla and pearls. Etc. Different islands have different things going for them.
I would really love to visit but it's quite far away and the ticket is expensive
More like if you are planning a trip to a place that already suffers from overtourism, don't.
I went to Mo'orea in 2023. It was the best place I've ever been. Highly recommend.
You should cross-post this too !buyoceanian@quokk.au
Also seeing as you're from there, do you ever call France, French France?
No, we call it Metropolitan France (la Métropole) or European France (le territoire européen de la France). First one is the actually most common one, second one is the “politically correct” one.
Great timing! My wife and I are planning a trip for next winter right now. I can't wait to show my wife!