Visiting Tahiti in November
Question: I am planning a trip to Tahiti in November and am trying to find some places to camp. I have some information on both camping and hostels, but would like any additional information you may have.
Kip Brader
Juneau, AK
kbrader@ptialaska.net
Adventure Adviser: You are a smart man. Now is the best time to visit Tahiti. Believe it or not, the country's PR people are doing some serious somersaulting to try to get more visitors to the island.
Lately, tourism there has slacked tremendously because people believe it's too far and too expensive. The result is that there are some major deals floating around. For example, Islands in the Sun travel company is offering a "Fly Free to Tahiti" package where you can buy a 10-day trip for $1,999 and get free round-trip airfare out of Los Angeles.
The package includes four nights in Moorea, three nights in Bora Bora, and two nights in Papeete. All inter-island airfares are included in the deal as well. You could still camp and come out on top with those rates! If you're interested, call 800-828-6877 and request Fax on Demand #153.
As far as camping goes, I've had little luck finding much of anything. There are a few refuges on the way up Mount Aorai, which accommodate about 20 people each, have electricity, and are equipped with containers that fill up with drinkable rainwater. As far as I can tell, these refuges are open to anyone.
The only backpacker hostels I could find are located on the outskirts of Papeete and were characterized as, "Okay for a few nights' stopover, but not the kind of place you'd like to hang around."
The best of these is the Tahiti Budget Lodge on the Rue du Frere Alain, a 10-minute walk from the waterfront. It's conveniently close to the center of town, but far enough away to be pretty quiet. There's a snack-bar area, kitchen and laundry facilities, and a garden. Take your pick of dorms or private rooms. For prices and reservation information call 011-689-42-66-82.
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