Good to know
Good to Know
- ATM fees vary widely by home bank; some charge 1–3% foreign conversion fees per withdrawal. Cards from Wise, Revolut, ING, and Capital One typically waive these. Check your bank's policy before traveling.
- Airport exchange rates are notably higher than bank rates; if possible, use an ATM at the airport or exchange a small amount and use an ATM on the island for better value.
- Some small supermarkets and businesses impose minimum spending thresholds (e.g., 1,000–2,000 XPF) for card payments to avoid processing fees.
- Tipping is genuinely not expected or relied upon by service staff, unlike in the United States or Canada. However, staff always appreciate recognition of exceptional service.
- The CFP franc is stable (pegged to the euro), making budgeting predictable compared to other Pacific currencies.
- U.S. dollar bills and coins are explicitly NOT accepted as official payment; always convert to CFP francs.
- On outer islands (Marquesas, Austral Islands, less-developed Tuamotu atolls), cash is often the only payment method. Plan accordingly.
Card Acceptance
- Note On Foreign Transaction Fees
- Many international banks charge 1–3% foreign transaction fees on all charges. Consider cards with no foreign transaction fees (e.g., Capital One, Wise, Revolut, ING).
Widely Accepted
- Where
- Main islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora): hotels, restaurants, boutiques, supermarkets, tour operators, car rentals
Cards Accepted
Visa
- Status
- widely accepted
Mastercard
- Status
- widely accepted
American Express
- Status
- accepted at most places, but not universal
Limited Acceptance
- Where
- Small shops, markets, local food trucks, taxis, remote/outer islands (Austral Islands, some Tuamotu Islands, Marquesas)
- Note
- Cash-only or limited card acceptance; some small businesses have minimum spending thresholds (1,000–2,000 XPF for card payments)
Currency Exchange
Where To Exchange
Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport
- Hours
- Open for international flight arrivals and departures
- Operators
- Banque Socredo, Banque de Tahiti
- Note
- Airport exchange rates are higher than bank or ATM rates
Banks in Papeete and Main Islands
- Hours
- Weekdays; closed Sundays; limited hours Saturdays
- Operators
- Banque de Polynésie, Banque Socredo, Banque de Tahiti
- Note
- Better rates than airport; bring passport
Hotels and Resorts
- Note
- Accept currency exchange but at less favorable rates than banks
Banking
- Card Acceptance
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in tourist areas and main islands; American Express less common.
- ATM Availability
- ATMs widespread in Papeete and main towns; less frequent on remote islands.
Main Banks
Banque De Polynésie
- Type
- Branch of Société Générale
- Hours
- 7:30 AM–4:00 PM Mon–Fri; some Sat mornings; closed Sun
- Details
- Largest network in Tahiti and Society Islands; 24/7 currency exchanger.
- Branches
- 15
- ATM Network
- 33
Banque De Tahiti
- Type
- Branch of French Caisse d'Epargne
- Hours
- 7:30 AM–4:00 PM Mon–Fri; some Sat mornings; closed Sun
Banque Socredo
- Type
- Local bank
- Details
- International-friendly ATM at airport; recommended for non-resident card access.
Account Opening
- Documentation Required
- Valid passport typically required; bank may request proof of address and proof of income. Specific requirements vary by bank.
- Non Resident Difficulty
- Foreign citizens can open accounts with proper paperwork, though requirements differ by institution.
- Notes
- In-person visit required at most branches. Contact bank directly for current requirements.
ATM Access
Hours
- Main Towns
- Most operate 24/7; some remote island ATMs only accessible during bank business hours
- Reliability Note
- Occasional reports of ATMs running out of cash or being out of service; consider carrying backup cash
Availability
- Airport
- ATMs available at Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport; some may have limited denominations (e.g., 10,000 XPF notes only)
- Main Islands
- Available in Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora, and other larger islands; usually near banks, post offices, and main shopping centers
- Outer Islands
- Limited or nonexistent on less-developed islands (Taha'a, Fakarava, Rangiroa, Manihi); withdraw cash before traveling to these islands
Withdrawal Fees
- ATM Access Fee
- Bank ATMs in French Polynesia do not charge foreign cardholders ATM access fees directly from the bank
- Maximum Per Transaction
- Approximately 100,000 XPF per transaction (though this varies and can be lower if the ATM has less cash available)
- Card Type Considerations
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; American Express, Diners Club, Discover generally not accepted at ATMs
- Currency Conversion Fees
- Your home bank may charge currency conversion fees; check with your bank before traveling
Tipping Norms
- Status
- Not customary or expected
- Service Charges Included
- Many hotels and restaurants automatically include a service charge (service compris) in the final bill, distributed to staff at year-end
- Discretion Note
- If choosing to tip, it is customary to do so discreetly (e.g., placing cash in an envelope rather than handing it directly)
- Cultural Context
- Tipping is not part of Tahitian/Polynesian culture. Service staff are paid full wages and do not rely on tips for income
- Note On Outer Islands
- Tipping is even less expected on outer islands
When Appreciated
- Amounts
- No fixed expectations; if tipping, keep it modest and discreet (e.g., rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% for genuinely excellent service on main islands)
- Examples
- Tour guides, waiters at upscale restaurants, drivers, hotel housekeeping
- Circumstances
- For exceptional or outstanding service, a small tip in local currency is appreciated as a gesture of gratitude—but entirely discretionary
Local Currency
- Code
- XPF
- Name
- CFP Franc
- Symbol
- ₣
Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks for 'suspicious' foreign transactions
- Use a 4-digit PIN; not all ATMs accept PINs starting with 0
- Withdraw cash at ATMs rather than hotels for better rates
- On arrival, use airport ATM or exchange office, then use island banks for better rates on subsequent exchanges
- Carry a mix of small bills and cash, as taxis and small vendors may not make change easily (especially for large denominations)
- On outer islands, withdraw sufficient cash before arrival—ATMs may not exist
- Credit cards work well on main islands but always have some cash backup
- US dollars are NOT official legal tender and should not be relied upon
Foreign Currencies Accepted
- AUD
- Accepted in a few places near cruise terminals; better to use CFP francs
- EUR
- Accepted at some tourist-oriented businesses; fixed rate of 119 XPF per EUR
- USD
- Accepted at some hotels, resorts, and tourist businesses near cruise terminals; not official and often at unfavorable rates
- Note
- Always carry or obtain CFP francs for best rates and smoother transactions
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.tahititourisme.com
- 2.tahiti.com
- 3.airtahitinui.com
- 4.explore.atmfeesaver.com
- 5.smoney.com.au
- 6.smartertravel.com
- 7.globaltravelescapades.com
- 8.exchange-rates.org
- 9.wise.com
- 10.wanderinparadise.com
- 11.en.tahiti-pratique.com
- 12.tahititourisme.com
- 13.fj.usembassy.gov
- 14.tahiti.com
- 15.expatfinancial.com
- 16.en.wikipedia.org
- 17.nomedic.co
- 18.bora-bora.org
- 19.moretahiti.com
- 20.yachtinsidersguide.com
- 21.tahititourisme.com
- 22.tahititourisme.pf
- 23.tahititourisme.com
- 24.tahititourisme.pf
- 25.polynesiepratique.com
- 26.pharmacielafayettepf.com
- 27.actusantefenua.com
- 28.sante-tahiti.com
- 29.fenuatravel.com
More About Tahiti
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.