Tahiti & French Polynesia Guide, 4th Ed. (Open Road's Tahiti & French Polynesia Guide)

Jan Prince's book is dense with well-organized information about Tahiti and her islands. If you read carefully, with attention to her suggestions, you can't fail to find the right island for you, or right combination of islands. Here is what we did, and most came from her book:

We had 10 days and split it as follows: 1st day and night Papeete (plane landed at 4 a.m.). Next four nights in Bora Bora. Next three nights in the Marquesa Islands (Hiva Oa), last night (before plane left at 2 a.m.) back in Papeete. This combination worked out well, giving us a good contrast between the lush and luxurious Bora Bora, and the incredibly beautiful remote island of Hiva Oa, where Paul Gauguin lived out his last years and is buried. Belgian singer-poet Jacques Brell, too.

Everyone said Papeete would not be a highlight, but spending one night there worked out logistically and we got to see the artistan component of the annual Heiva Nui Cultural Festival. The level...Read more

This book is THE visitor's guide to French Polynesia, whether you want to spend $1,500 a night for the best resorts, or $15 a night for a campsite. Are you trying to figure out which 5-star resort is the best place to stay? Wondering whether a pension offers hot or cold water showers? Need to know what days of the week an excursion operates and at what times of the day? It's right at your fingertips. I have been to French Polynesia twice. I can't imagine how I survived those trips without this book. You simply must not travel to French Polynesia without a copy in your luggage.

The author is an American ex-pat who has lived in French Polynesia for more than 30 years and has worked there as a tour guide. She has dedicated a chapter to each of the Society islands with highly detailed sections on: Transportation to get to/from the island; Intra-island transportation and rentals; Orientation; Places to stay (from deluxe to budget); Places to eat; Places to shop; Tours,...Read more

I have no idea why this book has 4 1/2 stars -- it should have 5 stars!

Jan Prince has written the most comprehensive, easy to read, best organized guide to French Polynesia that anyone could ever find! She lives there, for cryin' out loud, has spent SO much time updating the 3rd edition to make everything current and accurate, and has the most accurate reviews of any of the guides on the market! She is the best of the best of the travel guides! (And I already own all the other ones...)

I've been traveling to Tahiti for ten years now, and wouldn't THINK of ever going without Jan Prince's latest version in my carryon! No matter how much you might THINK you might know before you get there, from travel agents or from the stuff the tour company sends you or from message boards, Jan's guide is the ULTIMATE life-saving info when you get there! She has saved our butts a thousand times in a pinch in finding transports, hotels, excursions, before we go and while...Read more