Family Travel French Polynesia Cheaply!

Family travel to French Polynesia can be done on a very low budget and we are loving our experience here in Moorea where we are couch surfing with some wonderful people. She is a speech therapist from France and he is Polynesian who was born here, but lived a year in Spain many years ago. You can see their homes's spectacular view of Cooks Bay and more photos on our Soultravelers3 Facebook Page.  

This is our 10 year old playing and swimming at the gorgeous Opunoha Bay public beach yesterday. The weather can change quickly here from sun to rain and back to sun. The clouds and moutains add mystery and it is still amazingly undeveloped here.

We head to Bora Bora where we will spend Halloween ( they do celebrate it here, but not door to door)  and beyond and will be writing in depth about our travels here with many more photos once we slow down. We loved the Polynesian island feel of Kauai recently and continuing that theme here. Many beautiful stories and photos to come. Happy Friday, happy weekend all!

 

 

 

 

This is a photo Friday post at Delicousbaby!

Comments

[Jason]

Looks like an amazing place. We are saving the South Pacific for the last stretch of our RTW trip, and hopefully we can do it cheaply so we can prolong our travels. I have heard that Fiji has really cheap house rentals outside the tourist areas. Are you planning on going there?

[soultravelers3]

Cool! Yes, I hear great things about Fiji as well & it is definitely on our list.

We'd love to do a long stay in Moorea and if one lives like a local, I think it can be done cheaply.

[Nicole]

That's so cool you're couch surfing! I've never thought it was an option for a family. Looking forward to hearing more about it!

[Caitlin @ Roaming Tales]

I'd love to know your tips on budget travel to Tahiti. I'd always heard it was an expensive place.

I guess couch surfing is a great place to start! I'm also amazed you get to do that when, as permanent travellers, you can't really reciprocate.

I went to Fiji when I was 11 (http://www.roamingtales.com/2010/05/21/photo-friday-childhood-fiji/) and had a great time. The people are lovely and the country is beautiful, though more prone to rain than many other parts of the South Pacific. I don't know how I would feel about going back now though, with the military junta. It was a fully fledged democracy when I went, back in the 80s.

[Brooke Drury]

Jason - Savusavu, Fiji (on the island of Vanua Levu) is the place to go. Small town, easy to get around, amazingly friendly people and wonderful scenery, both topside and under the waves. I highly, highly recommend it.

[Soultravelers3]

Nicole - Thanks! It's actually a fantastic option for families!

[Soultravelers3]

Caitlin- like most expensive places, if one lives like a native, it does not have to be expensive, because most people are not rich.

Some things ARE expensive in French Polynesia, but the natives here live very cheaply. They eat a lot of fish they catch and fruits that they pick off the trees, etc.

They live comfortable, neo minimalists lives ( long before it was a popular trend).

The best things in life are free after all, so it does not take any money to hike, hang out at the gorgeous public beach like above, swim, visit locals, learn about the culture & history etc.

BUT if you want a US/European style life and stay at one of the luxe over the water bungalows ..then it will cost a LOT for a day or two here. BUT one can visit these places, get the ambiance, buy a drink and watch the shows & save all that money. ;)

Many folks to couch surfing and don't host or travel. Our hosts have hosted MANY people, but have yet to ever use couch surfing themselves. We hope they will come stay with us in Penang. ;) Either way, we have made great friends and will meet again & stay in touch.

[Soultravelers3]

Caitlin- like most expensive places, if one lives like a native, it does not have to be expensive, because most people are not rich.

Some things ARE expensive in French Polynesia, but the natives here live very cheaply. They eat a lot of fish they catch and fruits that they pick off the trees, etc.

They live comfortable, neo minimalists lives ( long before it was a popular trend).

The best things in life are free after all, so it does not take any money to hike, hang out at the gorgeous public beach like above, swim, visit locals, learn about the culture & history etc.

BUT if you want a US/European style life and stay at one of the luxe over the water bungalows ..then it will cost a LOT for a day or two here. BUT one can visit these places, get the ambiance, buy a drink and watch the shows & save all that money. ;)

Many folks to couch surfing and don't host or travel. Our hosts have hosted MANY people, but have yet to ever use couch surfing themselves. We hope they will come stay with us in Penang. ;) Either way, we have made great friends and will meet again & stay in touch.

[Soultravelers3]

Brooke - Thanks for the tip!

[Lifecruiser Travel Blog]

Wow! That's such a wonderful photo - it's like a poster or frontpage of a magazine.

Now you really make me wanna take off.... *sigh*

[C.D. @ LuxuryTravelClub]

Wow! Such beautiful pictures and I love how you're chronicalling your journey.

You're absolutely right...things can be done cheaply...you just have to be in the "know" of how to do them. Pleae keep posting more pictures!!

[Erica]

This picture is so beautiful. I'm sure your daughter will remember these experiences for the rest of her life.

I'm still trying to get the Couchsurfing thing under my belt - had a bad experience on our first try.

[Richard Trembecki]

Wow!! The beach in the picture looks beautiful. My wife, son and I are are planning a vacation for this coming February, but have not been able to make up our minds as to where to go.

I would love to stay in one of the over the water bungalows as you mentioned above. I have seen many pictures of them and it has always been on my wish list.

Thanks for the great posts.

Richard