When it comes to an idyllic island destination, it doesn’t get much better than Bora Bora – a tiny island in the South Pacific. If you’re interested to find out how much for a trip to Bora Bora, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve gathered all the handy info on everything from accommodation costs in Bora Bora to flights. We’ve even included the sort of prices you can expect to pay for activities and excursions on this unbelievable French Polynesian paradise.
Read more about Bora Bora
Looking for some ways to make the most out of your Bora Bora Trip?
- Whether you are looking for a overwater bungalow or an ocean front resort, Expedia has you covered, all while getting you the best value!
- With that extra money you save on accommodations, be sure to check out this highly rated Reef Discovery Half Day Tour and if staying on land is more your speed, hit the throttle on this Bora Bora Mountain ATV Tour!
Here’s what we’re covering:
What Does It Cost To Go To Bora Bora?
Bora Bora’s blissful setting of glittering turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and lush mountainsides is the kind of paradise that most only dream of visiting. The reason for this is that a trip to Bora Bora is often assumed to be extravagantly expensive.
How much it costs will depend on a number of factors. When you wish to go, where you want to stay, and what you plan to do when you get there will all play a part.
So, how much for a trip to Bora Bora? Let’s break it down.
When is the cheapest time to go to Bora Bora?
Like most destinations, Bora Bora is very seasonal, with a high season and a low. The high season is the most expensive time to visit and the low season is the period with less desirable weather.
Peak season runs from May to October and is characterized by incredible weather which attracts large numbers of tourists. This influx leads to a sharp increase in accommodation costs.
The low season is much more affordable with less crowds and characterized by a fair amount of rain and high humidity.
You can get the best of both worlds, though. Get great value deals and pleasant weather by visiting Bora Bora in the shoulder seasons of April or November.
If you’re bold enough and flexible with your dates, you can always try and snag a last-minute offer. These can be really attractive, but you will need to travel at really short notice.
How Much To Go To Bora Bora?
Depending on where you’re originally from, getting to Bora Bora is not as easy as other destinations. This tiny island in the South Pacific is remote, which is the basis of its appeal and the reason it can cost more to get there.
When it comes to planning how much for a flight to Bora Bora, expect your flights to be the biggest chunk of the budget.
There’s no direct way to travel to Bora Bora. Wherever you fly from, you’ll first need to fly to Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti and then fly 50 minutes to Bora Bora. The cost to go to Bora Bora from Tahiti is around $200 one-way. The cheapest day to fly into Tahiti is Wednesday, while Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly out. Weekends are always more expensive.
How you get Tahiti is up to you, but you can save a bit on flights by booking well in advance. Again, if you’re not afraid of risk and are flexible with dates, you could hold out for more attractive last-minute deals.
If you’re flying in from Europe, the cheapest flights are usually from Paris. If you’re flying out from the United States, consider flying to San Francisco or Los Angeles and flying to Tahiti from there.
The short version? Expect to spend around $1,500 to $3,000 just on flights. It won’t be easy or cheap. It may even require a few connecting flights. But, once you’re there it’s totally worth it all for the blissful tropical island vibe.
FRENCH POLYNESIA GUIDE
Before you plan your trip to Bora Bora, make sure you read this all-around guide for French Polynesia.
Bora Bora Accommodations
Hotels and resorts in Bora Bora are known for being sumptuous and beautifully decorated. Generally, the quality of the hotels in Bora Bora is unrivaled, but these usually come at a significant cost.
Sure, everyone wants to stay in one of the incredible overwater bungalows that the island is famous for. But if you’re on a tight budget there are other options. You can influence how much a trip to Bora Bora costs by choosing an accommodation to suit your budget.
A stay at a five-star over-water property like the Four Seasons Bora Bora can cost around $1,900 per night for two in the low season, climbing to $2,500 in the high season. A beachfront villa like Fare Ahuna goes for $2,300 for two in high season and $573 in low.
If you’re willing to forgo hotel and resort living, you can find some really great vacation rentals at reasonable prices. Making these kinds of choices can help keep your Bora Bora cost per night down. This studio goes for around $100 per night and can sleep three. This two-bedroom lodge that sleeps 4 adults costs around $186 on average per night.
Cost of wining and dining in Bora Bora
The thing to remember when visiting Bora Bora is that anything not grown or produced on the island needs to be flown in. Because the island is so remote the distances to the nearest mainland are significant, thereby raising the costs of just about everything.
When determining how much you need for a trip to Bora Bora, food and drink are often overlooked or under-budgeted. You can avoid this by seeking out full or half board packages at your hotel that leave no room for nasty surprises. Full board includes three full meals while half board includes just breakfast and lunch.
Dining out can quickly escalate costs, especially at one of the fine-dining restaurants at a hotel. But you can dine at less swanky places and expect to pay around $50 – $100 per head.
Alcohol can be pricey at hotels too. Most of the wines are imported from France and other premium drinks are also imported. If you’re traveling on a budget, you can pick up six-packs of local beer at the grocery store for a steal.
Bora Bora Activities Costs
Bora Bora offers a variety of exciting tours and excursions to enjoy at a range of price points to make it easy to find something to suit your budget.
There are plenty of affordable excursions to try, including a shark and snorkeling safari or a fun half-day 4WD guided island tour!
Private tours will set you back a little more, but if privacy is important to you, it might be worth considering. If you’re feeling a little more flush, splurge on a private lagoon snorkel cruise which includes a barbeque beach picnic. A full-day catamaran cruise that includes a traditional Polynesian lunch.
Cost Saving Tips For Bora Bora
Bora Bora will always be a pricey destination but there are ways to get more bang for your buck in Bora Bora:
- Travel in low season: yes, it’s humid and rainy, but it’s significantly cheaper.
- Skip the super-luxe hotels: save on accommodation by choosing less fancy hotels.
- Prearranged meals for the win: you can save a bunch by going with a full or half board package. No nasty surprises on food and drink!
- Book early to lock in your dates: the earlier you book your flights the better your chances of saving.
- Eat like a local: avoid high food and drink costs by eating locally. Go where the locals go and avoid the imported food prices at fancy restaurants and hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your most cost effective mode of transportation would be a rental bike. Le Truck is the island’s public transportation but it is known for being irregular. Ride share programs are not available on any of the French Polynesia islands. If you are willing to spend a little more, taxis and water taxis are available across the island and can be booked ahead of time. Lastly, if you are staying at a hotel/resort, be sure to ask if they offer any island transportation as well.
Exchanging money prior to your trip at airports or your local bank can help get your the best exchange rates. Credit card use on the island is available and can also provide better rates. Just be sure to keep a few paper bills on your when you check out the smaller businesses.
Typically tipping has not been a common practice in Bora Bora but it has become more common recently, especially if you feel you have received extraordinary service. There is no “standard” for tipping so tip what you feel is necessary.
What you should read next
