A few years later, I encouraged my best friend to go there on her honeymoon, although she was pretty convinced right after I shared my obsession with her.  After seeing her (dreamy) Bora Bora photos and getting a quick glimpse of my cousins’, who also went to French Polynesia after she got hitched, I vowed that Noah and I would make it there for our 5 year anniversary. A girl can dream, right?

here’s a little teaser (I won’t be offended if you skip the remaining text ..)

Well, 5 years turned into 2 (OMFG how did that happen?!), and before we knew it, we were booking our flights (!!!) It was a tricky tricky process since we were visiting my sister-in-law in San Francisco first, but after a few hours on the phone, and saying goodbye to ALL of our airline points, we had confirmed seats on the planes. A few too many happy dances were done that night –> don’t judge  Crossed that one off the bucket list this past summer, and I’m thrilled to announce it’s even better than that initial photo I saw.

Plus, I’ve found some great ways to save money in Bora Bora (22 to be exact), from filling up your water bottle at the gym to taking advantage of all the free activities at your resort.

I won’t bore you with long strings of texts here on out, since we all know you came here hoping for a little slice of heaven: enjoy the photos below.

pool days are the best days

how you get around the island

gorgeous view from our balcony on our overwater bungalow

eeee shark!

can’t leave without indulging in lots of mango juice and local beer!

If you’ve made it to here, congrats!

Find more information/inspiration here:

• How to Save Money in Bora Bora | 22 Ways
• The Ultimate Packing List for Bora Bora and Moorea
• What to do in Bora Bora Besides Relaxing at the Pool 

Is Bora Bora on your bucket list yet?!

The post 30 Photos of Blissful Bora Bora that will Blow your Mind appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

It’s no wonder tons of people dream about visiting Tahiti.  It’s quite obvious – Bora Bora is just plain amazing.  The weather is spectacular year round, over water bungalows are the norm, and who doesn’t just gasp at a private plunge pool?  The islands are so high on everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason. While you should bring the normal stuff necessary for any tropical vacation, there are also some things to bring to Bora Bora that you may not have thought of! Find the packing list for Bora Bora below!

And sure, it’s expensive $$$.  But you must be here because you’ve booked a trip (!!!) or are in the process of booking (yay!) / Find out how to make the trip to Bora Bora a little more attainable here. /

The mere fact that the islands are smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from other extensive land, make this destination seem super out of reach for many.  With that being said, I highly urge you to forget about real life at the moment (bills and all), dish out your hard-earned dollars, and plan the trip.  Need some inspiration? I’ve got some for you.

What to Pack for a Trip to Bora Bora + Moorea

(besides clothes and bathing suits, obviously)

Deodorant is a good idea, too.

 + Sunscreen // Aloe Vera

It’s pretty obvious, Bora Bora and the islands are sunny. The sun shines year round, and being so close to the equator, means you’ll need extra protection.  My favorite? Neutrogena.  Roll on sticks are a good idea too.  As are chapsticks with SPF! I can’t live without this one. Ask my husband.  Throw in some aloe vera to calm your burning skin, after the fact.

+ Reusable Water Bottle

Hot Tip: Fill up with water at the gym.  I use this one everyday, even when I’m not on vacation. Costs way less than those $10 throwaway water bottles you’ll find in Bora Bora – true story. (Find more money-saving tips here.)

+ Bug Spray – and lot’s of it!

Get one with a lot of DEET, like this one.

+ Wide Brimmed Hat or Fun Trucker Hat

You definitely need to add at least one in your packing list for Bora Bora. And yes, girls, you do look super cute in them.  Don’t let any man (or the mirror!) tell you otherwise. Own it!  I’m totally digging this striped one and this pineapple one right now.

+ Cheap Plastic Rafts

Floats are great for hanging out in the water near your bungalow.  Plus, they’re super cheap fun.

Be sure to keep them in their wrappings until you are absolutely ready to blow them up, preferably once you’re settled in to your over-water bungalow.  Those things are impossible to squeeze back into their original (non-blown up) size. I personally prefer this mattress shaped one and these bring colored rings.

I can’t resist this donut shaped one. The key is to buy one or two super cheapy ones, since you’ll most likely be leaving them in Bora Bora.

+ Small First Aid Kit

Tylenol, Motrin, Antacid, Dramamine, a few band-aids, and Neosporin are all a good idea.  These are all super costly on the islands (even more so at the fancy resorts), and can be somewhat difficult to find in town.

+ Fashionable Water Shoes

Let’s face it. They don’t have to look super geeky. I approve these and these. I would even wear these on a regular basis, out of the water. For those areas of the beach and in water that have coral on the sea floor, its a good idea to protect your feet.  Plus, it would be an absolute horror to accidentally step on a sting ray bare foot. (ahh!)

+ Mask and Snorkel

An absolute must in Bora Bora.  Many resorts and tour companies offer a mask and snorkel free of charge, but if don’t like the idea of mouthing a plastic tube that’s been slobered with everyone’s salvia, bring your own.  This one is great for free diving, something I’m trying to learn how to do.

+ Sarong

Sarong’s are great.  Not only are they super versatile, but getting them wrinkled takes serious time.

+ Underwater Camera / Go Pro Hero 4

You’re in one of the best places in the world for snorkeling.  Don’t even think about not capturing some of that ocean life on camera!  See the photo of that shark above? It was taken with this Nikon Coolpix, pretty incredible if you ask me (fully non-edited). A Go Pro is even better for video.  And it’s a good idea to get a little floatie (like this) for both cameras.

+ Hair Detangular

With so much snorkeling, you’re bound to need this.  I put my hair into a braid whenever I’m using my mask and snorkel, but my hair is still a hot mess after the fact.  This one’s sure to do the trick.

+ Mini Picnic Kit

Bring along a small knife (for cutting fresh fruit in your room – my favorite- this purple swiss army knife, and even better, it’s TSA approved), a small collapsable cooler (for food bought in town = much cheaper then resort food), and some vino!

+ Small Flashlight

The islands are pretty dark at night.  Better to be safe than sorry!

+ Nighttime Activities

People don’t call Bora Bora bora-boring for nothing.  There really isn’t too much to do at night.  After dinner, you’ll be glad you have a deck of waterproof cards (you never know!), an iPad mini with a few movies, and a book or two (a few of my favorites here, here, and here) for hanging out in your room or balcony.  Who ever loses has to jump into the water, clothing optional, right? Colored pencils and an adult coloring book can also help pass the time.

+ Power Adapter

You’ll want to look for those with the two round pegs, or make it easy and get an all-in-one power adapter.

+ Light Rain Jacket

If you’re traveling to Bora Bora during their summer months (November – Feb, approximately), you may need a rain jacket (this one’s pretty stylish or click here for some laughs) as it can sprinkle a bit every now and then.  Don’t fret, you’ll still have a fantastic time.

Now, if you haven’t already, buy your plane ticket and start packing! 

Disclaimer: Some of the above links are affiliate links.  At no extra cost to you, I will earn a small percentage which will help offset the costs of my travels and this site! Thanks for your support!

The post Packing List | Bora Bora and Moorea appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Tahiti is Magical. Stunning.  Peaceful. A true paradise. With it’s turquoise waters, luxurious over-water-bungalows, and world-class scuba diving/snorkeling, it’s understandable why Tahiti and her islands are at the top of so many bucket lists. 

But all of this extravagance comes at a price. A pretty hefty price tag if you ask me. The average trip to Tahiti costs approximately 10-12k, and can run way over quite easily. 

Being one of the most remote group of islands in the entire world, it’s understandable why prices are astronomical. Still doesn’t make it right though! AHHHH – that’s me screaming at the top of my lungs when I found out just how much a 2-week vacation in paradise would cost…

If you want to save money in Bora Bora, you’ve come to the right place.

Thankfully, there are numerous ways to cut costs (I compiled a list of 22), which will hopefully make that dream trip a little more attainable. You’ll be thanking me in a few when you realize French Polynesia might actually be in your reach. 

Save money in Bora Bora by following some of these tips below.  You’re pocket (and bank account) will thank you later!

UPDATE: I’ve compiled a list of packing items for Bora Bora – many which you probably wouldn’t think of! Check it out here!

Best Ways to Save Money in Bora Bora (and Tahiti in General)

1) Use points.

It goes without saying and really is quite obvious, but points can save you thousands and thousands of dollars. Points can be used for both airfare and hotel in French Polynesia, although you’ll most definitely need a lot.

We racked up over 200,000 Delta Amex miles (a combination of flying A LOT and their $1 a mile program), and used all of those towards two roundtrip coach flights from NYC to Tahiti. Sure, we took 4 flights to get there, but we got there for free (plus $900 in taxes). 

My husband had a few (well, more than a few) IHG points which he accrued over years of business trips, and we put those towards over water bungalows (!!!!!!!!!!) on both Moorea and Bora Bora. 

Extra Quick tips:

+ On long haul flights (like this one to Bora Bora) I suggest taking some fun inspirational playing cards, an adult coloring book (yes, they exist), and a Kindle paperwhite.

+ If you want some peace and quiet (from your nagging husband – say what? or that annoying chatterbox to your left) noise canceling headphones are the way to go.  My husband swears on these bad boys (I guess that makes me the nagging wife).

Even if you don’t travel a lot, you can still come up with ways to earn points.  Look out for credit card offers that have a high sign-on bonus, usually in the form of miles.  Just make sure to pick one that you’ll actually be able to put to good use.

Just know (and come to terms with) that there is no way to use points for interisland flights. And if you found a way, please enlighten me! That will help me during my next trip to Bora Bora… when?  I’m not entirely sure.. but I’ll get back there eventually! 

2) Buy alcohol at local markets 

Or beforehand in the LAX airport duty-free. This will really help offset the cost of any alcoholic drinks you may wish to consume. And how could you resist those fresh pineapple and mango mixers?!  Keep your beer cold with a festive cozy like this one and make sure to pack a small cooler (this one’s the perfect size) so you can stock up after the market!

3) Bring along snacks from home.

Sure, it might seem silly, but oatmeal packets, small non-perishable snacks (such as pretzels, fruit snacks, granola bars, nuts, etc) and anything else you can shove in your bag are all good items to have on hand in case hunger strikes.

You’ll be happy you saved those precious dollars ($30 to be exact) to use on something other than a burger and fries. Plus, who wants to get up once you find a comfy spot on your chaise lounge? Not I!

4) When dining at your hotel, split meals.

Avoid buffets if at all possible (unless you decide to stuff your face at breakfast and skip lunch altogether).

Unless a meal plan is included in your hotel rate, expect to pay ridiculous amounts (think $50pp per day for breakfast alone!) If you’re staying at the Intercontinental, share the continental american breakfast one morning, which is brought directly to your bungalow and much more romantic in my opinion. 

Plus, you’ll have more money for fun activities, like ATVing in Moorea!

5) Understand the local tipping practices.

Or lack there of. In all of Tahiti and her islands, tipping is NOT customary. Some tourist spots on the larger islands are beginning to request tips, but in general, Tahitians do not expect a tip since it is already included in the final price.

You may offer a monetary tip if you encounter exceptional service, but note that it may not be accepted. We were confused about the tipping customs the beginning of our trip, and shelled out some unnecessary extra dough that we could have put towards cocktails at the pool! Oh well- ya live and ya learn.

6) Book activities and tours in ADVANCE.

Book through the company directly. I did a ton of research on Trip Advisor beforehand, and was able to contact all companies via email to ask questions and make reservations. If you wait to book through the hotel, you’ll pay more and take the risk that the tour is sold out. Not something you want to do on a once-in-lifetime trip. 

7) Stay in a garden bungalow in Moorea.

Theres really no need for an overwater bungalow here. Save the splurging for Bora Bora – it really is “that” much more luxurious there. On our trip, we decided to upgrade the standard garden bungalow for about $200 bucks a night to a premier OWB.

While we enjoyed our experience and the never ending ocean views (!!!), the water wasn’t ideal for swimming and our suite was exceptionally far from the pool and beach area. I’m not one to complain about exercise, but when you want to run to your room to grab a few things, it takes longer than needed. 

8) Head to the local markets.

Here you can stock up on fresh juice, water, and Hinano beer. Mango juice was my absolute fave- had it every day! You can also get some snacks here, which are great to munch on between meals if you don’t want to order a $12 plate of fries. 

9) If you run out of water, refill at the gym.

The water is free here (and it’s about the only free thing you’ll find at the resorts)! Trust me, those $10 water bottles at the hotel add up pretty quickly.  Just make sure you pack a reusable water bottle.

10) Take advantage of happy hour.

You can’t beat 2-for-1 drinks when each one alone is normally $20! Note that this deal is per person, meaning that you technically can’t share a happy hour deal.  

They kind of get you this way but it’s still a better deal than paying full price.  Drink your cocktails in the pool (on stools at the bar) or on chaise lounges on the beach watching the sunset. Can’t go wrong with either choice!

11) Consider Air Tahiti Nui’s Island Hopper pass.

If you plan on heading to a few islands, this is a great deal, which starts at around $380 per person.  Definitely seems like a lot, but considering we spent over $1,000 flying from Tahiti to Moorea to Bora Bora and back to Tahiti, we could have saved a pretty penny if we knew about this package beforehand.

Also, taking the ferry from Papeete (Tahiti) to Moorea instead of flying can save you about $45 per person as well. 

12) Don’t be afraid to eat at local restaurants.

After a few days of getting super annoyed by the ridiculously high prices of food at our resort (I was so mad I didn’t want to eat), we ventured off the hotels’ property and found prices to be much more reasonable. Many restaurants will even pick you up from your hotel for free!

However, do note that some resorts on the motu (in Bora Bora) charge a fee to use the shuttle to the mainland (where most if not all restaurants are located) after certain hours. Be sure to check the schedule beforehand to avoid any hidden fees!

13) Go the lesser known islands.

Bora Bora is by far the most expensive, and you’ll likely spend your entire budget in just a few days if you don’t plan on staying elsewhere. With that being said, it would be a pity to come all this way (no matter where you’re coming from) and not experience the overwhelming beauty of Bora Bora at all.

Promise me you’ll spend at least 1-2 nights on this breathtaking, albeit pricy, area of splendid sand. 

14) Go during the low season.

Willing to take a chance on the weather? Travel between December-March (Bora Bora’s rainy season), and you’ll find lower rates on those ridiculously-priced over water bungalows (normally close to a whopping $1,000 a night!) April and November are also slightly less expensive than during high season, with a lower percentage of rain.

15) Bring more than enough sunscreen and bug spray.

Buying these items in FP can sure be a pretty penny! My advice- bring along a few band aids and anti-itch cream as well. Those mosquito bites can be annoying!  Bring along any medications you may need as well, including Tylenol, Pepto, etc.  Again, they can be very expensive, especially in the hotel’s gift shop.

More ideas on what to pack here!

16) Do not overpack!

For real! You’ll only need about half the clothing as you think you do (c’mon, you’ll be in bathing suits all day)! Air Tahiti Nui (the only airline that flies inter island) charges a hefty fee for any bags weighing over 44lbs, which is less than the standard 50lbs on most US airlines.

17) Avoid credit cards that charge foreign transaction fees!

This goes without saying, but who wants to return home from paradise only to find unwanted charges on your bank and credit cards?!

18) Get some local currency (XPF) at a bank before your trip.

Using an ATM in the airport is a smart choice as well. Don’t wait until you get to your hotel- they usually have the worst conversion rate. 

19) Take advantage of free activities at your resort!

Our hotel, the Intercontinental Thalasso, provided guests with kayaks, stand up paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, and paddle boats free of charge. Can’t get cheaper than that! You could easily spend a few days entertaining yourself on the water. 

20) Book a package deal.

If you don’t have lots of points at your disposal, booking a vacation through a travel agency can be a great way to save a bunch of cash. Make sure to choose one who specializes in French Polynesia, as they are usually able to include free upgrades and score you extras for your trip at no extra cost to you.

A great suggestion is Pacific for Less- two of my friends trusted them for their honeymoon plans and couldn’t have been happier!

21) Forgo planned tours and activities and explore on your own.

French Polynesia has some of the best snorkeling in the world, so bring your own snorkel gear (these come highly recommended) and view the diverse underwater world. Other ideas include to rent bicycles and ride around the island, go hiking, and sunbathe on Matira Beach in Bora Bora, which has no entry fee and is the best public beach on the island.

22) Don’t stress!

You’ll be in French Polynesia! If you don’t have the cash for a luxury spa treatment or a $500 dinner (yes, those exist), just realize you’re in one of the most sought after destinations in the world and enjoy yourself. 

For Your Bora Bora Packing List:

Waterproof Sandals	Reusable Water Bottle	Underwater Camera	Floppy Hat	Mask and Snorkel
Plastic Floats	Waterproof Playing Cards	Mini Cooler	Sunscreen	GoPro Hero 4

The post 22 Ways to Cut Costs on Your (Once-in-a-lifetime) Trip to Tahiti appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

So where is Bora Bora anyway?!

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean.  Located about half-way between South America and Australia, Bora Bora is an 8 hour flight from Los Angelos and is approximately 2,600 miles south of Hawaii.  Yes, it’s far, but yes, definitely worth it.

Bora Bora was discovered in 1722, and is arguably the most beautiful island on the planet.  I can say from experience that it will definitely stay in my top 5 no matter how many other ridiculously gorgeous islands I am fortunate to visit.

Top Things to Do in Bora Bora:

Snorkeling

Take a Boat around the Island

Being one of the top things to do in Bora Bora, there are numerous companies offering cruises around the islands, and you can decide whether you’d like to go for snorkeling or sunset.  Both sounded like fantastic choices, but we opted for the snorkeling cruises since I have a slight obsession with swimming with the fish!  It’s true – the water really is that clear! And turquoise!

Recommended Sunset Tour: Sunset Cruise with Romantic Dinner

Recommended Snorkel Tour: Deluxe Bora Bora Boat Tour and Picnic

Jet Ski Tour

Craving a “higher adrenaline” kind of day? Tour Bora Bora via Jet Ski, and and stop for a coconut show on a Motu. Try doing some donuts with the jet ski >> you’ll surely impress everyone!  Snorkeling is even included on many tours!  We ended up on a private jet ski tour offered by our hotel, and it was much more difficult than I ever speculated!  Thankfully I had my husband to hang on to, but even then I thought we would tip over with every ripple in the water.

Find a similar tour here: Bora Bora Jet Ski Tour

Combo Tour: Jet Ski, Lunch, and Shark/Ray Safari

Stand-Up Paddling

Watch the Sunset

Try a Local Beer

You can’t come all the way to Bora Bora and not try a local Hinano beer!  The mango juice ain’t half bad either, even if it’s from a can!  

Helicopter Ride

Lagoonarium

Swim with Sharks

Jeep Tour

Water activities and lounging at the pool is nice (uh, yes please!), but the interior of the island should be checked out as well!  We took a half-day tour of the island via jeep, and not only saw some of the most fantastic views, but learned how taros are made!  We even got to try some on!

If you’re looking for some adventure and have had enough of the beach and pool (at least for a little while), check off one of my favorite things to do in Bora Bora – the Jeep tour!

Kayak/Paddle Boat

Lounge by the Pool

Okay, so this one isn’t exactly “adventurous”.  BUT, it’s an absolute must-do when visiting Bora Bora!  All of the upscale resorts have the most beautiful pools with an even better view, and some even boast over-water-bungalows with private plunge pools!

Turtle Sanctuary

NEW POST! Check it out!

The post 13 Adventurous Things to Do in Bora Bora appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.