Bora Bora Travel Guide

Babysitters -- The hotels can arrange for English-speaking babysitters, or you can contact Robin Teraitepo at Chez Ben's (tel. 67.74.54).

Bookstores/Newsstands -- La Maison de la Press, across the main road from the Vaitape small boat harbor (tel. 60.57.75), carries the International Herald Tribune and USA Today, though not today's edition. It also sells film, camera batteries, and prepaid SIM cards for your cellphone.

Camera/Film -- Jeanluc Photo Shop, at the Vaitape harbor (tel. 72.01.23), offers professional photo services and overnight processing of color print film.

Currency Exchange -- Banque de Tahiti, Banque Socredo, and Banque de Polynésie have branches with ATMs in Vaitape.

Drugstores -- Pharmacie de Bora Bora, north of the small boat harbor in Vaitape (tel. 67.70.30), is open Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and 2:30 to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to noon and 5 to 6pm, and Sunday and holidays from 9 to 11 am.

Emergencies/Police -- The emergency police phone number is tel. 17. The gendarmerie (tel. 67.70.58) is opposite the Vaitape harbor.

Healthcare -- The island's infirmary is in Vaitape (tel. 67.70.77), as is Dr. Azad Roussanaly (tel. 67.77.95).

Internet Access -- Check your e-mail at L'Appetisserie in the Centre Commercial Le Pahia just north of the Vaitape harbor (tel. 67.78.88), which charges 40CFP (US40¢) per minute of online time.

Post Office -- The Vaitape post office is open Monday from 8am to 3pm, Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am to 3pm, and Saturday from 8 to 10am.

Restrooms -- Public restrooms in the small octagonal building on the Vaitape harbor are open sporadically during the day and not at all after dark. It can be a long wait for a shuttle boat back to your resort, so take preventive action as necessary.

Taxes -- Bora Bora's municipal government adds 100CFP to 150CFP (US$1-US$1.50) per night to your hotel bill.

Visitor Information -- The Bora Bora Comité du Tourisme, B.P. 144, Vaitape, Bora Bora (tel. and fax 67.76.36; info-bora-bora@mail.pf), has a visitor center in the large building on the north side of the Vaitape harbor. Open Monday through Friday, and on cruise-ship days, from 8:30am to 4pm.

Water -- Bora Bora has a huge desalinization plant, so the tap water is safe to drink. Most local residents still drink bottled water, available at all groceries.