Five Favorite Tahiti Experiences Travel Tips - Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

From romantic orange sunsets to tranquil lagoons of bright-emerald waters, Tahiti and her Islands are a land of breathtaking natural beauty. But venture beyond her dramatic beaches and you’ll discover a side of Tahiti that will stir your cultural curiosity. A mix of Maohi and European influences, pristine beaches and lush green peaks, Tahiti’s people, lands and experiences have no shortage of diversity and intrigue. Whether you hike the islands’ evergreen trails, savor traditional Tahitian food or explore its artistic wonders, there’s so much more to Tahiti than white-sand beaches. While Tahiti’s adventures are never-ending, here are five of our favorite ways to explore the other side of Tahiti.

1) Experience a Mountain Safari by 4-Wheel Drive: From crossing the island of Tahiti via the Papenoo valley, the Belvedere lookout point on Moorea to Bora Bora’s famed mount Otemanu, the islands offer rich archaeological sites and spectacular views of impressive waterfalls.

2) Enjoy “Ma’a Tahiti” traditionally cooked in a Tahitian oven: “Ma’a Tahiti” is cooked in a traditional “ahima’a”, a Tahitian earth oven. The main ingredients include succulent suckling pig, “fafa” (chicken and taro leaves), breadfruit, taro and other root vegetables, and delicacies such as “po’e”, a sweet dish made with baked bananas, papaya and other fruit. Pour creamy coconut milk over it all and slurp it up with your fingers!

3) Visit a Marae: The open-air sanctuaries called “marae” were once the center of power in ancient Polynesia. These large, stone structures, akin to temples, hosted the important events of the times including the worship of the gods, peace treaties, celebrations of war, and the launch of voyages to colonize distant lands.

4) Explore the Paul Gauguin Museum: An amazing retrospective on the life of Paul Gauguin, the famous French artist who spent his final years in Polynesia. Gauguin's art had a profound influence on the primitive and exotic painters and sculptors of the 20th century.

Did you know?  Gauguin was a stockbroker who painted in his spare time, he left behind his bourgeois existence in France and sailed to the South Seas in search of a life of ecstasy.  During his stay, Gauguin became deeply enmeshed in Polynesian society and culture.  His use of vivid colors and roughly defined shapes gave special meaning to moments of everyday island life.

5) Explore Lava Tubes: For the Adventurous! - The Lava Tubes of Hitiaa are incredible underground galleries with water running through them, and they are fascinating to explore. It is advisable to go with a guide by four-wheel drive vehicle and then by foot. Situated on the rocky east coast, the lava tubes are of volcanic origin and are enclosed by channels of a narrow cave that have been penetrated by water.