Tahiti, often called The Island of Love, is the largest and most well known of the 115 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Crystal-clear water, spectacular coral reefs and black sand beaches surround the island. Tahiti’s landscape consists of towering volcanic peaks reaching over dense rainforests of soft ferns and then plunging deep into the sea. At high altitudes, the dark, moist tree-ferns blanket the cloud forests and beautiful waterfalls cascade into cool rivers and streams.

The capital of Tahiti and her Islands is the bustling port of Papeete, alive with activity. Papeete contains the government offices, police headquarters, hospitals and clinics, banks, telecommunications center, airline and travel agencies, boutiques and black pearl shops. Papeete is a modern port with a population of about 70,000 people in the city and its suburbs. Enjoy Papeete’s unique cosmopolitan charms. Shopping is definitely one of them. Part of the fun of Papeete is sipping a drink and people-watching at a sidewalk cafe. Hop aboard le truck-as the locals call the open-air bus-to downtown, where an amazing selection of boutiques offers shell leis, woven hats, purses and other native handicrafts, while their neighbors feature the latest in French fashions. In the city’s many restaurants you’ll discover that Tahitians enjoy an enticing variety of native, French, Asian and other cuisines.

Today, the beautiful landscapes and the timeless charm of Tahiti’s past remain preserved just minutes outside the bustling sea port of Papeete. From the beaches and low-land plantations to volcanic peaks and rain forests, Tahiti has a magnificent variety of landscapes and vistas to enjoy.

Reprinted from gotahiti.com