Districts · Papeete
Papeete by district
Everything a first visit needs is inside one square kilometre on the harbour. Distances are short but the heat and the traffic are not, so use a car between areas.
About these names
Faa'a (airport) and Pirae, Arue and Mahina to the east and Punaauia to the west are separate communes, but locals treat them as one urban area.
- Waterfront and VaieteFront de mer, place VaietesleepeatSuits: Short stays, ferry to Moorea, food trucks at nightFlat, close to the ferry quay and the food trucks; traffic noise on the boulevard.3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Market and cathedralLe Marché, centre-villeseeeatSuits: Market mornings, shops, first-day walkThe covered market, the cathedral and the shopping streets; busy at dawn, quiet after dark.2 sights · 3 eatsDistrict guide →
- PaofaisleepseeSuits: Quiet evenings, gardens, sunsetWest of the centre: gardens, the Protestant temple and the lagoon-side path. Take a car after dark.2 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- BougainvilleParc Bougainville, mairieseeSuits: Official Papeete, a shaded half hourThe town hall, the assembly and a small park at the east edge of the centre.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Faa'agatewaySuits: Airport hotelsThe airport commune, about 5 km west; many long-haul flights land at night, so a first bed here or in town needs a pre-booked car.The airport commune, about 3.1 mi west; many long-haul flights land at night, so a first bed here or in town needs a pre-booked car.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Faa'a International Airport (PPT) (15–35 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Faa'a. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Waterfront and Vaiete (Front de mer, place Vaiete): Flat, close to the ferry quay and the food trucks; traffic noise on the boulevard. Suits: Short stays, ferry to Moorea, food trucks at night. Price band $$.
- Market and cathedral (Le Marché, centre-ville): The covered market, the cathedral and the shopping streets; busy at dawn, quiet after dark. Suits: Market mornings, shops, first-day walk.
- Paofai (Paofai): West of the centre: gardens, the Protestant temple and the lagoon-side path. Take a car after dark. Suits: Quiet evenings, gardens, sunset. Price band $$.
- Bougainville (Parc Bougainville, mairie): The town hall, the assembly and a small park at the east edge of the centre. Suits: Official Papeete, a shaded half hour.
- Faa'a (Faa'a): The airport commune, about 5 km west; many long-haul flights land at night, so a first bed here or in town needs a pre-booked car.The airport commune, about 3.1 mi west; many long-haul flights land at night, so a first bed here or in town needs a pre-booked car. Suits: Airport hotels.
- Sleep area Paofai: suits Quiet evenings, gardens, sunset, price band $$.
- Sleep area Waterfront: suits Short stays, ferry to Moorea, food trucks at night, price band $$.
- Faa'a International Airport (PPT), 15–35 min by the usual route.