Shopping in Tahiti: Souvenirs to bring home
Tahiti is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world for its incredible natural beauty, white sand beaches, transparent lagoons and volcanic landscapes. But the island has much more to offer than that, especially in terms of shopping and souvenirs to bring back. Whether you’re looking for a souvenir to give to loved ones or just something for yourself, you’ll find a variety of boutiques, markets and stores that offer unique and authentic items.
The most popular memories
If there is one thing that comes to mind for those looking for a souvenir to bring back from Tahiti, it is the sarong or pareu. The pareo is a colorful and lightweight piece of fabric that is traditionally wrapped around the waist like a skirt. There is a wide variety of patterns and colors, depending on the provenance.
Tattoos are also very important in Tahiti, and many visitors choose to get tattoos during their stay. If you are not ready to get tattooed, you can always bring back books on the subject or even tattooed decorative objects.
The best place to find souvenirs is the island’s main town, Papeete. Papeete is home to a number of markets and shops that offer a wide variety of items.
The best shops in Papeete
The Papeete market is one of the most popular places to shop in Tahiti. Here you will find a variety of items ranging from sarongs to Tahitian pearls to handicrafts. You will also find local beauty products, including Monoi de Tahiti®, a fragrant coconut oil used for skin and hair care.
If you are looking for luxury goods, go to the Robert Wan pearl shop in Papeete. Robert Wan is the largest producer of Tahitian pearls in the world and offers an exceptional selection of pearls and pearl jewelry.
The Papeete Art Gallery is another place to visit if you are looking for local handicrafts and souvenirs. The gallery houses a wide variety of artwork by local artists, ranging from paintings to sculptures.
Other places to shop in Tahiti
Apart from Papeete, there are other places on the island where you can shop. The town of Moorea, located about 17 km from Papeete, also offers a craft market that offers a variety of items.
If you are looking for local beauty products, go to the Heiva store in Vaitape on the island of Bora Bora. Heiva offers a full range of natural skin care, hair care and makeup products that use local ingredients such as Monoi de Tahiti, tiare flower and noni.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for colorful pareos, Tahitian pearls, local beauty products or handcrafted souvenirs, you will find everything you are looking for when visiting Tahiti and her islands. Papeete’s markets and specialty shops are the perfect places to start your shopping adventure, but be sure to visit other places on the island for unique finds.
Bulleted list of souvenirs to bring back from Tahiti:
- Pareo: a colorful and lightweight piece of fabric traditionally wrapped around the waist like a skirt.
- Tattoo: traditional Tahitian tattoos or tattooed decorative objects.
- Tahitian pearls: pearl jewelry or raw pearls.
- Monoi from Tahiti: a fragrant coconut oil used for skin and hair care.
- Provencal Market Basket: a woven rattan basket traditionally used for shopping.
- Local art objects: sculptures, paintings and handicrafts.
- Local beauty products: skin and hair care products made from local ingredients.
FAQs
What are Tahitian pearls?
Tahitian pearls are black, gray, green or golden pearls produced by the Pinctada margaritifera mollusk, which is native to the Polynesian lagoon. The pearls are cultivated in pearl farms located in the lagoons of the Society Archipelago in French Polynesia. Tahitian pearls are renowned for their unique beauty and iridescent color.
What is Monoi de Tahiti?
Monoi de Tahiti is a fragrant coconut oil obtained by macerating tiare flowers in refined coconut oil. Monoi de Tahiti is traditionally used in French Polynesia for skin and hair care. Monoi de Tahiti oil is used to moisturize the skin, leaving it soft and subtly scented. It is also used to nourish the hair, to repair and revitalize it after the aggressions of the sun and the sea. Monoi de Tahiti has been recognized as an appellation of origin since 1992.
References
Bartlett, S. (2019). Guide to Shopping in Tahiti. The Spruce.
Ojeda, A. (2019). Tahiti Shopping: Where to Find the Best Souvenirs. TripSavvy.
Robert Wan. (n.d.). About Us. Robert Wan.