Shopping
Shopping in Tahiti is truly a wonderful thing that just cannot be missed. With all the wonderful handicrafts around Tahiti, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list back home, as well as some wonderful items for yourself! Most of the world famous traditional Tahitian handicrafts are still made today, just like they were hundreds of years ago, and you can always find a local center in any town or villiage to browse and buy these items. From woven items to sculptures, you cannot miss the shopping while you are here.
Some of the original Tahitian beauty products that you can buy while on your visit here are called Monoi. There are so many different products made by companies all around Tahiti that range from hair care to skin care to lip balm. Each of these products are made as close to the ancient traditions as possible, and were used as beauty products hundreds of years ago as well as today. The Monoi Institute is one of the forerunners here in Tahiti when it comes to the reserach and regulations that involve the making of Monoi and they have helped to perfect this ancient art.
Monoi is created by extracting the aromatic parts of a flower by the use of cocount oil, creating a wonderfully rich, sensual product that not only smells great, but is great for skin and hair. You can purchase Monoi at any of the shops in Tahiti and her islands, and you can even order it online when you get back home to keep your Tahitian vacation going just a little bit longer!
Another great item of Tahiti that you can take home with you is a genuing tifaifai, or patchwork bedspread. These wonderfully crafted spreads will allow you to continue to enjoy the sights and colors of Tahiti and Polynesian artwork long after your vacation has ended. The best shops to purchase these bedspreads are in Papeete in the marketplace, but you can find them all over the islands as well. Some of the smaller shops around the islands will have lower prices than the larger ones in the main towns, so if you are on a budget, but still want to take one of these beautiful items home with you, shop around before you make your purchase.
One of the best selling items here in Tahiti is the pareo. This is usually the local dress, or skirt, for the women of Tahiti and can also be used as shorts for the men here. No matter if you are headed to the beach on a beautiful Tahitian day, or out to a dressy evening on the town, the pareo is always a good choice for women to wear, day or night. The pareo is a small rectangle made of cotton material, usually printed with a bright and vivid design, and can be found in any shop in Tahiti. Wearing a pareo is simple, and there are many ways to do it.
Here are a few to help you look just like a native:
- A full wrap around the torso or chest, with a tight knot on one shoulder.
- Tie the pareo just above the bustline, with a tight, double knot in the back.
- Tie the pareo around your hips, then bring the other end up under your arms and tie it with a knot.
- Spread out the pareo lengthwise behind your back and then tie again with a double knot between the breasts and bring around the free ends to cover the chest, tieing in the back once more.
There are also many other ways to wear a pareo here in Tahiti, and any local or salesperson will be more than happy to show you how to wear yours, or you can purchase one of the many small booklets available to show you all the styles that you can try out with your new Tahitian clothing.
And, of course, who could forget the wonderful Tahitian pearl! From earrings to necklaces to other items inlayed with pearl, there is always an abundance of pearl items for you to choose from on your shopping trips here in Tahiti. Only here in Tahiti can you find the famous “black” pearl, which comes in shades from purples, pinks, silver, blues, black, and grays that are sure appease any one wearing them. The beauty of these pearls and jewelry is something that is known the world over and can only be found here on the beautiful islands of Tahiti. While the perfectly round pearls are rare and more expensive, you can find beautifully shaped pearls in pear, teardrop, and button shapes that will brighten everything around it.
The local marketplaces in Tahiti are usually the best places to shop for souvenirs to take home with you. In down town Papeete, the “Le Marche” is a great place to search through local handicrafts for that perfect something to remind you of your vacation here. From the beautiful bouquets of tropical flowers to wonderfully crafted jewelry, this is the spot to shop.
“Before you buy any handycraft souvenirs like tikis, shell necklaces, pearls, wood decoration, pareos... make sure to ask if it's made in Tahiti because you can be fool by purchasing a tiki made in Africa that have nothing to do with Tahiti or pareos from asia...”
For those who are in need of other items, such as toiletry or hygiene items, Carrefour is a great place to shop. Carrefour is the international supermarket that is based out of France and has everything that your local discount store at home does. From clothes to home goods, this is the place to go if you are in need of something that you have forgotten!
You'll also find many shops at the Vaima Center and surroundings. A taxi station is also available there. A cross the street of the “Vaima” on the sea side, you'll find the Tourism office “Tahiti Manava” where they can help you for any informations about activities.
Hinano Beer
For the beer lovers, Tahiti has it's own brew that you can try while on your vacation here. Hinano Beer has been around for several decades and is one of the wonderful local products that you can try during your stay to make you feel more like a native.
Tahiti's own special beer, Hinano Beer, was first launched in 1955, during the Tiurai festivities. It is a low fermentation beer that is golden brown in color. Hinano contains 5% alcohol and has a unique bitterness. What makes Hinano unique is the way it is made. It has the perfect combination of malt, hops, water, and yeast, in order to achieve its color, low fermentation, middle range alcohol, and bitter taste make it especially Hinano.
Hinano is made in the Punaruu Valley, which is located on the main island of Tahiti. Over the years, making of Hinano beer has evolved, with the help of pasteurization and distribution. Hinano is now served wherever it can be distributed, instead of just the local pubs. Meaning more customers can purchase it without having to dine out or hit a local club.
Hinano Beer has been around for a long time and it only gets better with each passing year. It is what makes this a popular and well received beer in Tahiti and around the world. The history behind it is amazing and shows just how far beer makers have come over the centuries. Enjoy the wonderful taste that only a Hinano Beer can give and you will see what all the talk is about.
You'll also find a Hinano Shop near the Catholic Church “Cathedral of Papeete” where you can buy nice local style shirts, towels and other souvenirs.