Prior to knowing about points and miles, I always think Bora Bora is a once in a lifetime trip as it’s very expensive. However, with careful planning and coordination, it can be “affordable” to worker bees like us. You really don’t need to be a celebrity or multi-millionaire to visit this paradise! Here’s how I did it and the cost per person in USD. Note that for this trip, 4 of us traveled together so for some meals, it was either split by 4, 3, or 2 depending on how we split the bill. Also, St. Regis Bora Bora has increased to 85,000 Marriott points per night with the new categories. As a Marriott Platinum (prior to the change) member, we received free breakfast at both properties so it definitely helped to bring the cost down.
USD | Price per person USD | |
| Flights | $525.83 | |
| Boston to Tahiti roundtrip 56,000 United miles plus tax | 63.01 | 63.01 |
| Moorea and Bora Bora flight | 462.82 | 462.82 |
| Hotel | $960.43 | |
| Fare Suisse hotel in Tahiti overnight | 199.33 | 99.67 |
| Sofitel Moorea 2 nights | 1037.6 | 518.8 |
| Le Meridien Bora Bora 2 nights with free night certificates, upgrade fee | 104.64 | 52.32 |
| St. Regis Bora Bora 2 nights at 60,000 Marriott points each, upgrade fee | 579.29 | 289.645 |
| Food | $509.0475 | |
| Le Mahogany dinner | 182.16 | 45.54 |
| Le Mahogany lunch | 136.15 | 34.0375 |
| Rudy’s dinner | 131.41 | 32.8525 |
| Le Meridien pool side lunch | 84.69 | 28.23 |
| Le Meridien Tipanie dinner | 115.93 | 57.965 |
| Le Meridien Miki Miki dinner | 169.97 | 42.4925 |
| St. Regis Aparima Bar lunch | 106.15 | 53.075 |
| St. Regis Aparima Bar drink shared | 15.06 | 7.53 |
| St. Regis Bamboo Dinner | 282.3 | 70.575 |
| St. Regis Lagoon Dinner | 194.22 | 97.11 |
| St. Regis In Room Lunch | 158.56 | 39.64 |
| Transportation and activity | $221.5775 | |
| St. Regis Boat Transfer | 127.04 | 63.52 |
| Le Meridien boat transfer | 110.66 | 55.33 |
| Moorea car rental | 108 | 27 |
| Taxi to Sofitel Moorea | 14.12 | 3.53 |
| Travel health insurance | 55.04 | 13.76 |
| Moana Adventure private tour | 233.75 | 58.4375 |
| Total | $2,216.89 |
Here it is the total per person for our one week trip in French Polynesia – $2,216.89, totally doable 🙂
What class of flight did you take on United?
Economy….I rather fly 3x in economy than 1 time in business 🙂
Wow! I do understand, but that is a long flight!!
We stayed overnight in San Francisco so it helped to take a break….San Fran to Tahiti 8.5 hours, not as bad as to Asia over 10+ hours 😀
Can I ask which company did you use for the ‘travel health insurance’? thanks
I have used GeoBlue: https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/mobile/index-2.cfm Luckily, I haven’t need to deal with any claims yet! Call your insurance provider on what is covered and not covered outside the country and then determine if you need extra.