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How to travel to Bora Bora under $5000, I knew it wasn’t going to be inexpensive when I planned my South Pacific island trip. The truth is traveling to Bora Bora is not too expensive from US, Europe and Asia, but not from Africa, this article have answer to all your questions.
Unsurprisingly, the South Pacific is home to some of the world’s most expensive destinations, including Bora Bora.
This idyllic island often makes lists of the world’s most expensive honeymoon locations, and I kept reading that costs vary from pricey to indescribably exorbitant throughout my research.
One of my favorite things to do is dispel myths about different parts of the globe. I like visiting places that have a reputation for being pricey and revealing how you can visit for a fraction of the price.
Bora Bora had such a high-end reputation that it drew me in. I quickly purchased a one-way ticket to paradise and set out to figure out how I would be able to there without blowing my whole bank account.
Can you go to Bora Bora on a small budget?
Of course, I was taken aback by how simple it was. After buying my trip, I went online to Booking.com and searched the nightly lodging pricing from low to high, finding many guesthouses and hotels for under $100 per person per night.
There were hundreds of well-reviewed guesthouses for as low as $50 a night after a fast google of budget guesthouses on the island came up many more possibilities that weren’t listed online.
And I’ll address this now since it comes up every time I speak about visiting stereotypically expensive areas on a budget, like the Maldives or the Cook Islands Southeast Asia isn’t cheap.
Hostels and guesthouses are not available for $1 per night, and street food is not available for $1 a meal.
The South Pacific isn’t for you if that’s your budget. That does not, however, imply that it is prohibitively costly.
A shoestring tourist on Bora Bora might expect to spend $20 per day. If you’re on a tight budget, a week on the island will cost you no more than $500.
Don’t believe the claims that visiting Bora Bora on a budget is hard or that you must utilize points and miles to obtain a good deal – this isn’t true, and budget travel is simple here.
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What is the average cost to go to Bora Bora?
A 7-day vacation to Bora Bora costs an average of $3,184 for a single traveler, $5,718 for a couple, and $10,721 for a family of four.
Bora Bora hotels cost between $136 and $684 per night on average, while most vacation rentals cost between $120 and $800 per night for the full house.
Economy flights to Nadi International Airport (NAN) cost between $1,303 and $2,103 per person, while first class flights cost between $4,089 and $6,599 per person.
We suggest allocating $84 to $229 per person per day for transportation and dining at local restaurants, depending on activities.
Bora Bora’s Most Economical Seasons.
These are the cheapest dates to travel to NAN and stay in a Bora Bora hotel on average:
- From the 15th of January until the 6th of May (except the week of April 16th)
- The dates are May 21st through June 3rd.
- From the 13th of August until the 7th of October,
Average Bora Bora trip costs
Let’s look at the average trip cost to Bora Bora and learn more from it, check the details below it could be a helping guide to your destination.
Typical solo travel
The average cost of a week in Bora Bora is $2,109-$4,656 ($301-$665 a day) for one person.
Food, transportation, and sightseeing costs range from $84 to $229 per day for one person.
Economy flights range from $687 to $1,745 per person.
Accommodations range from $139 to $176 per night for a two- or three-star hotel room.
Alternatively, a 1-bed vacation rental costs $178 to $218 per night.
A typical trip for a couple
A week in Bora Bora costs an average of $4,616-$8,720 ($659-$1,246 a day) for a couple.
Food, transportation, and sightseeing costs range from $168 to $458 per day for two persons.
Economy flights range from $1,374 to $3,490.
Accommodations range from $139 to $176 per night for a two- or three-star hotel room.
Alternatively, a 1-bed vacation rental costs $178 to $218 per night.
Typical family vacation
The average cost of a week in Bora Bora for four people is $6,702 to $15,504 ($957 to $2,215 a day).
Food, transportation, and sightseeing costs range from $336 to $916 per day for four persons.
Economy flights range from $2,748 to $6,980.
The cost of two 2- or 3-star hotel rooms ranges from $278 to $352 per night.
or a 2-bed vacation rental for $267 to $305 per night
Solo travel on a budget
The cheapest week in Bora Bora for one person is $1,712-$3,440 ($245-$491 a day).
Food, transportation, and sightseeing costs range from $53 to $105 per day for one person.
Economy flights range from $687 to $1,745 per person.
Accommodations range from $109 to $136 per night for a one-star hotel room.
approximately $120 to $160 per night for a holiday property with one room
Couples’ vacation on a budget
A week in Bora Bora for a couple costs between $2,770 and $5,920 ($396 and $846 each day).
Food, transportation, and sightseeing costs range from $106 to $210 per day for two persons.
Economy flights range from $1,374 to $3,490.
Accommodations range from $109 to $136 per night for a one-star hotel room.
approximately $120 to $160 per night for a holiday property with one room.
Family vacation on a budget
The cheapest week in Bora Bora for four people is $5,384-$11,552 ($769-$1,650 a day).
Food, transportation, and sightseeing costs range from $212 to $420 per day for four persons.
Economy flights range from $2,748 to $6,980.
Two 1-star hotel rooms cost $218 to $272 per night.
Alternatively, a 2-bed vacation rental costs $192 to $224 per night.
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What is the cheapest month to go to Bora Bora?
The cheapest time to visit Bora Bora is between October and May, when the island is at its quietest. Book summer dates early or in the shoulder months of November and April for the best deals and the best weather.
Weather-wise, the ideal time to visit Bora Bora is: The months of August and September have the finest weather, with little rain and average maximum temperatures of 28°C.
There are two different seasons in Bora Bora: rainy and dry. The rainy season lasts from November to April, with December being the wettest month.
The dry season, which lasts from May to October, is Bora Bora’s busiest time. August is the driest month of the year. Bora Bora is a famous honeymoon and family resort for visitors from all over the globe.
Avoid the northern hemisphere’s summer vacation months to avoid high peak costs and congested beaches (mid-June to mid-August).
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How much is a week stay at Bora Bora?
Bora Bora is elite and pricey due to its remote location. There are only four flights each day to Bora Bora, and they all depart from Tahiti.
Hotels are scarce and luxurious, with nightly prices ranging from $400 to $2,000 for the most basic accommodations. The typical cost of a week in Bora Bora for two people begins at roughly $11,000.
The typical cost of flying to Bora Bora (BOB) from the west coast of the United States is $2,500 per person (most flights begin in Los Angeles (LAX) and travel through Tahiti (PPT).
Return economy class tickets cost $3,500, while return business class tickets cost $4,500, with an additional $300 or more for the trip from Tahiti.
A night in a standard over-the-water cottage can set you back at least $1,000. You’d have to save a lot of money if you paid full price for this type of vacation.
Is it safe to travel to Bora Bora?
Bora Bora is one of the safest tourism locations in the world, having a low crime rate. Though crime is practically non-existent on this lovely island.
Thefts such as bag snatching and pickpocketing are still a possibility. Simply be aware and cautious when exploring this location, as you would any new location.
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How to get a cheap flight to Bora Bora?
When it comes to Bora Bora, your largest expenditure will most likely be the airfare to get there. Because I don’t collect points or miles.
My advice is geared at those of you who don’t have a lot of miles to burn on a flight. Use them if you have them! Don’t let this deter you if you don’t.
My most important piece of advice is to start monitoring Secret Flying on a regular basis. When it comes to travel offers, this website is my holy grail.
And it’s owing to them that I was able to get roundtrip tickets from Lisbon to Cape Town for 280 USD, Rome to Japan for 350 USD, and one-way flights from Copenhagen to Los Angeles for 120 USD.
As well as Singapore to London for 102 USD. They’re very legitimate, and they often provide bargains for Bora Bora.
They’re really offering a deal from U.S. cities to Tahiti for only 650 USD roundtrip, traveling between August 2021 and May 2022, as I write this (June 2021), which is an excellent bargain!
I suggest going to Sky scanner next if Secret Flying isn’t presenting anything you can fit into your itinerary.
You can find the cheapest flights to Papeete by searching from your home country to Papeete over the course of the month you want to visit.
You could discover that flying out of a different airport that’s still within driving distance saves you hundreds of dollars, or that departing a day sooner saves you a lot of money.
If you live in Oceania, airfares will be the most affordable. Flights to Tahiti start at $300 one-way from Australia’s east coast and New Zealand, and they’re much cheaper if you’re already in the South Pacific. My plane ticket from Rarotonga, Cook Islands, cost $356.
If you want to visit Southeast Asia, the cheapest way to get there is to fly to Australia via a budget airport for about a hundred dollars and then on to Tahiti.
If you’re in Southeast Asia, be sure to check Sky scanner since flights from there to Australia are often available for under $100 each way.
Because French Polynesia is a French colony rather than a distinct nation, European readers will most likely find the best deals from Paris, but it’s also worth looking into countries farther east, such as Turkey.
Readers from North America: the cheapest way to go to Bora Bora is through San Francisco. French Bee flies direct for $370 round trip, which is a great offer!
I’d also want to point out that if you’re planning a round-the-world trip, you should have no trouble fitting French Polynesia into your schedule.
Several of the travelers I met in the area were there as part of a round-the-world ticket, so it’s worth considering for a layover.
The majority of the prices and itineraries indicated above will take you to Papeete, Tahiti, which is French Polynesia’s primary airport.
From there, you’ll need to go to Bora Bora for a 30-minute trip, which, I must admit, is a little pricey.
For the 30-minute trip, you’ll be looking at roughly $200 each way, but before you lose up and go someplace else, there is a method to substantially reduce the price you spend for your travels.
I purchased an Air Tahiti island hopping pass, which saved me 60% off what I would have spent if I had booked all of my flights separately.
Rather of simply visiting Bora Bora, I spent two weeks flying from Tahiti to Maupiti, Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora, and back to Tahiti.
I ended up spending $400 for seven flights to five islands, including Bora Bora, as a result of this. As a result, my tickets into and out of Bora Bora are just $60 round trip.
If you simply want to go to Bora Bora, this isn’t really useful, but I did like my time in the Society Islands, and if you have a few of weeks, it’s well worth visiting several of the islands, as I did.
Maupiti is just what Bora Bora was 50 years ago, and Huahine has become my favorite South Pacific island. It’s worth looking at some of the other surrounding islands since you’ll get more bang for your buck.
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How much does it cost to stay in Bora Bora?
For $65 a night, I slept at Village Temanuata, which provided excellent value. The proprietors were nice and helpful, and visitors had access to a private beach in front of the bungalows.
Matira Beach, the greatest beach on the main island, was just a five-minute walk away. They provided free pickup from the ferry dock, had positive evaluations, and a wide range of activities. The accommodations were simple yet well-kept.
The only drawback was that the Wi-Fi was unavailable throughout my visit. Regrettably, they have just raised their pricing.
On the island, there are various inexpensive guesthouses with excellent evaluations. Sunset Hill Lodge offers doubles and quads for $120 per night.
I mentioned the Bora Bora hostel earlier in this column, and it’s true: they only charge $30 per night.
Bora Bora Shelter for Backpackers is the cheapest place to stay on the island, and it gets good ratings. They’re right on Matira Beach, which is a plus, and the charming proprietors are well-liked by many.
As previously said, there are Couchsurfing hosts in Bora Bora, so if you’re traveling on a shoestring budget, this is absolutely the way to go. Couchsurfing isn’t my thing, so I didn’t test it out, although the site has about 40 hosts.
Another excellent, if not the best, choice for Bora Bora is Airbnb. There are 40 rentals advertised for less than $100 per night, and 27 for less than $50.
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Bora Bora Island transportation costs
You may also stay in a guesthouse there for just $33 per night! This facility looks like an incredible way to experience the island since you’ll be hanging out with locals, seeing their Bora Bora, and learning more than you would in one of those pricey overwater villas.
Because Bora Bora’s airport is on a motu a reef island, you’ll need to use Air Tahiti’s complimentary catamaran shuttle to travel to the mainland. It will take you right to the port in Vaitape, the island’s major town.
From there, someone from your guesthouse will most likely pick you up. This is normally free, but double-check before booking to avoid being surprised with additional expenses when you arrive.
Renting a bicycle is the most convenient method to move about. I hired mine for $15 per day, although I noticed signs for $10 all around the island.
There’s a bus that travels every hour from Vaitape to Matira Beach and back for $4.75, but I never saw it. However, it’s worth asking about at your guesthouse for further information, since this might significantly reduce your spending.
Avoid taxis on the island since they are quite pricey. Also available are automobile rentals. Because the mainland is 18 miles in circle, you could easily ride or scooter around it in a day.
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Other activities in Bora Bora are inexpensive
You can do a lot of things on the island without spending a lot of money. If you’re going on an island-hopping journey through many of the Society Islands, as I propose, you may want to reserve your activities for the other islands.
Lagoon cruises, for example, are just as wonderful on Maupiti, and you’ll spend considerably less than you would on Bora Bora. If you’re just visiting Bora Bora and want to make the most of your time there, here are some ideas:
Going to the Intercontinental Hotel (on Matira Beach) every evening to see the leopard rays glide by was one of my favorite (and completely free) pastimes.
Matira Beach is one of the nicest beaches on the continent, and it’s noted for drawing a variety of rays at different times of the day. While I was hanging out in the lagoon, one came within a few feet of me. Hiking around the island is another free activity that will reward you with spectacular views and photos.
Mount Paihia is one of the top hikes in Bora Bora for persons who are generally fit, and hikers may undertake it without a guide. Ask your guesthouse for directions to the trailhead, since the entrance might be difficult to locate.
When it comes to paid activities, you may use Viator to compare costs and get the greatest deals. A very well-reviewed 4WD tour of Bora Bora for little under $75.
Is one of the cheapest activities this is a terrific alternative if you want to spend half a day seeing the finest of the island, and the reviews are excellent.
This snorkeling excursion ($81) allows you to feed and play with stingrays and sharks while exploring the lagoon. This is a must-do Bora Bora activity, and my friends who did it claimed it was the highlight of their vacation.
If snorkeling isn’t your thing, a two-hour tour of the lagoon is available for $88. If you can afford it, this tour will transport you around the ocean to visit the most beautiful portions of Bora Bora.
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How much does food cost in Bora Bora?
Food was one of my largest expenses in Bora Bora due to my lack of excursions. Prices were obviously more than on the other islands I’d visited, but the quality didn’t suffer (surprise).
Breakfasts! I walked the half-mile to Tiare Market to fill up on fresh bread, croissants, and fruit for a third of the price of a guesthouse breakfast since I was staying near Matira Beach.
If you merely needed a bag of chips or a chocolate bar, there was also a little shop near the beach selling affordable food.
There were many more reasonable alternatives for lunches and dinners than I had anticipated. Lucky House, a pizza joint in Matira, attracted me in with their free Wi-Fi but held me there with their delicious pies.
Yes, it’s really Polynesian. If I went down there about 3 p.m., I could buy a huge pizza for $15 that was really very excellent and would generally provide for both lunch and supper.
Within walking distance was Snack Matira, where you could have a burger, French fries, and a couple of beers for roughly $12.
Around Matira, there are a few roulettes (rolling food trucks) where the residents dine. Burgers, beer, fries, fish sandwiches, and chicken are all available for roughly $10 per meal.
Budget travel tip: To save money on beverages while also protecting the environment, I suggest purchasing a GRAYL water bottle.
Fill the water bottle with water and then slide the filter down to the bottom of the bottle, similar to a French press.
This destroys 99.999 percent of all viruses, bacteria, and cysts in water, as well as any sediment, chemicals, or strange flavors or odors, making it safe to drink.
With this awesome bottle, you can drink tap water anywhere in the globe and not get ill, whether you’re in India, Mozambique, or French Polynesia!
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I’m a solo traveler who travels alone
I didn’t encounter any other lone travelers in French Polynesia (or the Cook Islands) for the remainder of my trip.
This wasn’t surprising in Bora Bora, considering that it’s most known for being a honeymoon destination, but it was all about the couples even in the less expensive lodgings.
On the island, I did felt a bit lonely, but I believe that had a lot to do with the guesthouse I was staying in. Other guesthouses in French Polynesia I’d been at had a lot more communal vibe, with hangout spaces and regular group meals that wasn’t the case here.
Instead, I was served breakfast on the balcony of my bungalow, which was surrounded by bushes, obscuring my view of anybody or anything. It’s great for privacy, but it may also make you feel lonely.
However, once I walked outdoors, I was often accosted by people and found it simple to make acquaintances.
I had a great time hanging out with a bunch of Polynesian paddle boarders who encouraged me to join them for sunset on the beach while sipping a lime-coconut-dodgy-alcoholic-concoction.
Bora Bora will become more costly to visit starting in 2022. You don’t hear much about Bora Bora as a bargain getaway. I hadn’t heard anything about it, at least.
When I was doing research for this trip and reading previous articles on how to travel on a budget, they all revolved around getting a bunch of credit cards, accumulating up points, and then using them on free flights and a luxurious resort stay.
So I didn’t have high hopes for the affordable vacation sector. I expected it to be similar to my trip to the Maldives in 2020, when I was the only tourist on local boats.
The only visitor on a whole island, I had beaches to myself, and the guesthouses were either empty or packed with locals. Bora Bora’s low-cost vacation sector is far from untouched.
My guesthouse was completely booked, and many of the other $50-80 per night guesthouses seemed to be the same. So don’t come here thinking you’re some kind of daring adventurer who’s stumbled across heaven on the cheap.
Many folks have already done so. However, since the island is so large, even if there are a lot of people on it, it never seems crowded.
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Is it worth to vacation in Bora Bora?
It’s weird, I was expected to despise Bora Bora before I came. I’d recently returned from a wonderful vacation through several of the Society Islands’ lesser-known islands, and I was certain Bora Bora wouldn’t measure up.
Maupiti, for example, is quite similar to Bora Bora in terms of geography; it features an extinct volcano in the center.
One major road that runs around the island, gorgeous beaches, a vast lagoon, and several lovely islets on the lagoon’s outer margins.
Isn’t Bora Bora similar, but filled with wealthy visitors, overloaded with resorts, and exorbitantly priced? It wasn’t any of those things, much to my surprise, and I was blown away.
Bora Bora is a unique location, and I didn’t realize how unique it was until I visited there.
It’s genuinely stunning like, mind-blowingly magnificently stunning to the point that you continuously feel like you’re living in a Photo shopped universe.
There aren’t very many people on the island, anyway – as you can see from all of my images, there are never any crowds anyplace.
I’m not sure whether they’re all on excursions or if they’re all tucked away in resorts (likely), but I never felt like I was in a tourist trap.
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What about the costs they aren’t all that horrible?
Food will cost a bit extra. Transportation will cost a bit extra. The trips will cost a bit extra. But it’s not unbearably horrible. Dinner is $20 instead of $15, and a bicycle rental is $15 per day instead of $5. A lagoon tour is now $70 instead of $50.
Bora Bora is absolutely worth seeing, in my opinion. I’d also recommend visiting another island or two in the Society Islands while you’re there to get a fresh perspective on French Polynesia that isn’t only focused on tourism and excursions. My favorite island was Huahine, which was much different from Bora Bora.
Can I use US dollars in Bora Bora?
In hotels, restaurants, and major stores, US dollars may be accepted as direct payment, although at a low exchange rate. On the main islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora, there are a few ATM machines where you may use your debit or major credit card.
Please keep in mind that certain credit card issuers may impose a fee for transactions made outside of the United States, so check with your provider to confirm any fees you may be charged for using your credit card in French Polynesia.
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Does Bora Bora have sharks?
The sharks at Bora Bora are mostly harmless. They reside under the green lagoons and are used to human presence. Blacktip reef sharks are the most prevalent kind you’ll encounter. Because they aren’t hostile, you can easily approach them.
They love to swim in inshore waters and live on tropical coral reefs. However, they get used to their surroundings and do not alter them for many years.
Fish and other tiny invertebrates like as crustaceans and cephalopods are the main sources of food for blacktip reef sharks. Marine snakes and sea birds are also among their prey.
Their dorsal fin, which is visible above the water, is the most distinguishing feature. That’s how they’re perceived. They’re also difficult to overlook, with a length of 1.6 meters.
Aside from them, the seas of Bora Bora are teeming with “Lemon sharks.” These are often observed on shark feeding cruises. That’s logical, given that fish is their primary source of nutrition.
Don’t be concerned about not noticing them in time. These sharks may grow up to 3 meters in length, and their color makes them stand out amid the lagoon’s blue.
Whitetip sharks, gray sharks, and hammerhead sharks should not be overlooked. They, too, are frequent visitors to Bora Bora’s waters, adding to the excitement of your dive.
Check out this site and Traveller’s detailed article for additional inside knowledge on how they all appear.
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Conclusion
If you are on a tight budget, but want to experience the South Pacific islands and Bora Bora, you can do it for under $5000 for 2 people. There are ways to keep your accommodation costs down (for example offer to volunteer for a night or two with the locals), how to use credit card travel points, and some other tips that we were able to utilize during our trip.
We barely broke even, but it was an amazing adventure and we have some great recommendations on money saving while traveling.
The thing is, if you’re going to do something like this, you have to be willing to spend the money. Most people are not willing to spend $5000 for a week or even a month on an island.
I totally understand. My rule for Bora Bora was that there were 5 activities or attractions I wanted to do and anything outside of that (which was majorly discounted) was up for grabs.
You gotta decide what’s important to you and then create a plan around your budget.
I’m now back from my eight-day Bora Bora trip and I can say that it was well worth the cost. Plus, it gave me time for some good thinking on how to make my next trip even better.
You don’t spend a lot of time in the water so there’s no snorkeling or scuba diving to be done, just lots of sitting on the beach with a cocktail and soaking up that natural tropical beauty.
But for me, it was all about experiencing their culture, eating good food (which was very expensive), riding around their small island via bicycle, plus kicking back and relaxing in paradise.
Again, if you’re looking for something inexpensive with masses of things to do on land and sea then this is probably not your best choice of island getaway.
But if you’re looking to bask in the sun at a world class resort while lounging on the beach then Bora Bora will be right up your alley and at reasonable prices too!
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Joseph Benson
Hi, my name is Joseph Benson, and I am a traveler who is always on the go. I love to try new things and see different places. Never miss an adventure follow me.
