By 9° 24' South and 140° 4' West, Ua Pou is located 50 km south of Nuku Hiva, 1.500 km from Tahiti, 6.200 km from Los Angeles, 5.700 km from Sydney, 8.800 km from Tokyo and 7.500 km from Santiago (Chile), which means in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The surface of the island is 105 square meters and is populated by 2300 inhabitants (living in 6 valleys). There are several primary and secondary schools.​

 

CURRENCY

The Pacific Franc (XPF) is indexed on the Euro. 
€1 = XPF 119,33 or XPF 1 000 = €8.38, 9,50 USD. Note : it is not possible to exchange foreign currencies on the island anymore.
Tipping is not customary in Polynesia, and remains at the customer's discretion. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not usual, except for handicrafts.

 

SEASONS

The weather is drier (60% humidity) than in Tahiti and the atmosphere is lighter. The average annual temperature is 30 °C (86ºF). The rainy season lasts from June to August with a usual very rainy month of July.

 

LANGUAGES

The official language is French, as everywhere else in French Polynesia. However, between themselves, locals most often speak Marquesan, which is different from Tahitian. Marquesan is recognized as a regional language of France, and subdivided in two distinct dialects, in the North and southern part of the marquesan archipelago.

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CELLPHONE OPERATORS

There are two local cellphone operators in French Polynesia : Vini and Vodafone. For the Marquesas, prefer Vini. Cell phones and prepaid cards are available for sale. It may be a good idea to buy a prepaid card (from 1.000 xpf - 9,5 USD) for local calls (bookings and other enquiries).

 

TIME ZONE

UTC/GMT -9 ½ hours

The jetlag is -11h30 from FrancE during summer time and -10h30 during winter time and + 30 minutes from Tahiti.

 

POWER

220 Volts 50 Hz

HEALTH

Hakahau has a health dispensary with doctors, nurses and a dentist that can take care of most minor issues. For more serious cases, the Taiohae Hospital on neighbor Nuku Hiva island is just a 15 minutes helicopter ride from Hakahau !

There is no drugstore on the island.

There are no dangerous animals or venomous insects in French Polynesia.

 

WHAT TO PACK

Sunscreen (reef-safe, if possible), insect repellent (if we can recommend a brand, try "RID", you can find it in supermarkets or pharmacies in Tahiti. Or else, the island shops sell lemongrass monoi if necessary), sunglasses, hat or cap, sandals, your medical treatment (no drugstore on the island), light and ventilated shoes and clothing. If hiking, pack dedicated hiking shoes as it can be slippery on rainy days.

We recommend that you purchase mosquito repellent on arrival in Tahiti, it is more efficient than repellent sold elsewhere.

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What you fill find in the main village Hakahau (located 200m from the Guesthouse) :

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• a post office O.P.T.,

• a bank S.O.C.R.E.D.O.,

• 2 ATMs,

• a police station,

• a medical centre (doctor and dentist)

• an Arts & Crafts centre

• a library

• several shops (food, clothes, souvenirs,...),

• an airport,

• a port

• taxis

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