Hey everyone,
My fiance and I are torn between picking Tahiti or Maui for our honeymoon, which will be late October, early November. I've read the other postings about Tahiti and Hawaii, but we would have a tighter budget than most. We were hoping to spend about $5,000. We were leaning toward Moorea if we went to any of the islands. Is it realistic to go to French Polynesia on that budget (flying from the Midwest USA) or would Hawaii be our better choice. We both love hiking especially to waterfalls, four-wheeling, snorkeling, and just playing at the beach. We'll have about 7 days for our trip, and I was afraid that there's so much to do in Maui that I won't be able to relax, but will constantly be on the go wanting to experience everything. Also, I've read all about the positives of both Hawaii and French Polynesia, but can anyone list some negatives of each place which may aid in our decision making. If we choose Moorea, would it be suggested to try to get a vacation package? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

If you are on a budget--I would go for Hawaii. FP is extremely expensive. The exchange rate is horrible, and food and activities are astronomically priced. (I totally understand that vacation prices are going to be inflated--but, to give you an example: It cost us $80 to rent a car for four hours on Moorea. A cheese sandwich at the hotel was $19.) Additionally, it's quite expensive to fly there, and the hotels aren't cheap either.

The scenery in FP cannot be matched, but there is also much less to do there than Hawaii. Moorea is rather a quiet island and shuts down almost completely at night.

If you have 5K TOTAL to spend, including food and activities, I'd strongly recommend Maui, where you can likely get a decent rate on airfare (I'd say half of what you'd pay for a ticket to FP, at least) and you'll have a myriad of lodging choices in all budgets. Maui is gorgeous and has many outdoors activities that can be easily done for free or very little (hiking only requires a car rental--which you can get reasonably cheap in Maui--and snorkel rental is very cheap, for example, if you don't go on a chartered tour). For 5K you can have a week in Maui and not feel stretched at all.

One of the negatives of F. Polynesia is that its currency is pegged to the euro, which means that your dollar won't go as far as it used to a couple years ago. Add the currency situation to the already extreme high costs on Moorea... I don't know, but I doubt you'd find accommodations you'd consider suitable for a honeymoon on your budget. Check Club Med Bora Bora though. If it fits in your budget, go for it.

..I was afraid that there's so much to do in Maui that I won't be able to relax..

There are some who think that those who busy themselves with trying to "experience" everything a south Pacific island has to offer, don't really experience much at all. ;-)

Knowing Moorea very well and Maui too, I would go to Tahiti hands down over Maui any day but being on a $5K budget is tough but can be done and I have done it several times and ate and drank very well..
Moorea is the most scenic and lots to do..
Air Tahiti Nui has great packages from LAX or NY.
You can take the ferry from Tahiti over to Moorea and I am a big fan of the Sofitel Ia Ora..has the most stunning beach.
There is a small version of Costco to the left of the ferry dock and that is where we get our Hinano beer and other snacks..
I love Hawaii but it just can't compete with French Polynesia.
Have fun.

My husband and I had sort of this same discussion in planning a 25th anniversary trip.

We've decided against FP simply because we can get more for our dollar if we decide to go to Maui, not to mention the additional travel time. I don't know from where you would be traveling, but we would be traveling from the east coast.

As to your concerns about being SO MUCH to do in Maui, I wouldn't give it a second thought. I'm usually the kind of person that feels the need to see everything and do everything, but found the true essence of Maui, was not so much in doing everything, but in taking the time to enjoy the things you do get to do and see. You pretty much have to go knowing ahead of time that there's no way to see and do everything in one visit unless you are going for an exended period of time.

Consider spending at least part, if not, all of your time in the Hana area.

if you want a memorable exotic and romantic experience go for tahiti. if you cant live without seeing mcdonalds, pizza hut, taco bell, and wendys restaurants scattered around every block for your convenience, then do americanized hawaii.

Having been to both - FP (Moorea or Bora Bora) wins hands down in my mind for beauty, its exotic flavor, relaxation and any water-based activity outside of surfing. Negative - FP will be much more expensive.

Hawaii (Kauai specifically) wins in my mind for surfing, hiking, four-wheeling and waterfalls - which seem to be high on your list. It'll also save you a few pennies. Negative - Hawaii is much more americanized - whether you see that as a negative or not.

We've been to Tahiti twice--and both times were blown away by it--especially Bora Bora. We also own a condo in Kauai and are blown away by it every time we get a chance to be there. Maui? Not so much. Give Kauai a try--you won't be disappointed--especially in the North Shore area. But I'd pick Bora Bora over everything--it's your honeymoon--go for it!

Well, yes, Hawaii is "Americanized." It's a state!

This link might be useful to you.

http://www.pacific-resorts.com/tahiti/index.html

It has the hotels in FP broken down by price category so you can see what you are getting for your money.

Throw in my two cents here. How much of your honeymoon do you want to spend sitting and worrying about how much it cost? I can't help as far as comparing the two as I'm still waiting on TahitiTams to adopt me or at least have pity for me and take me to FP. I do feel Hawaii still has much to offer and you may get more for your money on Kauai. Don't rule out doing a fly and drive or even spending a night on one of the other islands as fares are still low on interisland flights.

Here's a new trip report you might be interested in:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=35015071

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Congratulations!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think at this point we're leaning towards Hawaii. We would love to go to FP and hope to later in life. It just seems like Hawaii will be more affordable for us and we won't be stressing about money as much. Thanks again.

Aloha jamayda!
Great choice for you and your fiance.
Anywhere in Hawaii is stunning and close to FP is Kauai..next best thing.
I wish you all the best and Tahiti will be there for you when you are ready...it's no vacation if you are worrying about money.

hulajake..I will adopt you no matter what..you are one cool dude!