Bora Bora Trip Cost: Flights, Food & Hotels

Often touted as the jewel in Tahiti's crown, Bora Bora comes close to being the perfect paradise. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and sunny climate makes it a dream destination for adventurous tourists. Before packing your bag for a dream vacation, you'll need to know what the trip will cost you.

The average cost of a 7-day trip to Bora Bora is about $3,202 for a solo traveler. That leaves us at about $458 per day when you decide to travel alone. This amount includes food, local transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, and other related travel expenses and is calculated based on the expenses of previous visitors. 

The paradise island, located in the South Pacific, may be relatively expensive to visit, but it offers tourists so much to see and do during any visit. The rest of this article will cover everything you should know about the cost of visiting Bora Bora.

Average Cost Of A Trip To Bora Bora

While calculating the cost of your Bora Bora trip, one important point is the difference between average travel costs and daily travel expenses. The average cost includes flight tickets, intercity travel, accommodations, etc. 

That said, the average cost of a 7-day trip to Bora Bora ranges between $3,111 and $3,215 per person. Couples will spend between $791 to $830 per day, and a family of four will spend about $1531 per day during their trip to Bora Bora. Bear in mind that these figures can go slightly up or down depending on traveling time and spending habits. 

Only four planes touch down at Bora Bora airport daily, each carrying a maximum of 70 people. As expected, international flights to Bora Bora are slightly on the high side, with international flights averaging between $497 to $1,372, depending on where you're flying from.

Bora Bora costs between $50 and $2,500 per night. Food, sightseeing, intra-city transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses make up the remainder of your costs. 

Average Daily Expenses in Bora Bora

While planning your Bora Bora trip, you'll need to set a significant part of your budget for daily expenses. However, your daily expenses will largely depend on how you choose to live. We've reviewed the daily expenses of several past visitors to Bora Bora. Thus, we can categorically say that low spenders will spend between $41 to $90 per day. 

Mid-range spenders can expect to spend between $91 and $211 daily, while high spenders will spend anything above these figures per day. That's not to say you can't travel on a budget. However, you'll need to draft your budget beforehand and decide the spending level you want to maintain throughout your trip. Divide your total budget by the number of days you intend to stay to know how much you should spend each day. 

Don't forget that these figures do not include major purchases, flight tickets, and other significant expenditures. So, if you intend to spend big on any other thing, you must make provisions for it in your budget.

Related Read: The 15 Best All-Inclusive Bora Bora Resorts

Best Time To Visit Bora Bora On A Budget 

With warm weather all around the year and the numerous beautiful sights in Bora Bora, there's no bad time to visit this exciting island. However, like every other attractive location, Bora Bora has its low season, and you may want to plan when it's best to visit based on your budget. 

If you plan to visit the island between December and March, you can expect your travel expenses to drop significantly. However, it also means you'll need to cope with more rain and mosquitoes. Low travel season begins around early November and runs through the end of March. 

If you intend to visit during the high season, you better wait till the beginning of May. The high season generally runs from May to October. While vacations are typically enjoyable during this time, it means significantly more cost. 

If you're on a budget but still want to enjoy your travel experience, we recommend planning your visit during the shoulder seasons. These seasons include October ending/November beginning and late March/early April.

Basic Expenses During A Bora Bora Trip

While the above-quoted cost of a Bora Bora trip may seem vague, several factors contribute to make up the cost. A detailed understanding of the factors will help you prepare a better budget and allocate funds where needed. Here are some of the most common items that make up a Bora Bora trip. 

1. Flight Tickets 

As always, flight tickets are among the most significant parts of your vacation expenses. However, the actual cost depends on where you're flying from, so it'll be difficult to quote any particular amount.

However, irrespective of where you're flying from, your trip to Bora Bora will either be in 2 or 3 stages. The last stage involves moving from Faa'a International Airport, located in Papeete (Tahiti), to Bora Bora Airport. Although this flight lasts about $30 mins, travelers still have to cough out about $200 for it.

Perhaps the reason for the high cost of this flight is the monopoly that the local operator (Air Tahiti) has on air travel to all Tahitian islands.

2. Accommodation 

You probably already know that accommodation takes up most of your expenses while traveling to Bora Bora. The island is committed to tourism, so there's no shortage of accommodation options available. 

Available options range from 5-star resorts to guest houses and rented apartments. The 5-star resorts are typically located on the Motus, off the main island.

The resorts are always exceptional, reflecting their relatively high prices. Most operators of the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora will charge between $921 and $3,210 for a night's stay. 

Check out the different prices for overwater bungalows with cozycozy, the accommodation search engine that helps you compare all the available options.

It's okay if you can't afford these resorts or choose to opt for a cheaper option. The main island offers an assortment of guesthouses and rented accommodations. These options bring the price per night down to as low as $176 per night for lone travelers and $280 for couples. However, choosing these cheaper alternatives means you'll need to provide your transportation.

Related Read: Do You Tip at All-Inclusive Resorts?

3. Local Cuisine

Here's some good news for food lovers - Bora Bora has an exciting food culture. So, whether you're a restaurant fan or prefer to explore local cuisines, the available options will surprise you. But so will food prices too. 

As usual, foods cost more in resorts and expensive restaurants, with an entrée plus appetizer going for as high as $160 per person. A cocktail or burger in these classes of restaurants will also cost around $38.

Don't worry if you're not ready to spend that much on food. Many local grocery stores also sell cheap, fresh, and tasty foods. Food prices in these places range from $8 to $20.

Sea foods are popular choices in Bora Bora, so seafood lovers will have the time of their lives during this visit. It's also important to point out that breakfasts are usually the cheapest meals in Bora Bora.

4. Transportation 

Although quite small, Bora Bora features so many exciting locations. What's an island vacation if you can't see all it offers? So, you'll want to include transportation expenses while preparing your travel budget.

Fortunately, there are so many options as far as intra-city transit is concerned. Here's a brief review of what you're expected to pay for each.

• Taxi: Taxis are among the most popular transport means in Bora Bora. But the limited availability of taxi companies means that rides are usually pricey, especially if you're moving after 7 PM. Taxis can take you anywhere in Bora Bora at an average price of between $15 - $25, depending on time and distance. 

• Public transport: Another popular opinion for locals and visitors. Public transport services are called le Truck and run in conjunction with school and ferry hours. Unfortunately, this service has a reputation for being irregular, and not even locals can tell when it'll be available and when it won't. However, it's the cheapest option for both long and short-distance movements. 

• Renting a car or scooter: As an adventurous traveler who enjoys exploring on your own, car and motorbike rentals are the top choice for you. However, car rentals are typically expensive and will cost you between $56 to $224 per day. We only recommend this option when you're traveling as a group or with your family. 

• Bike: Most travelers consider two-wheelers as their favorite means of intra-city transportation. It's cheap, accessible, and can cover almost all the important areas in Bora Bora. You can also travel with it at your own pace, giving you the flexibility you'd love throughout your travel. Bike rentals cost between $15 to $20 per day.

Related Read: Best Time To Visit Tahiti

How To Save Money On Your Bora Bora Trip

There's a reason Bora Bora is often considered a tourist's paradise. It's stunning, magical, peaceful, and everything you'll desire in a tourist location. But all these come with a price.

A vacation on the island is truly expensive; hence, the need to consider possible ways to save costs. Thankfully, there are a few tweaks here and there that can significantly bring down the cost. Here are some hacks you can try. 

1. Cash In On Travel Rewards 

Now's the time to join as many reward programs as possible. Many airlines and hotel chains offer reward programs so that you may accumulate points.

Most times, it's not even so difficult accumulating these points. You just have to fulfill specific tasks to qualify. It could be referring people to their website or by the number of times you've traveled in a year. Just make sure you're aware of these programs beforehand and use them.

2. Travel During Low Season

This one's a no-brainer for every traveler. Flight tickets to Bora Bora are generally cheaper during the off-season mentioned elsewhere in this article. So if your schedule is flexible, adjust so your travel dates fall during April, May, or November. Beyond transport expenses, tourist sites typically reduce entry fees during this time because of the low number of tourists. 

However, this reduction may come at the expense of the total tourism experience. The shoulder months are the best balance between low prices and a good tourism experience. 

3. Count Your Calories & Pennies

Bora Bora has a fascinating food culture, and we understand your desire to jump into the available varieties. And that makes food a major budget breaker, especially considering its high cost.

Three square meals on a mid to high-end resort can cost a few hundred dollars. That's probably a huge chunk from your budget. To save on food costs:

• Pack your favorite snacks along with your bags
• Eat more during breakfast since breakfasts are generally cheaper
• Draft a meal plan and stick to it
• Consider cooking some of your meals.

4. Book in Advance

Whether it's flight tickets, accommodation, or tours, booking in advance reduces costs and makes the experience more affordable. Once you've set a date for your travel, consider booking for most of the things you'll need and do.

Thankfully, most bookings can be made online, making the whole process easier for you. Discounted figures may not be too much, but a few here and there will matter to your budget.

5. Walk When Possible 

Bora Bora is a relatively small island, with almost all the tourist sites interconnected. So, it's easy to walk to certain places. You don't necessarily have to walk through all your movements. It's okay to walk sometimes and use other means other times. Just make sure you're not overdoing any.