Stores, Malls or Markets in Bora-Bora

What to buy: Of course you can buy T-shirts, caps, and all the usual tourist stuff in Bora Bora. Even black pearls, if you want, although I read in several sources that you should better do this in Tahiti because there is a kind of competition and a bigger selection. (But it is cheaper in the Cook Islands…)

All the rest can be bought on the other French Polynesian islands as well.

Although you get pareos (pareu, sarong, lavalava or however you want to call it) everywhere in the South Pacific, I found those in French Polynesia had the most unique design – and not just those designed in Gauguin style. But some with the Gauguin style design were so beautiful, you could put them in a frame like a silk painting and hang it on the wall.

This surely is not unique to Bora Bora – but I think they are stunning, not just depicting hibiscus and other tropical flowers.

You will surely get a better deal at the central market in Papeete – but I would go for anything that captivates me when I see it, or you might be disappointed if you do not find anything as nice on the other islands. If you can afford to holiday in French Polynesia you just have to have some spare dollars, euros or francs… ;-)

If you want to buy black pearls but are not a pearl expert, you might want to go to the Polynesian Bureau of Expertise (O.P.E.C.) which is located in Vaitape next to the Post Office. They do X-rays in front of your eyes to measure the nacre thickness, and they will give you a certificate of expertise and valuation.