Tahiti - Shopping

With a wide selection of Tahitian-made textiles, arts and crafts to choose from, no visitor can afford to go home without a souvenir. Take in some shopping at Le Marché, the Papeete Public Market, or at the various markets around the island, or pick up custom crafted items at a fair or festival.

Tahiti merchants carry an assortment of locally-produced goods, including tie-dye apparel, wood carvings and woven items such as hats, baskets and wreaths. Black Pearls are one of the most popular Tahitian keepsakes, and are widely available.

Curio Shops

Pick up some inexpensive knick-knacks at one of the islands curio shops. Some of these shops cater to tourists with their assortment of handicrafts, postcards, t-shirts and assorted bric-a-brac. The island's more upscale curio shops carry quality bags, shells, traditional dance costumes, wood carvings, woven goods and other indigenous merchandise.

Black Pearl Jewelers

The mysterious and beautiful black pearl is an important part of Tahiti folklore. Visitors can learn about the history of this legendary gem at various jewelry stores on the island of Papeete. Whether you're in the market for a reasonably affordable black pearl necklace, or a costly black pearl ring, Tahiti's jewelers have what you're looking for.

Tattoo Shops

Don't just take home a memento of your Tahiti visit - wear it. Tahitian tattoo parlors specialize in Polynesian-style designs featuring ornate geometric designs, palms, animals, birds and other tropical imagery.

The Market (Le Marché)

At the Papeete open-air market, you will find the works! On the downstairs level there is meat, produce, the freshest in fish, pineapples, flowers, plants, pastries and over a dozen banana varieties. Upstairs are pareos in every color of the rainbow, post cards, a restaurant and various gift shops filled with souvenirs. On both levels there are shells, straw bags, Tahitian soaps, Monoi oil, wood carvings, ukuleles, and local vanilla beans. Around the outside perimeter of The Market, you will find local textiles hand crafted into table cloths, quilts (called tifaifai) and pillows. Here, you will also see Tahitians making fragrant fresh leis (flower necklaces) and heis (flower crowns). If you need a mid-day refreshment buy a coconut and they will cut the top open for you and drop a straw into it. Now you know you are in Tahiti!

The Market is open everyday from 5am to 6pm.

Le Marche History

In 1850, the Papeete Market originally started by selling fish, fruits, vegetables and poultry. In 1869 it moved to its current location. In 1927, The Market was replaced by a metal structure and by 1960 grew to over half and acre. Then in 1987, The Market space was tripled to meet the needs of over 500,000 local and international visitors it attracts annually.

The Market is open Monday - Saturday from 5am to 6pm and Sunday from 5am to 9am.