Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Moorea: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
In Moorea, plan to use ATMs for most of your spending. Budget XPF 8,000-12,000 daily depending on tours and meals. Airport counters are only good for emergencies or small sums. ATMs from Banque de Tahiti or Banque de Polynésie give fairer rates and are easy to find in main towns. Always withdraw in CFP francs and avoid paying in USD directly, as the rate will be worse.
The exchange counter in Tahiti was overpriced. I swapped $200 there and later realized I’d lost enough to cover a nice lagoon excursion in Moorea. That felt frustrating, especially since I was budgeting XPF 10,000-12,000 per day. ATMs gave me a far stronger conversion, even after fees. If you’re heading to French Polynesia, don’t rely on the airport counters - they eat into your budget right away.
I changed $50 at Tahiti Airport before heading to Moorea, and the rate was poor. Later, I withdrew from a Banque de Polynésie ATM on the island and got many more francs. Meals on Moorea cost me about XPF 2,500-3,000, and excursions were around XPF 8,000, so every bit of savings counted. I was spending about XPF 10,000 daily, and the ATM rate was clearly better than the counter.
In Moorea, ATMs provide better rates than airport exchange counters. Since the island uses CFP francs, withdrawing directly from Banque de Tahiti or Banque de Polynésie ATMs gives you closer to market rates. Airport desks in Tahiti or Moorea charge higher margins. If you’re budgeting XPF 8,000-12,000 daily for meals, ferries, and excursions like lagoon tours or shark feeding, ATMs are more cost-effective. Exchange only a little at the airport for immediate transport.