Babysitters -- The hotels can arrange for English-speaking babysitters, or you can contact Robin Teraitepo at Chez Ben's (tel. 67.74.54).
Bookstores & Newsstands -- La Maison de la Press, across the main road from the Vaitape small boat harbor (tel. 60.57.75), carries the International Herald Tribune and USA Today, though not today's edition. It also sells film, camera batteries, and prepaid SIM cards for your cellphone.
Camera & Film -- Jeanluc Photo Shop, at the Vaitape harbor (tel. 72.01.23), offers professional photo services and overnight processing of color print film.
Currency Exchange -- Banque de Tahiti, Banque Socredo, and Banque de Polynésie have branches with ATMs in Vaitape.
Drugstores -- Pharmacie de Bora Bora, north of the small boat harbor in Vaitape (tel. 67.70.30), is open Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and 2:30 to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to noon and 5 to 6pm, and Sunday and holidays from 9 to 11am.
Emergencies & Police -- The emergency police phone number is tel. 17. The gendarmerie (tel. 67.70.58) is opposite the Vaitape harbor.
Healthcare -- The island's infirmary is in Vaitape (tel. 67.70.77), as is Dr. Azad Roussanaly (tel. 67.77.95).
Internet Access -- Aloe Cafe, in the Centre Commercial Le Pahia just north of the Vaitape wharf (tel. 67.78.88), has a computer terminal with Skype, which costs about 40CFP (US50¢/25p) per minute of online time.
Mail -- The Vaitape post office is open Monday from 8am to 3pm, Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am to 3pm, and Saturday from 8 to 10am.
Restrooms -- The wharf at Vaitape has public restrooms, in the small octagonal building on the wharf itself and in a small white building to the north of the visitor and handicrafts centers. It can be a long wait for a shuttle boat back to your resort, so take preventive action as necessary.
Taxes -- Bora Bora's municipal government adds 100CFP to 150CFP (US$1.25-US$1.90/65p-95p) per night to your hotel bill.
Visitor Information -- The Bora Bora Comité du Tourisme, B.P. 144, Vaitape, Bora Bora (tel. 67.76.36; info-bora-bora@mail.pf), has a visitor center in the large building on the north side of the Vaitape wharf. Open Monday to Friday, and on cruise-ship days, from 9am to 4pm.
Water -- Bora Bora has a huge desalinization plant, so the tap water is safe to drink. Most local residents still drink bottled water, available at all groceries.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
