Why honeymooning in Bora Bora is the best option for romance

One of the most exotic and romantic destinations in the world still remain as Bora Bora, French Polynesia. It is a mystical and spiritual place where breathtaking mountains jet up from the turquoise waters and private over-water bungalows dot the landscape. It's a destination where your wedding engines can immediately switch from 5th gear to 1st gear as you coast through the slow-pace sights and sounds of of it's laid-back and relaxing island lifestyle. It's no wonder why so many honeymooners choose this unique destination to wash away all of their wedding stresses. 

The French Polynesia is only a 8.5 hours away from Los Angeles and after a couple of movies and dinner, you're already there. 

Not only does the warmth of the tropics welcome you upon arrival, so does the hospitality of the locals. Immediately you're embraced with Polynesian dancers and ukulele-playing singers.  If you pre-book airport transfers, you may be surprised with a fragrant flower lei, before heading off on your journey into paradise.

ISLAND OF TAHITI - This island is the hub of activity, shopping and nightlife and is your first point of embarkation into French Polynesia. It's great to spend a night or two here before traveling onto the outer and more peaceful islands. If you stay right downtown, you can walk to the market and other shopping straight from your hotel. Remember to keep your eyes open for the infamous 'Black Pearls' which can only be found in and around these islands and always makes a perfect post-wedding honeymoon gift. If you'd rather be outside of the hustle and bustle, there are other oasis-like resorts on Tahiti as well where you can even stay in over-water bungalows such as seen at the Intercontinental Tahiti. 

ISLAND OR MOOREA - You can see the greenery and mountainous landscape of Moorea across the azul sea from Tahiti so with your adventurous spirit packed and a bottle of water, it's easy to just jump onto a ferry to get there. As soon as you arrive, you will feel you have just entered a new world. It's a very laid-back island with roosters, chickens and cows roaming free and the vibrant emerald landscapes and colorful huts dotted along the one road that circles the island is breathtaking. Here you can snorkel or dive to your hearts content, and even commemorate your new marriage by getting a traditional tattoo - right here where tattoos where invented thousands of years ago. 

ISLAND OF BORA BORA - To get to Bora Bora you will need to jump onto a propeller plane for a short island hop from Tahiti. Through your tiny oval window you will see the clearest water and most majestic landscape you have ever seen. The plane will land on a private motu, which is like an island but is actually on the rim of a sunk-in old volcano. The rim continues around in a broken circle around the whole island of Bora Bora, where the towns are centrally located. Here, on the motus, are where most of the over-water bunglows are located. From the airport there is no way else to get to your island resort or into town other than by water-taxi or private boat transfers by the hotel, unless of course, you prefer to helicopter.

5-STAR BORA BORA HOTELS - If you are wanting to arrive in style and be spoiled in total 5-star luxury, then the well-appointed Four Seasons Bora Bora or the St. Regis Bora Bora would make for the perfect humble abode.

4-STAR BORA BORA HOTELS - The most popular sellers in Bora Bora would be the Intercontinental Thalasso Resorts and Spa, Intercontinental Le Moana, Le Taha'a, Le Meridien, and Bora Bora Pearl. 

3-STAR PLUS BORA BORA HOTELS - For the most affordable yet beautiful retreats, you may consider Sofitel Marara Bora Bora or Hilton Bora Bora.

ISLAND OF RANGIROA - Although all of French Polynesia is a divers paradise, if you're really wanting to get into it and experience some of the best diving of your life, than a visit to the Island of Rangiroa is a must. A resort stay at the quaint Hotel Kia Oro Resort and Spa acts as the perfect home away from home, while you explore all of what the world under the water has to offer. Here, you have the opportunity to dive with wild dolphins right outside of the reef, eight foot lemon sharks along the reef, and giant manta-rays who gracefully swoop right over your heads right in the lagoon. It's an experience not to be missed.

Remember that summers in the French Polynesia are North America's winter and visa versa, but they tend to average around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. For those who are more concerned about the weather, it is said that September to May is least windy and April to October are the driest months but who are we kidding, every day in Bora Bora is paradise.

Besides of all of the awe and romance to be had, the other advantage of traveling to Bora Bora on your honeymoon is that if you are traveling within six months of your wedding date and can show proof of a copy of your marriage certificate, you will save on average 10-20% off of the typical trip to Bora Bora so let your quoting agent know in advance. 

Prices depend greatly on when you travel, how far in advance you book, how long you go for, what room categories you book in and what islands you choose to visit. The average airfare from Los Angeles will be about $1700 including tax per person. The average over-water bungalow is $1,300 per night but you have the option to spread this out by booking a beachfront bungalow at a lower room rate average of $500 per night, then spending your last nights in an over-water and/or breaking out the trip with some nights in Tahiti and Moorea where the average room night is about $300 or $700 for an over-water bungalow. The flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora is about $500 round-trip. So with all of your airport transfers, a 6-night 3-island package with your last 2 nights in an over-water bungalow will be about $4500 per person with flights from Los Angeles. The best kind of trip however is where you can stay longer and really relax and immerse yourself into the lifestyle experience more of the islands and over-water bungalows. In this case, try to budget around $8-$10,000 per person.  

For most newlyweds, it's been a difficult struggle with all of the plans of the wedding and taking care of all of the guests and now that all of the details are done you're ready for happily wedded bliss, now is the time to relax, enjoy and reconnect. It's what a honeymoon is all about. 

If you, or someone you know, are thinking about planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway to Bora Bora, the best advice is to contact a Certified Honeymoon Specialist and Certified Tahiti Specialist - which are both available at Romantic Planet Vacations in Canada. They have been specializing in honeymoons and destination weddings since 2004 and have visiting the islands of French Polynesia and most hotels. 

For your Bora Bora quote, please fill out the free Honeymoon Quote Form at http://www.romanticplanet.ca/honeymoonquote.html and one of their Specialists will get back to you shortly. 

Laurie Keith
President
Romantic Planet Vacations
www.romanticplanet.ca