The small island of Bora Bora is just 6 miles long and more than 2 miles wide. It is a very desired destination and overflows with beauty. Dormant volcanoes rise up at its center and fan out into lush jungle before spilling into an aquamarine lagoon. Many people whom return from their Bora Bora vacation claim that it is the most beautiful island in the world. The 18th-century British explorer James Cook actually coined it as the “pearl of the Pacific.” The very definition of a tropical getaway, blissful Bora Bora abounds with luxurious resorts, sunny skies, warm waters and friendly locals.
The main industry on this petite island in French Polynesia and its swarm of tiny motu is tourism. The activities are endless as you can snorkel, explore Vaitape (Bora Bora’s quaint town), hike Mount Otemanu or just lay around and enjoy the beauty. But there’s a catch: Bora Bora is a vacation spot that many travelers long to visit. In short, visit Bora Bora for natural beauty, visit for utter relaxation and visit if you have the money. The main languages in Bora Bora are French and Tahitian, but you’ll find that many people also speak English, especially resort employees. Bora Borans move at a relaxed pace. They have a life philosophy called “`Aita pea pea,” which means “not to worry.” Try to go with the flow and enjoy life at a slower clip.
Protestant missionaries, who came to the island in the 19th century, have heavily influenced the religion in Bora Bora: Christianity continues to play a major role in the island’s culture. If you’re interested, you might stop into the Église Protestante Maohi (Maohi Protestant Church), which has roots dating back to the late 1700s. Since 1946, French Polynesia has been an overseas territory of France. But French Polynesia has a lot of autonomy, which you’ll see in everything from their currency to taxation. The official currency of Bora Bora is the French Pacific franc (CPF). One dollar is equivalent to approximately 108 CPF.