5 Best Budget-friendly Places TO Stay On Bora Bora
When people think of Bora Bora, most think about.. well.. lots and lots of money. It’s expensive to visit this island paradise, isn’t it?
The truth is, it doesn’t HAVE to cost an arm and a leg. It just depends on how you plan your trip and what you prioritize.
After spending 3.5 months in French Polynesia, we’ve done it all: luxurious overwater bungalows and budget-friendly guesthouses.
So now we’re letting you in on the details. Can you make Bora Bora work on a tight budget? The answer might surprise you!
Budget-Friendly Stays In Bora BOra
Choosing where to stay in Bora Bora is crucial since your overall experience will heavily depend on which resort you choose and its location.
Here are a few places we think you’ll love, and at a fraction of the price of most resorts on Bora Bora.
1. Maitai Bora Bora – $$$
I want to be very clear that this is NOT the cheapest accommodation option in Bora Bora. Not even close.
But I wanted to highlight it because it’s the cheapest overwater bungalow option on the island, and I know a lot of people are looking for that experience.
While other resorts charge thousands of dollars per night for an overwater bungalow experience, Maitai Bora Bora is a fraction of the cost.
Obviously, you get what you pay for, so this is certainly not the most luxurious accommodation option. But if you’re itching to get in one of those overwater bungalows on a “budget, this is it!
2. Anaiva Lodge Bora – $$
Typical price per night: $190
While spending a month in Bora Bora, we wanted to make sure we stayed on the main island for at least a portion of our trip. So, we stayed for a few nights at Anaiva Lodge Bora.
It’s super close to Vaitape (the main town) and had excellent reviews across the board.
As we mentioned, we didn’t find the main island quite as beautiful as the motus, but if you want to save a little money and stay at the heart of Bora Bora, this homestay is an excellent choice.
We paid a little less than $200/night, and it has everything you could ask for in a basic guest house, including free drinking water and A/C (a non-negotiable in French Polynesia).
The hosts at Aniava Lodge are wonderful, too. They’re SUPER accommodating, willing to help us wherever needed, and even offered free transportation to and from the dock. The host checked on us multiple times during our stay to ensure nothing was missed!
Some of the negatives of staying here were the basic amenities, slow wifi, and bugs, but these are all things that are difficult to avoid in Bora Bora unless you’re willing to shell out $600-1000/night.
Room Recommendation: Apartment with Mountain View
We stayed in the Apartment with a Mountain view, which is the best room on the property. It has a private hot tub in the backyard with a fantastic view of Mont Mata Pupu.
💡Pro Tip: If you stay here, you will need a car or transportation. But I would say that for anywhere on the main island. They offer bikes, but nowhere is close enough to bike comfortably.
There’s also a full kitchen with a stove, oven, fridge, and microwave. This is perfect for people trying to save visit Bora Bora on a budget by cooking some of their own meals and saving the great restaurants for a treat.
Chin Lee Supermarket is right down the street if you need a reasonably priced grocery store with a good selection!
3. Matira Beach House
Typical price per night: $469 (sleeps six, meaning it could cost as little ast $156 per couple, or $78 per person per night)
This is one of my personal favorites, and truthfully, we haven’t even gotten to stay here yet.
Why have I been eyeing it like a hawk ever since I’ve discovered it?
Because Matira Beach House is a REALLY great option for those who are traveling with a group and want something a bit more upscale.
This is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a gorgeous outdoor patio that overlooks the ocean.
You’ll also find a full kitchen, perfect for making meals and keeping costs relatively low while visiting the island.
Spend your days snorkeling just steps from your doorstep, and when the sun gets too hot, cool off inside with the refreshing air conditioning.
Room Recommendation
With Matira Beach House, you will rent the entire unit.
Since it’s a 3-bedroom vacation home, consider inviting two other couples to join you and split the cost.
4. Lokai House
Typical price per night: $127+
Lokai House is another budget-friendly yet comfortable option on Bora Bora’s main island. It’s more of a vacation home, so you’ll book the entire place for yourself.
And the best part? It can sleep up to FOUR people.
That means you can bring some friends and split the cost for an even more affordable place to stay during your holiday.
Its proximity to Vaitape and the main dock in Bora Bora makes it an ideal base for exploring the island, too. You can easily reach restaurants nearby, like Bora Bora Beach Club.
Given its location on the main island, we highly recommend renting a car if you stay here.
Room Recommendation
Lokai House is more of a private vacation home that comes with a private pool, offering a serene retreat after a day exploring the islands.
Similar to the Anaiva Lodge, it has a full kitchen where you can cook your own meals and a lovely garden with a view of the mountains.
5. laroots Bora Bora Camp – $
Typical price per night: $27
This is another accommodation option that I’ve heard great things about, but haven’t stayed personally.
Alaroots Bora Bora Camp is exactly how it sounds… it is literally camping on the beach. And I get it; camping might not be EVERYONE’S cup of tea, but we’re talking about Bora Bora for crying out loud!
And what’s better is everything that’s included with this stay. You’ll have access to a full kitchen (shared), a lounge area with nightly entertainment, free wifi, and the best part… a private beach area specifically for guests of Alaroots.
Room Recommendation
Choose between the following options:
How To Get Around Bora Bora
As you’re planning your trip, you’ll likely want to know how you’re going to get around this island, right?
Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as most people think. There are two approaches to this depending on where you decide to stay.
How to Get Around The Main Island
If you stay on the main island, you’ll need transportation to get to restaurants, beaches, shops, etc.
Start by asking your accommodation hosts for their recommendations on getting around the island. Many offer their own private options, like airport pickups or rides to nearby attractions for a fee, which can be super convenient.
You can also rent a car or a motorbike to get around the island.
We rented our motorbike through MRC Rent Bora Bora and it was about $46 USD per day. This included two helmets. Reach out to them via Facebook here!
How To Get Around Bora Bora’s Motus
If you’re staying at a private resort on one of Bora Bora’s motus, keep in mind you’ll mostly be limited to that area. Reaching the main island requires a boat ride, which your resort can arrange, though it’s not always the most convenient option.
Most resorts are quite large, but many offer golf cart rides to help you get around more easily within the property.
Cost of Getting To Bora Bora
Typical cost for roundtrip airfare (from Los Angeles, USA): $1,000 – $2,300 roundtrip
To get to Bora Bora, you must first fly into the island of Tahiti.
If you’re flying from the USA, you can catch a direct flight from Los Angeles, which was really surprising to us the first time we went.
Your roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti (Papeete) will cost anywhere from $750 to $1,500 depending on the time of year.
Here are some examples I found on Google Flights:
December 2024 to January 2025
February 2025 to March 2025
A flight sample for March 4th to March 15th, 2025
When I first saw the price of these flights, I was floored. I assumed it would cost a LOT more to fly there.
But here’s the thing…
Once you get to Tahiti, you must then fly over to Bora Bora. This is where prices start to increase.
Expect flights from Tahiti to Bora Bora to cost anywhere from $200 to $800+ roundtrip depending on the season and when you decide to book.
We’ve found that the best time to book your flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora is 2-3 months in advance.
As I mentioned, your flight from Los Angeles will land in Tahiti first, and here’s the catch…
Most travelers end up spending at least one night in Tahiti before catching a short flight to Bora Bora the next day.
Why does this matter?
Because this layover isn’t just a time commitment, it’s also an unexpected expense. Whether it’s booking a hotel in Tahiti, grabbing a meal, or just arranging transportation, it all adds up.
Where To Stay In Tahiti
If you do end up spending the night in Tahiti before going to Bora Bora, I can confidently recommend a few hotels and vacation homes that we’ve stayed in and loved:
FAQs
Planning a trip to Bora Bora is a big project, so we wanted to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions we get as Bora Bora travel experts!
Can you walk everywhere in Bora Bora?
While Bora Bora is a small, safe island, you won’t be able to walk everywhere. If you’re staying on the main island, you should rent a car or motorbike, and if you are on the motus, you’ll need a boat to get to other resorts or the main island.
How many days should you spend in Bora Bora?
You should spend about 5 to 7 days in Bora Bora for the optimal experience. This allows enough time to relax, explore the island, enjoy water activities, and experience the unique culture without feeling rushed.
A final note & Read Next
While it’s understandable to think that Bora Bora is only for the ultra-wealthy, I hope I showed you a different side of Bora Bora that’s a lot easier on the pocketbook.
For more Bora Bora content, check out my posts here:
