Papeete, French Polynesia's capital, is situated on the island of Tahiti and is home to the government offices and the centre of the island's commerce. The country's international airport, Faa'a, is located 6 miles from downtown Papeete and is the only airport in French Polynesia with direct flights to the outside world. All the domestic flights to the outer islands operate from Faa'a.

While the island's official languages are Tahitian and French, english is spoken throughout the islands. Shops open early at about 7.30am and close around 5.30pm (noon on Saturdays) but the Tahitians always enjoy a long lunch break, sometimes from 11am to 2pm. A unique way of seeing Papeete is to journey on 'le Truck', Tahiti's public bus service. The destination is posted on the top of the bus, which always begins and ends its round trips at the public market in the centre of the capital.