My feelings for this place is pretty much neutral. I did not love this place and I did not hate it. If you are looking for a budget or a camp like accommodation, this place may work for you. The reason why I thought it was like camping was because of the communal showers, remote location and bugs in our room. We stayed three nights in a tree house and it was the cutest thing I have ever seen. It was perched up three meters on a tree and was located on the beach. This beach is not your dreamy white sand Tahitian beach. It wasn’t swimmable as there were lots of algae and seaweed. The locals were in the water everyday, but we were grossed out and never step foot into the water. I was really disappointed with the beach.
The view of the sunrise and sunsets were amazing. Our mornings were a bit annoying as roosters and birds were chirping away nonstop - makes you want to shoot them. Nights can be a bit hot and stuffy, but we had a fan so it was fine. The nights were infested with mosquitoes, moths and geckos. I was well prepared and bought my own insect repellent and incense. It was a good thing they had a mosquito neat for the bed, I would have never survived the nights without it.
There is nothing to do around this area unless you have a car or a scooter. There is a restaurant near by and the food was flavorless and expensive. I would not recommend going there.
We took the bus from the ferry to the pension. It was pretty straight forward as you just tell the driver where you are staying and he will tell you when to get off. No need to take a cab, the bus ride is cheap. However, when you leave the pension I would not recommend hoping on the bus again. I read some negative reviews about getting to the ferry and didn’t want to chance it. The bus did not have a schedule and I heard that it is unreliable. We rented a car on our last day and drove ourselves to the ferry the next morning. A car rental is expensive ($150USD/day) on this island, but worth it if you need a ride to the ferry. The owner offered to take us, but she was asking for a ridiculous amount of money. No thanks –we were better off renting a car for what she was charging.
Our stay in Tarariki Village was OK. The locals do not cater to customer service. Do not expect much and do not expect any service in Tahiti unless you are staying in a high end hotel. I made reservations one week over the phone. No one was on the property when we arrived. A friendly neighbor showed us around and we helped ourselves with the check in. It was said that the owner left town for the weekend. The owner spoke broken English over the phone so a situation like this did not surprise me at all.
Staying in this tree house was unique and was worth the experience. If you do not mind roughing it for a couple of nights, this pension would be a good choice. Just bear in mind that you do get what you pay for.
Hope this helps with your decision. Happy Travels.
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Date of stay: November 2008
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I loved Tarariki Village. The place is well kept and has everything you need. Its a pension not the 4 season! I was on a budget surf trip so this place fit the bill perfectly. The rooms/bungalows are really nice. This is where the locals go from Tahiti to spend a weekend on the beach so it may be booked full. I guarantee, you'll love sitting on the beach watching the sunset away from all the tourists you'll find at Le Petite Village, the Motus, and the northern coast.
Unlike the other reviewer, I found Takura and Guile to be very helpful providing me a schedule of buses to and from the ferry. The language barrier may be a problem (more so with Takura) if you don't speak French, so speak slowly and be patient and remember things happen slowly in Tahiti . . . even more so on Mo'orea. I assure you, your host at the Tarariki are honest and willing to help you however they can. The buses are really only good for going to and from the ferry (5-6 times a day), but that's about it. If you want to tour the island rent a scooter or a car. I was perfectly content to relax on the pension's beautiful beach and take the Kayaks (which are free) out for a paddle. The snorkeling is amazing as well, but you'll need to bring your own gear or borrow some.
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Date of stay: August 2008
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed 4 nights at Pension Tarariki and it was perfect for us. The bungalows are sweet with a private bathroom, we were provided with a mosquito net and incense to keep the bugs away. Breakfast was delicious.
Heyrami was brilliant, the minute we got there we were handed fresh coconut and he took us out kayaking and snorkelling on the lagoon (right in front of the bungalows).
The highlight of the trip was collecting clams for dinner with Heyrami in the lagoon who cooked the most delicious meal for us!
The common area was fantastic with a well equipped kitchen and the most beautiful sunsets playing cards.
The owners and Heyrami did everything they could to make us as comfortable as possible and I thank them very much for such a perfect stay in Moorea.
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Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have contacted Tekura, the young owner from Pension Tarariki to pick me up at the Moorea ferry dock. She never came to pick me up at the Moorea ferry dock. I had to find my way to get to Pension Tarariki after waiting 3-hours in the rain for the le truck to come.
Tekura charged me 2,000 polynesian francs without asking me if I wanted dinner first. She cooked the dinner and served it to me on the evening of my arrival. I was asked to pay cash for the dinner and 5-nights of room immediately when I had just arrived.
The next day, I waited for the bus to Le Petit Village but it never came and Tekura and her boyfriend lied that there was a bus every hour. After waiting for hours to come, I attempted to walk to Le Petit Village for 4 more hours and finally a bus came by.
At Petit Village, I found myself waiting 1.5 hours for the bus to my pension but it never came. I called Tekura from the pension and she said she will be at Le Petit Village to pick me up in 20 minutes, but I ended up waiting 3 more hours and she never showed up. She promised to pick me up and never did.
On my last day at Pension Tarariki, Tekura and her boyfriend said they don't have gas to drive me to the Moorea ferry dock. Again, they said that there is a bus every hour and said you have to find your own way to get to the ferry dock.
After reading about my bad experiences, I WARN ALL OF YOU NOT TO STAY HERE. THEY ONLY WANT YOUR MONEY AND ARE A BUNCH OF CROOKS WHO ARE SO SELFISH. They will say yes to you and turn their backs against you.
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Date of stay: July 2008
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
Business service (e.g., internet access)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is exactly what you're looking for when you're travelling on a budget: nice little bungalows, well-equipped kitchen and dining area, free breakfast and both a super friendly owner and manager. Raphael goes out of his way to help his guests with anything and Heirami takes care of the premises and is always up for a chat. Add to that free bikes, kayaks, snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddle board, what more can you ask for? A little store is right around the corner and you can rent a scooter for less than with the big companies. Fun fact: you even get to see beautiful sunsets every night, which the fancy Sofitel misses out on. Bottom line: would definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a fantastic stay at pension Tarariki. Of course, it's not a luxury hotel and you shouldn't expect a fancy environment, but the owner Raphael, his wife Maria are super super kind. The bungalow is basic but right on the beach, surrounded by flowers and trees. Breakfast is included (fresh baguette and croissants every morning, with delicious homemade local jams and juice). You can cook in the kitchen and spend lovely evenings in the common area. Plus, you can eat breakfast on the beach. If you are lucky you will have the chance to meet Heyrami, the real star at the pension: a professional danceur-story teller-a treasure chest of info. Dogs (and a cheeky cat) live in the nearby and are friendly. We would definitely come back.
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Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our first two nights on Moorea were spent at this sweet seaside Pension. The grounds are lush and the beach is but steps away from your bungalow. The garden bungalows (open air) are clean and well maintained.
Raphael sets up your continental breakfast in the communal kitchen which is kept very clean! This is important in the tropics where you want to minimize the amount of insects present. Raphael also provides a menu for dinner and it's quite a variety of items, available for a reasonable amount.
The bungalows do not have hot water but you're in the tropics so... if you want a hot shower there is a facility for that.
There are dogs on the property but they don't bother you. There is a cat named Pedro who might come after you for some attention.
Raphael has an attendant/security/jack of all trades on site and if you need anything, you can generally find him within a minute.
Raphael does take credit cards which is a big deal for a Pension in the islands. Most of them prefer wire transfer or cash, which can be problematic for some travellers.
Pension Tarariki has kayaks for free use, and bikes for hire. Raphael could also help arrange car or scooter rentals if needed. Give enough notice though please. Keep in mind it's a small island and things get snapped up quickly.
Such a relaxing place to go, and I'd recommend it to anybody!
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Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarariki Lodge's bungalows are sweet, clean and functional. The garden area around them is well kept and the little private beach in front of the pension is gorgeous. You can order good value food on site - definitely worth doing as the owner Raphael is an amazing chef! Special staff member mention goes to Heirami, who was incredibly helpful during our stay.
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Date of stay: February 2017
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So if you are as confused with the different reviews of this place I finally got the scoop on the place. Yes it’s the same as tarariki village. Yes it had a tree house and no it no longer has a tree house due to a storm. So this place has been owned by one person but ran and leases by three people over the years ( daughter, sons, Raphael) Hence you are getting conflicting reviews of service. Now it is run by the lovey Manuia and her partner Taviti (David) who have owned it for 20 years. Great bungalows (4) each has a double bed, toilet and cold shower and plenty of plugs. Good free WiFi in all the rooms and bikes for hire at 600 a day. Nice kitchen but only one mug:) and a cold fridge for your hinanos. There is one communal hot shower which is nice for people who go diving nor surfing all day. Manuia and taviti are super nice and you can arrange transfer from the ferry with them approx 1000 each way. The bus 300 sucks and if you are trying to skimp a few bucks don’t be in French Polynesia. Free kayaks and if you paddle 10 min you have a deep lagoon all to yourself to kayak. The beach in front is shallow so not a swim type of place. Now to be fair- it is on the quiet side of the island and ther is only one small but good market 10 min walk. The closest restaurant is a 30 min walk and aside from that everything else is quite far. So I would highly recommend renting a car or scooter. I rented a scooter from rent a bike and the dude dropped it off right at my hotel and picked up! To be honest I would much rather save money on the stay and be mobile than to be stuck. Moorea is big and this way you can have a quiet homebase away from the crowds and also enjoy all of Moorea. Definitely a place for surfers as Haapiti is within sight. Give a big hug for me and enjoy.
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The pension is simple but clean and the seaside is great. It is with regret that we will no longer come and advise this pension. Indeed, after several stays enjoying the calm of this pension, we were entitled to a heavily alcoholic property owner all weekend, invasive and aggressive with unacceptable behaviors towards her guests. Manuia kicked out our guests (for whom she had given her consent a few hours earlier) screaming at them and put us in a very awkward situation, the children were shocked by so much verbal violence and aggression. She didn’t even have the dignity or the courage to come to us to discuss this situation the next day. Despite all the kindness of her spouse Tavita who tried to calm the situation, we no longer feel safe in this pension.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Moorea area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
pension tarariki hotel moorea
LOCATION
French PolynesiaSociety IslandsMoorea
NUMBER OF ROOMS
137
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