ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required.
Visas are not required for stays up to one month. For further information
about entry requirements, travelers,
particularly those planning to enter by sea, may contact the French
Embassy at 4101 Reservoir Road, N.W, Washington, D.C. 20007, telephone
(202)
944-6200.
CRIME INFORMATION: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching,
occurs. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police, and the nearest U.S. embassy. Useful
information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal security
is available in
the Department of State pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad. It can be obtained
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402 or via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject
to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from
those in the United States and do not afford the protections available
to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be
more severe than
in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law,
even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for
possession,
use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and fines.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical treatment is generally good on the major
islands, but is limited in areas that are more remote or less populated.
Patients with
emergencies or with serious illnesses are often referred to facilities
on Tahiti for treatment. In Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, two major hospitals,
as well as
several private clinics, provide 24-hour medical service.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash
payments for health services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide
payment for medical services outside the United States. U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have
found that, in
some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage,
including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Helpful information on medical emergencies
abroad is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs'
brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available
via the Consular Affairs homepage at http://travel.state.gov and the autofax
service
at (202) 647-3000. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
international travelers hotline at telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747),
via the CDC autofax service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by
visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Civil aviation operations in French Polynesia
fall under the jurisdiction of French authorities. The U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of France's civil
aviation authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation
safety
standards for oversight of France's air carrier operations. For further
information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within
the U.S. at
1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some
foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services.
For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers
may contact the
Pentagon at (703) 697-7288.
ROAD SAFETY: While most major roads are paved, many secondary roads
are not. Traffic is brisk, and all types of vehicles and pedestrians jockey
for space
on narrow streets. Tourists should exercise caution when driving, particularly
at night.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: There is no U.S. Embassy nor diplomatic
post on Tahiti, nor on any of the other French Polynesian islands.
Assistance for U.S. citizens is provided by the U.S. Embassy in Suva,
Fiji, which is located at 31 Loftus Street, P.O. Box 218, in the capital
city of Suva,
telephone 679-314-466, fax 679-300-081.
Americans living in or visiting French Polynesia are encouraged to register
with the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, and to obtain up-to-date information
on travel
and security in French Polynesia. Given the distance between French
Polynesia and Fiji, the U.S. Embassy's ability to provide on-the-spot service
is limited.
*****
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 9, 1996,
to add a section on aviation safety oversight, and to update the sections
on entry
requirements, medical facilities and other health information. |
