No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2025-12-10T13:36:20Z
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.5 districts
Is Papeete safe? 🇵🇫
French Polynesia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Papeete scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Papeete is safe for visitors, with only low petty‑crime risks and no major safety incidents reported recently. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Papeete 🇵🇫
French Polynesia · Assessed 28 July 2026
85
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~92% of countries
What drives this score
Crime83/100GoodHomicide 0.4 / 100k
Sentiment84/100GoodCaution
Advisories100Good
Stability78Good
Health97Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for French Polynesia: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
78 / 100 (Caution)
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
26k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
99
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare in Papeete; isolated incidents have not been reported in the last year
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is most common in the central market, ferry docks and busy streets after dark
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Caution
84/100
Reported feel78Caution
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling generally safe but note occasional petty‑theft attempts in crowded spots
Yes — Papeete is safe for visitors, with only low petty‑crime risks and no major safety incidents reported recently.
Papeete enjoys a high safety score (78/100, Caution band) and is rated safe by multiple sources; violent crime is rare, but pickpocketing and occasional scams occur in busy markets and ferry docks.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026A violent onboard passenger assault on a Qantas flight diverted to Papeete, leading to a permanent travel ban for the passenger— Nomad Lawyer
- Jul 2025Record drug seizure announced by the French Polynesia overseas minister during an official visit— RFI
- May 2026Qantas flight diverted after a man bit a flight attendant, prompting a lifetime ban for the passenger— France 24
Common scams
- Fake or low‑value pearl sales at the market
- Overpriced taxi fares and unlicensed rides
- Currency exchange scams targeting tourists
Full briefing
Papeete is safe for travelers, but the data shows a moderate pickpocket risk in busy areas such as the central market, ferry docks and downtown streets after dark. Violent crime, including mugging or armed robbery, is rare; the most notable recent incident involved a passenger assault on a Qantas flight that was diverted to Papeete in June 2026 (Nomad Lawyer). Scams targeting tourists are documented, especially fake pearl sales, overpriced or unlicensed taxis, and currency‑exchange tricks around the market and ferry terminals.
To stay safe, keep valuables in a concealed pouch, use only licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share services, and agree on fares before departure. Avoid flashing cash or expensive jewelry in crowded spots, and be wary of unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true. If you encounter a demonstration, steer clear and monitor local media for updates. Finally, carry travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, as local facilities may require upfront payment for non‑EU visitors.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Papeete districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Papeete safety map.
Centre-VillecautionTourist hub with pickpocketing, petty theft, and occasional scams; stay alert, avoid flashing valuables
PaparacautionBusy market district; higher foot traffic increases petty crime risk, especially after dark
AruecautionNear airport and ferry terminals; occasional scams targeting tourists, stay vigilant
PiraesaferResidential area with low crime, but limited nightlife; generally safe for visitors
PunaauiasaferSuburban zone with good infrastructure and low violent crime; recommended for families
07 · After Dark
Is Papeete safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are rare in Papeete; isolated incidents have not been reported in the last year
After dark, be most careful around Centre-Ville, Papara, Arue. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Papeete safety FAQ (2026)
Is Papeete safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Papeete is safe for visitors, with only low petty‑crime risks and no major safety incidents reported recently. Papeete enjoys a high safety score (78/100, Caution band) and is rated safe by multiple sources; violent crime is rare, but pickpocketing and occasional scams occur in busy markets and ferry docks. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Is Papeete safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Papeete report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Papeete should tourists avoid?
Papara (market area after dark); Centre-Ville (late night). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Papeete (2026)?
- Fake or low‑value pearl sales at the market
- Overpriced taxi fares and unlicensed rides
- Currency exchange scams targeting tourists
How does Papeete compare with other places in French Polynesia (2026)?
Papeete ranks #1 of 3 French Polynesia destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the French Polynesia safety overview for the full list.
How is this papeete safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 10+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the French Polynesia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: papeete.json (CC BY 4.0).