Tiki Theatre Village

The best cultural experience in all of French Polynesia is at Tiki Theatre Village, 2km (1 1/4 miles) south of Club Med (tel. 55.02.50; www.tikivillage.pf). Built in the fashion of ancient Tahitian villages, this cultural center has old-style fares (houses) in which the staff demonstrates traditional tattooing, tapa-cloth making and painting, wood and stone carving, weaving, cooking, and making costumes, musical instruments, and flower crowns. There's even a "royal" house floating out on the lagoon, where you can learn about the modern art of growing black pearls.

Tiki Theatre Village will even arrange a traditional beachside wedding. The bride is prepared with flowery monoi oil like a Tahitian princess, and the groom is tattooed (with a wash-off pen). Both wear traditional costumes.

The village is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Admission and a guided tour costs 1,200CFP ($12).

The village also stages a terrific evening Tahitian feast and dance show.