Travel Glossary · Islands & Resorts
Pareo (Pāreu)
Definition
Pareo (Pāreu): A pareo is a lightweight wraparound cloth from Tahiti, worn by women and men as a skirt, dress, or beach cover-up and tied in many different styles.
The pāreu, as it is spelled in Tahitian, is French Polynesia’s everyday garment. Once made from tapa bark cloth and later from printed cotton, today’s pareos come in bold floral and Polynesian motifs, many hand-painted or printed locally. Women tie them as sarongs, dresses, or halter tops, while men usually wrap them at the waist.
A pareo is one of the most useful things you can pack for the islands. It doubles as a beach towel, sun shield, picnic blanket, scarf for a breezy boat ride, or modest cover-up for walking through a village or visiting a church. It weighs almost nothing and dries in minutes, and many resorts and market vendors happily demonstrate a few ways to tie one.
Buy one when you arrive: the Papeete Market on Tahiti has stalls full of them, and handmade pareos make easy gifts. Our French Polynesia packing list covers what else to bring.
Related terms
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- French PolynesiaPolynesian Culture and Tattoo in French PolynesiaExperience Polynesian culture in French Polynesia: sacred marae, museums, ‘ori Tahiti dance, crafts and how to get a traditional tatau respectfully and safely.
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