Last update: Oct 23, 2026
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Samoa Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
"Suited for" badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travelers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Samoa – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type I
Type I:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Samoan Tala (WST) $1 ≈ WST 2.77 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are accepted in some larger towns and tourist areas, but cash is still commonly used in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not expected in Samoa, but small tips for good service in restaurants and hotels are appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not allowed in Samoa, and alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, but designated smoking areas are available outdoors. |
| Independence Day (June 1) |
Celebrates Samoa’s independence from New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Christmas (December 25) |
A time for festive family gatherings |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | |
| Other: | Samoa is known for its tropical landscapes, coral reefs, and Polynesian culture, making it a popular destination for nature and cultural tourism. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Samoa, Samoa
Cyclone season November to April, flights and ferries between Upolu and Savai'i may be disrupted
Dry season May to October is best for beaches, hiking and snorkeling
Don't miss
- 🌊 Swim in the stunning To Sua Ocean Trench
- 💦 Slide down natural waterfalls at Papase’ea
- 🌳 Explore the lush jungle on the Canopy Walk
- 🏖️ Relax on white sandy beaches of Lalomanu
- 🐚 Discover marine life at Giant Clam Sanctuary
- 📚 Visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Samoa?
Samoa suits people who like natural swimming spots, simple beach stays and a culture they meet directly rather than watch. On Upolu, the To Sua Ocean Trench is a deep, water-filled sinkhole reached by a long ladder. The Papaseea Sliding Rocks are a natural water slide into freshwater pools. Lalomanu in the southeast has white sand and clear water. Beach fales line the shore. Savai'i is the quieter island. Old lava fields from a volcanic eruption in the early 20th century are a main sight. The Alofaaga Blowholes shoot sea water high into the air when the swell is up. Villages are small and spread along the coast, with waterfalls and swimming spots a short drive away. Many people base themselves on Upolu and cross over for a few nights. Samoan tradition is part of the trip. Villages follow fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way, with chiefs, church and shared family land. Sunday services are a quiet highlight. Apia has a market and a harbor to walk around. The Robert Louis Stevenson museum is at Vailima nearby. A week is enough for Upolu and a few nights on Savai'i. Nightlife and big resorts are limited, so Samoa suits you best if you want a quiet beach trip with some culture.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Teuila Festival
-
Independence Day Celebrations
-
Samoa Arts Festival
-
Palolo Festival
-
Samoa Food Festival
-
Savaii Games
-
White Sunday
-
Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament
-
Miss Samoa Pageant
-
Samoa Jazz & Arts Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Dress modestly in villages and keep swimwear for beaches and streams.
- Some beaches and sights are on village land and charge small fees, so carry cash.
- Alcohol can't be bought on Sundays except by hotel residents, so buy ahead on Saturday.
- Many villages hold evening prayers around dusk, so keep noise down and avoid walking through the village then.
How to travel to Samoa
All international flights arrive at Faleolo International Airport (APW) on the northwest of Upolu, about 20 mi from Apia. Samoa Airways, Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways and Virgin Samoa fly to Samoa. Flights from Auckland take under four hours and from Sydney or Brisbane about five. From Europe or North America you usually connect in Auckland, Sydney or Fiji. Taxis and pre-booked hotel transfers are the easy options from the airport and take under an hour. A ferry also runs between Apia and Pago Pago in American Samoa. Apia is the international port for cargo and passenger ships from the region. Most visitors can stay up to 60 days without a visa and get a free visitor permit at the border. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months. You may be asked for an onward ticket, proof of funds and confirmed accommodation. Customs rules on food and plant products are strict.
Access summary
- Fly into Faleolo International Airport (APW) from Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, Nadi.
- From American Samoa and nearby islands: short regional flights and occasional ferries.
- Samoa Airways based at Apia; independent carrier, partnerships with Fiji Airways, others.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Samoa
Accommodation in Samoa ranges from simple beach fales to hotels and resorts. Most places are small, family-run and quite basic. Large resorts are few. Apia has hotels and guesthouses and suits you if you want restaurants, shops and the market within reach. Beach fales are open-sided huts on stilts with a mattress and mosquito net, usually on a village beach. They're simple, often include meals and are common at Lalomanu in the southeast and on the Savai'i coast. Beach resorts are mostly on the south and east coasts of Upolu, where you can reach the sights by car. On Savai'i, stays are mostly beach fales and small guesthouses along the coast, with fewer facilities than on Upolu. The dry season from May to October is the busiest time, so book ahead for those months. Many beach fales are owned by villages. Rules around Sunday and evening prayers apply.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Samoa
Upolu and Savai'i each have a ring road along the coast. Most sights are reached by road. Apia is compact enough to walk around, but you'll need transport beyond the town. Savai'i is a ferry or flight away.
Buses:
Brightly painted buses run around both islands and have wooden benches. Fares are low. Outside the main bus terminals there are no official stops, so you flag one down by waving. They're slow.
Taxis:
Taxis are cheap and easy to find in Apia. They aren't metered, so agree the fare in advance. A driver for the day is a good option for the To Sua Ocean Trench and the south coast.
Car:
Traffic keeps to the left. Speed limits are low, at 25 mph in towns and villages and 35 mph outside them. Watch for animals and people on the road, especially at night. Hire companies and the Land Transport Authority issue a temporary driving permit.
Ferry:
Samoa Shipping Corporation runs passenger and vehicle ferries from Mulifanua on Upolu to Salelologa on Savai'i, taking about an hour. You can take a car across.
Flights:
Small planes also link Upolu and Savai'i and take only minutes, which helps if the sea is rough or you're short on time.
Food in Samoa
Samoan food is built around taro, breadfruit, coconut and fresh seafood, with pork for celebrations. Meals at beach fales are often included and use local ingredients. Apia has cafés, fast food outlets and a few Chinese restaurants. The market sells fresh fruit and fish. Tipping isn't customary. Sunday meals are a big family event, so many places close.
Umu:
The traditional earth oven, heated with stones and used for pork, fish and root crops. The Sunday family meal is typically cooked this way. Some resorts serve it as a feast.
Palusami:
Young taro leaves baked in coconut cream, sometimes with onion or corned beef. It's soft and rich and often served as a side dish.
Oka:
Raw fish marinated in lime juice and mixed with coconut cream, onion and tomato. It's usually eaten cold as a starter or a light lunch.
Koko Samoa:
A hot drink made from locally grown cocoa and usually served at breakfast. It's more bitter and less sweet than hot chocolate.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Samoa are around 24% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (USD to WST) is 4% better than in recent years. That means traveling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal |
Other
| 🎞️ Movie ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Samoa is generally safe, with low serious crime and only occasional petty theft. Keep your distance from stray dogs in Apia and villages. Lagoon currents have caused fatal accidents at popular beaches, so ask locally before swimming. Roads are poorly lit at night.
Health & Medical
Health care is basic. Serious problems usually mean evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii, so insurance with evacuation cover is essential. Moto'otua Hospital in Apia handles emergencies. Dengue is a mosquito risk and Zika cases have been confirmed.
Accessibility
Apia is compact but the rest of Samoa is spread out and reached by road. Buses have wooden benches and no official stops. Beach fales sit on sand and the To Sua Ocean Trench involves a long ladder. Taxis and hire cars are easiest.
Tap water
Mains water is chlorinated, but bottled water is the easier choice for drinking. Boiling or sterilizing tap water is advisable if you don't have bottled water. Bottled water is sold in shops and is easy to find in Apia and larger villages.
Packing recommendations for Samoa
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Hiking boots
📷
Camera
🌞
Sunscreen
🧥
Rain jacket
especially November–April
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
👛
Cash in small denominations
🧕
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
for village visits
👟
Water shoes
🤿
Snorkeling gear
though rentals are available
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
👕
Quick-dry clothing
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal power adapter
🩺
Prescription medication
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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