Last update: 22 Oct 2026
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American 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 travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
American Samoa – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 2/5
Cashless payments are limited. Most transactions are cash-based, especially outside Pago Pago.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: | We cannot recommend an eSIM provider for this country. We advise getting a local SIM card. |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated in restaurants, typically around 10%. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in most areas, particularly during festivals. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces. |
| Independence Day (July) |
Festivals and closures. |
|---|---|
| Christmas (December) |
Festivals and closures. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | None widely used; local taxis are generally hailed directly. |
| Other: | American Samoa is known for its lush landscapes, stunning beaches, and traditional Samoan culture. |
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 colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour 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 grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for American Samoa, American Samoa
Climate and season are similar across the islands: dry season May to October is best for diving, hiking and beaches, wet season November to April brings heavy rain
Cyclone season November to April, flights and ferries to the remote Manu'a islands are often cancelled in bad weather
Humpback whales pass through July to October
Don't miss
- 🐠 Snorkel among coral reefs in the National Marine Sanctuary
- ⛰️ Hike Mount Alava for panoramic island and ocean views
- ⚓ Visit Pago Pago Harbor and admire its volcanic scenery
- 🏝️ Relax on the pristine white sands of Ofu Beach
- 🏠 Explore traditional villages and learn Samoan culture
- 🐢 Spot sea turtles and tropical fish at Fagatele Bay
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to American Samoa?
Visiting American Samoa feels like discovering a hidden gem with incredible natural diversity – from volcanic mountains and rainforests to vibrant coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. The National Park of American Samoa spreads across several islands, offering immersive hiking and wildlife encounters. The blend of traditional Samoan culture and breathtaking scenery creates a uniquely peaceful and enriching travel experience. Travelers should be prepared for limited tourism infrastructure, higher costs due to remoteness and the tropical climate that brings heavy rains and hurricane risks. Road conditions can be challenging, so caution when driving and swimming in coastal areas is important for safety.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
-
1
Fagatogo Market
🎈Events
-
Flag Day Celebrations
-
Aiga Festival
-
Fatu Ikina Festival
-
Traditional FiaFia Nights
-
National Historic Preservation Month
-
Marine Conservation Events
-
Samoan Canoe Regattas
-
Cultural Dance Festivals
-
Harvest Festivals
-
Village Blessing Ceremonies
Knowledge before you go
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen; coral reefs are protected and sensitive.
- Arrive early for the morning fishing charter, as crowds peak after noon and weather can shift quickly.
- Use local transport like shared taxis to reach remote villages; they often offer better rates than private hires.
- Learn basic Samoan greetings before arrival; locals appreciate respectful interaction and it enhances cultural experiences.
How to travel to American Samoa
Travelers mainly arrive via Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila Island, which offers flights from Honolulu and other Pacific hubs. Access to outer islands like Manu’a requires boat or small plane transfers. Sea transport is also available for inter-island travel.
Access summary
- Fly to Pago Pago PPG from Honolulu HNL; taxis to Tutuila.
- From Samoa: Samoa Airways/Talofa short flights to PPG.
- Hawaiian Airlines from Hawaii; no major alliance hub.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in American Samoa
Accommodation is mostly small hotels, guesthouses and resorts offering basic to moderate comfort. Due to the territory’s remoteness, luxury options are limited and prices tend to be higher. Camping is less common but can be arranged with local guidance, especially in the National Park area.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.
How to get around American Samoa
Getting around American Samoa is typically by car or taxi, as public transport options are limited. Roads can be narrow and winding, especially in mountainous areas, so cautious driving is essential. Some local buses operate on fixed routes, mainly in populated areas. Boat transport connects the main island to remote islands in the territory.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling 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 customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region 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 (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for Apia, Samoa - 133 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling 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 travelling 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 |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
American Samoa is generally safe with friendly locals and low crime rates. However, caution is advised when swimming due to strong tidal currents. Road safety can be a concern on narrow and winding roads.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are limited with LBJ Tropical Medical Center providing primary care. Serious cases may require evacuation to larger hospitals overseas. Travelers should keep vaccinations current and take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases.
Accessibility
Accessibility can be limited due to rugged terrain and few specialized facilities. Most accommodations and major attractions are accessible, but remote trails and some villages may be challenging for those with mobility issues.
Tap water
Tap water in American Samoa is generally safe to drink but some travelers prefer bottled water. Staying hydrated in the humid tropical climate is important.
Packing recommendations for American Samoa
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Walking boots
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🤿
Snorkelling gear
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
📃
Travel insurance
👛
Cash in multiple currencies
💦
Waterproof dry bag
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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