country
SamoaSāmoa
First trip: Upolu for 4–5 nights split between Apia and a south-coast beach fale, then the car ferry to Savai'i for 3; a hire car turns both islands into easy road trips, and Sundays are for church and rest, not sightseeing.
Samoa is two main islands, Upolu (with Apia and the airport) and the larger, quieter Savai'i, linked by a car ferry of about an hour. Customary village life (fa'a Samoa) shapes the day: beaches, pools and waterfalls belong to villages and charge a small fee, and Sunday and the evening prayer curfew are observed. Drive on the left, and plan around the cyclone season from November to April.
All regions, cities and parks in Samoa (Atlas) →
Regions
Apia, To Sua Ocean Trench and the south-coast beach fale
4–6 nights
Lava fields, blowholes and quiet villages; car ferry from Mulifanua
2–4 nights
Arrive
APW
Faleolo International (Upolu)
About 40 km (under an hour) to Apia; near the Savai'i ferry
Time math
- 5 days
- Apia 2 + south-coast Upolu 3
- 8 days
- Apia 2 + south-coast Upolu 3 + Savai'i 3
- 12 days
- Apia 2 + Upolu coast 4 + Savai'i 5 + Upolu 1 near the airport
Country rules
- Many passports receive a visitor permit on arrival with an onward ticket, but rules vary: check the Samoa Immigration Office for your passport before booking.
- Beaches, pools and waterfalls are village land: pay the customary fee, and follow the evening prayer curfew (sa) by stopping and keeping quiet if you are in a village when it sounds.
- Drive on the left; check with the rental company whether your licence is accepted or a temporary local permit is required.
Etiquette
- Talofa is the greeting.
- Dress modestly in villages and towns: cover shoulders and knees; a lavalava (sarong) over swimwear.
- Sit down before speaking in a fale, and do not stretch your legs towards others.
- Ask before swimming, photographing or entering village land; on Sundays, ask whether it is allowed at all.
- Independence celebrations (early June)
- National holiday and events in Apia; accommodation fills.
- Teuila Festival (early September)
- Cultural festival in Apia; flights and hotels busy.
- White Sunday (second Sunday in October)
- Children's day with church services; Monday is a public holiday.
- Cyclone season (Nov–Apr)
- Storms can cancel flights and ferries.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 3/5
- Currency is the Samoan tala (WST). Cards work at hotels and larger businesses in Apia; village fees, markets, buses and beach fale are cash.
- ATMs are in Apia and a few towns; Savai'i has very few, so take cash across.
- Tipping is not customary.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Safety
- Roads: drive slowly through villages; children, dogs and pigs are on the road.
- Reef swimming: currents at reef passages are strong; swim where locals do and at high tide in sheltered spots.
- Cyclones (Nov–Apr) and tsunamis: know the evacuation route at coastal fale.
- Dengue occurs; use repellent.
- Dogs can be aggressive in villages; carry a stick on walks and keep your distance.
Samoa connects to Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, Nadi and Honolulu; American Samoa is a short flight east.
Sources
- UK FCDO travel advice — Samoa (official)
- Wikivoyage — Samoa (secondary)