Samoa Local Customs - Travel Advice

TRAVEL ADVICE

Visa Requirements

Visitors travelling to Samoa may enter the country for 60 days or less without a visa...

Travel Health

Samoa is free of endemic diseases and no vaccinations are required to travel to Samoa...

Local Currency

The basic units of currency in Samoa are the Tala (or dollar) and Sene (cent). There are..

Weather

Samoa is warm and tropical throughout the year. the wet season is from November to March...

Local Customs

Samoans are friendly and happy people with a remarkable appreciation of life and a laid..

Languages

English and Samoan are both in use in Samoa, English speakers will have no problems..

Transport Options

Falelolo International Airport is located 35 kilometres from Apia on the island of Upolu...

Local Food

As you might expect there is a lot of seafood on the menu in Samoa! There are many local..

Local Timezones

Samoa is 11 hours behind Grenwich Mean Time (GMT -11) and is literally the last place on..

Dutyfree Limits

Visitors may bring in one litre of spirits and 200 cigarettes per person in the duty free..

states of Samoa

Savaii Island Information

With a population of 42,000, Savai'i is third largest Polynesian island after Tahiti and New Zealand. It’s also one..

Upolu Island Information

Samoa is made up of nine islands, of which Upolu is the most populated, hosting the capital city of Apia. Scenically..

INDEX OF ALL states AND LOCATIONS

Local Customs

Samoans are friendly and happy people with a remarkable appreciation of life and a laid back attitude. Samoan culture has deep roots and the traditions of the extended family are still alive today. Samoans are generally quite religious and the church is an important aspect of life to most.

It is important when visiting to be mindful of the local customs and etiquette. Sundays are an important day to Samoans and are generally spent in church and with family. All shops are closed on Sundays and visitors are advised to travel very slowly and behave quietly within villages. Away from the beach visitors should be modestly dressed, and women are advised to wear a sarong in favour of shorts or pants. Nude or topless sunbathing should be avoided. Visitors should remove shoes before entering fales.

Tipping is not commonly practiced, however it is not impolite and if offered for good service is generally accepted. Bartering is not customary and the displayed price of an item is usually the price paid.

Highlights of Samoa

Apia Information

Upolu’s budding metropolis of Apia, where 35,000 of Samoa’s 177,000 inhabitants live, is the perfect place to..

Virgin Cove Information

If you were to imagine the picture perfect south pacific island location, Virgin Cove would be pretty much it...

Sa'Moana Resort Information

Sa Moana is a specialist 3 1/2 star surfing resort on north eastern Upolu about 60 minutes drive from Apia, or 45..

Le Vasa Resort Information

Le Vasa resort is on the Western side of the island about 10 minutes from the airport or 45 mins from Apia. It's set..

Tanu Beach Fales Information

Located on the North Coast these family orientated fales are quite basic but really all you need in this fantastic..

Aganoa Beach Information

This deep-water sandy crescent beach offers safe swimming, snorkeling and picnicking. Access by land is a quite..

Fagaloa Bay Information

Fagaloa Bay is on the east coast of Upolo Island about 40 minutes drive from Apia. The bay is quite narrow and..

Faga Beach Information

Faga beach is on the east coast of the island of Savaii about 6 kilometres north of Lalomalava. It can be accesses by..

INDEX OF ALL LOCATIONS