Samoa Travel Information

Travel Information for Samoa

Samoa Visa Requirement

No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days in Samoa. However you must have an onward ticket and a valid passport (six months or more).

Customs & Departure Tax

There is a 40 'tala' departure tax.

Samoan Money & Banking

The Samoan 'tala' is divided into 100 'sene' and you get around three 'tala' for one U.S. dollar.

The banks charge high commissions to cash traveler's checks and it's better to change at private exchange houses which deduct no commission.

A few ATMs with long lines are outside the main banks.

Getting to Samoa

Polynesian Airlines, Samoa's government-owned flag carrier, connects Apia to New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, and American Samoa. Samoa can also be included in most Air New Zealand tickets between North America and New Zealand as an inexpensive stopover.

Getting Around in Samoa

There are daily flights between Upolu and Savaii. The Samoa Shipping Corporation operates a car ferry between the wharfs at Mulifanua (Upolu) and Salelologa (Savaii) two or three times a day.

Getting around the islands you can hire a car, take the local bus, taxi, and bike or take ferry ride. Sightseeing can be a comfortable experience for Upolu and Savii have paved roads. Taxis are plentiful. Car rental is available.

Driving in Samoa

Driving is on the right hand side of the road. The speed limits in Apia and though out most of the island is 35MPH. Always be alert of pedestrians, dogs and pigs. A temporary Samoan driver’s license is needed. You can obtain on from the Transport Control Board at Vaitel, Apia. You will need provide evidence of a current driver’s license and pay a small fee.

Language

While Samoan prides themselves on their own soft, musical Polynesian language, English is well understood and spoken.

Electricity

240 volts.

Weather and Climate

In general the weather is consistently warm and balmy with an average of 84 degrees year round.

Time

Samoa lies between the east of the international dateline and is 12 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

Communications

Samoa has international telecommunications with phones, fax, internet and postal services.

Clothing

Cool cotton clothing should be worn. If you wish to attend church, woman should wear dresses and men, walking shorts, shirt and tie.

Weddings in Samoa

Weddings in Samoa are fully legal. Several of the resorts offer wedding packages which include legal registration, flowers, minister, floral arch and more.

Local Customs

Please observe and respect local customs. Most villages have an evening prayer curfew for around 20 minutes at 6pm. If you are unsure, please ask respectfully, or check with the Samoa Tourist authority in Apia.

Entrance Fees

If you wish to visit a tourist site or place of interest you may be asked to pay a small entrance fee or customary fee, which help villagers to keep the site maintained. It is respectful to ask permission before visiting these sites.

Shopping

In Apia the local stores are open from 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday and 8:00am-12:30pm on Saturdays. Village shops you may find open later. Make sure to visit the open markets on Upolu and Savaii. Sunday is a day of rest markets and stores are closed.