INFORMATION ON SAMOA

The treasured islands of Samoa are the crowning jewels of the South Pacific.  Samoa as a tourist destination is now known as "The Treasured Islands of the South Pacific".  Surrounded by the warm crystal clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, here travellers will find islands blessed with natural beauty, a tropical paradise where the environment is pristine, the people friendly and hospitable and a living culture treasured by all.

Discover what the great writers of the 18th century, including Rupert Brooke and Robert Louis Stevenson found during their visits to Samoa.  Brooke described Samoans as "the loveliest people in the world, moving and dancing like gods and goddesses, very quietly and mysteriously and utterly content" and also described Samoa as "sheer beauty, so pure that it is difficult to breath it in".  Robert Louis Stevenson, on the other hand, found a home in the idyllic islands of Samoa, after searching the world for paradise.  Samoa's natural wonders of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, extinct volcanoes, lava fields and miles of white sand beaches beckon the adventurer seeking peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of modern society.

The Samoan people are eager to play hosts to visitors from afar and share their hospitality. Their living culture, the Fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way), virtually unchanged for more than 3000 years is centered around the extended family unit full of love and respect for all.

Experience a holiday destination like no other, uniquely tropical, exciting and distinctively Samoan. 

UPOLU ISLAND The main island in the Samoa Group is Upolu, home to the nation's capital of Apia which is the hub for all activities from dining out, bars and clubs to movie theatres and natural wonders galore.  Apia is a hive of activity during the day with the markets and locals going about their daily business to the night where Beach Road comes alive to the aromas wafting through the air and the sounds of local music from the bars and clubs. The Samoa Tourism Authority has information about historic monuments which are scattered around in Apia, such as the Robert Louis Stevenson museum, the 1962 Independence Memorial, the German, British and American Memorials and the tombs of several influential Samoan figures. THINGS TO DO AROUND UPOLU For the more adventurous there is a huge range of activities to do on Upolu, from taking a work-out at the local gym to playing a round of golf, diving the blue Pacific Ocean, surfing the huge reef breaks or fishing in the luxury of a game fishing boat where you are guaranteed to catch a fish or two.  For nature lovers, there are numerous walks and tracks to choose from in the national parks located on the island.  Take a local guide and venture into the village plantations and visit some stunning and dramatic waterfalls. There is a number of adventure and guided tour operators located in Apia that offer a range of activities to suit your fitness level.  Or you may simply want to lie on a beach and enjoy the peace and quiet.  The sand is pure white and the ocean temperature a warm 29o Celsius. Getting round Upolu:  nothing beats the freedom of exploring Upolu at your own pace and there is a huge range of rental car companies to choose from in finding the right vehicle for your needs. One important rule to remember when driving around Samoa is that they drive on the right-side of the road.  For inexpensive transport, catch a local bus.  Nothing can compare to this experience with the music playing and locals singing along during the journey.  It is a great way to meet people and make new friends.

SAVAI'I ISLAND Savai'i is the largest island in the Samoa Group and of total contrast to the main island of Upolu.  Here life moves at a slower pace and the dramatic landscapes from vast lava fields to lush rainforest offer visitors a tranquil setting from the fast pace of Apia. The main town on Savai'i is Salelologa, not as big as Apia but still the commercial hub for the island with its post office, banks, shops and market place.  It is here at the wharf where travellers catch the inter-island ferry between the two main islands. THINGS TO DO ON SAVAI'I Just like Upolu, Savai'i offers all the natural wonders from dramatic volcanic peaks and waterfalls to forest canopy walkways and breathtaking sunsets.  For the adventurous who enjoy the water, there is diving in some spectacular spots and surfing at some isolated and huge reef breaks.  Savai'i is also home to the largest stone pyramid in Polynesia and awe inspiring blow holes. The beaches on Savai'i are just as beautiful as those on Upolu.  There are a number of adventure and tour operator based on Savai'i who offer a wide range of guided tours around the big island. Getting around Savai'i:  a lot of visitors to Savai'i find the biggest island of the Samoa group, unspoilt and beautiful.  For a good sightseeing tour of the island, it is advisable to take a rental car tour of Savai'i and visitors will get to see many attractions of the island at their own pace.  Some hotels on Savai'i and tour operators also conduct organized tours around the island visiting the lava field at Saleaula village, turtle farm at Satoalepai, canopy walkway at Falealupo, Taga Blow Holes and many other attractions. There are also local buses that go to most villages on the island which is even more fun to travel on.  It is a great way to meet people and make new friends.

Children Policy:

Conditions & Cancellations:

Geographical Location: Samoa is located east of the international dateline between longitudes 171o and 172o west and latitudes 13o and 14o south of the Equator. Arrival/Departure Information: Visitors do not require an entry visa for stays up to 30 days although an onward or return ticket and valid passport (6 months or more) are required. An entry visa is only required for visits longer than 30 days. Samoa is free of all tropical diseases. A vaccination for yellow fever is required if arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting infected areas. Departure tax is S$40.00. Children under 12 years are free. Currency: The Samoa decimal. A number of hotels, restaurants, tour operators and general merchants have EFTPOS terminals for easy payment. These terminals accept all major credit cards. Climate: Samoa's climate is pleasantly warm with an average maximum temperature of 29 degrees celsius. From May - November, hot conditions are tempered by southeast trade winds. The rainy season extends from November - March. Electricity: 240 volts/AC50 cycles but can be converted to 100 volts in most hotels Language: Samoan is the national language but English is the official language of business. Local considerations: Light summer clothing is appropriate all year round with a light sweater for the cooler evenings. Smart casual evening-wear is appropriate for hotels and restaurants. Visitors should not wear bathing suits in Apia or in the villages. No nude or topless (women only) swimming or sunbathing. Women are recommended to wear a lavalava (sarong) or dress rather than shorts or trousers if they attend church. There is a 12.5 per cent tax on accommodation, food and drinks. Tipping is not mandatory but a gift for excellent service would be well appreciated. Time Zone: Samoa's time zone is 3 hours behind US Pacific time and 12 hours behind Greeenwich mean time. Transport: Visitors require their driver's licence to be validated for use in Samoa. This can be obtained at the Traffic section of the Police department on Ifiifi Street, Apia near the harbour. The cost is S$10.00. Drive on the right hand side of the road. Speed limits are 25 miles per hour in town and 35 miles per hour between villages. There is an extensive bus service on both Upolu and Savaii, providing inexpensive transportation for local people and an experience to remember for visitors. A passenger and vehicle ferry service operates between Upolu and Savai'i. Handicrafts: handicrafts such as kava bowls, floor mats, tapa cloth and necklaces are an important part of Samoan culture and make wonderful souvenirs. In Apia, handicrafts can be found in the markets and at a number of stores around town. Major hotels also have souvenir shops.