Samoa travel info.

Quick answers

Before you go

• Visa: Visitors don't need a visa for stays of up to 60 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry, and you may be asked to show an onward ticket.
• Time zone: UTC+13 (UTC+14 during daylight saving, roughly Sep–Apr). Same date as New Zealand, one day ahead of Australia's east coast.
• Plug type: Type I (the same flat 3-pin you use in Australia and NZ). Voltage is 230 V / 50 Hz.
• Tipping: Not customary or expected. Rounding up for great service is fine but never required.

Currency & banks

The Samoan Tala (WST or T$) is the local currency. 100 sene = 1 tala. Roughly: 1 NZD ≈ 1.65 T$, 1 AUD ≈ 1.80 T$, 1 USD ≈ 2.75 T$ — Kalena's currency switcher in the header lets you flip prices on the fly.

• ATMs at Faleolo Airport, throughout Apia, and in Salelologa on Savai'i. Bring some tala in cash for outer-island fales and village fees.
• Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners and JCB are widely accepted in hotels, mid-range restaurants and supermarkets. Many beach fales, market stalls and rural restaurants are cash only.
• Banks open Mon–Fri 9am–3pm; some open Saturday morning. Currency exchange is straightforward at any bank or major hotel.

Language

Samoan is the national language; English is widely spoken. Learning even a few words goes a long way, especially in villages.

Climate

Tropical year-round, 24–30°C. Two practical seasons:

• Dry season (May–October): Cooler, less humid, lower rainfall. Best for hiking, road trips and unsealed-road attractions like Lake Lanoto'o and Manono Island.
• Wet season (November–April): Hotter and more humid; afternoon downpours are common but rarely all-day. Waterfalls are at their most spectacular. Cyclone watch runs roughly Dec–Mar.

Pack: lightweight layers, sturdy reef shoes, a rash vest for snorkel, insect repellent, and a wide-brim hat. Locals dress modestly even in heat — see Culture & customs.

Getting around

• Faleolo to Apia: 35 km, ~45 minutes by road. Taxi is roughly WST 60. Airport shuttles meet most flights.
• Rental car: The most flexible option for getting to waterfalls, beaches and Savai'i. Browse rentals on Kalena — driving is on the left and a temporary Samoan permit is required (see Driving below).
• Public buses: Bright, cheap (1–5 tala) and a cultural experience. Stop on hand-wave; pay the driver on exit. Less frequent on Sundays.
• Taxis: Plentiful in Apia. No meters — agree the fare before you start. Most short trips in town are 5–15 tala.
• Inter-island ferry: See below for Savai'i; small boats run on demand to Manono and Apolima from Manono-uta wharf.

Ferry to Savai'i

Samoa Shipping Corporation runs the vehicle-and-passenger ferries between Mulifanua Wharf (Upolu) and Salelologa Wharf (Savai'i). The crossing takes 60–90 minutes.

Practical tips

• Cash only — pay at the Samoa Shipping office in Apia or directly at the wharf. ATMs at both wharves are sparse, so bring tala in advance.
• Vehicles need to be at the wharf an hour ahead of sailing. Walk-on passengers can usually arrive 15–30 min ahead.
• Busy weekends (especially long weekends and the Teuila Festival period) sell out — book vehicle space ahead at the SSC office in Apia.
• Some rental car companies don't allow their vehicles on the Savai'i ferry — confirm before booking. Kalena's rental cards flag this with a "Savai'i ferry allowed" tag.
• Door-to-door round trip including driving each end is usually a 3.5–4 hour commitment per leg.

Driving

• Drive on the left. Samoa switched in 2009.
• Temporary Samoan permit (WST 21) is required. You need a current full licence from your home country. Most rental companies arrange the permit for you; otherwise pop into Samoa Land Transport Authority in Apia or Samoa Post.
• Speed limit is 40 km/h in villages and 56 km/h on the open road. Police enforce both — and so do village dogs and pigs.
• Roads outside Apia have potholes, unsealed sections and minimal lighting. A 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is recommended for Savai'i and the east coast of Upolu.
• Petrol stations are common in Apia and Salelologa, sparse elsewhere — fill up before long drives.

Culture & customs

Samoa lives by fa'a Samoa — the Samoan way. A few things to know:

• Sundays are sacred. Most businesses close, villages go quiet for church (typically 8–10am and again at 4pm). Drive slowly through villages, no swimming or loud music near villages between roughly 6 and 7pm during sa (evening prayer time).
• Dress modestly in villages and churches — shoulders covered, knees covered for women, lavalava (sarong) over swimwear. Beachwear stays at the beach.
• Shoes off when entering a fale or someone's home. Sit cross-legged or with legs to one side, not stretched toward people.
• Custom fees at attractions on village land (waterfalls, beaches, To Sua) — usually 5–30 tala per person, paid at a small kiosk on arrival. It's how the village maintains the site.
• Photography: ask before photographing people, especially in villages and during ceremonies.

Phone & internet

• Local SIM: Buy a prepaid Digicel or Vodafone SIM at Faleolo Airport or any Apia branch — about WST 10 for the SIM, then data top-ups from WST 15. Coverage is good across Upolu and patchy on Savai'i.
• Wi-Fi: All hotels and most cafés have it. Speeds vary; expect 5–30 Mbps in Apia.
• Roaming: Pricey. A local SIM almost always wins for stays over 3 days.

Safety & health

• Tap water is generally safe in Apia but bottled water is recommended elsewhere. Stick to cooked food early in the trip until your stomach adjusts.
• Mosquito-borne illness is present (dengue, chikungunya occasionally) — wear repellent, especially at dusk.
• Reef-walking shoes save toes; be wary of stonefish, coral cuts, and strong currents at unfamiliar beaches.
• Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly recommended. Apia's public hospital handles emergencies; serious cases evacuate to Auckland.
• Petty theft is uncommon but lock valuables in your room.

Emergency

Numbers above are best-effort references — confirm at your hotel front desk on arrival.