←Samoa travel guide
Tuamasaga (Upolu), Samoa
Apia
Pacific capital where colonial history meets Polynesian village life
BeachesCulture
Apia sits on the northern coast of Upolu and serves as Samoa's only city, a compact hub of markets, colonial-era churches, and waterfront activity set against a backdrop of tropical hills. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, the ornate Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and the lively Fugalei Market all sit within easy reach of each other, giving visitors an accessible entry point into Samoan culture.
Check Samoa visa requirements →
Best time to visit
May to October (dry season)
Region
Tuamasaga (Upolu)
Main airport
Apia (APW)
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Apia
Nature
To Sua Ocean Trench
To Sua, meaning 'giant swimming hole' in Samoan, is a collapsed lava tube on Upolu's south coast that has filled with turquoise ocean water to a depth of around 30 metres. Visitors descend a long wooden ladder to reach the pool, which connects to the open sea through an underwater cave system. The surrounding garden of tropical plants and the vivid colour of the water make it one of the most photographed natural sites in the Pacific.
Culture
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (Vailima)
The Victorian mansion of Villa Vailima, set on forested slopes south of Apia, was the home of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson from 1890 until his death in 1894, and today operates as a carefully restored museum. Original personal effects, books, and period furnishings fill the restored rooms, and a guided Tomb Trail leads through rainforest to Stevenson's grave on the summit of Mount Vaea. The estate offers one of the more distinctive literary and colonial heritage experiences in the Pacific.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Samoa. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Samoa.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Apia
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Samoa
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Samoa page at Yoogo.
Samoa's currency is the Samoan Tala (WST), divided into 100 sene. Credit and debit cards are not universally accepted, so carrying sufficient cash is advisable, particularly for village entry fees, markets, and smaller eateries. ATMs can be found at Faleolo International Airport, in Apia, and in Salelologa on Savai'i.
Samoa has a low violent crime rate and is generally considered one of the safer destinations in the Pacific. Petty theft, particularly in and around Apia, is the most commonly reported concern affecting visitors. Standard precautions such as avoiding unlit areas at night and keeping valuables out of sight apply.
On Upolu, buses, taxis, and rental cars serve most tourist areas, with taxis from Faleolo Airport to Apia costing approximately WST 60. A daily passenger and car ferry connects Upolu and Savai'i; booking vehicle spaces in advance through Shipping House in Apia is recommended. Foreign visitors must obtain a temporary Samoan driving licence, available from rental companies, Samoa Post, or the Land Transport Authority.
The dry season from May to October offers the most settled weather, with lower humidity and reduced rainfall, making it the most popular time to visit. The wet season runs from November to April, with December to March seeing the heaviest rainfall and the highest risk of tropical cyclones. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year, typically ranging from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Samoan and English are both official languages. English is widely spoken in Apia, at resorts, and in most business contexts, so communication is straightforward for English-speaking visitors. Learning a few words of Samoan, such as 'talofa' (hello) and 'fa'afetai' (thank you), is appreciated by locals.
Travellers are generally advised to be up to date with routine vaccinations including MMR, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B before visiting Samoa. Dengue fever and Zika virus are present in the country, so mosquito repellent and protective clothing are recommended. Consult a travel health clinic or GP at least six weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Tipping is not a traditional practice in Samoa and is not expected in most settings. A small tip for tour guides, particularly on group excursions, is considered a genuine gesture of appreciation rather than an obligation. Hotels and restaurants do not routinely add service charges to bills.