Attraction in Samoa
Sale'aula Lava Field
Between 1905 and 1911, Mount Matavanu on Savai'i erupted continuously, sending lava flows northward that buried villages and swallowed a colonial-era missionary church up to its window line. The half-submerged ruins of the church still stand within the hardened lava, and a marked walking trail passes through the field alongside the story of the 'Virgin's Grave', a raised patch of ground that the lava reportedly flowed around. The site offers a striking record of the island's recent volcanic history.
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Travel 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.