Travel Essentials › Samoa
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Type I, 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 999, Police 995, Ambulance 996, Fire 994. Tipping: Not expected; a small thank-you or a shared meal is the Samoan way, and tips are never demanded. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water outside resorts and hotels that say the tap is safe.
Type I, 230 V
| One number for everything | 999 |
| Police | 995 |
| Ambulance | 996 |
| Fire | 994 |
Not expected; a small thank-you or a shared meal is the Samoan way, and tips are never demanded.
Greetings. Say "Talofa" with a smile and a light handshake; a raised-eyebrow nod is a friendly hello. In villages, greet the matai (chiefs) and older people first, with respect.
Village etiquette. Ask before visiting a village or beach fale area, as many beaches belong to villages. A small fee is normal, and visitors are expected to dress modestly.
Sunday and evening prayers. Sunday is for church and family. Many shops close, and in many villages a quiet time of evening prayer (sa) is kept at dusk; stay still and quiet until it ends.
Dress and manners. Cover your shoulders and knees away from the beach, and wear a lavalava (wrap skirt). Sit cross-legged when invited into a fale, never point your feet at others, and take off your shoes at a door.
Samoa is generally safe and friendly, with low violent crime against visitors. Petty theft from unattended belongings and dogs on rural roads are the most common problems.
Unofficial beach and site fees. Some people ask for fees at beaches or sights that belong to a village; ask your accommodation what is normal and pay only the posted or agreed amount.
Taxi fares without a meter. Taxis are not metered, so agree the price before you get in.
Women travelers. Generally safe for women. Dress modestly in villages and towns, and avoid walking alone on empty roads at night.
Criminalized
Sex between men is a crime in Samoa, though it is rarely enforced. Fa'afafine, people born male who live as women, are a long-recognized part of Samoan culture, but public affection between same-sex couples is best avoided.
| Coffee (café) | WST 8 | $2.90 |
| Local bus or metro ride | WST 3 | $1.10 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | WST 50 | $18 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | WST 120 | $44 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | WST 380 | $140 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | WST 330 | $120 |
2026-09
May to October is the cooler dry season and the best time to visit; November to April is hot, wet and cyclone season.