Samoa Destination Information
Airports
Upolu
Faleolo International Airport (APW) is located 35km west of Apia on Upolu.
Maota Airport (MXS) is located 10 minutes drive south of Salelologa on Savaii.
ATM Machines
Most of the ATM machines are located in and around Apia, with one on Savaii. Overseas travellers can use their credit cards in the ATMs, but you must have a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to withdraw cash.
ANZ, Beach Road - 24 hours, 7 days a week
ANZ, Molesi Supermarket - 8am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, 8am-12 noon on Saturdays
ANZ, Matautu - 8am-3pm Monday - Friday
ANZ, Faleolo International Airport - 24 hours, 7 days a week
ANZ, Vaitele - 24 hours, 7 days a week
ANZ, Motootua (Lynn’s Supermarket) - 24 hours, 7 days a week
ANZ, Savalalo (Pat Ah Him) - 24 hours, 7 days a week
ANZ, Inside the Bank - 9am-3pm Monday - Wednesday, 9am-4pm Thursday-Friday
ANZ, Inside National Bank of Samoa - 9am-3pm, Monday - Friday
ANZ, Salelologa (Savaii Island) - 24 hours, 7 days a week
Westpac, Westpac Bank frontage - 24 hours, 7 days a week
Westpac ,Bank rear entrance - 24 hours, 7 days a week
Banks
Banks offer money exchange facilities at the airport. Major hotels also offer money exchange facilities. The ANZ, National Bank, Samoa Commercial Bank and Westpac have branches at Salelologa, Savaii.
- ANZ Bank
Open Monday and Tuesday 9am-3pm, Wednesday 9am-3.30pm, Thursday & Friday 9am-4pm and on Saturday 9am-12pm for International/Foreign Exchange.
- Westpac Bank
Open Monday-Wednesday 8.30am-3pm, Thursday & Friday 8.30am-4pm and on Saturday 9am-11am for International & Money Gram Services.
- National Bank
Open Monday-Friday 9am-3pm and on Saturday the branches at Fugalei Market and Tamaligi open 8.30am-12.30pm and the Main Office is open for International and Foreign Exchange only from 8.30am-12.30pm.
- Samoa Commercial Bank
Open Monday–Wednesday 8.30am-3pm, Thursday & Friday 8.30am-3.30pm and on Saturday 8.30am-3pm.
Business Hours
Government offices and shops usually open from 8am-4.30pm. Saturday shopping hours are from 8am-12.30pm. On Sunday, most shops close unless they are directly related to the tourism industry.
Climate
Monthly Average Temperatures °C
January 26.9
February 27
March 27
April 27
May 26.7
June 26.4
July 25.9
August 25.9
September 26.2
October 26.6
November 26.7
December 26.8
Communications
SamoaTel on Beach Road offers the following services:
- Fax: Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm; Saturday, 8am-12pm.
- Stamps & Philatelic Bureau: Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm, Saturday, 8am-12pm.
- Telephone Pay Phone Countrywide: Monday-Friday, 8am-4.30pm; Saturday, 8am-12pm.
Please note that pay phones are located outside the SamoaTel Building and various locations in the town area and rural areas. You can use a phone card to make local and overseas calls.
Samoa has introduced GSM cell phone services. Bring your mobile, buy a simcard, rent a phone or roam. Contact Telecom Samoa, SamoaTel and Digicel.
Currency
The Samoa decimal currency is based on the Tala (dollar) and Sene (cent): 100 Sene = WS$1 (Tala). All major foreign currencies are exchangeable in Samoa for Tala (Samoan dollars).
Notes: $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1
Departure Tax
Departure Tax is WS$40. Children under 12 years are free.
Dress
Light summer clothing is appropriate all year round, with perhaps a light sweater for the cooler evenings. Smart casual evening wear is appropriate for hotels and restaurants. Visitors are requested not to wear bathing suits in Apia or in the villages. No nude or topless (for women) swimming or sunbathing. Women are recommended to wear a lavalava (sarong) or dress, rather than shorts or trousers, if they attend church.
Exchange Rates
Below are approximate exchange rates for major currencies:
Australia A$1 = WS$1.70
Canada C$1 = WS$2.10
Europe Euro = WS$3.15
New Zealand NZ$1 = WS$1.35
UK UK£1 = WS$4.60
USA US$1 = WS$2.70
(Please note that these rates can be subject to change at any time)
Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners & JCB) are accepted at most major hotels and some restaurants and stores. Travellers cheques are widely accepted at the major banks and hotels.
EFTPOS
There are at present 250 Eftpos outlets found throughout Upolu and Savaii for easy payment, which accept the following cards – Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Amex, JCB & Plus Cards and Access International Debit Card.
Electricity
240 volts/AC 50 cycles, but can be converted to 110 volts in most hotels. Power-points can accept three-pronged plugs as used in Australia and New Zealand.
Entry Requirements
Visitors to Samoa do not require an entry visa for stays of up to 60 days, however you must have an onward or return ticket and valid passport (six months or more). An entry visa is only required for visits longer than 60 days. Visas can be obtained from your nearest Samoa Consulate General, High Commission or Embassy. To apply for one, see page 92 for details. For more information, contact the Immigration Department; phone 20 291 or 20 292, email: immigration@samoa.ws or visit www.samoaimmigration.gov.ws
Newspapers
Newspapers
Le Samoa - weekly
Le Samoa Post - Tuesday
Newsline - Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
Samoa Observer - Monday-Saturday and Sunday
Samoana - Tuesday
Savali - Thursday
Tapu Magazine - Monthly
Post Office
The Post Office is part of 'SamoaTel' and is located on Beach Road in Apia. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm.
Post Restante
The Post Restante office for receiving mail is located in a separate office, in the main Samoatel Office on Beach Road, behind the main lobby. If you wish to receive mail while in Samoa, have the mail addressed to you with your surname underlined and sent to the following address: Post Restante, Chief Post Office, SamoaTel, Apia, Samoa.
Religion
The main religious denominations in Samoa are Congregational, Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Seven Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Bahai, Latter Day Saints and Jehovah’s Witness. Sundays in Samoa are dedicated to God, with families usually attending church in the mornings followed by a family to’onai (lunch) and another service in the evening. Sunday is considered a day of rest for everyone. You are welcome to attend the services. Please ask at your hotel reception for service times.
Taxes (VAGST)
This is a 12.5% tax on accommodation, food and drinks.
Time
Samoa's time zone is three hours behind US Pacific Time and 12 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged or expected in Samoa. However, a contribution to school fees is an acceptable gift.
Useful Contacts
Air New Zealand
ph 20 825 www.airnewzealand.com
Government of Samoa
ph 24 277 www.govt.ws
Jasons Travel Media
www.jasons.com
Polynesian Airlines
ph 21 261 www.polynesianairlines.com
Polynesian Blue
ph 25 467 www.ploynesianblue.com
Samoa Hotel Association
ph 30 160 www.samoa-hotels.ws www.samoahotel.ws
Samoa Tourism Authority
ph 63 500 www.visitsamoa.ws
South Pacific Express
ph 28 901
Visitor Information
The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) is located in the fale in front of Government Buildings on Beach Road in Apia. Open Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm and Saturday morning, 8am-12pm. The information booth at Faleolo International Airport is open for all international flight arrivals into Samoa. For more information contact the Samoa Tourism Authority office Matafele phone 20 669, Faleolo International Airport phone 42 099 or email: info@visitsamoa.ws
Yacht Services
Visiting yachts are required to contact the Samoa Port Authority to notify them of their ETA, at least two days prior to arriving in Apia (via radio - Signal Side Band frequency HF 2182 or VHF on Channel 16 - hours of operation 8am - 4.40pm daily) for immigration, customs, health and quarantine clearance. Permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Apia if you wish to sail to other islands in Samoa. For further information, contact the Samoa Port Authority, phone 23 552 or fax 25 870.