Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Samoa depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for SamoaEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 995
- Ambulance
- 994
- Fire
- 994
Currency
- Name
- Samoan Tālā
- Code
- WST
- Symbol
- T
ATMs in Apia. Cash preferred outside Apia. NZD and USD can be exchanged at banks. Cards accepted at main hotels.
Power Outlets
- Outlet type
- Type I
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
WST (UTC+13) — WSDT (UTC+14) in summer
Best Time to Visit
May–October is the cooler, drier season — best for beaches, hiking Mount Silisili, and the stunning To Sua Ocean Trench (a lush natural swimming hole). Cyclone season runs November–April. Samoa switched the international date line in 2011 to be west of it — the country now shares a day with Australia and New Zealand.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | Not expected | Tipping is not a Samoan tradition; a small tip is appreciated but not required |
| Fale (beach hut) hosts | A small gift or tip is a kind gesture | — |
| Guides | $10–15 WST per tour | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress throughout — Samoa is a deeply Christian and conservative society
- Swimwear only at designated beach areas; cover up completely when leaving the beach
- Sunday is the Sabbath — almost everything closes; many villages have strict rules about non-residents passing through
- The puletasi (traditional dress for women) and ie faitaga (sarong for men) are widely worn
Social Etiquette
- Fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way) governs daily life — respect for elders, family, and church is absolute
- Sunday observance is serious — do not disturb villages, swim, or play music; cooking fires are the only activity
- Fia fia nights (traditional feast and dance performances) are the main cultural experience for visitors
- Always remove shoes before entering a fale (traditional house)
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Sunday rest laws are strictly observed — be respectful
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal and can carry imprisonment
- Drug offences carry severe penalties
- The Palolo Deep Marine Reserve protects the reef — no collecting of coral or marine life
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Samoan) | Tālofa lava | tah-LOH-fah LAH-vah |
| Thank you (Samoan) | Fa'afetai | fah-ah-feh-TYE |
| Thank you very much (Samoan) | Fa'afetai tele lava | fah-ah-feh-TYE teh-leh LAH-vah |
| Please (Samoan) | Fa'amolemole | fah-ah-moh-leh-MOH-leh |
| Welcome (Samoan) | Afio mai | ah-FEE-oh MY |
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