Oceania > Samoa: Weather, Map, Costs and Travel Guide

Western Samoa consists of two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu and 7 small islands, two of which are inhabited, Apolima and Manono. They have preserved their traditional culture and avoided mass tourism, which makes them more attractive than American Samoa.

You will visit Apia, the capital, with remarkable monuments such as the clock tower, the cathedral, the former observatory, the Parliament, the Court of Justice, the market and the home of writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

 Also worth seeing are the Pololo Deep marine reserve and the lagoon, the Papapapai-Tia waterfalls, and on Upolu the beach of Aganoa Black Sand Beach.

American Samoa owns the main island of Tutuila and 5 other small islands.

The capital Pago Pago, on Tutuila, offers a beautiful setting of volcanoes and tropical forests, a pretty harbor and a museum that traces the history of the island. To the north, the Forbidden Bay site is reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the Pacific.

You can also discover the beautiful beaches of the island of Ofu or the exotic birds on the island of Fatamafut, as well as the tombs of the ancient chiefs on Ta'u Island, which also houses a volcano in activity of 931 meters Of altitude, culminating point of the place.

The main activities are swimming in the sublime lagoons with warm waters, fishing, surfing, diving in coral reefs, or trekking in tropical forest.

All you need is a passport valid for another 6 months to enter Samoa and no visa is required for a stay of less than 6 months.

Currency: The current currency on Western Samoa is Tala, and it is the dollar on American Samoa.

Transport: From Paris, a flight of about thirty hours with one or two stops allows to reach Samoa. On the spot, in Western Samoa, the two main islands offer bus lines or vehicle rentals, and boats provide daily connections between the islands. On American Samoa, there are many taxis and one can also rent a car.

Budget: Excluding travel A / R, you will need about 50 € per day for average expenses.

Safety: It is better to be careful on isolated beaches, strong currents can lead to drowning risks in some places.

Health: There is no mandatory vaccination, but it is advisable to protect yourself against sun and mosquitoes.

Shopping: among the objects of local crafts, you will find beautiful souvenirs such as pareos, pottery, basketry, carved wood, mother-of-pearl jewelery, spices and shells.