Samoa
Samoa is a country of two volcanic islands, Upolu and Savai'i, where travelers come for village life under fa'a Samoa and beach fale stays.
Samoa is an independent island country in the South Pacific, in Polynesia. Its two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, are volcanic, with rainforest on the inland ridges and coasts that switch between rocky lava shelves and sandy bays. Apia, the capital, is on Upolu, as is Faleolo, the country's main international airport.
Fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way of life, centers on family, village councils and the church. Beach stays often use the fale, an open-sided house, and visitors staying in villages follow village rules, such as dressing modestly and observing local customs. Samoa suits travelers who want slow days, swimming and village stays more than a busy city break. Allow at least a week to see both islands, and plan around the dry season from about May to October, when rain is less frequent than in the wet season from November to April.
Five things to know before Samoa
- Carry an onward ticket and proof of a room
UK and Canadian passports can stay up to 60 days visa-free; the UK says the permit issued on arrival is free. Officers can ask for an onward ticket, funds and a booking, and your passport needs 6 months of validity. Visas and entry
- Plan quiet Sundays
Sunday is for church and family. Many shops and tours close, and swimming near villages may not be allowed, so plan a restful day or a resort day.
- Pay the village fee at beaches and pools
Many beaches, waterfalls and swimming holes belong to a village, which may ask for a small fee. Ask first, carry tala in small notes and pay at the fale by the entrance.
- Take the ferry to Savai'i
Car and passenger ferries run between Mulifanua on Upolu and Salelologa on Savai'i, about an hour. Check the timetable on the day, since sailings change.
- Observe evening prayer curfew in villages
Many villages hold sa, a prayer time around dusk, when movement and noise stop. If you hear a bell or conch, wait quietly until it ends.
Samoa travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The 60-day permit, onward tickets and passport validity.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for snorkeling, cyclones and evacuation.
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries to Savai'i, buses, taxis and renting a car.
Read the guideMoneyTala, ATMs in Apia and cash for village fees.
Read the guide
Destinations in Samoa
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- WST 80
- Food
- WST 45
- Transport
- WST 10
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- WST 180
- Food
- WST 100
- Transport
- WST 60
- Sights
- WST 30
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- WST 350
- Food
- WST 180
- Transport
- WST 150
- Sights
- WST 120
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wettest, cyclonesJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 415 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest, cyclones
- FebruaryRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, cyclone riskFebruaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 511 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cyclone risk
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wet, humidMarchRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Showers easeAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 262 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers ease
- MayRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°DrierMayRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, breezyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- JulyRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, breezyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Dry, sunnyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Teuila FestivalSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Teuila Festival
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Warm, showersOctoberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet season startsNovemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season starts
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet, holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 369 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, holidays
Average daily high and low in Apia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Samoa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 33 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 25%
Upolu
09:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°18°25%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Wed26°18°95%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Thu25°19°94%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri25°18°41%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sat26°17°66%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sun24°18°89%Sunday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 89%.
Updated 09:22 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.742 WST
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Samoa FAQ
Do I need a visa for Samoa?
No, UK and Canadian passports can stay up to 60 days. A visitor permit is issued on arrival; carry an onward ticket, funds and a passport valid for 6 months. Check other passports first.
What is a beach fale?
An open-sided hut on the sand, usually with a mattress, mosquito net and shared bathrooms, often including breakfast and dinner. It is the classic way to stay on the coast.
Is Samoa the same as American Samoa?
No. Samoa is an independent country, while American Samoa to the east is a US territory with its own entry rules. Flying from Samoa to American Samoa carries a departure tax.
Can I drive in Samoa on my license?
You need a temporary Samoan driving permit, issued quickly in Apia or by many rental companies. Traffic drives on the left.
What should I wear in Samoa?
Cover shoulders and knees in villages and towns, and wear a lavalava or sarong over swimwear away from the beach. Swimwear in Apia or at church is disrespectful.