Upolu
Upolu is Samoa's most populated island, combining Apia's city life, sandy beaches and village visits at a slow pace.
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Upolu is the second-largest island in Samoa, an independent country in the South Pacific, and the most populated of its islands. Apia, the capital, sits on its north coast. Faleolo International Airport, the country's main international airport, lies on the northwest coast, so most visitors arrive on Upolu first.
Visitors come for the coast and village life. Samoan custom, fa'a Samoa, shapes daily life in villages, where chiefs and extended families guide village decisions. Expect beach stays, walks to inland waterfalls, and a slower pace than in larger destinations. A stay of four to seven days covers Apia, the coast and one village visit. The dry season, roughly May to October, is the most comfortable time to travel, while the cyclone season runs from November to April. Many shops close on Sundays, so plan purchases and trips around that day.
Upolu in five
- Carry tala cashWithdraw Samoan tala in Apia before you travel further. Card payment is less common in village stores, roadside stalls and small buses.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before you landMobile coverage thins quickly outside Apia. Install an eSIM before you fly so you can check maps and bookings on the south and east coasts.Phones and eSIM
- Plan around Sunday closuresMost shops close on Sunday, and many restaurants do too. Villages keep the day quiet, so buy food and fuel on Saturday.
- Ride local buses from ApiaBuses leave central Apia for the villages, and you pay the driver in cash. A taxi costs more but reaches the south coast faster.Getting around
- Declare food and plants at the borderSamoa's biosecurity rules cover fresh food, plants and some animal products. Declare them on arrival at Faleolo airport to avoid a penalty.
Things to do in Upolu
See all attractions in Upolu
Need to know
- Currency
- Samoan tala (WST)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check Samoa Immigration first
- Emergency
- 999 police and emergencies; confirm the ambulance number with your hotel
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+13, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, humid
- FebruaryCyclone season
- MarchWet, humid
- AprilRain easing
- MayDrier, cooler
- JuneDry, mild
- JulyDry, mild
- AugustDry, breezy
- SeptemberDry, warming
- OctoberWarming, dry
- NovemberRain returns
- DecemberWet, holidays
Right now in Upolu
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
Day trips by train
- To Sua Ocean Trenchabout 1 hour by carA sea-filled lava pit on the south coast, reached by a ladder down the cliff. Wear shoes for the rock.
- Savai'iabout 1.5 hours by ferry from MulifanuaThe larger island, with lava fields and quieter villages. Plan a night, since the ferry keeps set times.
- Lalomanuabout 1 hour by carWhite sand at the east end of Upolu, good for an afternoon swim.
Before you go to Upolu
Rules for Upolu, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport with Samoa Immigration before you fly, since visa-free stays differ by nationality.
- Samoa's biosecurity rules cover fresh food, plants and some animal products. Declare them on arrival, as the officers check bags.
- Dress modestly outside the resorts. Cover shoulders and knees in towns and villages, and wear a lavalava or sarong over swimwear when you leave the beach.
- Respect Sunday. Many shops close and villages keep the day quiet, so plan trips and purchases around it.
- Ask permission before you walk through a village or photograph people, and follow the instructions of the village host.
Plan around Upolu
The capital on Upolu's north coast, with hotels, shops and ferry links.
Read the guideGetting around UpoluLocal buses, taxis, car hire and the ferry to Savai'i.
Read the guideMoney and costsTala, cards, ATMs and typical prices for each budget.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport, to check before you book flights.
Read the guideWhere to stayApia guesthouses, fale stays and beach accommodation on the coast.
Read the guideAll of SamoaSavai'i, the ferry and the wider islands.
Read the guideUpolu FAQ
How many days do you need in Upolu?
Three to four days covers Apia, the To Sua Ocean Trench on the south coast and a beach day on the east coast. Add two days if you cross to Savai'i.
Do you need a car on Upolu?
Not always. Local buses cover the main roads from Apia, but a car or taxi is easier for the south coast and remote beaches. Samoa drives on the left.
Where should I stay on Upolu?
Apia suits a first visit because it has the shops, banks and ferry access. Beach fales on the south and east coasts suit slow days, but expect longer trips into town.
Is tipping expected in Samoa?
No. Tipping is not expected, so pay the amount shown on the bill.
Can you visit the To Sua Ocean Trench as a day trip from Apia?
Yes. It is on the south coast of Upolu, about an hour by car, so a driver or hire car makes a day trip simple. Wear shoes for the lava rock.
Can you visit Savai'i as a day trip from Apia?
It is possible but tiring. The ferry leaves from Mulifanua, west of Apia, and the return must fit the ferry timetable. Stay one night if you can.