Money and payments
Tipping
Tipping is not practiced or expected in Samoa.
//
Oceania · PolynesiaUsable guideIsland country in the Pacific Ocean
Photo: Stephen Glauser, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Samoa is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, part of Polynesia. It is an archipelago of 10 islands with ancient cultures, dramatic landscapes, and a variety of activities to do, such as snorkelling in Samoa's vibrant coral gardens. With a total of 400 kms along its shoreline, it boasts stunning palm-fringed, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise lagoons.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Samoa.
Tipping
Tipping is not practiced or expected in Samoa.
Non-alcoholic beverages and bottled water are available in all roadside stores.
Samoa is a malaria-free zone. However, there are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever and (since 2014) chikungunya, so precautions should be taken such as using mosquito nets and insect repellent.
Samoa is very religious, with most of the population following the Anglican denomination. This means that Sunday is generally respected as a holy day and most shops and businesses are closed.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Public transport and paid services in Samoa.
By bus
Buses are cheap and a ride on one will be a memorable experience. Buses on Upolu fan out from two locations in Apia, close to the main market and behind the flea market.
By car
Traffic in Samoa drives on the left. Samoa changed from driving on the right-hand side of the road in 2009.
By scooter
As per cars above, international driving licences are not accepted you need to obtain a temporary local licence.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Samoa.
Finding apps for Samoa…
Other ways to travel:By bike
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Apia · International · APW
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Apia
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 258 | 241 | 165 | 169 | 128 | 91 | 75 | 56 | 92 | 141 | 213 | 229 |
| Humidity | 82% | 82% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 80% | 79% | 79% | 80% | 81% | 81% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$70
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$185
Per person, per day
Luxury
$475
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $35 | $100 | $275 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $40 | $95 |
| Local transport | $10 | $20 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $65 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
—
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Samoa. Samoa is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Samoa to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Samoa.
Culture & historyRugby football is a game named after the school in the English town of Rugby. There are two main versions: rugby union with 15 players a side (with a 7-a-side variant), and rugby league with 13 players a side (with…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureWikivoyage has information about national parks, both about a host of individual ones, general information on parks in some countries and general advice for hiking and some related topics.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureA harbour is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and barges can be docked. Sometimes, these harbours can be natural, and some of these which are of great interest to travellers.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsRather than buying separate flights from one destination to another, a flexible and sometimes cheaper way of international travel is via Round the world (RTW) tickets.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsEurope is a continent that is relatively small but with many independent countries. Under normal circumstances, travelling through multiple countries would mean having to go through visa applications and passport…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Baha'i Faith is an Abrahamic religion that originated in Persia (now called Iran) in the 19th century. It is estimated to have 4-8 million adherents spread around the world.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
