Western Samoa Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Even more than their American Samoan neighbors, Samoans adhere to traditional moral and religious codes of behavior. According to the government, the Samoan is the purest surviving Polynesian type, with a reputation for being upright and dignified in character.

Life in each village is still regulated by a council of chiefs with considerable financial and territorial power; this ‘extended family’ social system is intricately and unusually linked with the overall political system. Visitors should avoid walking through villages during evening prayer (usually between 1800 and 1900). Sunday is a day of peace and quiet, and visitors should behave quietly and travel slowly through villages. It is recommended for women to wear a lavalava (sarong); nude or topless bathing is prohibited.

When entering a fale (palm-roofed open beach huts), shoes should be removed, visitors should never stand when elders are seated, and when sitting down, the soles of feet should not be shown (the yogic cross-legged style is a good option). Permission should always be asked before taking photographs in a village. Visitors should not offer money to children, even when they ask.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
Samoa’s national airline is Polynesian Airlines (PH) (website: www.polynesianairlines.com). Air New Zealand (website: www.airnewzealand.com) and Polynesian Blue (website: www.polynesianblue.com) provide international connections.

Departure Tax
St$40 for adults. Transit passengers and children under 12 years of age are exempt.

Main Airports
Apia (APW) (Faleolo) is 34km (21 miles) from the capital. To/from the airport: Buses and taxis operate to the city (journey time – 40 minutes). Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, post office, duty-free shop and car hire (national firms).

Getting There by Water
Main ports: The international port is Apia, on Upolu. It is served by both cargo and passenger ships from Australia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the USA.

There is also a ferry service from Pago Pago on American Samoa.

Overview
The following items may be imported into Samoa by persons of 16 years of age or more without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 250g of cigars or tobacco.
• 1l of spirits.

Prohibited Imports
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, non-prescribed drugs and indecent publications. Live animals and plants (including seeds, fruit, soil, etc) may not be imported without prior permission from the Director of Agriculture.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Polynesian Airlines (PH) (website: www.polynesianairlines.com) operates daily flights from Faleolo on Upolu to Maota and Asau on Savai’i. Charter and sightseeing flights are available.

Getting Around by Water
There are passenger/vehicle ferries between Upolu (Apia) and Savai’i (journey time – 1 hour 5 minutes). Check with Samoa Shipping Corporation (tel: 209 356/6; website: www.samoashipping.com) for up-to-date schedules.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Drivers should be alert, especially at night, to the hazard of roaming pigs, dogs and people.

Bus: Public transport covers most of the islands. There are no timetables; police at the New Market Bus Stand in Apia have information on bus departures.

Taxi: Cheap and readily available in Apia. They are not metered and prices should be negotiated in advance. There is a minimum charge of St$2. Longer trips are at a higher rate but are government regulated.

Car hire: Available from several agencies. Deposit and insurance are usually required. Bicycles and motor scooters are also available.

Regulations: Speed limits are 40kph (25mph) within the Apia area and 56kph (35mph) outside the Apia area.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit for drivers over 21 years of age or a valid national license. The Transport Ministry issues a local license for a small fee. An International Driving Permit is required for car hire.


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