Introduction
If relaxing was an Olympic Games event, this is where you'd come to train. The pace of life in Samoa is so laid-back it's only a heartbeat away from being a nice little snooze. Its palm-fringed beaches, booming white surf, and lush rainforests wreathed in misty clouds make it the kind of place that Hollywood location scouts go gaga over.
Destination Facts
Capital: Apia
Chief of State: Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Prime Minister: Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Government: Constitutional monarchy under native chief
Time zone: GMT -11
Area: 1115
Population: 178631
Languages: Christian 99.7% (about half of the Christian population belongs to the London Missionary Society)
Currency: Tala (ST)
Country Dialing Code: 685
Getting There
When you're talking paradise, any time is a good time to go. As a general rule, however, you might find your Polynesian parade being rained on in December and January and your holiday smile melting in the humid months between November and April. The season for tropical storms and cyclones is also between November and March. The most comfortable time to visit the region is during the dry season between May and October. This is basically considered to be the region's high season, though there isn't necessarily much difference between prices charged. Not surprisingly, this is also when most of the major Samoan festivals are held. If you're into big-game fishing, the Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament take place during the second week of May. The rising of the palolo, one of the most fascinating natural phenomena, takes place on coral reefs around the islands in either October or November and the Samoan cultural event of the year, the Teuila Festival, takes place in September. If you plan to come during the December-January holiday period, when huge numbers of Samoans and Tongans return for the holidays (mostly from New Zealand, Australia and the USA), it's wise to book flights well in advance.
Getting there and away
The major carriers to Samoa are Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue. Most of them land at Faleolo Airport 22mi (35km) west of Apia on 'Upolu. Airport buses, public buses and taxis run from the airport to the centre of Apia. There is a departure tax of about 15.00, payable at Faleolo Airport. The days of hopping a cargo ship and working a passage around the Polynesian islands are fast becoming a thing of the past, although you might just snag one if you hang around the shipping services long enough. Yachting to Samoa is an attractive option in anybody's book so if you can show enthusiasm for all things yachty or better still, display some working knowledge of sailing, you can sometimes bum a ride on a yacht as a crew member.
Getting around
Getting around Samoa is uncomplicated but time-consuming. You can normally hopscotch around the islands by bus as long as you remember that a Samoan timetable is a vague idea that may or may not be acted upon depending on the level of interest shown by the driver. Patience is required. Ferries and boats will get you from one island to another but, despite what you may have imagined about the dreamy nature of sea travel in the South Pacific, crossings can often be unpleasant experiences. Cars can be hired on both main islands though petrol stations are rare outside major towns. If you're feeling incredibly fit you might want to cycle around the islands but you will have to contend with the heat and rugged terrain.
Visa:
Tourist visas of 60 days are granted on arrival to all visitors except Chinese nationals, who must obtain a visa beforehand. You must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your visit and an onward ticket.
Weather
This region of the southwest Pacific is typically tropical. Conditions are almost perpetually hot and humid - the average annual temperature is 26.5 ° C (80 ° F) in coastal areas, with a decrease in temperature as the land rises inland. But the even temperature and fresh sea breezes means conditions are never too stuffy. The region's wet season (ostensibly its low season) lasts from November to April. December and January are normally the wettest months. Remember, though, that most precipitation occurs at night and the main discomfort will be caused by a rise in the lethargy-inducing heat and humidity. The Samoan islands unfortunately lie squarely within the South Pacific's notorious cyclone belt. The season for tropical storms and cyclones is between November and March. Cyclones seem to occur, on average, every 10 to 15 years. The last big storm to hit the region was Olaf, which blew across the islands in early 2005.
If relaxing was an Olympic Games event, this is where you'd come to train. The pace of life in Samoa is so laid-back it's only a heartbeat away from being a nice little snooze. Its palm-fringed beaches, booming white surf, and lush rainforests wreathed in misty clouds make it the kind of place that Hollywood location scouts go gaga over.
Destination Facts
Capital: Apia
Chief of State: Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Prime Minister: Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Government: Constitutional monarchy under native chief
Time zone: GMT -11
Area: 1115
Population: 178631
Languages: Christian 99.7% (about half of the Christian population belongs to the London Missionary Society)
Currency: Tala (ST)
Country Dialing Code: 685
Getting There
When you're talking paradise, any time is a good time to go. As a general rule, however, you might find your Polynesian parade being rained on in December and January and your holiday smile melting in the humid months between November and April. The season for tropical storms and cyclones is also between November and March. The most comfortable time to visit the region is during the dry season between May and October. This is basically considered to be the region's high season, though there isn't necessarily much difference between prices charged. Not surprisingly, this is also when most of the major Samoan festivals are held. If you're into big-game fishing, the Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament take place during the second week of May. The rising of the palolo, one of the most fascinating natural phenomena, takes place on coral reefs around the islands in either October or November and the Samoan cultural event of the year, the Teuila Festival, takes place in September. If you plan to come during the December-January holiday period, when huge numbers of Samoans and Tongans return for the holidays (mostly from New Zealand, Australia and the USA), it's wise to book flights well in advance.
Getting there and away
The major carriers to Samoa are Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue. Most of them land at Faleolo Airport 22mi (35km) west of Apia on 'Upolu. Airport buses, public buses and taxis run from the airport to the centre of Apia. There is a departure tax of about 15.00, payable at Faleolo Airport. The days of hopping a cargo ship and working a passage around the Polynesian islands are fast becoming a thing of the past, although you might just snag one if you hang around the shipping services long enough. Yachting to Samoa is an attractive option in anybody's book so if you can show enthusiasm for all things yachty or better still, display some working knowledge of sailing, you can sometimes bum a ride on a yacht as a crew member.
Getting around
Getting around Samoa is uncomplicated but time-consuming. You can normally hopscotch around the islands by bus as long as you remember that a Samoan timetable is a vague idea that may or may not be acted upon depending on the level of interest shown by the driver. Patience is required. Ferries and boats will get you from one island to another but, despite what you may have imagined about the dreamy nature of sea travel in the South Pacific, crossings can often be unpleasant experiences. Cars can be hired on both main islands though petrol stations are rare outside major towns. If you're feeling incredibly fit you might want to cycle around the islands but you will have to contend with the heat and rugged terrain.
Visa:
Tourist visas of 60 days are granted on arrival to all visitors except Chinese nationals, who must obtain a visa beforehand. You must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your visit and an onward ticket.
Weather
This region of the southwest Pacific is typically tropical. Conditions are almost perpetually hot and humid - the average annual temperature is 26.5 ° C (80 ° F) in coastal areas, with a decrease in temperature as the land rises inland. But the even temperature and fresh sea breezes means conditions are never too stuffy. The region's wet season (ostensibly its low season) lasts from November to April. December and January are normally the wettest months. Remember, though, that most precipitation occurs at night and the main discomfort will be caused by a rise in the lethargy-inducing heat and humidity. The Samoan islands unfortunately lie squarely within the South Pacific's notorious cyclone belt. The season for tropical storms and cyclones is between November and March. Cyclones seem to occur, on average, every 10 to 15 years. The last big storm to hit the region was Olaf, which blew across the islands in early 2005.
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