Samoa Country Guide

Samoa has a tropical climate, with near constant year-round temperatures of approximately 27 degrees celcius during the two seasons: Wet and Dry. The Wet season lasts from October to April; the Dry from May to September.

Dry season night time temperatures at higher altitudes can be surprisingly cool. If you are likely to be up on a mountain in the middle of the night between May and September, pants and a light jacket could be a good idea! Although Samoa is not overly prone to cyclones, sub-cyclonic storms do happen.

Check out our Samoa weather page for a six-day Samoa weather forecast.

The international calling code for Samoa is +685. To dial overseas from within Samoa, dial 0 followed by the relevant country code and phone number. Emergency numbers in Samoa are:

Ambulance (996); Police (995); Fire (994).

International Telephone - Today, most communities have access to a telephone. The International Direct Dial (IDD) country code for Samoa is +685. International calls from Samoa start from SAT1.36 (+Tax) per minute to other Pacific Islands countries, up to SAT5.45 per minute to Europe and the U.K. (+Tax).

Mobile/Cell Phones - Samoa is still using the analogue cell phone system. There are moves to introduce the GSM system in 2005. Cell phones can be hired on arrival from VIP Cellphone Rentals for between SAT8 for 31 days to SAT20 for a single day. Accounts are pre-paid, and you pay only for what you use.

Internet - Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have their own network of Internet cafes besides locally operated private Internet cafes. Connections cost about SA20^c Sene per minute. Smaller villages and outlying communities may not have permanent Internet access.

The Samoan currency is the Tala. There are 100 sene to the Tala. Samoa uses denominations of SAT100, SAT50, SAT20, SAT10, SAT5 and SAT2 Tala notes.

Check Samoan Tala (SAT) Exchange Rate from OANDA.com, The Currency Site.

Caution: These exchange rates are a reference guide only.

CHILE

Honorary Consul of Chile

P.O. Box 2037
Apia
Tel: (+685) 20362 Fax: (+685) 20260

Mr. Auga Farrell CRAIG

Honorary Consul

COOK ISLANDS

New consul general to be confirmed

FRANCE

Honorary Consul of France

C/o - Polynesian Xplorer
Apia

Tel: (+685) 25540 Fax: (+685) 26941

E-mail: zita@polynesianxplorer.com               Cell ph: (+685) 7779482

Ms. Zita MARTEL

Honorary Consul

GERMANY

Honorary Consul of Germany

P.O.Box 1620
Papauta

Tel: (+685) 25607 Fax: (+685) 25608
Cell Ph: (+685) 7770320 E-mail: germanconsul.samoa@gmail.com

Mr. Arne Friedrich Uwe SCHREIBER

Honorary Consul

JAPAN

Honorary Consul of Japan

C/o - Apia Concrete Products
Vaitele

Tel: (+685) 20331 / 24725 Fax: (+685) 22349
Cell ph: (685) 7774725 E-mail: fred.wetzell@apiaconcrete.com         

Mr Tupua Friederich W. WETZELL

Honorary Consul

Exequatur Date: 10 March 1997

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea 

C/o E. L.W. Associate

P.O. Box 3428
Apia

Office Tel: (+685) 26723 Fax: (+685) 327845
Home Tel: (+685) 23910 E-mail: wilex@ipasefika.net   

Mr. Edward Lotasiano WILSON

Honorary Consul

Samoan government did not issue an Exequatur

NETHERLANDS

Honorary Consul of The Netherlands

Betham Building

P.O. Box 859
Lalovaea

Mr. Oloipola Terence BETHAM

Honorary Consul

SPAIN

Honorary Consul of Spain

C/o Fepuleai Law Office

Greg Meredith Building

P.O. Box 2288
Apia

Tel: (+685) 20417 Fax: (+685) 23048
E-mail: fepuleai@lesamoa.net                                    

Mr. Patrick FEPULEAI

Honorary Consul

SWEDEN

Honorary Consul of Sweden

C/o  MNA Travel

P.O. Box 50

Nia Mall, Saleufi

Tel: (+685) 20036 / 24441 Fax: (+685) 20310
Cell ph: (+685) 7583001 E-mail: smsagencies@ipasefika.net

Mr. Papalii John RYAN

Honorary Consul

SWITZERLAND

Honorary Consul of Switzerland

Satui Rd, Fasitoo-Uta

P.O.Box 247
Apia

Tel: (+685) 42014 Fax: (+685) 42055
Cell ph: 7510999 E-mail: kappenberger@gmail.com

Mr. Marco KAPPENBERGER

Honorary Consul        

UNITED KINGDOM

British Honorary Consul

c-Panama Hat Restaurant

P O Box 1953
Siusega

Tel: (+685) 27123 Email: rogerss58@yahoo.co.nz 

Cell ph: 7733562

Mr. Stephen ROGERS

Honorary Consul

Population - 180,417 people (2006 census figure)
Total Area - 2,944 square kilometres
Capital - Apia (40,000 people)
Time Zone - Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -11 hours

To view the current time in Apia, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.

Samoan is the official language, while English is the working language. Almost every Samoan speaks English. The Samoan language is a member of the Austronesian language family, with 'cousin languages' in places as far apart as southern Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Easter Island and Madagascar, as well as closer 'relatives' in Tonga, the Cook Islands and Tuvalu. With only an oral history, Samoans did not have an alphabet until missionaries arrived! Although everyone speaks English, if you want to make an impression by speaking some local words/phrases, try the following:

Yes - PRONOUNED Eeoeh
No - Lehaee
Please - Fa'amolymoly
Thank You - Fa'afehtie
Good morning - Tarlofar
Good-bye - Towfar
How much? - Eh/fear?
Can you help me, please? - Eh mar fye orna eh feh sore so arnie my?

- 1st January 2010 (Friday) - New Year
- 2nd January 2010 (Saturday) - Day after New Years Day
- 2nd April 2010 (Friday) - Good Friday
- 3rd April 2010 (Saturday) - Day after Good Friday
- 5h April 2010 (Monday) - Easter Monday
- 10th May 2010 (Monday) - Mothers' Day
- 1st June 2010 (Tuesday) - Independence Anniversary
- 9th August 2010 (Monday) - Fathers' Day
- 11th October 2010 (Monday) - White Sunday
- 25th December 2010 (Saturday) - Christmas Day
- 26th December 2010 (Sunday) - Boxing Day

Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Samoa.

Samoans are devout Christians with over 900 church buildings for a population of about 170,000. The Sabbath Sunday is a day of worship in Samoa, almost part of Samoan culture, and it starts at 00:01! When the clock ticks past midnight, it's Sunday and revelry must cease. Nightclubs and bars will usually close on or before midnight on Saturday nights. Samoans turn out for church in their Sunday best.

Breakdowns of religious denominations are: Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.5%, other Christian 4.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census).

Travellers from the United Kingdom, Other EU Countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan receive a free visitors permit if your intended stay is less than 21 days. All tourists wishing to stay longer than 21 days need a visa.

All travellers to Samoa must ensure that are passports valid for six months beyond the date of departure. If your intended stay is less than 60 days, visas are issued for free on arrival provided they hold confirmed onward tickets, a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds to support the stay. For longer stays, visas should be obtained before arrival or visa extensions can be applied for in Apia.

Visitor's Permit: free on arrival. Other types of visa cost from US$130-1500 and applicants should enquire directly with the Samoan Embassy.

It is advisable to check this information with your relevant embassy prior to travel.

Samoa consists of a group of nine volcanic islands and islets in the Pacific Ocean approximately half way from New Zealand to Hawaii. The two largest islands of Savai'i and Upolu are dominated by volcanic peaks. Both have narrow, fertile coastal plains and offshore reefs, which form calm ocean lagoons that offer fantastic opportunities for a variety of water activities.

At 1,857m, Mauga Silisili (on Savai'i island) is the highest peak in Samoa. The highest peak on Upolu is 1,100m. The hills and slopes of both main islands are still heavily wooded and feature short but fast-running rivers with some spectacular waterfalls.

Samoa is located in an area of the Pacific known as 'the ring of fire' because of volcanic and undersea earthquake activity. While minor tremors causing little or no damage are relatively frequent in geological terms, larger scale damage-causing earthquakes are rarer.

Tsunamis (Tidal Waves) associated with undersea seismic activity are also possible. In the event of a tsunami, you should receive warnings to move to higher ground. However, if you notice the water draining from the lagoon and moving out to sea quite quickly, move immediately to higher ground as you have probably less than 3 minutes!

Samoa is a group of islands lying in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. To view a map of Samoa, click on this link to WorldAtlas.com.

Samoan people are Polynesians and archaeological evidence suggests that what is now Samoa was inhabited as early as 1,000BC.

Fa'a Samoa, the 'Samoan Way'

Samoa culture is steeped in rich oral history which records the great migratory movements, amazing feats and the entire history of the people. Despite over 150 years of western missionary activity and exposure to various different forms of external governance and the influences of other languages and cultures, fa'a Samoa continues to be the strongest thread which binds all Samoa people. Fa'a Samoa is so strong in fact that it is enshrined within the practice of the constitutional parliamentary democracy!

Matai, The Chiefs

Samoan matai (chiefs) are in essence 'elected' to this status by their aiga (extended family) or their community. Each aiga will have a matai to represent their interests in community affairs and oversee the use and allocation of family lands. Only matai are eligible for election to parliament. The status of matai can be bestowed equally on women as on men.

Traveller's Diarrhoea

Traveller's Diarrhoea (TD) is the single most common ailment affecting travellers worldwide. Visitors should take precautions to drink clean water or beverages from containers such as sealed bottles or cans. Rare or undercooked meats should be avoided. Vegetables should be washed in clean water, and fruits should be peeled before consumption.

Malaria

Samoa is free of malaria but not free of mosquitoes! Visitors should take necessary precautions: use mosquito repellent, and cover up.

Yellow Fever

Samoa is free of Yellow Fever. Visitors over 1 year old coming from areas affected by Yellow Fever require vaccination certification.

Hepatitis

Cases of Hepatitis A do happen, and Hepatitis B is endemic. Visitors should check and ensure their vaccinations against both strains are up to date well before they travel to Samoa.

Typhoid

Typhoid is present in Samoa. Visitors should check and ensure their vaccination against Typhoid is up to date well before they travel to Samoa.

Rabies

Stray and sometimes less than friendly dogs can be a problem, making Rabies a health risk.

- Respect Sunday, you are expected to behave quietly and show respect for the Sabbath.
- Take off your shoes when you enter a fale.
- Ladies should dress decently if attending church.
- Buy whatever you will need for Sunday on Saturday because almost all shops are shut to respect the Sabbath.
- When sitting in a fale, avoid pointing your feet at others. Either tuck them away, cross them (yoga style) or cover them with a lavalava or mat.
- Be polite and ask permission before taking photos in a village.
- If in any doubt about proper behaviour, just asking shows respect.

- Walking around villages during evening prayer, usually between 18:00 and 19:00, is a no-no. Prayer lasts 10 to 20 minutes and is often marked by a bell or the blowing of a conch shell.
- If children ask for money, don't give them any. If they don't ask, don't offer.
- Wearing skimpy clothing in villages will cause offence.
- No nude or topless women swimming or sunbathing.

The Samoa Tourism Authority is located in the fale in front of the Government Buildings on Beach Road in Apia. Open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm and on Saturday morning, from 8:00am to 12:00pm.

The Samoa Flag is red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation. Samoa dropped the 'Western' from its name in 1997.