Samoa People & Culture

The "resorts" are not westernised. Expect "island time" aka massive delays and limited tourism facilities. The people are wonderful and friendly, but they will charge you to visit any signposted area (a waterfall, blowhole, black sand beach) hire a car and do a day trip around the island, sunday had a lot of foot traffic to and from churches but provided an interesting insight into island culture. Tane's has cheap supermarket supplies and Raci's will hire out bikes and snorkels. Don't miss the snorkelling. This is definately a holiday for people who want to relax and blob out.

Samoa is a travelers paradise. It has green rain forests, exciting blow holes, ancient lava flow, palm fringed beaches and cool waterfalls. It is cheap compared to other islands in the Pacific Ocean. You could stay in fales which are thatched buildings and cheap guest houses. The local people are friendly. Robert Louis Stevenson lived there. He was an author.

The "resorts" are not westernised. Expect "island time" aka massive delays and limited tourism facilities. The people are wonderful and friendly, but they will charge you to visit any signposted area (a waterfall, blowhole, black sand beach) hire a car and do a day trip around the island, sunday had a lot of foot traffic to and from churches but provided an interesting insight into island culture. Tane's has cheap supermarket supplies and Raci's will hire out bikes and snorkels. Don't miss the snorkelling. This is definately a holiday for people who want to relax and blob out.

absolutely beautiful beach. Fantastic snorkelling right there! Downside is lots of accommodation on beach so certainly not the most quiet or secluded beach!

there are these fabulous markets where you can get wonderful cheap fruit. have to go snorkeling at the reef and MUST go to the sliding rocks. they are the best thing out!!

The "resorts" are not westernised. Expect "island time" aka massive delays and limited tourism facilities. The people are wonderful and friendly, but they will charge you to visit any signposted area (a waterfall, blowhole, black sand beach) hire a car and do a day trip around the island, sunday had a lot of foot traffic to and from churches but provided an interesting insight into island culture. Tane's has cheap supermarket supplies and Raci's will hire out bikes and snorkels. Don't miss the snorkelling. This is definately a holiday for people who want to relax and blob out.

What a great place, awesome coral for snorkelling and the beach fale's are great value. 65tala a night gets you a fale and breakfast and dinner and some great memories

A great spot wit plenty to do, learn to dive, snorkel or just chill out. Le Lagoto is a great place to spend time with that someone special

absolutely beautiful beach. Fantastic snorkelling right there! Downside is lots of accommodation on beach so certainly not the most quiet or secluded beach!

if you catch a bus anywhere, make sure you learn bus etiquette

there are these fabulous markets where you can get wonderful cheap fruit. have to go snorkeling at the reef and MUST go to the sliding rocks. they are the best thing out!!

Try and learn abit of the language - and don't let them rip you off just cos they pretend not to understand english!! Ask someone trustworthy what the signs read!

Apia, on the main island Upolu in (Western) Samoa, is the cleanest city that I have ever visited, in a so-called developing country. It is hardly a city, though (thankfully). The population is around 35,000. From the airport, Apia is roughly 45 minutes away. However, it is a lovely drive along the coast. Apia is the final resting place of author John Louis Stevenson. The city has nice places to eat that overlook the ocean. Best of all, Apia has not been tainted (yet) by the impacts of globalisation. The locals have managed to maintain ownership of pretty much everything. The weather in Samoa is always humid. Not even the night can offer cooling respite.

Aggie Grays resort is a very nice place to stay or Aggie Grays downtown. The Government is in the process of changing the driving style from right hand side to left hand side (in other words they are currently driving on the same side we do in the states, but changing to the international way of driving.) Locals are very nice and laid back.