To Sua Ocean Trench, Upolu, Photo: Gelu Purcelu, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Samoa
Samoa, made simple: open beach fales, lava fields and the warmest welcome in the Pacific
Samoa is two big green islands and a handful of small ones, where village life still follows fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way. You sleep in open beach fales, swim in ocean trenches and lagoons, walk over lava that buried villages, and eat from an earth oven on Sunday. Village customs, quiet Sundays and cash habits can feel unfamiliar, so this guide takes the guesswork out and helps you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, seasons, cyclone advice and health, answered
- LandingFaleolo airport, SIM cards, tala and your first night, explained
- Your days in SamoaBeaches, villages, waterfalls and the ferry to Savai'i, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips and what you can take home, so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain cash, village custom fees, buses, taxis and typical budgets so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Samoa should feel like a warm welcome, not a worry. We answer the questions about entry, money, Sundays, village etiquette, transport and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home from Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Honolulu or Salt Lake City to see family, or bringing your children to the village for the first time? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your SamoaApia's markets, Upolu's south coast beaches, Savai'i's lava fields or little Manono: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, the dry season, cyclone and health advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for beach fales, waterfalls, markets, cafés, fiafia nights and stays across both islands.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to split your days between Upolu and Savai'i at an easy island pace.
Everything your Samoa trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Apia, Upolu's south coast, Savai'i and Manono Island, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred beach fales, waterfalls, markets, cafés, cultural shows and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Faleolo and compare places to stay on Upolu and Savai'i.
Search travelPlaces map
See where Apia, Lalomanu, Lefaga, Manase and Manono sit, and how far apart they really are.
See the placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and shape a relaxed route around both main islands.
Plan your tripAsk a question
Not sure about something? Send us a message and we will point you to the right answer.
Contact us
The classic Samoa trip
Apia, the south coast and Savai'i
Most first trips land at Faleolo and spend a night or two near Apia for the markets, the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and the cultural village. Then head over the Cross Island Road to the south coast for To Sua Ocean Trench, Lalomanu Beach and a few nights in a beach fale. Finish with the ferry from Mulifanua to Savai'i for the Saleaula lava fields, the Alofaaga Blowholes, turtles and the quiet beaches of Manase. Ten days covers both islands without rushing.
- Swimming in To Sua Ocean Trench
- Sleeping in an open fale on Lalomanu Beach
- Walking the lava fields of Saleaula on Savai'i
- A fiafia night of dance, fire knives and umu food
Start with the destinations
See how Apia, the south coast, Savai'i and Manono fit together.
Samoa destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Samoa rewards a little preparation: entry rules checked for your passport, enough tala in cash for buses, beach fales and village custom fees, a ferry timed around Sunday, and a season that suits you, since the drier months from May to October are the easiest. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic travel times around Upolu and Savai'i
- How Sundays change shops, buses and ferries
- Where to base yourself on each island
Where to go in Samoa
From the harbour capital Apia and the beaches of Upolu's south coast to the volcanic wilds of Savai'i and car-free Manono Island.
Tuamasaga, north coast of Upolu
Apia
A small, friendly harbour capital of markets, churches, a famous writer's home and the best introduction to Samoan culture.
Read the guidePhoto: amanderson2, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Atua, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Falealili, Safata and Lefaga on Upolu
Upolu's south coast
Samoa's postcard coast of white sand, bright lagoons, open beach fales, waterfalls and the famous To Sua Ocean Trench.
Read the guidePhoto: Neil, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Savai'i
Savai'i
Samoa's biggest and quietest island, with lava fields, blowholes, rainforest, turtles and long empty lagoons.
Read the guidePhoto: Rickard Törnblad, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Apolima Strait, between Upolu and Savai'i
Manono Island
A tiny island with no cars, roads or dogs barking at traffic, just a coastal path, four villages and simple fales.
Read the guidePhoto: Виктор Пинчук, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Samoa safe for tourists?
Samoa is generally a safe and friendly destination. The main risks are petty theft from beach fales and cars, roaming dogs, strong ocean currents, road safety and the November to April cyclone season. Check your government's current travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa for Samoa?
Many nationalities receive a visitor permit on arrival, but the rules, length of stay and documents needed depend on your passport. Check the Samoa Immigration pages and your government's travel advice before you book.
What currency is used in Samoa?
The Samoan tala. Cards work at larger hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants in Apia, but beach fales, buses, markets and village custom fees are cash, so carry tala when you leave town.
How many days do I need in Samoa?
A week covers Apia and Upolu's south coast. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Savai'i and Manono at a relaxed island pace.
When is the best time to visit Samoa?
May to October is the drier, less humid season and the most comfortable time to visit. November to April is hotter and wetter, with a risk of tropical cyclones.
What should I know about Sundays in Samoa?
Sunday is for church, family and rest. Most shops close, buses are rare, swimming near villages may not be allowed, and you should dress modestly and keep noise down.
Ready to find your Bliss in Samoa?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.