Travel to Samoa – Episode 357

Hear about travel to Samoa as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jade Johnston from OurOyster.com about her relaxing and immersive two-week adventure across this friendly island nation in the South Pacific.

Why travel to Samoa?

Jade says, “It’s the island paradise you think of when you think ‘island paradise.’”

Samoa offers unspoiled white-sand beaches, calm turquoise waters, reef snorkeling, volcanic hikes, hearty meals, and warm local hospitality. It’s a perfect off-the-beaten-path destination—especially accessible from Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji.

Recommended Itinerary

Jade split her time between Samoa’s two main islands: Upolu and Savai‘i.

Upolu

• Apia – Samoa’s capital. Base for restaurants, nightlife, and internet cafés. Some cultural tours are available via Urban Adventures.
• Mount Vaea / Lake Lanoto‘o – Hike up a steep trail to a fog-shrouded lake full of goldfish.
• Sunday Church Service – Join a local congregation for boisterous singing and community feasting.
• Markets and Expat Scene – Stock up on imported goods and meet expats from New Zealand, Australia, and North America.

Savai‘i

• Lano Beach – Jade’s favorite. Stay in beachfront fales (thatched huts), where the tide laps beneath your floor. Peaceful, remote, and affordable—with all meals included.
• Manase – Known for swimming with sea turtles in a family-run lagoon and laid-back accommodations.
• Volcano hike – Challenging half-day trek near Manase. Hot, muddy, but rewarding.
• Waterfalls and snorkeling – The reef-protected coast makes for calm waters and excellent snorkeling.

Accommodation

• Beach Fales – Family-run thatched huts, often right on the sand, with meals included. Budget-friendly and immersive.
  • Example: Joelan Beach Fales (Lano) includes all three meals and stunning oceanfront views.
• Resorts – High-end options are available, but far more expensive and less personal.

Price range: $20 USD/night for basic fale (with 1–3 meals) to $200+/night for luxury resorts.

Food

Samoan cuisine is hearty and earthy:

• Taro root and breadfruit in coconut cream
• Meat cooked in umu, a traditional hot-stone ground oven
• Large feasts, especially on Sundays
• You will be full

Transportation

• Buses – Colorful, loud, unscheduled, and privately run. Bang on the window to get off. No service on Sundays.
• Taxis – Reliable, friendly, often recurring drivers. Negotiate prices.
• Ferries – Connect Upolu and Savai‘i.
• Rental cars – Limited availability.

Tip: Ask 3 locals when the bus comes… then average their answers.

Travel Tips

• Dress modestly in villages (cover knees and shoulders).
• Plan around Sunday – nothing operates, including taxis and ferries.
• Don’t expect Wi-Fi – Sparse, expensive, or unreliable. Internet cafés available in Apia.
• Use Jason’s Samoa Guide – More up-to-date than Lonely Planet and free at the airport or visitor centers.
• Language – Everyone speaks English. Samoan is widely spoken too.

Best Experiences

• Meeting locals – Samoan hospitality is unmatched. Taxi drivers, fale hosts, and villagers were eager to help.
• Cultural exchange – Jade’s most memorable moment was cooking an umu feast with a village chief during a stay with a Peace Corps volunteer.
• Sleeping in a beach fale – Water beneath your hut, sunrise outside your mosquito net, and total silence.

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Show Notes

OurOyster.com
Apia
Mount Vaea
Upolu
Savai‘i
Lano
Manase

Community

Amateur Traveler Trips

Photos by Jonty Crane of Jonty travels