Samoa

Samoa offers one of the most intact traditional Polynesian cultures in the Pacific, still organized around fa'a Samoa, the customary way of life centered on extended family, village chiefs, and communal land. Visitors come for the dramatic To Sua Ocean Trench, a swimming hole sunk deep into volcanic rock and reached by ladder, as well as waterfalls, rainforest, and quiet white-sand beaches largely free of crowds. Traditional tattooing, or tatau, remains a serious cultural practice here. Samoa rewards travelers looking for authenticity over polish.

Why go thereIslands Beaches Indigenous cultures Nature & landscapes Diving & snorkelling Volcanoes Surf Culture & heritage Adventure sports Rural traditions

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Palusami

Taro leaves wrapped around coconut cream and baked in the umu until creamy.

Oka i'a

Raw fish cured in lemon and coconut cream with onion and cucumber.

Umu

The above-ground stone oven that cooks Sunday's to'ona'i for the whole family.

Food & drink to try

Palusami

Taro leaves wrapped around coconut cream and baked in the umu until creamy.

Oka i'a

Raw fish cured in lemon and coconut cream with onion and cucumber.

Umu

The above-ground stone oven that cooks Sunday's to'ona'i for the whole family.

Sapasui

Glass noodles with soy and beef, a Chinese dish naturalised into Samoan feasts.

Talo

Taro corms baked in the umu and eaten with coconut cream and fish.

Fa'alifu talo

Taro simmered in coconut cream and onion until it absorbs the sauce.

Fa'ausi

Grated taro or bread rolled and soaked in caramelised coconut cream.

Panipopo

Sweet buns baked in coconut sauce so the bottom half soaks it up.

Pani keke

Banana doughnuts fried dark and eaten hot, sold at markets in the morning.

Supoesi

Papaya cooked in coconut cream and sugar, served warm as a dessert soup.

Koko Samoa

Local cocoa beans roasted and ground with the fat left in, boiled into a drink.

Pe'epe'e

Coconut cream heated with onion, poured over taro and breadfruit.

Practical info

Drives on the left

Entry & health

Set your passport

rnz.co.nz samoa.travel ws.usembassy.gov

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is not part of Samoan culture and is not expected in restaurants, taxis, or cafés, as it can even be seen as awkward; a voluntary tip for a tour guide who gave great service (around 5-10%) is appreciated but never required.

Sunday is a strict day of rest — most shops, activities, and attractions close, alcohol sales are banned except in hotels/restaurants, and visitors should behave quietly and move slowly through villages.
Dress modestly outside resorts and beaches (cover shoulders/knees, e.g., a lavalava); swimwear should be worn only at the beach or pool, not around town or villages.
When sitting in a traditional fale (open house), avoid pointing your feet or toes at others — cross your legs or cover your feet with a mat or sarong.
Ask permission before taking photos of people, entering a village, or accessing beaches/lagoons, as much land and coastline is customarily owned by local families.
Respect the matai (chief) system and village curfews/evening prayer time (often signaled by a bell or conch shell) by staying quiet and off the roads briefly if observed.
Remove shoes before entering a home or fale, and it's polite to sit rather than stand when speaking with elders or chiefs.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Samoa — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA