Samoa Travel Guide American & Western Samoa Islands

samoa islands hospitality traditional life accommodation scenery

Samoa travel is about exploring, experiencing the rich village culture, discovering lush tropical forests and beachcombing along stunning remote beaches. Unlike the more commercial destinations of Fiji, Cook Islands and Tahiti, the Samoa travel experience will impress on even the most seasoned of travellers. Samoa is the place to experience off the beaten travel, a little adventure and no crowds. Independent Samoa Samoa travel is more traditional than neighbouring American Samoa and has the broadest holiday appeal with gorgeous beaches, lots of stunning waterfalls, volcanic craters and lava tubes, rain forest canopy walks, blowholes and some lovely Polynesian villages with a truly laid back atmosphere. With so many scenic wonders, Samoa has a well developed tourist infrastructure. Upolu is the main island with the capital town of Apia, although it is smaller than neighbouring Savai'i, just 10 miles to the west. Both islands are volcanic in nature and covered in tropical rainforest, with lots of volcanic peaks rising in the interiors, the highest point on Upolu being Mt. Fito at 1158m and on Savai'i, My. Silisili rises to 1880m. American Samoa Neighbouring America Samoa has been a dependent State of the USA since 1899 and the traditional way of life has been coroded and Americanized. The largest island of Tutuila lies just 60 miles to the south east of Upolu, and is considerably smaller in size than either Upolu or Savaii. It has a surprisingly limited tourist infrastructure catering mostly to businessmen, locals visiting from abroad and the occasional eco-tourist enthusiast seeking out its rich tropical rain forest and archaeological sites. Tutuila boasts the beautiful harbour setting of its capital Pago Pago Town and a wild and beautiful coastline with virgin rain forest. There are three stunning islands in the Manu'a Group, 60 miles further east, with high sea cliffs and gorgeous beaches, and even more remote are the tiny Rose Atoll and Swains Island.

Compared to its South Pacific neighbours of Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tahiti, life is extremely traditional and lack commercial tourism or large international hotels. There are just a handful of small beach resorts along the south and west coast of Upolu plus a couple on Savaii but you'll find plenty of budget beach huts (beach fales) all around the islands, each one with thatch roofs and coconut fronds as walls, and most operated by local families on traditional village land. Apia Town is the main centre of tourism and makes a good base for exploring Upolu and is the departure point for travellers to both Savai'i and Tutuila. This is where travellers spend at least their first few nights and there are several fine hotels and plenty of budget inns for accommodation. Overall, Samoa is the ideal choice for both discerning travellers and young backpackers wanting to experience a traditional culture, secluded beaches, stunning coastal scenery and lush tropical rain forests.