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Upolu Island
Exploring Upolu is easy, with a good coastal road and several roads crossing the middle of Upolu connecting Apia with the south coast. It takes about 4 hours to drive around the island without stopping. Public buses operate to most locations, but the further you go from Apia, the more infrequent the service. Buses run around the south coast only several times a day and schedules are unreliable. Car hire is a better option. However, there are drawbacks: most car hire companies require your license to be endorsed at the courthouse in Apia before renting and insurance is seldom offered - hitting a child or pig will get you into serious trouble with the locals. The most popular way for tourists to get around is with Green Turtle Tours. This Apia based company offers an excellent hop on hop off package which enables you to spend as many nights as you like at one of its 12 accredited beach fale locations along the way. The tour can also be taken as a day tour.
Upolu Travel Guide
Faleolo International is situated on the north-west coast of Upolu and is where all tourist journeys begin. The new site of Aggie Grey's beach hotel is due to open in December 2004 to the west of the airport. Most tourists for the time being hop on the Airport Shuttle Bus for the 40-minute ride into Apia Town. This coastal road passes numerous traditional villages and is a good eye-opener to the Samoan way of life.
The capital of Samoa, Apia, sits in the heart of the north coast of Upolu. Apia is a charming town with a pleasant harbour setting and is the hub of tourist activity and accommodation. The local Fagali'i airport is 5km east of town for flights to Savai'i Island and American Samoa.
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The road along the north east coast of Upolu meanders around bays and over ridges, hugging the mountainous coastline. The valleys and waterfalls in this region are spectacular and there are several nice beaches and beach fales and a few small villages. Off the main road is the spectacular and remote region of Fagaloa Bay with secluded valleys and very traditional villages - the ideal place to immerse yourself into the local culture.
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The south east coast of Upolu is one of the most popular tourist locations for its numerous gorgeous beach settings, excellent swimming and snorkelling and razor sharp mountain views. There are lots of beach fales and small resorts along the coast. There are also four uninhabited offshore islands with protected bird sanctuaries and rich in marine life, one with beach fale accommodation.
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In the heart of the south coast there's a selection of remote and wild beaches, excellent surfing, waterfalls in tropical forest parks and the popular Maninoa Beach where there are two luxury beach resorts and a budget beach fale property.
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The finest stretch of secluded beaches is on the south west coast from Sa'anapu to Lefaga. This stretch of coastline is off the main road but can be reached from either Sa'anapu where there are kayaking tours around mangrove forests, or from Salamumu, where a small luxury resort operates. The four mile walk from Sa'anapu to Return to Paradise beach is one of the finest in the South Pacific.
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Manono Island is a small volcanic island located 20-minutes by slow ferry off the west tip of Upolu. Manono is a very traditional island with just five small villages. There are no roads, no cars and no dogs on the island making it truly peaceful and a great place to kick back.
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