The Samoan culture, 'Faa Samoa' has a strong focus on welcoming visitors. However, it is important that you follow protocol when you enter villages and use village resources, including beaches.

• Avoid walking through villages during the evening prayer curfew (usually between 6pm and 7pm). This usually lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is often marked at the beginning and end by a bell or the blowing of a conch shell. Respect Sunday. While many visitor attractions are open on Sunday, you are expected to behave quietly and to travel slowly through villages. Skimpy clothing is not recommended in villages, and will cause offence. Women are recommended to wear a lavalava (sarong) rather than shorts or pants, especially if they attend church. Almost all shops are shut on Sunday, so buy what you need the day before. No nude or topless (for women) swimming or sunbathing. Shoes should be removed before entering a fale. Never stand within a fale when elders are seated. When sitting in a fale, avoid pointing your feet at others. Either tuck them away, cross them (yoga style) or cover them with a lavalava or mat. Always ask permission from your host before taking photos in a village. Don't offer children money, even if they ask.
• If in any doubt, ask your host or a village member.

The Samoa decimal currency is based on the Tala (dollar) and Sene (cent): 100 Sene = WS$1 (Tala). All major foreign currencies are exchangeable in Samoa for Tala (Samoan dollars).

Credit Cards

Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners & JCB) are accepted at most major hotels and some restaurants and stores. Travellers cheques are widely accepted at the major banks and hotels.

ATMs

Most of the ATMs (automatic teller machines) are located in and around Apia, with one on the island of Savai'i. Overseas travellers can use your credit cards in the ATMs, but you must have a PIN to withdraw cash. Further details of where the ATMs are located can be found on the ANZ Samoa website which operates all the ATMs in Samoa except for the two located in the Westpac branch in central Apia.

EFTPOS

There are approximately 250 EFTPOS outlets found throughout Upolu and Savai'i for easy payment, which accept the following cards: Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Amex, JCB & Plus Cards and Access International Debit Card.

Approximate Exchange Rates

Tipping

Tipping is not encouraged or expected in Samoa. However, a contribution to school fees is an acceptable gift.

Electricity

The Samoan electricity supply provides 240 Volt / 50 Hz AC power through the same three-pronged style of plug that is used in Australia and New Zealand. Use of American appliances will require an adapter and a voltage converter, which can be supplied in some of the hotels, although to be safe, it is best to bring your own.

Mobile / Cell Phones

Global roaming services are not available in Samoa, but Telecom Samoa Cellular runs a TDMA digital/analogue hybrid mobile phone network, and if your phone is compatible, they can allocate you a separate phone number and charge the service and calls to your credit card. Alternatively, mobile phones are available for hire in central Apia, although coverage is patchy, and phones used in Apia will not work in Savai'i (and vice-versa).

Postal Services

The Post Office is located in the SamoaTel building opposite the government building on Beach Road, Apia. Opening hours are 8am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Samoa is one of the safest travel destinations in the world, boasting a low crime rate, no terrorist activity, and very few diseases to worry about. However, we still recommend that you apply the same common sense approach to your health and safety as you would at home, by not leaving valuables unattended, and investing in both travel insurance and a basic travel first aid kit.

Vaccinations / Immunisations

No vaccinations are required to enter Samoa unless you are arriving from, or transiting through, an area infected with yellow feature within 6 days. However, we still recommend that you consult a travel doctor prior to arriving in Samoa to discuss your health needs.

Water

The water in Samoa is generally safe to drink, although we recommend that travellers purchase bottled water, which is widely available. Ice used at most eating spots, nightclubs and bars is generally prepared from treated water, and is therefore usually safe to drink - but if in doubt, ask your waiter first.

Insect Borne Diseases

There is no risk of catching malaria in Samoa, but there are occassional outbreaks of dengue fever. Dengue fever is transmitted by a daytime-biting mosquito, and travellers are recommended to apply a tropical strength insect repellent to avoid the risk of transmission, and to make your time here more comfortable.

Filariasis (and Elephantiasis) are present in Samoa, but pose a very low risk to short term travellers - the disease generally requiring multiple bites from an infected mosquito for transmission.

Hospitals

There are three main hospitals in Samoa, two on the island of Upolu, and one on Savai'i: