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Currency
Tala or Samoa Dollar (Tala) = 100 sene. Notes are in denominations
of Tala100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of Tala1,
and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 sene.
Credit cards
MasterCard is accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit
card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services
which may be available.
Travelers cheques
Accepted in major hotels, banks and tourist shops. To avoid additional
exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques
in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Samoa without incurring
customs duty:
a)200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
b)1 liter of spirits.
Prohibited items
The items are firearms, ammunition, explosives, non-prescribed drugs
and indecent publications. Live animals and plants (including seeds,
fruit, soil, etc) may not be imported without prior permission from
the Director of Agriculture.
Passport
A valid passport for 6 months beyond the date of departure from
Samoa is required by all.
Visa
A valid visa is required by all except:
a)Tourists for visits of up to 30 days, provided holding confirmed
onward travel documentation, onward tickets and a valid passport.
For longer stays, visas should be obtained before arrival.
Getting There
By Air:
Samoa's national airline is Polynesian Airways (PH). Others operating
to the islands are Air Pacific Air, Air New Zealand and Samoa Aviation.
By Sea:
The international port is Apia, on Upolu. It is served by both cargo
and passenger ships from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Europe and
the USA.
Getting Around
By Air:
Polynesian Airways (PH) operates daily flights from Fagali'i or
Faleolo on Upolu to Maota on Savai'i.
By Sea:
There are passengers or vehicle ferries between Upolu (Apia) and
Savai'i
By Road:
Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 40kph within the Apia
area and 56kph outside the Apia area. Drivers should be alert, especially
at night, to the additional hazard of roaming pigs, dogs and people.
a) Bus:
Public transport covers most of the islands. b)Taxi:
Cheap taxis are available in Apia. They are not metered and prices
should be negotiated in advance. c) Car hire:
Available from several agencies. Deposit and insurance are usually
required. Bicycles and motor scooters are also available. An International
Driving Permit for drivers over 21 years or a valid national licence.
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