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Samoa Travel Guide
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Samoa is divided into two separate countries: Western Samoa and American Samoa. Western Samoa travel is the most developped with a distinct focus on its glorious beach fales, sightseeing and exploring its rich culture. Tourism is low key and you won't find any of the large international hotels here. You'll find plenty of small beach bungalows (fales) with thatch roofs, some quite luxurious but others very basic. Surfing is excellent and scuba diving good in places although sailing is limited as there are not many islands in the group. This is the cheapest destination for travelling in the South Pacific making it the ideal choice for backpackers and discerning travellers wanting to escape the more commercial South Pacific neighbours.
Western Samoa Travel Guide
The main island in Western Samoa is Upolu Island with its picturesque capital Apia overlooking the harbour and tropical hills. Apia has an excellent selection of hotels and restaurants making this a popular base for sightseeing. Mountains, traditional villages and gorgeous beaches are found along the entire southern coastline with refreshing waterfalls in the interior. Upolu can be driven around in a day (driving is on the right) although at least four days are needed to explore its hidden attractions and experience its lifestyle.
The largest island is neighbouring Savaii Island, an hour by ferry from Upolu. Savaii has an even more traditional village society and has some beautiful natural attractions including blowholes, virgin forests canopy walks, some lovely beaches and active volcanoes (the last eruption was in 1911) making this a geologists haven. Between the two main islands are several smaller islands with traditional villages and interesting archaeological sites.
Organised day tours are a good way to get a feel for the country and offer by far the most convenient way of getting about the islands (public buses are very unreliable and self-driving can prove difficult - see getting around).
American Samoa Travel Guide
American Samoa (77sq km), is a totally different travelling experience. The main island of Tutuila lies less than 100km to the east of Upolu, and the glorious Manu'a Islands another 100km to the east. Tiny Rose and Swains atolls lie a further 100km east of Manu'a.
American Samoa travel has a reputation as being rather dull and overly Americanized - nothing could be further from the truth. True, there are few picturesque beaches lined with coconut trees and no up-market beach resorts. What it does have is stunning tropical mountains with wild and remote coastlines, protected National Parks and hiking trails and several impressive archaeological sites including star mounds and ancient stone quarries.
There is virtually no tourism on American Samoa and the hotels in the main town of Pago Pago and along the south coast of Tutuila cater mostly to businessmen and the occasional discerning travellers in search of the islands' pristine and hidden environment. The best beaches in American Samoa are found on the three outer islands of the Manu'a Group about 60 miles from Tutuila. These islands are serviced by two daily flights and there are a few small basic guesthouse as accommodation.
Other Search Results:
Samoa Accommodation Search
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Samoa Holidys Planner
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Samoa Travel Guide
detailed guide, scuba diving, surfing, Eco-tourism, culture and backpacking
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Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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