Samoa is a country consisting of two big islands and four smaller ones that are all located in the central South Pacific Ocean among the islands of Polynesia.
The island has been discovered and inhabited many years ago and in all that period they have developed Samoan language as well as culture, however, English is also widely used.
The international image of the country is one of a very beautiful tropical paradise that should be discovered by tourists from all over the world.
Warnings & Dangers in Samoa
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Overall it is considered to be a safe country if all precautions measures are taken into account.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Taxi is the advisable method of traveling on the island as in case of using a minibus it is not very clear how they are working and therefore not very safe to be used.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpockets are often met here and as a result, it is advisable to take a close look at your belongings and be very attentive.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
The cyclone season is from November to April and in this period it is advisable to follow the recommendations of public authorities in case of emergency. It is also located in a seismic zone and it is prone to earthquakes and as a result of a tsunami as well.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There are really few cases of mugging that are well-known to the public authorities, but still, this does not mean that we should be fearless.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even if there is no historic data of any terrorist attack happening on the islands, there is still a chance for this to take place.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There are scammers on the islands but these could be easily avoided through using your common sense and not being easily influenced.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Sexual assaults do occur on the island and as a piece of advice would be to dress properly and choose wisely your accommodation.
So... How Safe Is Samoa Really?
Obviously it is believed that Samoa is a safe place from different perspectives, but even though it is advisable to take all precautions measures in order for you to avoid all unpleasant possible cases that can negatively affect you.
Cases of mugging have been registered mostly in the frequently traveled areas and therefore public authorities recommend that tourists should care the minimum amount of money with them and always check if their belongings are in place especially documents.
In case of a natural disaster, check always the national websites as these will provide you with detailed instructions on what actions should be taken in case of an emergency.
It is claimed that there is always a chance of terrorist attacks on the islands, but there is rigorous control of the people who are getting on the islands.
Political and Economic situation of the territory is more than stable, which means that public forces are well-functioning structures of the state and could take care of their citizens as well as of their tourists.
This makes the island a safe place for all its tourists.
How Does Samoa Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Samoa | 70 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| New Zealand | 90 |
| Hungary | 83 |
| United Kingdom | 77 |
| Singapore | 90 |
| Sweden | 83 |
| Uruguay | 77 |
| Switzerland | 89 |
Useful Information
Visas
It depends on your citizenship whether you need a visa or not, but all the required information is clearly provided by the web-site of the public authorities.
Currency
The tala is considered to be the currency of Samoa.
Weather
The climate here is tropical which means that throughout the year it is hot, humid and rainy.
Airports
There are five airports that operate flights on the island, but the one that has international flights is Faleolo International Airport.
Travel Insurance
As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination Samoa is not an exception.
Samoa Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| High °F | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 86 | 86 |
| Low °F | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
Loved my stay!
Samoa is a lovely place. I went with a group of friends just prior to the pandemic happening. I really enjoyed my stay. We found a very highly rated and safe hotel to stay in that had some private beach area for it. I feel like you will only run into issues, as a woman, if you try to budget your trip and spend as little as possible.