Samoa - Country Information

General Information

Location: South Pacific
Local Time: GMT -11
Capital City: Apia
Language(s): Samoan, English
Dialling Code: 685
Emergency: Police: 995. Fire: 994. Ambulance: 996
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence or International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 240V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Tala (WST 1 = 100 Sene)
Notes: WST: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins: WST: 1. Sene: 5, 10, 20, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards are accepted on a limited basis. Travellers cheques are accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1600 Mon-Fri (times may vary between companies)
Office: 0800-1200 & 1300-1630 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0800-1630 Mon-Fri, 0800-1230 Sat

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Mar 21-24 Easter, Apr 25 ANZAC Day, May 12 Mothers Day, Jun 1 Independence Day, Aug 11 Father's Day, Oct 13 White Sunday, Nov 3 Arbor Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 26 Boxing Day
Holidays falling on Sun are observed on the following Mon

Business/Social Hints: English is used for business and commerce. Care should be taken to respect local customs and practices. Samoans do not like to disagree with someone in authority, or not give the anticipated reply. This can lead to misunderstandings by foreign visitors. The minimum drinking age is 21 years

Tipping: Not encouraged or expected

Health

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, TB*, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of a certificate of identity with photograph (exceptional cases only)

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid 6 months beyond length of stay

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Citizens of Samoa
2) Permanent or temporarary residents of Samoa provided
a) Holding proof of status
b) Stay abroad did not exceed 12 months

Notes: 1)All visitors can obtain an Entry permit on arrival for a stay of max 60 days. For longer stay, application must be made in the form appropriate to the purpose of entry
2) All visitors must hold
a) Return/onward tickets
b) All documents required for next destination and sufficient funds

Special Notes

All visitors must hold onward/return tickets & documents required for next destination

Climate

Temperatures & humidity are fairly high all year. Rain falls throughout the year with a main rainy season between Nov- Apr, however there are still plenty of sunny days between the downpours. Cyclones & tropical storms can be a hazard between Dec-Mar

Clothing

Light clothes with warmer wear for occassional chilly evening. Rainwear particularly for rainy season

Charts for Apia

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 30 29 30 30 29 29 29 29 29 29 30 29 Min Temp (C) 24 24 23 24 23 23 23 24 23 24 23 23 Humidity am (%) 82 81 81 79 78 77 77 76 75 77 78 79 Humidity pm (%) 79 78 78 76 76 73 75 73 75 76 75 77 Rainfall (mm) 455 386 358 254 160 130 81 89 132 170 267 371

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

Embassy
Honorary Consulate of Samoa
Church Cottage, Pedlinge
Hythe, CT21 4JL
tel: +44 1303 260541
fax: +44 1303 238058