Apia
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Apia is the capital of Samoa. The town is on the island of Upolu and has a population of just under 40,000.
Understand
Apia was founded in the 1850s and has been the official capital of Samoa since 1959.
The harbor was the site of an infamous naval standoff in 1889 when seven ships from Germany, the US, and Britain refused to leave the harbor as a typhoon was approaching, for fear of losing face. All the ships were sunk, except for one British cruiser. Nearly 200 American and German lives were lost. Eventually, New Zealand occupied the area after World War I. During the struggle for independence organised by the Mau movement, a peaceful gathering in the town resulted in the killing of the paramount chief Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III and ten others by New Zealand police on 28 December 1929. The country attained independence in 1962.
As with most Pacific Island capitals, Apia is a little shabby and run down. Reasonably small in size and with few obvious attractions, Apia is very useful as an initial stop-off point for first time visitors to get their bearings, plan travel around the island of Upolu, organise accommodation on the beach, and recover from jet lag. Most of Samoa's highlights are outside the town, although many are within a very short drive.
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Climate
Located just 13 degrees south of the Equator, Apia's climate is tropical with constant temperatures around the year. The amount of precipitation varies throughout the year; from December to March over 300 mm of rain per month can be expected while it's a bit dryer during the southern hemisphere winter.
Tourist information
- 1 STA Visitor Information Fale, Beach Rd, Matafele (next to the government building on the harbour), ☏ +685 63520, +685 63521, fax: +685 20886, info@samoa.travel. M-F 9-5pm Sa 8am-12pm. The Samoa Tourism Authority manages an information centre offering maps, brochures and other information for tourists.
Get in
For more detailed Get In information, see Samoa.
By plane
- 1 Faleolo Airport (APW IATA) (is approximately 20 miles from Apia). Outside the terminal are the normal stream of taxis, which cost between $30 and $50 for a ride into Apia. Several hotels operate shuttle buses for guests. Arrange this in advance, as the scrum of arriving passengers and eager taxi drivers can be confusing when a whole planeload of tourists step outside to the small drop off/pick up point.
- 2 Fagali'i Airport (FGI IATA) (close to Apia). Flights from American Samoa
By boat
Occasional cargo ships dock at Apia port on their way around the world. A twice monthly ferry sails to Tokelau. Yachties can berth in Apia Harbour, where there are good facilities. See Samoa.
By car
For car rental information, see Upolu.
Get around
Much of Apia is within walking distance, although this may not be a comfortable experience on a hot and humid Samoan Day. Another thing to consider is the number of aggressive dogs towards dusk and in the evening. A walk from the suburbs into the centre is best avoided at any time for this reason. Most households have a dog, and even an innocent walk past their driveway could encourage an attack. Culling prior to the South Pacific Games (August 2007) reduced the numbers in the centre of town for a short period of time.
Taxis are cheap, safe and easy to hail down but single women are advised to sit in the back seat, particularly if wearing a short skirt.
Buses fan out to the whole of Upolu from downtown Apia. If you are staying at a hotel outside the immediate center of the town it may be possible to get downtown by bus. Ask at your hotel.
See
- 1 Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, Cross Island Rd, Valima (About 5 km south of town in the village of Vailima), ☏ +685 20798. 09.00-16.00 Mon-Fri; 09.00-12.00 Sat.. This was built by RLS, the author most known for Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, during the final years of his life, which he spent in Apia. It was said to be the only place that he or his wife ever truly called home. Although none of his most famous works were written here, he did write some short stories here, including "The Bottle Imp", which he wrote specifically for the Samoans and Pacific Islanders. The Samoan translation of this story became the first work of literature to be written into Samoan (excluding the Bible) and the only work by Stevenson to be translated into Samoan within his lifetime. The house is now a very well-kept museum with a good collection of items either originally from the home or equivalents. $15.
- 2 Robert Louis Stevenson's grave. Located at the top of Mt. Vaea overlooking the home, it is best visited in the early morning. As long as there has not been a lot of rain the longer and shallower path takes about an hour and is an easy walk. The steep path downhill is an option if it has been dry recently. Take water. From the grave, there are good views to the east and across the Pacific. There is no charge to climb to the grave.
- 3 Museum of Samoa (Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture compound, Malifa (Cnr Ififi/Vaitele streets) in the old German school building), ☏ +685 26036, lumepaa@gmail.com. 10.00-16.30 Mon-Fri. Formerly located on the first floor of the courthouse building on Beach road, this museum has been temporarily relocated to the Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture Headquarters. Among other things it has Lapita pottery and stone adze heads, used by the early arrivals to the islands; a good selection of historical photos; information about tattoos, and examples of Samoan birds.
- 4 The fish market. 6AM on Sunday morning. This is when the locals go to buy fish for the special meal of the week, Sunday tonai.
- 5 Mulinu'u peninsula. Holds the parliament house, the law and titles court, the historic observatory, and many important tombs.
- 6 Clock tower. Built as a war memorial, the clock tower is regarded as the central point of the city.
- 7 Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Catholic cathedral and one of the bigger buildings in the town, also its cupols and ornaments sets it apart from the rest of the city's buildings. It was finished in the mid 19th century, badly damaged in the 2009 earthquake, and reopened after renovation and extension in 2014.
- 8 Apia Samoa Temple. The Latter Day Saints church west of Apia was opened in 1983 and is with its 75-metre high spire another place of worship that's also a remarkable landmark.
Do
- A walk along the sea wall is enjoyable. But only on a milder day (i.e. 25 degrees), and not after dusk because of the dogs. Many Apians walk along the sea wall in the late afternoon.
- 1 Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, Vaiala Beach, Apia. The only beach in Apia to the East of the harbour. Not really much a beach, though, it's mostly coral gravel. It's an official underwater park. The snorkelling initially seems pretty poor but if you venture further out (probably a good quarter mile swim) it gets a bit more interesting with the occasional turtle and black tip reef shark. Ask at the entrance where to swim - there's a marker post that helps. If you are stuck in Apia it's not a bad way to kill a few hours or just hang out at the "beach". You can rent snorkels here although it's a good idea to take your own. Also check the tide chart at the gate before you pay, at low tide there is a long paddle out over very sharp coral to get anywhere deep enough to snorkel. $3 USD.
- Fishing. Samoa is a popular fishing destination and most of the charter companies operate out of Apia. The Samoan International Game Fishing Association is based near the port and can provide information about boat companies. Every year it runs an International tournament, attracting anglers from all over the world. Fish in the local waters include blue and black marlin, sailfish, yellowfin, and the giant trevally. Charter companies include:
- Golf. Two courses are close to Apia: the Royal Samoan Country Club near Fagalii Airport and the Faleata Golf Club, which is close to the sports complex constructed for the South Pacific Games.
- 2 Vailima Brewery Tour, Vailima, Upolu (10 minute drive west of Apia), ☏ +685 20 200. Make reservations because tours are only given on certain days. Samples of the German style lager can be tasted straight from the vat. Free.
Buy
Markets in Apia host many interesting stalls and locally made souvenirs. Note however, that many of the items on sale, such as cloth in Samoan patterns, are actually imported from China.
- 1 Flea market. The flea market nearby the fish market to the west of the Clock Tower, sells a variety of local handicrafts and imported items.
- 2 Fresh produce market. The new market or marketi fou is a traditional market selling all sorts of local produce as well as some handicrafts. One section sells kava by the cup.
Eat
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Apia has several reasonable places to eat. Beer and soft drinks are available at most places.
There are numerous restaurants that cater for locals on a budget and will sell the sort of food that is eaten in the average household. The menu is likely to include chop suey, chicken curry, and mutton flaps. Umu or earth oven cooked local food include roast pig, and the great delicacy, palusami. Palusami is made of onions and coconut cream with possibly chicken or prawns, all wrapped in a new taro leaf and baked. This is a "must try" and goes well with taro.
Remember that restaurants tend to close early by Western standards and that, with a few exceptions, the restaurants in the big hotels are the only ones open on Sunday. There are no street numbers in Apia so you will have to ask for directions if you do not take a taxi. The town is divided into lots of smaller villages and the restaurant location is given by village, road (e.g. Beach Road, which is a couple of miles long), or the building, which is not of much use to foreigners.
Budget
- 1 Amanis Restaurant, Fugalei St (from farmer Joe's supermarket, 200m more inland, on the right just before Tatiana motel), ☏ +685 25363. Breakfast/Lunch only. Delicious local food by the scoop for takeaway or eat-in. Good Oka! $4-20.
- 2 Burger Bills (At farmer Joe's supermarket). Has delicious fish'n chips. $8.
- (the RLS museum) are the Indian Curry House and Koko Banana, with both offering
- 3 Kokobanana Bar & Grill, Cross Island Road (just before Vailima). Reasonable food and good views.
- 4 Italiano Cafe. The Italiano Café on the beach road, halfway between the tourist office and Aggie Grey's has decent pizzas for $18/27/36 (small/med/large). A “medium” is enough for 2!
- 5 Fish Market. At the Fish Market you get delicious fish and chips.
- At the Flea Market and at Marketi Fou there are lots of food stalls selling local food, mostly fried stuff. "The Samoan pancakes" (small fried banana dough balls) are delicious and cost 10 sene each.
- 6 Marketi Fou, Saleufi Street (Entering Apia from the Airport, turn right at Mr Lava Lava). Mon - Sat. The main produce market in Apia. Operates 6 days a week with a few additional traders on a Saturday. A great selection of local food and exotic fruits, including fresh limes, mango, avocado, pawpaw, pineapple, soursop, breadfruit, coconut, taro, leafy greens, and several varieties of banana (including red ones). Absolutely try the palusami (taro leaves baked in coconut cream). It's a good idea to stock up on fruit here before heading anywhere on the islands.
Mid-range
- 7 Sails Restaurant, Beach Road, Mulinu'u Apia (on waterfront just past Parliament House), ☏ +685 20628. M-Sa 11AM till late, Su (dinner only) from 6PM. Oldest restaurant in Apia. Excellent food—steaks, seafood salads, and pastas—and well priced. Jazz nights, huge deck overlooking the harbour, very friendly service. $8-45.
- 8 Seafood Gourmet, Beach Rd (near the wharf). Good food for reasonable prices and provides a view over the harbour
- 9 Hotel Amanaki (on the beach road, towards the Mulinu'u peninsula, the second one after the park). Decent food for decent prices ($20 for fish steak w/fries). A popular meeting place for locals and ex-pats.
Splurge
- 10 Paddles, Beach Rd (Far end of Beach Road close to the harbour.), ☏ +685 21819. Popular, if slightly overrated, Italian-style restaurant.
- 11 Bistro Tatau, Beach Road, corner of Fugalei St., ☏ +685 22 727. Monday-Friday 12.00-14.00 and 18.30-21.00. Dinner only on Saturday.. Australian-run restaurant generally agreed to be the best in Apia. Guys running the place reportedly a bit distant.
- 12 Apaula Heights. A deck affords views across the eastern part of Apia and the Pacific. It is a must for a full-moon night. The food is above average standard for Apia and prices range from $30-70 a main course.
- 13 Giordano's, Falealili St (2km south of Beach Road on the Cross Island Road), ☏ +685 25985, gastanley@samoaonline.ws. Italian restaurant famous for its pizza. Vegetarian friendly.
- The Hotel Millennia just down the road is a favourite meeting place for locals for a drink and a bite to eat in the late afternoon.
- If you are wandering around town and absolutely stuck for a place to eat, the most westerly and remote McDonalds in the world can be found in central Apia.
Drink
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Alcohol can be bought at almost all restaurants. Soft drinks and bottled water are generally available and safe. While the purity of the tap water is questionable, all factory-bought ice is safe. It is only later handling that can contaminate it.
- Kava at the market. (see Samoa)
- There is a mall (meaning a pedestrian street) in the centre of town with coffee shops, that are great place to sit and watch people passing by.
- 1 Le Well, Fugalei St. Liquor store, sells a good range of spirits and wines that are much cheaper than buying them by the glass from your hotel.
Bars
At the end of 2010 the Apia bar scene had been thrown into some confusion by the puritanical tendencies of the Prime Minister, who was trying to get them closed by 22.00. Given the confusion opening hours are not specified here. You should check when you arrive. All bars are closed on Sundays.
There is a string of bars in the centre of town between the fire station and the Australian High Commission. This is a good area to visit in the late afternoon and early evening but is best left before closing time when things can get a bit troublesome.
- 2 Cocktails On the Rocks, Beach Road (just west of the Clock Tower). Well-established cocktail bar, often with some attractive Samoan girls seeking the "company" of foreign tourists.
- 3 RSA Club, Mulinu'u Road. A local club that tends to be a bit rough and ready and caters to an older, beer-drinking clientele, but is a great way to meet locals and chat.
- 4 The Edge Marina View, Beach Rd, ☏ +685 27 979. Restaurant, cocktail bar and event venue with DJs playing Wed to Sat nights
LGBT
There is no "gay scene" nor gay community per se. In common with much of Polynesia there is widespread acceptance of homosexuality in Samoa. This acceptance of fa'afafine (the way of a woman) owes much to the tradition of raising some boys as girls. In families with all male children parents would often choose one or more of the boys to help the mother. Because they would perform the work of women they were raised as if they were girls. Although their sex was widely known, they would usually be dressed as girls. Many however, would eventually get married to women. Modern fa'afafine are more likely to choose to live as women, and more likely to be homosexual. Boys who appear effeminate may be recognised as fa'afafine by their parents. They will neither be encouraged nor discouraged. Fa'afafine tend to hang out together and bars popular with them tend to change over time.
Gays who are self-aware enough to realize they are gay, and not fa'afafine, may travel in fa'afafine circles, and thus be more readily recognized as gay. There is an annual fa'afafine pageant.
The welcoming Samoan culture combined with a desire to shine favor from visitors (who are presumed to be very wealthy by comparison) can lead to confusing signals from friendly men.
Lesbianism is much less accepted. While there are of course lesbians, there is no lesbian scene and nowhere to easily meet Samoan lesbians.
Sleep
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Budget
- Hotel Elisa has older budget rooms in the back of the newer, splurge hotel.
- 1 Samoan Outrigger Hotel, Savalalo Rd (Downtown Apia, near the hospital), ☏ +685 20042, Outrigger@samoa.ws. A prime choice for medical students doing their electives at the local hospital. Run by a Danish man and his Samoan wife. Clean and friendly with a pool and beautiful gardens. Option of staying in a traditional fale (very economical) or air conditioned rooms. Discounts can sometimes be negotiated for longer stays during medical electives, etc. Has Lavasoft wifi (paid). $80 for a fale, $150 for single rooms, $200 for a ensuite single with air conditioning.
- 2 Apia Central Hotel, Savalalo Road, ☏ +685 20782, fax: +685 26206, ahkams@lesamoa.net. Good value hotel close to downtown. rates start from $55 (single room), $60 (double room), $80 (family room).
Mid-range
- 3 Eden's Edge, Togafuafua (A few minutes walk south of the Apia Clock Tower.), ☏ +685 26202, info@edensedgesamoa.com.
- 4 Leric Housing Motel, Ifilele Street (Turn inland at the Vailima Brewery.), ☏ +685 20260, fax: +685 20341. With eight two-bedroomed units, this styles itself as a family-friendly motel. 10 minute drive from downtown Apia. Pool and tennis court.
- 5 Lynn's Getaway, Motootua (Down from the hospital and next to Lynn's Supermarket), ☏ +685 20272, lynn@lynnsgetaway.com. Colonial style bed and breakfast. Conveniently located near the Hospital and Red Cross. Located 5 minutes from town. En suite rooms from $ 130 to 150; also close to attractions like Piula cave pool and Robert Louis Stevenson museum. rates from $130 (room with shared facilities, one person).
Splurge
- 6 Hotel Elisa, Beach Road, ☏ +685 21116, fax: +685 20536, contact@hotelelisa.ws. $250+ but there are also some budget rooms..
- 7 Hotel Millenia Samoa, on Mulinu'u Peninsula NW of town center, ☏ +685 28286, +685 28284, fax: +685 28285, info@hotelmilleniasamoa.com. Very nice, air-conditioned rooms and friendly staff. May be slightly expensive for backpackers but if traveling as a couple, then it's reasonably priced. Free breakfast. Short walk to the center of town. Some rooms have patios overlooking the harbor. Notice that the wi-fi (LavaSpot) isn't free- but don't buy the internet from the desk staff- you can get it cheaper by buying it directly from the intercept page. $180-350.
- 8 Hotel Tanoa Tusitala, Beach Road, ☏ +685 21122, fax: +685 23652, tusitala@tanoahotels.com. Completely rebuilt hotel after the former Hotel Tusitala was destroyed by fire. Good quality, spacious rooms in large grounds. double room from $185.
- 9 Le Alaimoana Hotel, Main East Coast Rd (almost next door to the UN building), ☏ +685 20392, fax: +685 23926, myroom@alaimoana.ws. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 09.00. Somewhat overpriced hotel for what you get. Convenient for visitors to Apia's large UN headquarters but a short taxi ride ($3) to town if you are a tourist. standard rooms from $195.
Stay safe
Samoa is generally very safe. Locals who strike up a conversation are unlikely to have sinister motives, however you will often be asked for money.
Free roaming dogs can be a safety problem in the capital Apia. The Government of Samoa (GoS) passed the Canine Control Act in 2013 as an initial step toward addressing dog management. Most dogs ignore you and don't see you as a threat if you ignore them.
Nearly all of Samoa's nightlife is centered in Apia, and so, like anywhere in the world around closing time, it can get a bit rowdy. Samoans are, on the whole, extremely friendly and despite their size, remarkably relaxed and gentle people. This does not mean you should let your guard down. Alcohol related violence is a major problem in Samoa.
The concept on ownership in Polynesia is different. Locals believe in sharing everything, and this does mean that items can be swiped. Do not leave anything of value lying around.
Cope
Embassies
Only Australia, China and New Zealand have full diplomatic representation in Apia. The U.S. is represented by the Ambassador in New Zealand but maintains an Embassy in Apia. Britain and some other countries have Deputy High Commissions.
2 Australia, Beach Rd, ☏ +685 23411.
China, Vailima, ☏ +685 22474, tce@samoa.net.
New Zealand, Beach Rd, ☏ +685 21711.
United States, 5F, Accident Corporation Bldg, Matafele, ☏ +685 21436, +685 21631 (Emergencies), +685 7771776 (after hours), fax: +685 22030, AmEmbApia@state.gov.
Go next
Take a local bus, tour or car out and around the island of Upolu. Take the ferry to Savaii and spend a week or two staying in beach fales around the island. Pop across to American Samoa and visit Pago Pago, the inspiration for Somerset Maugham's play "Rain".