Faleolo International Airport sits on the northwest coast of Upolu, 35 kilometers west of Apia. The airport handles all international arrivals. Upon landing, immigration requires a passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure date. Most nationalities receive a 60-day entry permit on arrival at no charge. Visitors must hold confirmed onward or return tickets and proof of accommodation for the duration of the stay. The official Samoa Immigration website confirms these requirements. Agricultural inspection occurs after baggage claim. Samoa prohibits fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and plant material from entering the country due to biosecurity concerns. Officers inspect all luggage and impose fines for undeclared prohibited items.
The journey from Faleolo to Apia takes 45 to 60 minutes by road. Taxis wait outside the arrivals area. Fares operate on a fixed zone system rather than meters. The standard taxi fare from the airport to central Apia ranges from 70 to 90 Samoan tala depending on the specific destination within the city. Hotels in Apia arrange airport transfers for 80 to 120 tala per vehicle. Shared shuttle services do not operate regularly. Rental car agencies maintain counters at the airport including Budget and Avis. Daily rental rates start at approximately 150 tala for basic vehicles. Samoa drives on the left side of the road. The government switched from right-hand to left-hand traffic in September 2009.
The Samoan tala divides into 100 sene. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 tala. The exchange rate fluctuates but historically stays near 2.5 to 2.7 tala per US dollar and 3.0 to 3.3 tala per euro. ANZ Bank and the National Bank of Samoa operate branches in Apia with foreign exchange services. Both banks open Monday through Friday from 0900 to 1500. The BSP Bank also provides currency exchange. Exchange rates at banks consistently offer better value than hotel exchanges or airport counters. The Central Bank of Samoa publishes daily exchange rates on its official website.
ATMs exist in Apia and accept Visa and MasterCard. ANZ Bank operates multiple ATMs in central Apia including locations on Beach Road and at the Maketi Fou market complex. Machines dispense tala in 20, 50, and 100-note denominations. Daily withdrawal limits range from 1,000 to 2,000 tala depending on the bank and card type. International transaction fees apply based on the home bank's policy. ATMs outside Apia appear infrequently. Savai'i has ATMs in Salelologa town only. Villages and rural areas lack ATM access entirely. Cash remains essential for travel beyond Apia.
Credit cards see limited acceptance. Hotels catering to international tourists accept Visa and MasterCard. Most restaurants in Apia accept cards but add surcharges of three to five percent. Rental car agencies accept credit cards for vehicle hire and deposits. Retail shops, market stalls, bus operators, and small guesthouses operate on cash only. American Express and other cards face rejection at most establishments. Travelers should not assume card payment availability outside major hotels.
The Samoa commercial banking system includes three primary institutions. ANZ Bank maintains the largest network with branches in Apia and Salelologa. The National Bank of Samoa operates branches in Apia, Salelologa, and several district centers on Upolu. BSP Bank has branches in Apia and Salelologa. Banking hours run Monday through Friday 0900 to 1500. All banks close on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. International wire transfers take three to five business days to process. SWIFT codes function through these institutions for incoming funds.
Mobile phone services operate on GSM networks. Digicel Samoa and Bluesky Samoa provide mobile coverage across Upolu and most of Savai'i. Prepaid SIM cards cost 10 to 20 tala at provider stores in Apia and at the airport. Photo identification is required for SIM card purchase and registration. Digicel stores operate on Beach Road in Apia and near the Maketi Fou. Bluesky maintains a store in the Samoa Commercial Center. Data packages start at 15 tala for 1GB valid for seven days. Coverage becomes unreliable in mountainous inland areas and small islands. Voice calls within Samoa cost approximately 0.50 tala per minute on prepaid plans. International calls cost 2 to 4 tala per minute depending on destination.