Page 20 - Samoa

AMERICAN SAMOA

AMERICAN SAMOA

Found at the heart of Polynesia, the islands of American Samoa offer a lush vibrant tropical setting full of adventure, culture and
history. The only United States territory in the South Pacific its main island of Tutuila juts out of the vast Pacific Ocean on the
horizon is covered in lush ‘old world’ rainforest thousands of years old and home the spectacular Pago Pago Harbour surrounded
and protected by three towering mountains.

Visit the National Park of American Samoa, one of only 67 in the U.S. National Parks system, and the National Marine Sanctuary of
American Samoa. Game fishing is huge and the whale watching can be done from the shoreline from July to November. Then
there is the American Samoa Baseline Observatory, one of only four air quality sampling stations in the world and World War II gun
sites like Blunts and Breakers Points which protected the harbour entrance from invaders. For those who like shopping, American
Samoa is a tax free shopping zone where you can pick up American products and international goods from a variety of stores. Fly
east and you come to the Manu’a Islands, a cluster of three islands whose beaches have been voted in the Top 10 most
undiscovered beaches in the world by travel websites and blogs. Here the diving is amazing and hiking in the in the National Park’s
two other sites on Ta’u and Ofu Islands spectacular.

Finally there is the ‘fa’a Samoa’ Samoan way of life, a culture over 3000 year olds whose traditions have remained intact and
where family comes first. Come and explore our islands, experience our culture and enjoy our American Samoan holiday!

Travel tips Max Temp °C Average Temperature
Min Temp °C
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• Climate: A pleasantly warm climate. The temperatures are cooled by • Drinking Water: Like in any tropical destination boil all tap water or simply

southeast trade winds from May to October, while November to April is the buy local and imported bottled water.
wet and humid season.
• Entry Requirements: New Zealand, Australian, United Kingdom and
• Currency: The United States Dollar is the currency of American Samoa and
Canadian passport holders automatically receive a 30 day entry visa upon
major currencies can be exchanged at local banks, as well as hotels. arrival. US citizens enter freely. All other nationals must apply for a visa
from the American Samoa Government Immigration Office, visit www.
• Language: Samoan is the national language, but English is the official americansamoa.travel for contact details.

business language. • Medical: There are no tropical diseases found in American Samoa and the

• Duty Free: Each visitor may bring one bottle of alcohol (including wine), one main hospital in the LBJ Tropical Medical Centre. There are private doctors
on the island as well.
carton of cigarettes and one case of beer.
• Village Protocol: Samoans are generous with their hospitality and smiles,
• Clothing: Light cotton summer clothing is recommended all year round.
and are generally happy to welcome you into their villages. Always ask
Swimwear is appropriate for the beaches but when going into the villages permission before taking photo’s in villages, avoid walking or driving through
and town areas please cover up or put on a t-shirt, shorts or lavalava villages during Sa (curfew for evening prayers), leave shoes outside a Samoa
(sarong). house (if invited in), sit cross-legged on the floor and remember to cover up
(no skimpy clothing).
• Transport: Local buses and taxis are the fun way to get around the main

island to Tutuila. There are also a number of car hire companies on island to
choose from and connections to the Manu’a Islands is either by ferry or local
airline, Inter Island Airways.

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