TIPS for SOLO FEMALE BACKPACKING IN SAMOA

* 11 DAYS
* AU$ 1,150 Budget
* Truly Immersive Experience

*Exclusively for travellers though tourists are welcome to read and relate as well*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just returned home after 11 days backpacking in Samoa all by myself. Can say that it is one
of my favourite countries in the world and what I find quite unique in Samoa are the people
and their hospitality.

First, Samoa is not the most backpacking-friendly destination. This is the 31st country I ever
travelled to, and honestly not the cheapest. I spent $1,150 in Samoa for 11 days but somewhere
like Bali would only cost me half of that price. However, those prices are fair given that Samoa
is an isolated island nation far from any mainland, unlike Indonesia. Among, Fiji, Vanuatu, and
Samoa, Samoa is the most backpacking-friendly destination I have been to. You go to the
Pacific Islands because they have a unique charm that you cannot find in heavily crowded
tourist destinations like Bali... So, yeah it isn’t Bali, it is Samoa, and the cost is worth it!!!

As a solo female traveller, I felt that Samoa is quite safe to travel... people asked whether I had
a boyfriend, how old I was, or other personal questions... but it is their culture rather than being
rude or intending harm. As a seasoned traveller, I do have an intuition regarding whom I should
pour my heart out or to whom I shall lie or give limited information. So, it is okay to share your
travel plans with random strangers in Samoa but make an intuitive judgement regarding it.

ITINERARY

Samoa has two main islands, Savaii, the biggest island, and Upolu, the main island with the
international airport and the capital, Apia in it. Most flights from Australia land early morning
in Samoa. I think going straight away to Savaii is ideal if you plan to visit both islands and I
think you should defo visit both. I landed at 5 AM and by 6.30 AM I got out of the airport. As
a solo traveller renting a car might not be worth it. It depends on your budget (I think it would
cost like 100 Tala a day to rent a car and there is a minimum renting period).

Day On Arrival at the Airport

1
• Buy local SIM card (50G data + Local and international calls to AU and NZ)
55 Tala.

• Take Cash Out – Almost everywhere in Samoa except big resorts you cannot
pay by card. Also, ATMs are not everywhere. So, take out enough cash at a
time to avoid multiple ATM fees. I took cash out only two times and it is
roughly a 7AUD fee per cash withdrawal.

• Take a bus to the Ferry Terminal – Taxis would try to rip you off, but be precise
and clear with them to say, “No I am going to take the bus.” Just get out of the
airport and cross the road to catch the bus towards the Ferry terminal (3 Tala)
 or catch the bus from the same side as the airport towards the capital, Apia (5
Tala). Alternatively, you can also walk to the ferry terminal which is only 4 km
from the airport.

Buses in Samoa: There are no bus schedules, and buses are not so frequent either. I
waited around an hour to catch a bus to the ferry terminal. But hey it is all a part of
the experience, and I could chat with some locals while waiting for the bus.

Ferry to Savaii

• At the wharf I had some breakfast and bought a one-litre bottle of water (8
Tala) As a vegetarian, the only options I had were cup noodles and some snacks
like peanuts. Non-vegans have more options like little snack-style food.
• The ferry to Savaii is 10 Tala per person and you can just walk in without
booking in advance. But if you have a car, it is more expensive plus needs to
be booked in advance. Ferry takes about 1 – 1.5 Hours.

On Arrival in Savaii

• It is a busy place at the wharf when Ferries arrive/depart. There are many buses
parked right outside. They all go to the Market most likely. At the Market, they
have the main bus terminal. So, you can take a bus anywhere. Taxis would try
to rip you off and give misleading information, so do not ask for directions
from taxi drivers. Just ask a local if the bus goes to the market shouldn’t cost
more than 2 Tala.

• Busses do not go to the other end of the island often, so choose to stay
somewhere that is not too far from the town. You can do a whole loop around
the island, I decided to go north coast first.

STOP 1: Manase

• It is a cute coastal village in the North of the island.

• Bus to Manase takes about 2 hours and costs only 5 Tala. It is a scenic route
through the North Coast.

Fales: Fales are like little huts made on a platform. Very basic and very open without
any walls, but there are blinds made from coconut leaves that cover the hut at night.
This is the most backpacking-friendly accommodation option in Samoa. Usually, many
Fales include breakfast and dinner in the price.

Accommodation:

Tanu Beach Fales:

80 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast + Dinner

Vegetarian options are available and relatively good, but as everywhere in
Samoa it was carb-rich food
 • A Review for Tanu Beach Fales:

- Felt like it was a secure place as the beach was not open or easily accessible by
outsiders.
- Beautiful lagoon right outside and most fales face the lagoon.
- The staff is so friendly and helpful.
- Fales had a light and also an electric plug point for charging.
- Big spacious fales and mosquito nets.
- The bathrooms are clean and nice.

Activities:
• Snorkel with Turtles – Free
• Chill and relax

Day Accommodation:
2
• Tanu Beach Fales

Activities:

• SCUBA Diving (300 Tala and free pick up by the dive shop if you are in
Manase). You can see Turtles, a ship wreck and many coral reefs while diving
in this spot.
• Snorkelling

*I had lunch at a restaurant in a resort: it was 30 Tala for very basic food. Do not
recommend eating out like this. Tanu Beach Fale has a restaurant that has 10 Tala
veggie salads which is pretty good.

Day STOP 2: Faleloupo

3
• It is the western end/ corner of the Savaii Island.

• Really beautiful area and this village is about 8 km off the Main Road. So not
easy to get there.

• While I was waiting for the bus a lovely family dropped me off halfway there.
Then I got another ride from a lady who was driving to Faleloupoto, a village
by the main road close to Faleloupo. I paid her 20 Tala to drop me off to
Faleloupo.

Hitch Hiking in Samoa: This a very common practice in Samoa and many locals even
do it. It is relatively very safe to do this in the daytime and of course, use common
 sense. Sometimes I did not even have to ask for a ride, many locals offered me it. Some
even went off their way literally to drop me off at my destination. Sometimes people
ask for money and if it is a reasonable price, it is completely okay and quite different
from getting ripped off by Taxi drivers.

Accommodation:

Faleloupo Beach Fales

80 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast + Dinner

Vegetarian options are available, but the dinner included chicken when I said
that I did not eat chicken the lady just removed the chicken leg from the plate.
I was not too fuzzy with it, so be clear with them, that you do not eat meat and
sometimes you may sound like repeating yourself but do repeat yourself.

• Review for Faleloupo Beach Fales:

- Absolutely beautiful location

- There was me and then another couple (tourists) in the whole property
- The owners/hosts were not sleeping on the same property
- I felt a bit insecure here as a solo female traveller and as the beach was open
and quite accessible to anyone
- Lights were not working in the Fales and Fales were rather small
- Charging was available in the dining area only
- I could have stayed here longer if there were more people to make it feel more
secure.

Activities:

• Snorkel for Free: Beautiful corals

• Old church ruins: Free entrance after hours, and it is quite beautiful
• Chill at the beach and sunsets

Day STOP 3: Satuiatua

4
• Getting out of the Faleloupo to the main road is not hard as many villages travel
there and can find a ride easily. From the main road, I caught a bus to Satuiatua
and paid 5 Tala.

• Roads to Sauiatua are so nice with beautiful rocky beaches

• This is a nice area, a village. Much more accessibility and travel options here.

Accommodation:

Satuiatua Beach Fales

 80 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast + Dinner
Nice vegetarian menu for dinner and continental breakfast.

• Review for Satuiatua Beach Fales:

- Nice place and a very different vibe to other places. Beautiful beach fales right
on the beach and there are some giant trees on the beach as well.
- Spacious fales, but fales are like dormitories with multiple beds. I had my fale
but there were many beds.
- Nice staff
- Some renovation works were going and it kind of took some of its charm away.
- Open beach again, so it is better to lock up your valuables with the owners.

Activities:

• Snorkel for Free: Beautiful corals at high tide

• Chill at the beach and sunsets
• Blow Holes is only 7 km away and can easily hitchhike there or catch
a bus. Entrance fees are 10 tala, and this is a must-visit.

Eating Out in Savaii: Many fales provide only breakfast and dinner. I skipped lunch
myself, but the best lunch options are cup noodles and some healthy snacks like
peanuts or crackers. Because food at restaurants is not good quality but extremely
pricey.

Day STOP 4: Faa’ale

5
• This village is close to the ferry terminal

• I met two other solo female travellers, and they had a car. So, we did a little
road trip from Satuiatua to here. They dropped me off at my accommodation
and went on to catch the ferry. So much to see in between these places.

Accommodation:

Florence’s Place

200 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast + Dinner

Best vegetarian food I had in Samoa

• A Review of Florence’s Place:

- Friendly and helpful hosts.

 - The owners own an organic farm, so the food is so good. Especially as a
vegetarian, the most veggies I saw on my plate were at this place. Very well-
made gourmet food.
- This place is not on the beach, so it will be a nice break from the beach.
- Beautiful interior and homestay-style communal accommodation.
- The price is not backpacker-friendly, but the food can make up for the extra
money you spend here.

Activities:

• Chill
• Farm visit (I could not do this as the weather was not that great. But I
went to their farm for a short while on the way to the ferry stop and it
looked so good and located more inland. I wish I had time to visit the
farm and do some harvesting myself).
• Aau Waterfall: walking distance from this accommodation, 10 Tala
entrance fee, and a nice waterfall to swim.
• Arts Demonstration: 20 Tala and you can witness and even try out some
traditional art methods. Complementary Samoan hot cocoa.
• The beach is within walking distance too I heard but did not have time
to get there.

Day Ferry Back to Upolu

6
• People at Florence’s place offered me a ride to the ferry terminal.

• 10 Tala back to Upolu.

On Arrival at Upolu again

• There are buses parked outside that go directly to Apia, the capital.

• Anywhere else you go, you must go through Apia, unless you hitchhike.

• I was lucky as I was walking to the bus stop, a lovely family stopped their car
and they happened to be going to the same area. They took me to my hotel.
They even stopped the car at a supermarket to buy me some drinks. When I
was going to pay for it, they insisted that they would pay it for me.

STOP 5: Matautu

• I wanted to stay close to the Giant Clam’s Sanctuary and the beach fales there
were temporally closed.

• The guy there however suggested another hotel.

Accommodation:

Faifamili Village Resort

 70 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast
Vegetarian food available
Dinner/ Lunch can be ordered for 15 Tala.

A Review for Faifamili Village Resort

- Friendly and helpful hosts.

- It was cheap and nice accommodation. I had an A/C Room and so secure and
nice view of the beachfront.
- Nice breakfast
- Well worth the price

Activities:

• Giant Clams Sanctuary: 20 Tala entrance fee and it was about a 3 KM

walk from this hotel. Highly recommend this.
• Sunsets
• Chill

Day Accommodation:
7
Faifamily Village Resort

Activities:

• Snorkel and Swim

• Read

Local Experience: I was invited by the local family who gave me a ride here to visit
their house. They took me to church as this was a Sunday. They made me a nice local
lunch. I spent time at their family house, and they even took me to some beaches
nearby. They are my Samoan Family…When they finally dropped me off at the next
location, they even cried.

Day STOP 6: Maninoa

8
• Cute coastal village and a good central location to anywhere.

• A good place to base yourself if you do not want to go to many places.

• The same family dropped me off here very early in the morning.
 Accommodation:

Ocean Club Maninoa

80 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast

Vegetarian food available
Dinner/ Lunch can be ordered at the restaurant on site and vegetarian meals
cost around 25-30 Tala.
Veggie Burger is a must-try here
Also for a more fancy dining experience, this place is in between two big
resorts, so you can do an expensive dinner out if you want to. I spent 75 Tala
eating out in one of the resorts one day.

• A Review for Ocean Club Maninoa:

- Friendly and helpful hosts.

- Well-built fales – covered fale and more comfortable
- By the beach
- Restaurant on site
- Well managed place

Activities:

• Black Sand Beach: Hitchhiked to the turn-off on the main road for the
black sand beach. Then I walked for nearly 4 km to the beach along a
wide path that goes through very thick bushes and vegetable fields and
so on. GPS says it is only a 2.5 km walk, but it is 4Ks. I trekked all by
myself and honestly, there was no one there. A family that stays at
Ocean Club had arrived there with their car too. My favourite beach in
Samoa to be honest, because it is so beautiful and secluded from the
rest of the world. Only I and the other family of 3 were there at the
whole beach and it was so beautiful and peaceful. When I was walking
back, while there were another 1.5 km to the main road, that family was
also leaving, and they gave me a lift in their car. FREE entry.

• Lava Field Coastal Walk: This again lies about 3KMs from the main
road. I was lucky that while I started walking there, the department of
Forestry and Conservation vehicles were going there for some of their
ecological data collection. They gave me a lift to the start of the track,
and it was so nice. I enjoyed this coastal walk, and it was amazing. I
walked back to the main road, and I was given a lift back to Maninoa
by a lovely local family once again. FREE Entry.

Day Accommodation:
9 Maninoa Ocean Club
 Activities:
To Sua Ocean Trench: Of course, this is the most famous attraction in Samoa. Since I
did not have a lot of time, I decided to just make a day trip this way, rather than staying
on this end of the island. While I was waiting for the bus, a local man gave me a lift
halfway. However, then he offered to drop me at the To Sua if I would pay him. He
was nice that he did not ask for a price. Instead, he told me to pay anything that I think
is fair. I paid him about 40 Tala for going out of his way for an additional 15KMs. This
place has a 20 Tala entrance fee and you can spend the whole day here. The trench is
mind-blowing. There is a 30-meter ladder to get down from and it might not be the
safest so be careful and mindful with each step. I went there nice and early before too
many people were there. The currents are a little strong in the trench sometimes, so be
careful. I spent about 4 hours here swimming, snorkelling, taking photos and talking
to other visitors. There is an underwater tunnel that opens on the other side of the
trench and some people are diving in it. I did not as I was not too confident with my
diving skills there.

Vavau Beach: As I was walking to Vavau beach from To Sua, I was offered a ride by
some other tourists. Really beautiful beach with Free Entrance. But it is not the best
place to swim.

Waterfall: While I was waiting for a bus on the main road, I got extremely lucky again
that the family who stayed at the Ocean Club were driving past there back to Maninoa.
They gave me a lift back to Maninoa, but I got off at this waterfall. Entrance Free spot,
not crazy wild waterfall, but decent and nice spot to wind down. I met two female
travellers there and they were staying at the Ocean Club too, so I got a ride back with
them.

Day STOP 7: APIA

10
• The capital city of Samoa

Accommodation:
Outrigger Hotel, Apia

o 110 Tala per Night inc. Breakfast

o Centrally located but relaxing and quiet
o Comfortable Fales + Rooms
o Swimming Pool

A Review for Outrigger Hotel:

- Friendly and helpful staff

- Comfortable spacious fales with a little deck with chairs to chill
- It would have been great if they had a restaurant on site.
- Nice continental breakfast
- Beautiful colonial house

Activities:
 • Tiapapata Arts Centre: Once again while I was waiting for a bus in Maninoa,
a local couple gave me a lift to this Arts centre. Another traveller that I met
was volunteering at this arts centre and that is why I visited it to meet her.
However, the central highlands in Samoa are very beautiful. Arts Centre has a
café and I spent like 20Tala for a nice vegan meal. Also, it is quite an
interesting spot to visit.
• Bhai Temple: Another place to visit and this is a beautiful building and a
garden.

Local Community Experience in Apia: When I came to Apia, I walked to the

Cathedral, but it was closed. However, a local girl just walked up to me and spoke to
me, and she was very impressed by my style. Then she told me that they were going
to this weekly event at the International Christian Church in Apia and invited me. So,
I joined in. I met so many local young people singing, dancing, and having fun at this
place. Even though I am not necessarily a religious person, I do enjoy a community
of this sort and it was a great experience to connect with many local beautiful
people.

Day This was my last day…. My flight was to depart the next day at 5.00 AM and I had to
11 be at the airport around 2 AM. So, I decided not to book any accommodation for the
night. Instead, I left my bag at the Outrigger Hotel and spent the day visiting Apia.

Activities:
• Cultural Village Show: 20Tala per head this cultural show is a really good
introduction to Samoan culture. It also includes some snack portion lunch that
you can have on a plate that you weave.
• Cathedral: This cathedral right opposite the Cultural village is a great spot. It
is so interesting. They have very inclusive paintings that represent Samoan
Indigenous Culture and Christianity together.
• Museum: My next stop for the day was the museum. But this place was not
worth my walk there. It was interesting but not worth it at all.
• Market: I ended up buying so many things at the market. So interesting and
beautiful and so many things to buy.
• McDonald's: Samoan Maccas hasn’t got any cultural food at all. But it was
good to chill there cooling down in an aircon building. I had ice crème and
chips.
• Deep Sea Marin: 5Tala entrance fee here. Snorkelling here was not that bad,
but seriously it was really dirty water. Nice corals but I wasn’t too impressed.
• Cultural Night Show: I visited this hotel for a cultural night show, and it was
free, I bought some mocktails and had food while watching the show. It was
so mind-blowing. Can’t remember the name of the hotel now.

I returned to the Outrigger hotel around 10 PM and I was just hanging around
their pool area chatting with friends I made there and also sorting out my
photos, and images and doing some reading until 2 AM when my airport
transfer picked me up.
Day My flight left at 5 AM and 25Tala for the airport transfer from Apia to the airport.
12 They dropped me off at the airport around 2:20 AM.
With my leftover cash, I bought more souvenirs and gifts to take home.

More TIPS

• Bring your snorkels. To rent them is like 10 tala per day.

• Vegetarians bring some protein bars. Carb carb-rich diet here can make you feel weak.
• Bring your tampons and other sanitary products
• Bring sunscreen and use it, do not forget a hat and sunglasses
• I brought some water purification tablets and used tap water with them. This is cost-
effective plus environmentally friendly
• Buy in Samoa or bring with you a scarf that you can wear as a sarong. Villages are still
a bit conservative and revealing clothes are considered disrespectful for their cultures.