Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Time Difference
UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Travel Climate
Samoa's proximity to the Equator results in hot and humid conditions throughout most of the year. There are two distinct seasons, the dry season (winter) between May and October and the wet season (summer) between November and April. The average annual temperature is 26.5 °C in coastal areas, with a decrease in temperature as the land rises inland. Southeasterly trade winds make April to October the more pleasant months. Samoa lies in the cyclone belt and is periodically buffeted and bruised by cyclones, the majority of which occur between November and April.
Travel Currency
tala (SAT)
Language Spoken
Samoan is probably the oldest Polynesian language, and it is the official language of both Independent Samoa and American Samoa. English is the second official language. Samoans are proud of their language.
Languages
Samoan (Polynesian), English
Ethnic Groups
Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
National Holiday
Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June
Geographic Coordinates
13 35 S, 172 20 W
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Airports
1