Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Solo Female traveling in Samoa? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Samoa
cini 12:21 UTC 28 Jan 2007 | Hi all, Thinking about heading out to Samoa on my south pacific trip, however, I'm unsure as to travelling independantly. I've backpacked many regions of the world so I'm alright of travelling solo- but I'm wondering what the men are like? Are they aggressive? Dangerous? I want to know what to expect for a female traveller. Thanks! |
Laszlo 12:38 UTC 28 Jan 2007 | <blockquote>Quote <hr>I want to know what to expect for a female traveller.<hr></blockquote>LOTS of interest by Samoan men including offers of marriage - seriously! :-) Western spouses/passports are much in demand there. ;-) Less sure about Asian ones though. In general, Samoa is pretty safe and friendly, but don't roam the streets of Apia at night on your own, and keep your money and documents on you at all times. See the Samoa link in my signo for more on what to be aware of. And remember that Samoa is touristy enough that you could always mingle with other travellers at popular beach places like Lalomanu on Upolu or Manase on Savaii if you feel uncomfortable on your own. | 1
Laszlo 14:38 UTC 28 Jan 2007 | Read also this post about Women in the South Pacific - it has coments by several female travellers (which I am not). | 2
teine 19:26 UTC 28 Jan 2007 | My first trip to Samoa was as a single young woman and I found it to be very safe. Many people in Samoa will find it hard to understand why you would want to travel alone and will try be-friend and protect you. It’s up to you whether you chose to accept their hospitality or not but it’s a good way to meet people and learn about Samoan customs. I did have one incident where a young man started following me and I had to tell him to back off more than once but he finally got the hint. Follow the basic common sense rules, don’t go out alone at night, watch out for stray dogs, don’t let men follow you back to your hotel, etc. While I was living in Apia, I tended to stick to the same hostel and met many other travellers who I tended to spend time with in the evenings, mostly at clubs and restaurants on Beach Road. After being in Samoa for a while, I met a great group of Samoan friends who I trusted and spent a lot of time with. They showed me some of the less touristy/more local places and I have a blast. All in all, I enjoyed Samoa very much as a single female traveller and would recommend it to any woman! | 3
eenelfje 00:35 UTC 29 Jan 2007 | I travelled alone (female) to Samoa for a few weeks and had no problems at all. Felt very safe. I think you will be having more problems with the stray dogs in Apia during the night. | 4
jeninsamoa 17:31 UTC 31 Jan 2007 | Hey Dont worry - you'll be fine - I've never had any huge problems in Samoa. Yes the taxi drivers will want to marry you, but the best thing is to laugh it off and say boys are too much trouble or you're too young to even think about marriage etc. A lot of the time the guys are just trying it on to see how you will react. My tips would be dont walk around at night on your own cos the dogs are really vicious and taxis are dirt cheap. As far as nightlife goes, avoid the nightclub RSA is you're on your own, if not on your own go there cos the band is good - nice and cheesey. Paddles nightclub is very tame and has a lot of the local ex-pats so good place to avoid being hassled. Also the lighthouse (aka hot n spicy grill or some name like that) is safe, at the rear of this is also a great cocktail bar and restaurant called The Lounge. The waiters there are great and will restore your opinion of samoan men. My advice - be prepared to have guys say "hey baby" and then giggle hysterically in a highpitched samoan giggle - its all a bit of a joke when you hear them laught - I never had any big problems in samoa. Hope you have a great trip! | 5
cini 02:32 UTC 01 Feb 2007 | Thanks for the comments everyone. I am slightly more cauious this time around because my first trip to Thailand and Indonesia, (being in Asia of Asian decent in western clothing), I was treated as nothing more than a prostitute- modestly clothed, during daytime or not. I was stalked in Indonesia, and sexually assaulted in Thailand. Experiences i dont want to revisit but at teh same time, will not stop be from seeing out parts of the world. however, this time around- a bit more aware. if any Asians have travelled there, advice would be greatly appreciated. I will be travelling solo. | 6
wksamoa 20:19 UTC 02 Feb 2007 | No problems like that in Samoa, be sure. Of course Samoans are surprised that someone travels alone. They feel sorry for you having no company. Some men, especially taxi drivers, might propose - they would be scared to death if you agree. Just make a joke like "oh, I have to marry next month but I might be divorced again soon after. Maybe then." One young female guest of ours did say that to a taxi driver after he asked her to marry him and he kept laughing until he dropped her off at our place. Free of charge because of the good laugh he had. Samoans love to joke and do it all the time. | 7
mange 11:10 UTC 16 Feb 2007 | Customs are changing, but I would also advise you to keep you body covered from the knees up in the towns and villages, that is, no short shorts or bikini bottoms. The thighs are considered a very erotic and sacred area of the body. Lava lava are very cool and comfortable and discourage the dogs and and the mosquitoes (a bit!) also. I have met a lot of women, of all ages, happily travelling alone in Samoa. Samoan men are usually very respectful. Once, while waiting for the ferry with my husband, I overhead the disgusted comments of some Samoan lorry drivers who were watching a blonde palagi ("foreign" See LONELY PLANET BOOK!) woman sunbathing, naked legs spread and showing what her gynecologist usually sees to them and all. If sh had heard them she would have covered up very quickly! They were funny though. Have a lovely visit. You'll be fine! | 8
jade55 10:42 UTC 20 Feb 2007 | I travelled alone in Samoa for 2 weeks and had no problems. When taxi drivers ask about my status, I always say I'm married and my husband is meeting up with me at some location later etc. As for fale staff, I'l say that my group of friends are about to join me soon. Just appear to be friendly but not overly. | 9
pimprezz 14:42 UTC 28 Jun 2007 | Hi There Couldn't but help to add my 10cent worth. While i was holidaying in SAMOA with my partner in MAY 07 i thought it was hardcase how SAMOAN MEN would ask me out, say would i like a real SAMOAN GUY coz my partner is NZ born SAMOAN, discretly touch parts while walking pass, yeah i found it all to be part of the fun & i would just laugh or play along with jokes. It was all good for me as for my partner he did'nt find it amusing i only found that out when we got back home to New Zealand. lol | 10
travellingsolo 06:06 UTC 15 Jun 2012 | Good to hear that solo female travellers haven't had too much trouble in Samoa. I'm going as a med student for 5 weeks at the end of this year, hoping it goes alright :S. Wonder if anyone else has spent any time in the TTM hospital? | 11