Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Apia Hangout? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
imsteiner 15:54 UTC 01 Dec 2007 | Looking for some input guys. No place really stands out in Apia as the backpacker place of choice to stay and meet other travellers. I have received some advice from a few people in this forum and appreciate it. Just trying it one more time to see if i can get any new information, i just get the feeling from these places that they are nice guesthouses for sure but i can see myself as the only backpacker there! The internet hasnt helped much as the websites are pretty vague. Is there any place out there that has a gathering of us young cool budget travellers! Please give me your insight as i leave quite soon! Chris |
islandboi321 21:10 UTC 01 Dec 2007 | Hi again, Chris... I guess I have to say if you are looking for a "vibrant" backpackers scene with places to stay filled with "cool young backpackers", Samoa is perhaps not the best choice. Firstly, I hope you don't plan on spending too much time in Apia when you arrive... 2 days is lots to take in what the city ard area has to offer. Samoa is, in my experience, is on the "mature and experienced traveller's" trail. A great percentage of the people who come to Samoa are seasoned travellers... Most are over 30 years of age and you are not going to find a huge number of below 25 year olds. Samoa tends to attract folks who are less interested in partying as oppossed to immersing themselves into an ancient Polynesian culture and wonderous natural sights and sounds. That being said, you will still find people your age travelling to Samoa... Just don't expect alot of them to have that backpacker vibe of traveller's to, let's say, Thailand. You should run into some surfers at some point if that's your def of a cool crowd and you will definately meet many eccentric travellers who are no less interesting. You will meet lots of interesting people of ALL ages in Samoa... Why limit yourself to just those your own age? I'm 45 and I love meeting and hangin' out with folks from 20 to 80. Princess Tui Inn usually has some younger people staying there as they have dorms. Same with the Outrigger Hotel... There are always 6 or 8 people staying at either place who are in medical training doing their residencies there... Most are under 30. Another option you could investigate is the grotty Betty Moore Guesthouse (if it's still there)... It was ultra-cheap so I suppose it may have attracted the people you are looking for. Too bad Seipepa is now closed.... It was "the" backpacker magnet in Apia. Once you get out to the beaches at Lalomanu and Manase, you will find young travellers staying there... but again, there will be many, many folks over 30... As I said, Samoa tends to attract mature travellers. Hope this is of some assisstance. | 1
imsteiner 23:42 UTC 01 Dec 2007 | Islandboi, Gee, would have thought that you would have figured out that (chris71) meant born in 1971. Ha! i'd like to think at 36 im still young and cool! i just wanted a few other opinions, as your and Raro seem to be the only two guys who answer my posts. Of course I only plan to spend a day or two in Apia to shake off the jetlag and check out the odd sight. im just hoping to get in a small group of travellers to bounce some ideas off of before i get started. im the same as you, totally fine with hanging out wih people from 20 to 80, i just thought i might get lucky on a last minute tip right before my departure date. Im a seasoned traveller and know that it always works out no matter what anyway. Maybe it is best that I should just do what ive done before, just go, and things will take care of itself. Thanks for your new list of places anyway. Chris | 2
islandboi321 02:40 UTC 02 Dec 2007 | LOL... 36 IS young! Anyways, just playing it by ear is the best way in Samoa because Samoa is like a box of chocolates. You sound personable and I doubt if you will have any problems meeting people there. You'll have a great time. Have fun. | 3
jirikoo 11:28 UTC 02 Dec 2007 | Surely I replied to you questions as well, Chris... As to hostel in APia i thought the cheapest variant was Seaside inn with its mixed backpackers and bussiness travellers... Nice and tidy place near Palolo deep preserve | 4
bendigo 11:58 UTC 02 Dec 2007 | Betty Moors' was pretty grotty, but a good place for backpackers way back in '88 - Betty was old and decrepit then, although kept a careful watch on her rooms - she was always at the back door with one eye open, no matter what time I got "home" from the Mt Vaea Club! If you get over to Savaii, my pick of places to stay is Safua Hotel, not far from the wharf at Salelologa- Moelagi Jackson is a living treasure of Samoa. | 5