Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Week-long holiday in Samoa? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Samoa
livviclarkey 07:06 UTC 09 Jan 2013 | I was planning to go on a tropical holiday for a week in the pacific, and I came across Samoa. It seems cheaper than Tahiti/Fiji and just as beautiful, but I was wondering what other travellers thought of it and whether they have any advice/any other recommendations of a tropical holiday that's cheap from Australia. Oh and I would be going in April next year sometimes. But I am aware of it being the wet season in most of the pacific. Thanks :) |
tch7 14:09 UTC 10 Jan 2013 | I found Fiji was cheaper, had better snorkeling & beaches, much friendlier people, better food, better public transportation, and so forth. The only advantage is that it's easier to see most of Samoa in 1 week, whereas you'll only be able to skim the surface of Fiji in a week. | 1
Laszlo 09:22 UTC 11 Jan 2013 | As above, though I would also allow that the main island of Samoa, Upolu, has more dramatic scenery than Fiji's main island of Viti Levu. Otherwise, I'd choose Fiji any time. | 2
calumet 18:27 UTC 27 Jan 2013 | Cyclone Evan traveled west to east over Savaii and Upolu. It covered half of Upollu, stopped and traveled west again. Hence the beaches and resorts of Lalomanu and Aleipata were undisturbed. Since then all of the resorts have reopened on both islands. Tutuila and Manua were untouched. All of the hotels in Apia are open except for Aggies which suffered severe damage because of the flash flood of the Vaisigano river. Bottom line: The two islands of Independent Samoa are back in business and the islands of American Samoa were never damaged. From Pago pago, John Wasko | 3
flf2011 22:09 UTC 11 Feb 2013 | Wow, I'm really surprised by the comments above about Fiji being cheaper than Samoa. Having been to both, twice, I totally disagree. If you stay in beach fales in Samoa you only pay about NZ$50 a night and that includes meals. As for Fiji, If you don't go to the Yasawas, (where bure accommodation without meals will cost about $100 per night not to mention the ridiculously expensive ferries to get you there in the first place) you then spend your money and time travelling to the further islands where accommodation is cheaper (Oavalu is fabulous and cheap for example). For a week's holiday I'd say it's just not worth the hassle of all that travel. Go to Savai'i. | 4
Laszlo 12:19 UTC 15 Feb 2013 | In Fiji, even in the most accessible and touristy Mamanucas one can still stay for as little as 30 Fijian dollars a night, also including meals. Viti Levu can be even cheaper. | 5
flf2011 08:16 UTC 16 Feb 2013 | Really? I'd love to know where these places are. | 6
Laszlo 08:34 UTC 16 Feb 2013 | On Mana, which is shared by an ultra-expensive Japanese resort and several backpacker places. I booked it through the "Nadi Downtown Motel". There was even a pay 2 days and get one free deal. Obviously, the above price was not for staying at the Japanese resort, but I did get a basic single room with meals. ;-) | 7
budgetkiwi 11:02 UTC 10 May 2013 | It does depend on your expectations and what you want to do.I enjoyed Samoa more than Fiji , i found Fiji was slightly cheaper to stay and eat but more 'touristic' and I felt a lot of the local culture had been changed ( not for the best ) by the early British colonial influence. In samoa the pride in Fa'a Samoa (the samoan way ) is very strong. The traditional beach fales are great to stay in- a private fale on the beach with breakfast and dinner included is only 50-70 tala a night (exchange rate for US & AUS $ is over 2 tala for 1 $) Samoa is quieter with less tourists and i enjoy it more than Fiji. April is hotter and wetter than August but not too bad, about 30ish celsius with a rain shower or two most days , but often its later in the day or overnight so you can still enjoy the rest of the day. An umbrella is handy. My advice is go to both but i would go to Savaii first, then Fiji second- and get out of Nadi asap and dont even bother with Suva. - i have been to Fiji twice, Tahiti once and Samoa 6 times Tahiti i found too expensive to enjoy and wont bother revisiting | 8