Arriving at night into Apia, what to do?

Hi,

I arrive into Apia at 1.40am and wondered if it may be possible to head straight out of the city to a Fale somewhere close, or if it is much safer to book into a hostel and sort myself out the next (or the same) day.

Any advice on a hostel with other backpackers, to maybe hook up for a few days with, would be really good too.

thanks
Amanda

Talofa Amanda,

We are glad to pick you up from the airport, which is only 45 mins drive to town if you want to stay with us. Have a look at Taumesina Hideaway website and see for yourself, or email taumesina.hideaway@gmail.com, as there is no hostel near the airport, only the big resorts.

thanks
teinesamoa

Since you are arriving at 1:40AM you may not get through customs and immigration for a while.

The public buses start running pretty early. Like about 4AM. There is a bus stop right across from the airport. So if you want to start saving money for other stuff that's the place to start. A taxi into town is going to cost 40 tala. You can find a room for that amount.

Couple of tips: Palolo deep in town is a great snorkel adventure. I think it is 3 tala admission. The Robert Louis Stevenson home is a nice tour but the walk to the grave is an actual rain forest hike for free. The public bus up to the house is 2 tala and the walk back to town is downhill and free.

Just a couple of budget ideas. If you are coming over to American Samoa, Interisland Airlines has a free shuttle to and from the airport.

here's a site that is mostly about American Samoa but the podcasts give you a nice (free) introduction into Samoan culture and history

http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your time in the Samoan Archipelago.

JW

I'd head in to Apia for the night, then move on to a fale in daylight. It'd be a shame to miss the scenery on the roads across to the southern coast, plus a lot of things (people, dogs, cats, pigs, etc...) come out onto the road at night so it's not especially safe.

You'll meet plenty of other tourists (mostly Kiwis) at the fale resorts and probably bump into them again and again as you move around to the different resorts.

Great, thanks for all your comments.

teinesamoa, I will contact you directly with my flight details as would apprecaite a pick up from the aiport. (Also I think your trip advisor comments are possibly some of the most positive I've seen!)

thanks all and especially Teinesamoa!

Happy travels
Amanda