Money

Kia Ora

Can anyone tell us the most user friendly way to bring our spending money into Samoa please?

We plan to move around both Upolu and Savaii quite a bit over 15 days. Are ATM's readily available or could travellers cheques be the go?

We didn't really want to bring it all in one lump sum. Can we pay by visa outside of Apia?

Sorry but one more question, is a NZ licence ok to drive on or do we need an International one?

Cheers All

Hikoi

ATMs are readily available in Apia. There is also an ANZ ATM in Salelelonga on Savai'i. I've never had any problems cashing traveller's cheques at the WestPac or ANZ banks in Apia, but I don't know if merchants will take them. No ATMS out of Apia, though.

Visa is excepted at many higher end hotels and restaurants, but for most eating places, beach fales and local stores cash is king.

You will need to get a Samoa driver's license.

You do not need a Samoa driver's licence for a stay of less than a month. But you will have to endorse your NZ licence with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) office. You show them your NZ licence (no International licence needed) and pay 12 Tala; they give you a small paper confirming that your licence is valid for Samoa. Bigger hotels and car rental companies are allowed to do that themselves too - in any case they will show you where to go. The MOT office is an old wooden building right next door the the Bistro Tatau, close to the Kitano Samoa, opposite to the Women and Youth Hall beside the "Flea Market". The free Jason map that you can get at the Tourism Authority's office at the airport or in town as well as in all hotels will show you these reference locations.

I agree with #1. In most cases cash is king. Keep in mind that gas stations only accept cash too. ATMs are at Faleolo Airport, in Vaitele (near to the Brewerie) and in Central Apia. In Savaii only in Salelologa. Bring a money belt and make sure that you always have at least about 150 Tala in it (approx. 75 NZD). Just in case the ATM networks are down because power is down or the phone lines are down. Or the ATM is empty, which can happen especially on Sunday evenings and in the peak season around Christmas. You have at least a 90% chance that the ATM is working alright - but the remaining 10% can be very annoying.

Once again thank you for replying, we will do the money belt thing and good to know we can suss out the licence once we are there

Toooooooooooo Meke

28 days to go now...cant wait!!!!

Thanks wksamoa, for the clarification on the drivers licenses... I didn't know that.

I didn't know that about drivers' licences either. We hired a car from a resort last year and no mention was ever made of it. We did, of course, produce our NZ licences.

There are only a few resorts and car hires at this point which can issue the Samoa licenses themselves - this system is being trailed and if it goes well then more hotels and operators will be included.

Only the "larger" resorts outside of Apia will accept credit cards, such as Coconuts, Sinalei, Samoana. On Savaii, Stevensons, Savaii Lagoon Resort and Le Lagoto do for sure, but don't know about others.

When we were in Samoa in April-May, Jolene's car rentals in Apia (down by the Peace Corps office) was able to issue us the license when we rented a car.

We have just come back from 7 days in Samoa. We got some cash from the Travelex at Sydney Airport - not a very good exchange rate. I would recommend the airport when you get in (exchange was open at 1.30am), or use the ATM in Apia.

Cheers & have a great time.

Thanks for everyones advice .

Just one more question, how much would you say you spent on a daily basis on your Samoa trip?

There's me and my wife, 2 week trip, staying in budget fale type accommodation with an odd night in a more upmarket place. We hope to do a week on Savai'i and a week on Upolu, might hire a car for 2 or 3 days. We eat and drink like most people and love sampling new kai (food). No doubt the markets will get a nudge and whilst she's doing that ill be playing in the sea. I'm also quite keen on doing some wildlife/walking stuff...maybe not a tour as such but ill suss it out when we get there.

We are just trying to work out what kind of daily cost to expect.

Cheers again and looking forward to our holiday Samoa stylz

Hikoi