Samoa for a week in January

Hi everyone

I am planning on visiting Samoa for a week in January. Just wondering if anyone has ever been there in Jan? I heard it rains in Jan but not sure if I should take the risk. Am thinking of staying in a Fale. If it rains will I still be ok to sleep in a fale? If anyone has ever stayed in a fale please let me know what it was like?
Also what are the costs like for food and alcoholic beverages/nightlife?

Is it worth going to American Samoa while I am there and is there much difference?

Cheers
Shanna

January is the height of the rainy season... I have been dumped on for days on end. I have also had days of brilliant weather... You just never know.

Yes, you will be fine sleeping in a fale when it rains.

Staying in a fale is like being in,... well, a fale. It's not a "grass shack" on the beach, nor is it a bungalow like you may find in Thailand. It's a cross between both. They can be made out of thatch or can be made out of more modern items... They usually consist of a floor that is raised off of the ground by a metre or so with steps up... The floor can be wood or linoleum... Some have electricity... lights and power points... some don't. They do not usually have ensuite toilets. You will almost always sleep on a mattress on the floor with clean linen.

Costs? Depends again... Small, rustic outfits will be reasonable... 20 to 40$ American dollars a night.. almost always including breakfast and dinner.
At some of the more popular beach fale areas of Samoa, like Manase on Savai or Lalomanu on Upolu, most of the beach fale operations will have a bar. The more remote beaches with rustic fale operations may not.
There really is no nightlife other than hanging around after dinner with some drinks, someone may pick up a guitar and there may be singing... travellers with their travelling tales will be ubiquitous. Some of the more popular beach fales may stage a "Fia Fia" (traditional Samoan show of singing and dancing) one or two nights a week.
There are bars and nightclubs in Apia.

Have fun.

With only a week to see Samoa, I would not recommend visiting American Samoa. Tutuila is beautiful and the cultural differences are interesting, but there are far more interesting things for visitors to do in Western Samoa.

islandboi thanks heaps for all your info, great help! I have changed my dates to March now. I will be in Western Samoa for 11 days. Would you suggest a few days in Apia - is it more of a 'city'? I would like to go out a couple of times to a nightclub.

For the rest of the time I'd love to stay in a Fale somewhere where I can see the true Samoan culture. Would you suggest that I book the rest of the 9 days in the one place? Any suggestions where? Or maybe 4 days in one place and 5 in another??

Apia is a very small city and it's more of a business centre as opposed to being tourism town. Two nights would be lots. There is a buzzing bar scene along the Beach Road in the town centre... Bars and dance places come and go... At most of these, you will find expats and travellers too... For a REAL Samoan experience, head down to the "Rosa" (RSA club) Pretty wild... Best to go with friends!
Whilst staying in Apia, make sure you see the following: 1) The Samoa Museum 2) Both the markets 3) Robert Lewis Stevenson's Home and Museum 4) Go snorkelling at Palolo Marine reserve 5) Papasesea Sliding rock is also a hoot 6) Go to Skippy's restaurant for the cheapest and best Oka in town!! :)

4 in one place, 5 in another would be perfect... If you want something a little more authentic and less touristic, stay away from Lalomanu Beach in Upolu or Manese Beach in Savai'i. I can't give you specific favourite beach fales, because this is very subjective.

Go to the official Samoa Tourism webpage (Mr. Google)... There are heaps of beach fale options that are off the beaten track... Be aware, though, that some of these are exceedingly basic. You may be the only guest at some of them and facilities will be rudimentary. That being said, you WILL be treated like a queen and you will get to know Samoans more personally.