Some travel planning questions

Hello,

we have now booked our flights and will arrive in Samoa on September 9th (early morning) - having almost 3 weeks time to discover the islands :-))

Despite reading several posts and the LP guide, some questions remain:

1.) Do you have latest news concerning the road rule situation? Since the change will supposedly be made
just before we arrive, do you think, hiring a car right from the beginning will be suicidal? Is it actually
necessary hiring a car?

2.) What's the latest on that "Survivor"-issue: Which beaches during that time period will be closed, which
hotels/fale budget places booked out - because of Survivor?

3.) Do you recommend prebooking accomodation for the entire stay - taking item 2) and the Teuila festival
into account - or is it possible to just ring around when one is there?

4.) Money: Bring Euro or USD? Do the few ATM's accept Maestro debit cards? Are traveller checks still an
option?

Thanks!

1) With three weeks time you might want to spend the first week in Lalomanu anyway, relax and let the road side switch issue settle a bit, before actually renting a car and drive around yourself. I would still recommend to rent one and to drive yourself.
You mentioned somewhere else that you are from Germany so driving on the wrong side of the road is the same unfamiliar for you as it is for the Samoans. That might help a bit too and it is certainly not suicidal.

2) Survivor is already here and nobody takes any notice of it. They are virtually invisible and the impact is zero. Matareva Beach and Return to Paradise Beach, both in Lefaga, are closed, but beaches at nearby Saanapu and everywhere else are open. Aggie Grey's Resort and Spa near the airport is closed, everything else is open.

3) Nothing is booked out, especially not because of Survivor (see above) and the Teuila Festival will be over when you come. So you do not need to pre-book except for the very first nights maybe.

4) ATM accept MAESTRO and CIRRUS, German Postbank is especially good in rates and fees. You can virtually exchange foreign currency in Apia only - so you can use the ATM there too. Euro notes get the best rates at Western Union and private money exchange outlets, very bad rates at the banks though. Euro TC are rated better at the banks. No advantage to bring USD: I recommend some Euro cash or TC and using the ATM.