Getting Around in Samoa

hansdkny17:46 UTC04 Jul 2008

I am debating on whether I should rent a car for my entire stay in Samoa (7 days) or whether I should just do a mixture of adventure tour operators/local buses/taxis in order to see what the country has to offer.

I have already seen car rentals ranging from $50USD to $70USD per day, so i'll be looking at something of $400+/- for 7 day rental..
Is it easy to drive around the islands and find the places one wants to see, such as waterfalls, beaches, or going hiking in the highlands of Savaii/Upolu and visit remote villages?

I am contemplating staying at Lalomanu and Manase,but this could change.....

Any opinions/recommendations?

Laszlo23:33 UTC04 Jul 2008

I think hiring a car is a good idea if you want to see a lot in such a short time.
It is easy both to drive around and find the attractions - at least if you have a guidebook.
Even most hikes can be done on your own, except for a few taking longer than day 9I can only think of one, actually).
There are no really remote villages in Samoa - ASFAIK pretty much all are accessible by road.

jirikoo17:42 UTC05 Jul 2008

Upolu is easy to circumnavigate by bus. However one bus doesnt go all around the island though. You gotta change for another one somewhere at Lepa village - several kms away from Lalomanu. So keep this in mind.

In Savai'i buses run only from the main port to individual villages. Travelling there by bus for sights is IMPOSSIBLE! Hire a car or scooter.

ohwell02:50 UTC08 Jul 2008

Its better to have a 4WD as clearance on some of the roads to the smaller waterfalls is a bit limited with a car, and the ferry to Savai also only takes 4WDs with good clearance.

In saying that - the roads on Upola are excellent but map reading can be a bit of a hit and miss affair as there are very few signposts.

We ran into a big tropical storm and needed the 4WD to get through some of the fords - but it was fun

wksamoa06:30 UTC08 Jul 2008

The ferry to Savaii takes any kind of vehicle but #3 is certainly right that a car with some clearance from the road is of big advantage, especially in Savaii. It must not be a 4WD though - just a SUV style car will do. Almost all rental cars are that kind anyway. Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage are the most common brands, with 4WD or not.

ohwell07:03 UTC08 Jul 2008

Sorry the info in the hire car information must have been incorrect.

Getting Around in Samoa Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
hansdkny17:46 UTC04 Jul 2008	I am debating on whether I should rent a car for my entire stay in Samoa (7 days) or whether I should just do a mixture of adventure tour operators/local buses/taxis in order to see what the country has to offer. I have already seen car rentals ranging from $50USD to $70USD per day, so i'll be looking at something of $400+/- for 7 day rental.. Is it easy to drive around the islands and find the places one wants to see, such as waterfalls, beaches, or going hiking in the highlands of Savaii/Upolu and visit remote villages? I am contemplating staying at Lalomanu and Manase,but this could change..... Any opinions/recommendations?
Laszlo23:33 UTC04 Jul 2008	I think hiring a car is a good idea if you want to see a lot in such a short time. It is easy both to drive around and find the attractions - at least if you have a guidebook. Even most hikes can be done on your own, except for a few taking longer than day 9I can only think of one, actually). There are no really remote villages in Samoa - ASFAIK pretty much all are accessible by road.	1
jirikoo17:42 UTC05 Jul 2008	Upolu is easy to circumnavigate by bus. However one bus doesnt go all around the island though. You gotta change for another one somewhere at Lepa village - several kms away from Lalomanu. So keep this in mind. In Savai'i buses run only from the main port to individual villages. Travelling there by bus for sights is IMPOSSIBLE! Hire a car or scooter.	2
ohwell02:50 UTC08 Jul 2008	Its better to have a 4WD as clearance on some of the roads to the smaller waterfalls is a bit limited with a car, and the ferry to Savai also only takes 4WDs with good clearance. In saying that - the roads on Upola are excellent but map reading can be a bit of a hit and miss affair as there are very few signposts. We ran into a big tropical storm and needed the 4WD to get through some of the fords - but it was fun	3
wksamoa06:30 UTC08 Jul 2008	The ferry to Savaii takes any kind of vehicle but #3 is certainly right that a car with some clearance from the road is of big advantage, especially in Savaii. It must not be a 4WD though - just a SUV style car will do. Almost all rental cars are that kind anyway. Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage are the most common brands, with 4WD or not.	4
ohwell07:03 UTC08 Jul 2008	Sorry the info in the hire car information must have been incorrect.	5