Operating hours are:

ANZ: Mon  - Wed 9.00am to  3.00pm, Thur -  Fri 9.00am to 4.00pm.
PCB: Mon  -  Fri 9.00am to 3.00pm.
NBS: Mon  - Fri 9.00am to 3.00pm, Sat 8.30am - 11.30am.

All banks offer money exchange facilities at the airport for all arrivals and departures.  Major hotels also offer money exchange facilities.  The Samoan decimal currency is the Tala-Samoa dollar (S$).

As well as the major restaurants there are also some great little snack bars and coffee shops scattered throughout Apia and a good selection of licensed nightclubs to choose from.

Samoa comprises of two relatively large islands, Upolu and Savaii, (which account for approximately 96% of the total land area) and seven smaller islands.  The capital Apia and Faleolo International Airport are located on the island of Upolu.

Total land area is 2934 sq km.  There is an exclusive marine economic zone covering some 130,000 sq km.  The islands are volcanic and dominated by rugged mountain ranges with a 4-5km skirt of gently sloping fertile land to which is attached a fringe of coral reefs and lagoons which surround the islands.

Commercial business hours are from 8.00am to noon and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.  Business hours on Saturdays are from 8.30am to 12.30pm.  Shops are closed on Sundays.

Samoa is a destination with few parallels.  The gentle climate has blessed these islands with a bounty of natural beauty.  Apart from the many magnificent white sand beaches; rugged forested mountains, steep gorges, numerous waterfalls, lava fields, blowholes, dormant volcanoes, coconut plantations and other exciting scenic wonders beckon.

Several companies offer well-organised, competent and catered tours of the island with commentary on places of interest.  Such tours can smooth the way in local villages and provide a valuable insight into Samoan customs and traditions.

If you wish to strike off on your own, the Samoa Visitors Bureau in Apia, or hotel tour desks can provide valuable advice and assistance with maps, rental vehicles and a few tips on how to make the most of your adventure.

Some points of interest on the island of Upolu that should not be missed include the Robert Louis Stevenson homestead, the sacred burial grounds at Mulinuu and the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, which are all within close proximity of Apia.  Along the scenic north-east coast, you will find Falefa Falls and the Piula Fresh Water Cave pool.  Travelling the road across the Le Mafa Pass, past a breathtaking view of the islands shoreline, takes you to the south-east coast and the Aleipata district.  Here you will find Nuutele island providing a wonderful backdrop to Lalomanu’s white sandy beach.  Further to the west are Tafateafa and numerous other sandy beaches and coves all providing good swimming and snorkelling.  Pass Sopoaga and Fuipisia waterfalls, on the way to the Togitogiga Recreation Reserve with its fresh water swimming area and cascading waterfall and complete a loop across the mountains to Apia, past the spectacular Papapapaitai Falls.  No visit would be complete without a visit to Lefaga, 'Return to Paradise' Beach.  Together with Salamumu Beach, it is located on the island’s southwest coast.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON MUSEUM, VAILIMA BOTANICAL GARDENS AND
MOUNT VAEA SCENIC RESERVE
A four kilometre taxi ride gets you to the restored mansion of the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson.  A guide is available to take you through the mansion, which features many of Stevenson’s original belongings, including part of his library, mementos from his travels in the Pacific, and pieces of his family’s furniture.

A 30 or 45 minute walk (there are two options) leads from the museum to Stevenson’s tomb at the top of Mount Vaea.  The Mount Vaea Scenic Reserve is also well populated with birdlife.  It is worth taking water and a picnic, as the view from the tomb is excellent.  The museum is set within an attractive botanical garden, worthy of a few hours’ wandering.

MALOLOLELEI SCENIC VIEWPOINT
Just a short distance further up, perched high above Apia, Malololelei affords outstanding views of the coast and surrounding forested valleys.  Situated on the Cross Island Road, 8kms from Apia, Malololelei Scenic Viewpoint is an ideal stopping place.  Local buses and taxis can reach the site from Apia foreshore in about ten minutes.

PALOLO DEEP NATIONAL MARINE RESERVE
This excellent snorkelling, diving and swimming site is remarkably close to Apia, just a few minutes’ walk Northeast of the town center.  Follow Beach Road past Aggie Grey’s Hotel towards the wharf.  The reserve is just around the corner from the wharf towards Vaiala Beach.  It is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, a small entry charge is made and it is possible to hire snorkelling equipment.  The best time to visit is at high tide, as this means you can easily swim to the best part of the reserve - a deep chasm in the lagoon filled with colourful corals and many unusual marine life. 

FISH, FLEA & FOOD MARKETS
The flea market runs pretty much all day.  It is a meeting place for the local residents and offers a wide range of handicrafts and imported goods.  The fish market, just behind the flea market is best before 11.00am, by which time most of the fish have been sold.  The food market, or Maketi Fou, is located away form the shore on Fugalei street.  This road begins at the flea market and heads south.  The food market is a five to ten minute walk and sells fresh local produce and a wide variety of local handicrafts.  Stalls serving food ranging from Samoan-style pancakes (fritters) to lunch plates of both local and western flavour are open throughout the day at the food market.  It’s a good place to meet the local residents or try some of the local food at very inexpensive prices.

PAPASEEA SLIDING ROCKS
This is a must see attraction within six kilometres of central Apia.  Either take a bus or a taxi.  An entry fee is required.  There is a smooth and well-formed five-metre rock slide down a waterfall into a deep, cool, freshwater pool, and it is worth a half-day visit.

WILEX CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Located five minutes by car from central Apia on the Main East Coast Road, this recent addition to the industrial scene in Samoa is an interesting and tasty destination.  The company produces a wide range of chocolate products from local and imported cocoa beans, as well as ‘pounded’ ava, or kava. 

TANUMAPUA TROPICAL PLANTATION
If you are interested in Samoan native and plantation plants, their cultivation and conservation, then Tanumapua is worth a half-day visit.  The site is about 20 minutes by car outside of Apia, on Alafa’alava Road.  A guide will introduce you to the medicinal and other utilitarian plants of Samoa, including everything from coconuts to manioca and papaya.  The location is ideal for bird watching and horse riding.  Located within the plantation is the ‘Rainforest Ecolodge’.  This includes an environmental resource centre and a team, which administers several ecotourism research programmes in Samoa.  Many educational tour programmes are available. 

APIA HARBOUR & MULINU’U PENINSULA HISTORIC WALK
There are numerous points of interest around Apia Harbour, and these can be linked to form and interesting historic walk, taking up a half day.  The walk begins at Aggie Grey’s Hotel and follows the sweep of the harbour to the end of Mulinu’u Peninsula.