Apia Travel Guide

Well, Apia is like many other "cities" in the pacific. A bit run down, small and shabbylooking. Nevertheless, it has it's charm and the people are like all samoans: Full of hospitality and rather large.

You've got movies, McDonalds and polynesian-themed hotels. Accommodation exists in all price ranges. It's small enough to walk around in the heat, but if you don't like swetting, taxis are cheap.

The walk along the seawall is pleasant, and here, you'll also find restaurants and bars. The pace is a little bit faster in Apia compared to the rest of the country, but it's still very laidback. There is a small golf course on the southwest end of town.

Sights

Palolo deep marine reserve. Excellent snorkling. There is equipment for rent, but not very good. Preferable bring your own.

Robert Louis Stevenson museum. Good views of the city.

Papasee sliding rocks. A couple of kilometres outside Apia. Natural waterslides and a good place to cool off.

Samoan museum. Samoan culture and history. Interesting pictures. Free.

Nuisances

It tends to get a bit crazy outside the bars around closingtime. Remember: Never ever pick a fight with a samoan. Don't be a jerk and you wont be bothered.

There is one hustler in town. He's from Lalomanu and quite big. Runs different scams on all the tourist. Suffers from memory-loss and might try different scams on you from day to day. One day his daughter needs medical care, the next day he's a minister from Tonga who has missed his phone and needs money for taxi. Rather amusing.

Dogs

A nightmare. Everywhere and never on a leash. Might be nice ones might be bad ones.

All in all it's not a place for those who enjoy bigcity-holidays, but it's certainly charming and worth a few days.