Culture & Heritage

Explora la cultura de Samoa: Tradición viva

Sumérgete en la rica historia y cultura de Samoa a través de sus museos y monumentos.

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Country: Samoa

Samoa is a stunning independent island state located in the heart of the South Pacific Ocean, in the Polynesia region. Composed of two main volcanic islands (Upolu and Savai'i) and several smaller islets, it is world-renowned for having preserved with extraordinary purity the 'Fa'a Samoa' (the traditional Samoan way of life more than 3,000 years old). It stands out for iconic natural monuments such as the To Sua Ocean Trench sea trench, wild waterfalls in the jungle, fields of black lava that flow into the sea, marine geysers that expel water dozens of meters high and postcard-perfect beaches free of overcrowding.

Capital: Apia

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Cultura

Culture & Heritage

Discover the rich history, art and traditions of Samoa

Festivals & Events

In addition to the imposing To Sua Trench, Upolu Island is home to a spectacular freshwater circuit: the Papapapaitai Waterfall (with a free fall of more than 100 meters into a jungle canyon), the Sopoaga Falls with botanical gardens and the natural rock pools of Piula Cave Pool, where you swim in crystal-clear freshwater flowing under a historic Methodist church.

Lalomanu Beach, on the eastern edge of Upolu, is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the South Pacific for its white sand and turquoise waters. Beaches like Salamumu and Return to Paradise captivate with black volcanic rock formations on white sand, while the uninhabited island of Namua offers a haven for swimming with free-ranging green turtles.

Savai'i is the largest and least populated island in Samoa, dominated by wild nature: the black lava fields of Saleaula, the sea geysers of Alofaaga Blowholes, the stepped waterfall of Afu Aau falling into a turquoise pool in the jungle, and the mythical Paia Dwarfs Cave, a kilometer-long tube of volcanic lava.

Dive into the To Sua Ocean Trench

Located on the southern coast of Upolu, To Sua ('Big Hole') is a 30-meter-deep natural pool formed by the collapse of an ancient volcanic lava tube connected to the open sea. Descending its steep wooden staircase to a floating platform allows you to swim in transparent emerald waters surrounded by rock walls covered in tropical vines and colorful fish that come in with the tide.

Sleep on a Traditional Beach Fale in Lalomanu

Staying in a 'Beach Fale' (traditional Samoan wooden and thatched hut without walls, with palm leaf blinds that are lowered at night) is the defining Samoan experience. At Lalomanu Beach, waking up at dawn on the white sand with views of the coral reef and the uninhabited islet of Namua allows you to experience the most barefoot and free Polynesian life.

Watch Coconuts Fly at the Alofaaga Blowholes in Savai'i

In the southwest of the wild island of Savai'i, the Pacific swell crashes with colossal force against the basalt rock cliffs, channeling water through ancient underwater lava tubes. The pressure expels gigantic geysers of salt water more than 30 meters high into the sky; Local villagers throw coconuts into the holes so that they shoot out with the force of a natural cannon.

Explore the Volcanic Ruins of the Saleaula Lava Field

Between 1905 and 1911, the eruption of the Mount Matavanu volcano buried several villages under a river of black lava that slowly moved towards the sea. Today, walking on these undulating flows of petrified basalt allows you to visit the ruins of the Church of the LMS (whose stone structure survived the lava that entered through the door) and the mythical 'Tomb of the Virgin', a cemetery that the lava surrounded without touching.

Visit the Residence of Robert Louis Stevenson in Vailima

The famous author of 'Treasure Island' spent the last years of his life in Samoa, where he was reverently nicknamed 'Tusitala' (the storyteller). His beautiful wooden colonial mansion in Vailima, surrounded by botanical gardens, is today a museum that preserves his belongings, books and fireplace; from there a path ascends the hill of Mount Vaea to his seafront grave.

Live the Emotion of a Fiafia Night and the Fire Dance

A 'Fiafia Night' is a large Polynesian community festival where Samoan traditions are celebrated. After enjoying a banquet cooked in the underground 'Umu' oven, the warriors perform the 'Siva Afi' (fire knife dance), spinning machetes wrapped in fire at breakneck speed to the martial rhythm of the 'Pātē' drums, complemented by the graceful elegance of the 'Siva Samoa' dancers.

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Tips for Culture & Heritage

The 'Fa'a Samoa' Code and Village Etiquette ('Sa')

In Samoa all the beaches, paths and waterfalls belong to the local communities. It is customary to pay a small community access fee (between 5 and 20 WST) which reverts directly to the village. When crossing villages you should dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees with a sarong or 'Lavalava'). Between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. 'Sa' takes place, a 10 to 20 minute evening prayer curfew where one must remain silent and not walk through the streets of the towns.

Left Driving and Speed Limits

In September 2009, Samoa historically changed the direction of traffic, driving on the left side of the road. Speed limits are very low and strict (40-50 km/h in villages and 56-65 km/h on open roads) because locals, children and pets regularly walk on the verges. To rent a car, you need to validate your foreign license by obtaining a temporary permit issued by the local transport authority (LTA).

Currency and Payments (Samoan Tala)

The official currency is the Samoan Tala (WST). Although international credit cards are accepted in large hotel complexes and restaurants in Apia, in the vast majority of the country cash is essential to pay for 'beach fales', entrance fees to village beaches, local wooden buses ('wooden buses') and purchases in markets.

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