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How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2023]
How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2023]

How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2024]

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

A Guide to Accessing WiFi in Samoa

For those of us who constantly use the internet for work or are addicted to social media, it’s hard to imagine not having access to WiFi. Travellers in Samoa might be surprised to find, however, that the only WiFi connections they’re likely to find are paid ones. While we definitely recommend making more of a connection with nature or with the local culture in Samoa than a virtual one, if you absolutely have to access the internet, this guide on where to get WiFi in Samoa should certainly help!

5 Things You Need to Know About WiFi in Samoa

Before we get started, here’s a quick overview of a few things you need to know about accessing WiFi in Samoa:

  1. Free WiFi is extremely rare in Samoa, even at your accommodation and cafes!
  2. Be prepared to pay for all the data you use, including at internet cafes, libraries and at the airport
  3. Although there are WiFi hotspots around Samoa, using the Samoa 4G networks with Vodafone and Digicel are much more reliable
  4. If your phone is not compatible with the local network, you can rent a MiFi and data plan from the local phone networks
  5. Make sure you switch off WiFi after each browsing session, switch off all auto-updates and restrict background data downloads so that your device isn’t using up precious Mbs!

Now, let’s get into the details about internet and WiFi in Samoa…

How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

WiFi at Your Accommodation

Free WiFi is certainly not as abundant at accommodations in Samoa as what you might be used to when travelling. Any accommodations that do offer WiFi usually require you to pay for data, which can cost anywhere between ST$5 for 1 GB and ST$20 for 20 GB.

The limited accommodations across Samoa that offer free WiFi to guests include:

For more details on each of these accommodations and how much data they offer for free, head over to the 9 Accommodations in Samoa with Free WiFi.

How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Internet and WiFi in Public Areas

While public WiFi might be available in abundance in more developed countries, this is not the case in Samoa. Only a small selection of cafes offer free WiFi, while the remainder of your options require you to pull out your credit card. Expect to pay around ST$3 for 15 minutes or ST$10 for one hour of internet/computer access at internet cafes and the public library.

Cafes/Restaurants in Samoa with Free WiFi

  • Cornwall Cafe, Apia, Upolu
  • 1905 Restaurant at Lava Hotel, Apia, Upolu
  • Taefu T. Matafeo Store Asaga, Asaga, Savai’i.

Internet Cafes in Samoa

  • Cyberbooth Internet Cafe, Lotemau Mall, Apia, Upolu
  • LTS Samoa, Falealili Street, Apia, Upolu
  • JJ Cyber Cafe, Pat Ah Him Building, Apia, Upolu.

Libraries in Samoa with Internet Access

  • Nelson Memorial Public Library, Savalalo, Apia (between the Fish Market and Government Building).

Airport in Samoa with WiFi

  • Faleolo Lounge in the departure lounge of Faleolo International Airport.

Learn more about WiFi access at the airport in our guide, Samoa Arrival Airport: Which Airport to Fly into Samoa. Plus, check out our guide to Information, Shops & Services in Samoa to learn more about communication services.

How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

WiFi Hotspot Vouchers

Another way to connect to WiFi in Samoa is to connect to the hotspots provided by Vodafone Samoa.

Vodafone WiFi Hotspots

Vodafone operates approximately 50 WiFi hotspots around Samoa, including in the following locations:

  • Apia, Upolu
  • Faleolo Airport, Upolu
  • Return to Paradise Resort, Upolu
  • Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa, Upolu
  • Seabreeze Resort, Upolu
  • Aga Reef Resort, Upolu
  • Lalomanu (Litia Sina & Taufua Beach Fales), Upolu
  • Le Uaina Beach Resort, Upolu
  • Salelologa Market, Savai’i
  • Amoa Resort, Savai’i
  • Fagamalo (Le Lagoto & Savaii Lagoon Resort), Savai’i
  • Manase, Savai’i
  • Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge, Savai’i

Vodafone also offers a free WiFi hotspot on the Lady Samoa III ferry, which you can learn more about in the 10 Places with Free WiFi in Samoa.

To connect to a Vodafone WiFi hotspot, you’ll need to purchase a Vodafone WiFi Zone Card from tarka.coconet.ws/wifizone. WiFi Zone Cards are valid for five days after activation and cost approximately ST$4 for 1 GB to ST$20 for 15 GB.

How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa 🌐 [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Using WiFi Through the Local Phone Networks

Finally, another way you can access the internet in Samoa is to purchase a local SIM card and use mobile data. This provides a more consistent and reliable internet connection compared to using WiFi hotspots. The two phone networks in Samoa are Vodafone and Digicel. We go through all of the prepaid phone plans and how to make sure your phone works with a local SIM card in our complete guide, The Best SIM Cards in Samoa for Travellers.

If you need to make a WiFi hotspot, use WiFi tethering on your phone. Check out a full phone data plan comparison in our SIM Card Comparison.

Portable Modems (MiFi)

Alternatively, portable modems (MiFi) are available to rent from both of Samoa’s phone networks, using prepaid data SIM cards to connect to 4G data. You may need to use the latter option if your phone is not compatible with the local phone networks, which you can find out more about in Will Your Phone Work in Samoa?

Visitors to Samoa can rent a portable modem for around ST$25 per week and will need to provide an ST$100 refundable bond. Then, prepaid data plans can be purchased for ST$15 for 10 GB up to ST$200 for 220 GB.

Which Has the Better Data Plan in Samoa, Vodafone or Digicel?

We’ve found that Vodafone offers a better plan for MiFis than Digicel, while Digicel is the better data-plan provider for phones.

More About Accessing Internet and WiFi in Samoa

That’s it for our complete guide on how to get internet and WiFi in Samoa. For more ways of staying connected while on your travels, check out the following guides:

Finally, make sure you know all of the essential tips from the 30 Tips for Travelling in Samoa and have everything packed using What to Pack for Samoa: A Full Samoa Packing List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Samoa Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Samoa Tourism Authority, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Contact Robin via our contact page

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