Information, Shops & Services in Samoa

Shops in Samoa

You’ll hardly go hungry or thirsty in Samoa with seemingly every village having at least one convenience store stocked with the staples. With fruit stalls in between and a selection of produce and craft markets in Apia and Saleologa, as well as gift stores, art galleries and fashion stores adding to the retail scene of Apia, Samoa is well stocked with supplies.

Grocery Stores in Samoa

Although Apia is the most developed part of Samoa, you have plenty of supermarkets and convenience stores across the islands as long as you’re near a village (which, if you’re on the coast, you are).

Samoa is home to a couple of homegrown supermarket chains where you’ll find the most variety when it comes to food staples, baked goods and even takeaway food. The largest supermarkets are as follows:

• Frankie Supermarket Fugalei, Fugalei Street, Apia, Upolu
• Farmer Joe’s Supermarket Fugalei, Fugalei Street, Apia, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket Lelata, Lelata Road, Apia, Upolu
• Farmer Joe’s Supermarket Savalalo, Savalalo Road, Apia, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket Lotopa, Papaseea Road, Apia, Upolu
• Frankie Hypermarket Vaitele, Vaitele, Apia, Upolu
• Farmer Joe’s Supermarket Vaitele, Vaitele Street, Apia, Upolu
• Farmer Joe’s Supermarket Saleimoa, Main West Coast Road, Saleimoa, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket Utualii, Main West Coast Road, Utualii, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket Tanumalala, Cross Island Road, Tanumalala, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket Salelologa, commercial centre, Salelologa, Savai’i.

Samoa also has an abundance of convenience stores which are easily identifiable by the shop name sign printed in bold along with logos for Coco-Cola, Vailima or similar. A rule of thumb is that there is a convenience store stocked with at least staple foods and snacks in every village. Many also have a bakery with fresh baked goods stocked every morning. For more information on what sort of food to expect in convenience stores, see A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Samoa.

Note that most grocery stores are either closed or only open early morning on a Sunday, except for the odd Chinese-run store.

Liquor Stores in Samoa

Although beer, wine and spirits are sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and even gift shops in Samoa, there are a handful of dedicated liquor stores should you be looking for something specific:

• Le Well, Fugalei Street, Apia, Upolu
• Liquor Planet, Convent Street, Mulivai, Apia, Upolu
• Liquor Planet, Cross Island Road, Maluafou, Apia, Upolu
• Le Well, Salelologa commercial centre, Savai’i.

Produce Markets and Roadside Stalls in Samoa

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, you have even more options in Samoa. Small roadside stalls display baskets of coconuts, pineapples by the piece, taro and sometimes even fish in the early morning/late afternoon. If you approach one of these roadside stalls, its owner will likely come out to meet you. Otherwise, you can leave cash (ST$5 per large pineapple, for example).

You’ll also come across larger roadside stalls, which are always manned, and usually stocked with a variety of fruit and vegetables. These roadside markets can mainly be found along the main roads of the north and west coasts of Upolu or along the east coast of Savai’i. Needless to say, these vendors only accept cash.

Finally, the largest gatherings of fruit and vegetables in Samoa can be found at a number of markets in Apia and Salelologa, which include:

• Fugalei Market, between Fugalei, Saleufi and Savalalo Streets, Apia, Upolu
• Salelologa Market, Salelologa commercial centre, Savai’i
• Apia Fish Market, waterfront opposite the Flea Market, Apia, Upolu
• Vaitele Market, Vaitele Street (between Burger Bills and Frankie), Apia, Upolu
• Taufusi Market, Vaitele Street, Taufusi, Apia, Upolu…

… And there’s more listed in the 8 Best Markets in Samoa.

Dining at Your Accommodation

Note that there are very limited accommodations outside of Apia with self-catering facilities. Breakfast and dinner are usually served at beach fales, while resorts have their own restaurants. Check out your accommodation options in Where to Stay in Samoa: The Best Accommodations in Samoa.

Restaurants in Samoa

Again, outside of Apia, restaurants are very limited. Check out your options for dining inside and outside Apia in The Food Guide to Samoa: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Souvenir and Gift Shops in Samoa

• Pacific Jewell Gift Shop, Apia, Upolu
• Janet’s, Apia & Faleolo Airport, Upolu
• Mailelani Samoa Body Care, Apia, Upolu
• Plantation House, Apia, Upolu
• MENA, Apia, Upolu
• Eveni Carruthers, Apia & Faleolo Airport, Upolu & Salelologa, Savai’i
• Tanoa Samoa, Apia, Upolu
• Le-Ata, Apia, Upolu
• Horizon Surf, Apia & Faleolo Airport, Upolu
• Samoa Lokostyle, Apia & Faleolo Airport, Upolu.

See more gift shops listed in the 10 Best Shops to Buy Souvenirs in Samoa, as well as other shopping needs in The Guide to Shopping in Samoa + The Best Places to Shop.

Medical Services in Samoa

Both of Samoa’s main islands have hospitals, medical centres and pharmacies offering essential medical services. Make sure you take all the medical supplies you may need to Samoa with you – see What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Samoa for ideas. Note that the emergency phone number in Samoa is 911.

Medication at Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Light medications (like painkillers), baby products, feminine hygiene products and toiletries are sold in supermarkets and convenience stores in Samoa, as listed in the “Grocery Stores in Samoa” section above.

Pharmacies

Independent pharmacies can be found across Apia and on the east coast of Savai’i and tend to be open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, have reduced hours on Saturday, and are closed Sunday.

• Niu Pharmacy, signposted off Vaea Street, central Apia, Upolu
• Maria’s Healthcare Pharmacy, Vaea Street, Taufusi, Apia, Upolu
• Samoa Pharmacy Sogi, Mulinuu Road, Mulinuu Peninsula, Apia, Upolu
• Samoa Pharmacy, Mulinuu Road (between the Mall and BSP Bank), Apia, Upolu
• Alpha Cafe & Chemist, Ififi Street, Moto’otua, Apia, Upolu
• Maria’s Healthcare Pharmacy, Ififi Street, Moto’otua, Apia, Upolu
• Maria’s Healthcare Pharmacy, Vaitele Street (at Farmer Joe’s Complex), Vaitele-tai, Apia, Upolu
• Salelologa Pharmacy at the traffic light intersection on South Coast Road and the main road into Salelologa, Savai’i.

Medical Centres and Hospitals

Samoa’s main hospital is Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Motootua, Apia, offering specialist services, surgery and outpatient clinics. There are also outlying hospitals and medical centres in villages across the islands offering basic services and facilities. Hospitals are open 24/7. Independent medical centres/clinics are usually open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday.

• Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, Motootua, Apia, Upolu
• Poutasi District Hospital, Main South Coast Road, Saleilua, Upolu
• Leulumoega District Hospital, Main West Coast Road, Leulumoega, Upolu
• Saanapu Health Centre, Main South Coast Road, Saanapu-uta, Upolu
• Lalomanu District Hospital, inland road past the school, Lalomanu, Upolu
• Lufilufi Health Centre, just past the Piula Theological College and Cave Pool, Lufilufi, Upolu
• Faleolo Health Centre, down the inland road opposite Faleolo Airport, Faleolo, Upolu
• Plaza Medical Centre, SNPF Plaza, Convent Street, Apia, Upolu
• Samoa Healthcare Medical Clinic, Convent Street (behind Immaculate Conception Church), Apia, Upolu
• Aiga Manuia Clinic, North Coast Road, Lalomalava, Savai’i
• Tuasivi Hospital, North Coast Road, Tuasivi, Savai’i
• Safotu District Hospital, North Coast Road, Safotu, Savai’i
• Sataua District Hospital, South Coast Road, between Papa-uta and Satua villages, Savai’i
• Foailalo District Hospital, South Coast Road, Foailalo, Savai’i
• Satupaitea Health Centre, South Coast Road, Satupaitea, Savai’i.

For more health and safety advice while visiting Samoa, check out Samoa Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to Samoa?

Fuel Stations in Samoa

Need to fuel up? Fuel stations in Samoa tend to be open from 7 am to 6 pm except for Sundays. Note that fuel stations are fully serviced and an attendant will fill your vehicle for you; tell the attendant how much you want to fill up. Pay the attendant in cash.

Fuel stations can be found in and around Apia, as well as near Faleolo International Airport on Upolu, as well as along the main road around Savai’i and within Salelologa. Note that there are no fuel stations on the east side of Upolu, so be sure to fuel up before road-ripping on this side of the island.

• Saleufi Service Station, Vaea Street, Apia, Upolu
• T & N Toleafoa Co. Ltd, Fugalei Street, Apia, Upolu
• Queen Poto Service Station, Fugalei Street, Apia, Upolu
• Lynn’s Service Station, Salenesa Road, Moto’otua, Apia, Upolu
• Leifiifi Service Station, Ififi Street, Leififi, Apia, Upolu
• TNT Gas Station, Papaseea Road, Tulaele, Apia, Upolu
• Maota o Samoa Service Station, Talimatau Road, Vaitele, Apia, Upolu
• CBM Petrol Station, Vaitele Street, Vailoa, Apia, Upolu
• Silva Gas Station, Main West Coast Road, Fale’ula, Apia, Upolu
• Gas Station, Main West Coast Road, Fasito’outa, Upolu
• MMT Petrol Station, Main West Coast Road, Leulumoega, Upolu
• Leaana Ronnie Posini Service Station, Main South Coast Road, Sataoa, Upolu
• Amataga Service Station, Salelologa (commercial centre at the western end of Salelologa), Savai’i
• Salelologa Gas Station (a short drive east of Salelologa Wharf), Savai’i
• Amataga Service Station, Lalomalava, Savai’i
• Soul of Samoa Petrol Station, Saleaula, Savai’i
• Manase Gas Station, Manase, Savai’i
• Asau Service Station, a short drive east of Asau, Savai’i
• Lata Service Station, Between Lata and Taga villages, Savai’i
• Sasaai Petrol Stration, Sasaai, Savai’i.

For more tips for driving in Samoa, take a look at How to Drive in Samoa + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.

Communication Services in Samoa

When it comes to staying connected, Samoa’s phone networks provide the most reliable and convenient option, as you can pick up SIM cards from most convenience stores and supermarkets. Otherwise, expect to pay for an internet connection in accommodations and internet cafes. Post offices also have a good presence in Samoa.

Phone Networks

There are two network providers in Samoa, Digicel and Vodafone, which have branches in the following locations:

• Digicel – SNPF Plaza, Convent Street, Apia, Upolu
• Digicel Faleolo – Faleolo Airport (third office from the arrivals exit), Faleolo, Upolu
• Digicel Savai’i – Frankie Supermarket, Salelologa (western end of town in the commercial centre), Savai’i
• Vodafone Matafele (main store) – Beach Road (opposite ANZ), Apia, Upolu
• Vodafone Eveni – Convent Street (next to Eveni Store), Apia, Upolu
• Vodafone Fugalei – Saleufi Street (inside Fugalei Market), Apia, Upolu
• Vodafone Vaitele – Vaitele Street (opposite Farmer Joe’s), Apia, Upolu
• Vodafone Faleolo – Faleolo Airport (second office from the arrivals exit), Faleolo, Upolu
• Vodafone Office – 1 Logan Road, Maluafou, Apia, Upolu
• Vodafone Savai’i – Inside the Salelologa Market (western end of town in the commercial centre), Savai’i.

These stores are typically open from 8 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 12 pm on Saturdays. Otherwise, most convenience stores sell SIM cards for at least one of Samoa’s phone networks. Learn more about the network, prices and coverage in The Best SIM Card in Samoa for Travellers.

Post Offices

Offering postal and secretarial services, there are several post offices across Samoa:

• Samoa Post Apia – between Togafu’afu’a Road and Beach Road, Apia, Upolu
• Samoa Post Solosolo – Solosolo, northwest coast, Upolu
• Samoa Post Falefa – Main East Coast Road, Falefa, Upolu
• Samoa Post Lalomanu – inland road past the school, Lalomanu, Upolu
• Samoa Post Poutasi – Main South Coast Road, Poutasi, Upolu
• Samoa Post Siumu – Siumu, south coast, Upolu
• Samoa Post Lefaga – Main South Coast Road, Lefaga, Upolu
• Samoa Post Mulifanu – Main West Coast Road, Mulifanua, Upolu
• Samoa Post Salelologa – Inside the Salelologa Market (western end of town in the commercial centre), Savai’i
• Samoa Post Fagamalo – North Coast Road, Fagamalo, Savai’i
• Samoa Post Asau – South Coast Road, Asau, Savai’i
• Samoa Post Salailua – South Coast Road, Salailua, Savai’i.

Opening hours are typically from 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Internet and WiFi

Internet and WiFi are certainly limited in Samoa, mostly offered by resorts and hotels for a fee. For this reason, we recommend getting a local SIM card and using a data plan as the best way to access the internet. Otherwise, other options include:

• Cornwall Cafe, Apia, Upolu (free WiFi)
• 1905 Restaurant at Lava Hotel, Apia, Upolu (free WiFi)
• Cyberbooth Internet Cafe, Lotemau Mall, Apia, Upolu (internet cafe)
• LTS Samoa, Falealili Street, Apia, Upolu (internet cafe)
• JJ Cyber Cafe, Pat Ah Him Building, Apia, Upolu (internet cafe)
• Taefu T. Matafeo Store Asaga, Asaga, Savai’i (free)
• Talofa Inn, Apia, Upolu (free WiFi for guests)
• Karl’s Getaway, Apia, Upolu (free WiFi for guests)
• Lynn’s Getaway, Apia, Upolu (free WiFi for guests)
• Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Apia, Upolu (free limited WiFi for guests).

For more tips on staying connected, check out How to Get Internet & WiFi in Samoa.

Banks and ATMs in Samoa

Should you want to exchange currency or withdraw some cash, there are a few options in Samoa. We recommend getting the cash you need from Apia, Salelologa or Faleolo International Airport before exploring the rest of the islands. Otherwise, your next best options are the ATMs mostly limited to Apia, Mulifanua Wharf, Faleolo Airport, Salelologa and Fagamalo.

Banks

Banks can be found in Apia and its surrounding suburbs, at Faleolo International Airport (only open when flights are operating) on Upolu, as well as in Savai’i’s main town Salelologa. They offer services like foreign exchange, which you can learn more about in The Best Place to Exchange Money in Samoa. Note that banks in Samoa tend to be open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and 8:30 am to 12 pm Saturday.

• BSP Apia (main branch) – Corner Beach Road and Vaea Street, Apia, Upolu
• BSP Vaitele, Main West Coast Road, Vaitele, Apia, Upolu
• BSP Mulifanua Wharf, Main West Coast Road, Mulifanua, Upolu
• BSP Faleolo Airport, Main West Coast Road, Faleolo, Upolu
• ANZ Apia (main branch) – Beach Road, Apia, Upolu
• ANZ Vaitele – Vaitele industrial zone, Apia, Upolu
• ANZ Faleolo Airport – Main West Coast Road, Faleolo, Upolu
• National Bank of Samoa (main branch) – Level 1 ACC Building, Apia, Upolu
• National Bank of Samoa Matautu – Matautu Street, Matautu, Apia, Upolu
• National Bank of Samoa Vaitele – Vaitele Street, Vaitele, Apia, Upolu
• BSP Salelologa – along the main road to the commercial centre at the western end of town, Savai’i
• ANZ Salelologa – on the main road north of the ferry terminal, Savai’i
• NBS Salelologa – on the main road north of the ferry terminal, Savai’i.

Note that the above branches also have ATMs accepting foreign cards – best to use Visa and MasterCard – see Can You Use Your Credit Card in Samoa?

ATMs

Other than at the bank branches mentioned above, BSP ATMs are the easiest to come by in Samoa. The list of BSP ATMs includes:

• Faleolo Airport, Faleolo, Upolu
• Mulifanua Wharf, Mulifanua, Upolu
• Business Systems Ltd, Taufusi, Apia, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket, Lotopa, Apia, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket, Matautu, Apia, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket, Tanumalala, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket, Utualii, Upolu
• Frankie Supermarket, Vaitele, Apia, Upolu
• Maota o Samoa, Siusega, Apia, Upolu
• Princessa Supermarket, Tanugamanono, Apia, Upolu
• R & J Mackenzie, Lotopa, Apia, Upolu
• Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort, Mulifanua, Upolu
• Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Sogi (Mulinuu Peninsula), Apia, Upolu
• Taumeasina Island Resort, Taumeasina, Apia, Upolu
• Asau Service Station, Asau, Savai’i
• O&N & Son Ltd, Tuasivi, Savai’i
• Rosalote Transport, Sapapalii, Savai’i
• Island Shopper, Lalomalava, Savai’i
• Tausala Matiu, Satupaitea, Savai’i
• Iaulualo Malulaufai, Faala Palauli, Savai’i
• Sasaai Petrol Stration, Sasaai, Savai’i
• Moelagi Susana Tiatai, Avao, Savai’i
• Taeario Taitai Galuvao Shop, Satolepai, Savai’i.

There are also BSP and ANZ ATMs in Fagamalo village opposite the Le Lagoto Resort, as well as at the Arrivals Hall of Faleolo International Airport.

Learn more about paying your way through Samoa in What is the Best Way to Pay in Samoa?