Upolu

Buses

Car rental

• Alby Rentals

  phone: +685 21271

• Apia Rentals

  phone: +685 24244

• Blue Pacific Car Hire

  phone: +685 22668

• Budget

  phone: +685 20561

• Discovery Rentals

  phone: +685 29230

• Funway Rentals

  phone: +685 22045

• Lake Lanoto'o National ParkContains a rare and important swamp forest ecosystem. The lake is full of goldfish, which have thrived since being introduced by expatriate residents.

• Lalomanu (Aliepata) in the east has beautiful beaches and sights of small idyllic islands. Nearby is a beautiful waterfall named Tiave'a.

• O Le Pupu-Pui National Park.It has Samoa's highest mountain, Mt. Fito at 1100 m, at Togitogiga Falls. Some good hiking trails.

• Papapapai-Tai FallsA 100-m drop makes these spectacular falls.

• Papase'ea Sliding Rocks6 km southwest of Apia, these water falls are a major attraction. A soft vegetation under the water makes it possible to easily slide down the falls into the pool below. Better in the rainy season. Fun for all ages.

• Manono IslandManono Island is a low-lying island that has no cars or roads. There is a footpath that follows the coast. Dogs and horses are banned for environmental reasons. Things to see include a prehistoric Mound temple. This is one of the most traditional parts of Samoa and a very pleasant place to visit. Beach fales are available.

• Namua Island

Stephen Glauser

• Piula Cave PoolAttractive spring-fed freshwater pool by the sea for swimming and exploring of the caves.

• Return to Paradise BeachA beautiful beach, but particularly interesting for fans of old films who remember the 1953 film starring Gary Cooper and written by James Mitchener, which was filmed here.

• VailimaHome and grave of Robert Louis Stevenson. See Apia for more info.

• Surfing. There is good surfing in many locations but it is only for the experienced as the reef can be dangerous. Several resorts specialise in surfing, including Sa'Moana Resort, who operate two ocean going fibreglass boats with experienced guides and skippers, safety and back to base radio equipment. Check the web before committing to a surf tour operator as one or two do not have good reputations.
• Fishing. There is an abundance of fish in Samoa's waters. Charter companies mainly operate out of Apia's harbour, and one operating from Sinalei Resort on the South Coast.
• Golf. Two courses are close to Apia: the Royal Samoan Country Club, for a long time Samoa's only golf course, and a more recent development, the Faleata Country Club, which is close to the sports complex constructed for the South Pacific Games. On the south coast the Sinalei Reef Resort has a nine-hole pitch and putt course.
• Diving. There are some 900 fish species and 200 types of coral in Samoa's waters. The only confirmed dive company on Upolu at the beginning of 2015 was:

• Aquasamoa

  phone: +685 45662
  Organizes diving trips and is a qualified PADI instructor.

Budget

• Sataoa Beach Fales

  phone: +685 601-966
  address: End of Sataoa Road, Sataoa Village, Lefaga District
  A renovated property with fantastic meals. It is well off the main road, quiet and great for relaxing. Surrounded by a lot of bush and next to a freshwater mangrove which is great for kayaking along. The coast is coral-free, but shallow and easy for swimming.

• Sina PJ Fales

  phone: +685 72 54492
  address: End of Tafitoala Road, Tafitoala Village
  A real family-run set-up with several basic wooden beach fales right on the waterfront. It peaceful and great for relaxing. Close to surf spots, some good coral and underwater sights and a nearby blackwater sand beach to check out.

• Vaiula Beach Fales

  phone: +685 7792754
  address: Tafatafa Village
  Standard fales but with reality tv advertising tarpaulins instead of traditional blinds. The service is lacklustre, the food is bland and basic, and the facilities are of poor quality. Run like a camp by a few disinterested teens.

• Transit Motel

  phone: +685 45008
  address: Main West Coast Road
  Very close to the airport, but should only be considered if you're desperate or have a particularly early flight. The rooms are small, stuffy, and sounds carry through the walls.

• FaoFao Beach Fales

  phone: +685 772-6693
  address: Saleapaga
  Totally destroyed by the tsunami, FaoFao has been attractively restored. Eight fales.

• Namua Beach Fales

  address: Namu'a Island
  Includes meals and launch transfer. This place should definitely be included in your itinerary.

• Taufua Beach Fales

  phone: +685 41051
  address: Lalomanu
  Basic fales, but in good shape and are right on the great beach. The reef inside the lagoon was badly damaged by the Sept 2009 tsunami, but there are still heaps of beautiful fish. There is a dive shop on premises that can also organize snorkeling and surfing trips. It's social but also quiet (except for the pounding of the surf out on the reef). Meals are served long table style and are a mix of western, eastern, and traditional Samoan food. Bar on premises. Internet access available.

Mid-range

• Airport Lodge

  phone: +685 45584
  address: Lalovi Village
  Eight villas in a garden setting, a short walk from the sea. Ten minutes from the airport and three minutes from the Savaii ferry.

• Dave Parker Eco Lodge

  phone: +685 28899
  address: Tapatapao
  Unique mountain-top lodge with rainforest right below you.

• Le Uaina Seaside resort

  phone: +685 40272 or +685 40270
  address: Faleapuna village,
  Resort by the sea with a small beach. Good restaurant.

• Sunset View Fales

  phone: +685 7596240
  address: Lepuia'I Village, Manono Island
  Tranquil Manono island - no vehicles - no roads - no dogs. Free launch transfer from 'Upolu. All meals included. Boat trips to reef. Outrigger canoe. 5 fales on the waters edge. Samoan family environment. Ferry wharf phone: +685 46177

• Sa'Moana Resort

  phone: +685 842 8880
  address: Salamumu
  A small, private and unpretentious resort with white sandy beach and lava rock infinity pool. Accommodation options include beach front bungalows, beach house and dorm style all inclusive surf package. Bungalows and beach house have outdoor lava rock showers. Restaurant, bar, children's activities and tours on-site. Excellent snorkelling directly in front of resort.

Splurge

• Aggie Grey's Lagoon, Beach Resort and Spa

  phone: +685 45611
  Aggie Grey's Hotel (in Apia) and Aggie Grey's Resort are managed by Starwood as Sheraton Resorts.

• Coconuts Beach Club and Resort

  phone: +685 24849
  address: Maninoa Village
  Coconuts started as a beach bar and has grown from there. Set up by two Californian lawyers, the resort has very spacious fales and consistently gets high ratings.

• Le Vasa Resort

  phone: +685 46028
  address: Cape Fatuosofia
  Attractive location. For the price charged you would expect to be right on the beach but here there is a strip of volcanic rock between the fales and the sea.

• Sinalei Reef Resort

  phone: +685 25191
  Beautiful, but very upmarket development on the south coast.