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American Samoa travel guide

Samoan culture, US dollars and English in a 199 km² corner of Polynesia

Best: Aug, Sep

Photo: 12019 / Pixabay

Capital
Pago Pago
Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-11:00
Plugs
Type A, B, F, I · 120 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
911

Why visit American Samoa

American Samoa is a small Polynesian destination, with 199 km² of land and about 43,268 people. It suits a slow, low-key trip for travellers curious about Samoan life. Practical matters are simple: you pay in US dollars, people speak English and Samoan, and 911 is the emergency number. August and September are the best months to go. One honest limitation: the islands use UTC-11:00, so calls or remote work with Europe or Asia mean awkward hours.

  • Small islands, short distances

    American Samoa covers only 199 km² and has about 43,268 people. Its small size makes it a quiet place to explore without long journeys between stops.

  • Polynesian culture and language

    This US territory sits in Polynesia, and Samoan is spoken alongside English. Visitors hear the local language in daily life, while English makes it easy to ask for directions or help.

  • Familiar basics for US travellers

    The currency is the US dollar, the calling code is +1 and the emergency number is 911. Power runs at 120 V with type A and B plugs among those used, and cars drive on the right.

  • Clear best time: August–September

    August and September are rated the best months to visit. If you have flexible dates, plan your trip for this window and use Pago Pago, the capital, as your base.

  • One of the last time zones

    American Samoa runs on UTC-11:00, one of the last time zones on Earth to finish each day. Travellers who enjoy that idea can watch the day end here hours after most of the world.

Is American Samoa right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers who want steady warmth, with highs between 27 and 29°C in every month
  • Dry-season trips in August and September, with 100 mm of rain or less
  • US travellers who want English, US dollars and the +1 calling code
  • Short, slow trips around a small territory of 199 km² and about 43,268 people
  • Green-season fans who like heavy tropical rain, such as 410 mm in February

Less ideal for

  • People who need cool nights, as lows stay near 26°C all year
  • Travellers wanting dry days from December to April, with about 25 rain days a month
  • Trips built around big-city life, as the whole territory has about 43,268 people

American Samoa right now: October

6.2/10
Avg high
28°C
Avg low
26°C
Rain days
22

Averages for American Samoa.

Weather by month

The climate data for American Samoa (2015–2024) shows August and September as the best months, with 96–100 mm of rain over 16–17 days, 10–11 hours of sun and highs near 27°C. December to February is the wettest stretch, with 316–410 mm of rain on about 25–26 days, though it stays warm at about 28°C by day and 26°C at night.

Average highs and lows in American Samoa by month January: high 29°C, low 27°C , 26 rain days . February: high 29°C, low 26°C , 25 rain days . March: high 29°C, low 27°C , 26 rain days . April: high 29°C, low 27°C , 25 rain days . May: high 28°C, low 27°C , 24 rain days . June: high 28°C, low 26°C , 20 rain days . July: high 28°C, low 26°C , 20 rain days . August: high 27°C, low 26°C , 16 rain days . September: high 27°C, low 26°C , 17 rain days . October: high 28°C, low 26°C , 22 rain days . November: high 28°C, low 26°C , 23 rain days . December: high 28°C, low 26°C , 26 rain days . 29°C 27°C JAN 26d 29°C 26°C FEB 25d 29°C 27°C MAR 26d 29°C 27°C APR 25d 28°C 27°C MAY 24d 28°C 26°C JUN 20d 28°C 26°C JUL 20d 27°C 26°C AUG 16d 27°C 26°C SEP 17d 28°C 26°C OCT 22d 28°C 26°C NOV 23d 28°C 26°C DEC 26d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

American Samoa (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit American Samoa: month-by-month weather →

Food to try in American Samoa

Umu feast

An umu is an above-ground oven of hot stones covered with leaves. Families use it to cook taro, breadfruit, pork and fish, often for the big Sunday meal after church.

Palusami

Young taro leaves wrapped around thick coconut cream, often with onion, then baked in the umu. It is a classic part of Sunday meals and feasts.

Oka

Raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice, then mixed with coconut cream and chopped vegetables. It is served cold as a starter or side, at home and at gatherings.

Sapasui

The Samoan take on chop suey, made with glass noodles, soy sauce, garlic and meat. It is a standard dish at weddings, birthdays, church events and family feasts.

Panipopo

Soft, sweet bread buns baked in a sugary coconut sauce. They are eaten as a snack or dessert and are often sold at bakeries and shared at gatherings.

Koko Samoa

A drink made from roasted, ground local cacao beans mixed with hot water and usually sugar. It is often drunk in the morning or with breakfast foods.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Sockets run at 120 V. Plug types A, B, F and I are all listed, so pack a universal adapter. Check that your chargers accept 120 V. Devices made only for higher voltage will need a converter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right side of the road. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and when pulling out.
  • Emergency number: Dial 911 for emergencies. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you have it ready if you need help.
  • Currency: The currency is the United States dollar (USD). If you are coming from the US mainland, you will not need to change money.
  • Language: English and Samoan are both official languages. Learning a few Samoan words for greetings and thanks is a polite gesture that local people tend to appreciate.
  • Phone and time zone: The calling code is +1, the same as the US and Canada. Local time is UTC-11:00, so check the time difference before you call home or book onward travel.

American Samoa: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit American Samoa?

August and September are the best months to visit American Samoa. Both score 6.4 out of 10, the highest of the year. They are also the driest months. August gets about 100 mm of rain over 15.8 rain days. September gets 96 mm over 16.7 rain days and has the most sunshine, at 11 hours a day.

Is American Samoa good in February?

February is an ok month for American Samoa, but expect a lot of rain. It is the wettest month, with about 410 mm of rain over 24.9 rain days. It also has the least sunshine, at 8.9 hours a day. It stays warm, with highs of 28.5°C. February scores 4.8 out of 10.

When is the rainy season in American Samoa?

The wettest months in American Samoa run from December to May. In this period it rains on 23.7 to 25.8 days a month, and monthly rain ranges from 232 mm in March to 410 mm in February. From June to November it is drier. All of these months rate as good, with scores of 6 to 6.4.

How hot is American Samoa?

American Samoa is hot and humid all year, and temperatures barely change. Daytime highs range from 27.3°C in August and September to 28.7°C in March and April. Nights stay warm, with lows between 25.8°C and 26.6°C. There is no cool season, so pack light clothes for any month.

What currency and plugs does American Samoa use?

American Samoa uses the United States dollar (USD). Power is 120 V, and you will find plug types A, B, F and I. Bring a universal adapter if your devices use another plug, and check that they work on 120 V.

What languages are spoken in American Samoa, and what is the time zone?

English and Samoan are the official languages of American Samoa. The time zone is UTC-11:00. The calling code is +1, cars drive on the right, and the emergency number is 911. Pago Pago is the capital.

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