Upolu Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Upolu showing a bay or harbour, forest scenes and general coastal views
Visit Samoa’s most important island to discover pristine beaches, lush rainforest and a relaxed pace of life in its small capital city.

Upolu will most likely be your first port of call when you visit the pristine archipelago of Samoa. The island contains the country’s major international airport and its capital, Apia. Shop for traditional goods and sample delicious local food or slip off your sandals and walk across the white sands of one of Upolu’s picture-perfect beaches. Enjoy diving, surfing or fishing and then lie back in the warm, clear waters of an ocean lagoon to relax. Hike through dense rainforest, stopping along the way to admire a waterfall or to swim in a freshwater pool.

Upolu is Samoa’s second-largest island, but is the most populated of the 10 islands and islets. In the capital Apia, visit the food market for tasty local treats and the flea market for traditional souvenirs. In this still quite traditional city you’ll find the majority of the island’s restaurants, banks, shops and other visitor facilities.

Hire a car or a taxi and take the winding coast road that leads from Apia to the many stunning beaches that the island offers. Lalomanu, one of the busier stretches of shoreline, has white sands and warm water that is safe for swimming. Go for a swim or relax with a book or picnic lunch under the palm trees. Watersports enthusiasts can surf, snorkel and scuba dive around the outer reefs by arranging a boat excursion from Apia. Many beaches also have coral closer to shore at high tide These beaches include the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve just outside Apia.

Head inland and explore the hiking trails in places like Lake Lanoto’o National Park, which has a rare swamp forest as its ecosystem. Nearby, O Le Pupu-Pue National Park is where you’ll find Upolu’s highest mountain, the 1,100-metre (3,600-foot) Mount Fito. Many of the tracks pass waterfalls and one of the most spectacular ones is Papapapaitai Falls.

Upolu is served by regular international flights, and has ferry and air services to all of Samoa’s other islands.

Saletoga Sands Resorts
Saletoga Sands Resorts
4 out of 5
Main South Coast Road, Matatufu
The price is NZ$182 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
NZ$182
per night
22 Mar - 23 Mar
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Matatufu. Enjoy free parking, a private beach, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (444 reviews)
"Great place loved it the people were nice ill miss the brother tonga bula"

Reviewed on 3 Mar. 2024

Saletoga Sands Resorts
Taumeasina Island Resort
Taumeasina Island Resort
4.5 out of 5
Beach Road, Apia
The price is NZ$434 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
NZ$434
per night
21 Mar - 22 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Apia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (381 reviews)
"First class establishment."

Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2024

Taumeasina Island Resort
Return to Paradise Resort and Spa
Return to Paradise Resort and Spa
4 out of 5
Lefaga, Matautu
The price is NZ$300 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
NZ$300
per night
20 Mar - 21 Mar
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Matautu. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (272 reviews)
"Great Resort, we were greeted personally by the osner. The staff are first rate and the entertainment which is also staff was a delight... We are already booked for our return to paradise."

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024

Return to Paradise Resort and Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Breeze Studio-1 Vailima Free-WiFi, Netflix, Aircon, Cozy
Breeze Studio-1 Vailima Free-WiFi, Netflix, Aircon, Cozy
Apia
Stay at this apartment in Apia. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Apia Park are located nearby. ...
Breeze Studio-1 Vailima Free-WiFi, Netflix, Aircon, Cozy
Tropical Escape, Vailima | 3BR Free-Wifi, Netflix, Aircon
Tropical Escape, Vailima | 3BR Free-Wifi, Netflix, Aircon
Apia
Stay at this vacation home in Apia. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Apia Park are located nearby. ...
Tropical Escape, Vailima | 3BR Free-Wifi, Netflix, Aircon
Highland Hideaway above Apia nestled in your own private little valley
Highland Hideaway above Apia nestled in your own private little valley
Apia
Stay at this vacation home in Apia. Enjoy onsite parking, a balcony, and 3 bathrooms. Popular attractions Faleata Golf Course and Papaseea Sliding Rocks are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Hideaway
"The best place we have stayed in, in Samoa. Beautiful home and grounds. Plenty of room for a big group. House was clean and had everything that you need, like you were in your own home. Tim was helpful and went out of his way to make our trip memorable. Thank you for having us, will definitely look ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jan. 2024

Highland Hideaway above Apia nestled in your own private little valley
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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