Money
Currency
1 US dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: US$, USD (ISO code). See USA for more information.
Credit cards
American Express is accepted almost everywhere, Mastercard only partially. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at a few ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol in the larger cities. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey. See other countries in Oceania on zipcodesexplorer.
Traveler’s checks
Traveller’s checks are generally not accepted in American Samoa.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 09.00-15.00.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions on the import and export of foreign currencies and local currency. Obligation to declare from a sum equivalent to US$ 10,000.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and in large hotels. There is an exchange office at the airport. ATMs are located at Bank of Hawaii and America Samoa Bank branches.
Currencies
| Code | Symbol | Exchange rates (no guarantee) |
| USD | US$ | 1 EUR = 1.04 US$ 1 CHF = 1.24 US$ 1 USD = 1.00 US$ |
Language
Overview
Samoan, many islanders also speak English. Most people are bilingual.
Public Holidays
01.01.2022 New Year
17.01.2022 Martin Luther King, Jr.-Tag
21.02.2022 Presidents’ Day
30.05.2022 memorial day
04.07.2022 Independence Day
05.09.2022 Labor Day
10.10.2022 Columbus Day
11.11.2022 Veterans Day
24.11.2022 Thanksgiving-Tag
25.12.2022 Christmas
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into American Samoa in carry-on baggage duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 450g of tobacco; 5 bottles of alcoholic beverages; Perfume and eau de toilette for personal use. A special permit for importing weapons is available from the Attorney-General in Pago Pago. A special permit from the Agricultural Office in Pago Pago is required for the import of vegetables, plants and poultry.
Contact addresses
annotation
American Samoa is a US territory and does not have its own representations abroad. The US embassies and consulates are responsible (see contact addresses USA).
Business
Business etiquette
Casual attire is appropriate; men wear ties only on particularly formal occasions. The best time for business trips is between May and October.
Business contacts
American Samoa Government, Department of Commerce A.P. Lutali Executive Office Bldg, Utulei, Amerikanisch-Samoa 96799 Tel. +1684 (0)633 51 55/56. Website: doc.as
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing.
Cell phone
GSM 1900 mobile network operated by Blue Sky (Internet: www.blueskynet.as); also not GSM-compatible, US mobile network (no GSM) operated by American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (Internet: www.samoatelco.com). There are currently no roaming agreements. The reception/transmission range covers the populated regions of the island.
Internet
The main provider is the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (Internet: www.samoatelco.com). Internet cafes are available.
Post
The main post office in the Lumana’i Building in Pago Pago is open 24 hours a day. There are other post offices in the villages of Leone and Faguita, which are open Mon-Fri 0800-1600 and Sat 0830-1200.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
Shopping
Overview
Hand-woven tapa fabrics are particularly popular souvenirs; a puletasi (women’s dress) or lavalava (men’s suit) handcrafted by local tailors; shell beads and purses; wood carvings; woven Laufala (table and floor mats); carved kava cups; Samoan music records and duty-free goods. Shop opening times: Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Sat 08:00-13:00.
Nightlife
Introduction
Evening entertainment means above all music and dancing. Fia fias, feasts with traditional dances, are hosted by many hotels and restaurants. Local tour operators also organize Fia Fias. Visitors are generally welcome to church and village events.
Culinary
Overview
The varied menu includes American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Polynesian dishes. There are numerous drive-in restaurants. The Samoan holiday dish Fia Fia consists of suckling pig, chicken, fish, palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and cooked in the umu (earth oven)), breadfruit, coconut, bananas, lime and mangoes. Drinks: The national drink, kava, is drunk on religious or celebratory occasions. If you make friends with locals, you might be invited to a real kava ceremony. In the authentic ceremony, one should first pour a few drops of the drink from one’s coconut shell onto the ground in front of oneself while saying Manuia, which means “good luck.” The cup should not be completely drunk until the very end of the ceremony and then returned to the host. Kava is a solemn and even sacred ceremony not to be confused with casual Western-style drinking. Some vacationers only get used to the taste of the drink after some time. Most bars offer alcoholic drinks at reduced prices during “Happy Hour” between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Some vacationers only get used to the taste of the drink after some time. Most bars offer alcoholic drinks at reduced prices during “Happy Hour” between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Some vacationers only get used to the taste of the drink after some time. Most bars offer alcoholic drinks at reduced prices during “Happy Hour” between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Culture
Religion
Predominantly Christian (50% Christian Congregational Church, 20% Catholic, Protestant and other 30%).
Social Rules of Conduct
The traditional society is based on a complex system of manners, which are still strictly observed, especially by the older generation, and with which visitors should also become familiar. Except on the beach, for example, clothing that is too tight is reluctant to be seen. Gong strikes in the early evening announce the hour of prayer, the first gong call calls for people to return home, the second indicates the beginning of prayer and the third the end of prayer time. Loud noises are undesirable at prayer time. In some villages you are not allowed to swim or fish on Sundays. Anyone who is invited to a private home is only given a gift when they leave, a mea alofa (»object of love«) such as shirts, belts or clothing material. It is impolite to leave a host before the pre-arranged time. Tipping is not customary.
Climate
Best travel time
Very warm, tropical climate. Heavy rain falls between December and April. It is most pleasant in winter (May – September) with southerly trade winds. Tropical cyclone season is from November to April.
Country data
Phone prefix
+1 684
Area (sq km)
201
Population
55.191
Population density (per square km)
270
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
911
