Essentials
- City
- Leone, Western District, American Samoa
- Population
- Approximately 3,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps via ASTCA Fiber or Bluesky American Samoa LTE
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Local banking via ANZ Guam or Territorial Bank of American Samoa
- Tap Water
- Avoid drinking; bottled water is recommended ($1.50 per 1.5L at local stores)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Bluesky American Samoa or ASTCA; roughly $20 for 10GB of data
- Banking for Expats
- Territorial Bank of American Samoa; major US credit cards accepted at larger venues
- Accommodation
- Limited local guesthouses and Airbnb; Tradewinds Hotel (nearby in Tafuna) is $160-$220/night
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; cash is preferred in Leone village, cards accepted in Pago Pago/Tafuna
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options in nearby Tafuna ranging from $80 to $150 per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Local homestays and village guesthouses; expect around $50-$70/night via local inquiry
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near Leone Falls or Leone Church for proximity to historical sites
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Leone Mid-village or nearby Tafuna for better proximity to the airport and LTE towers
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated spaces in Leone; use hotel lobbies like Tradewinds Hotel in Tafuna ($5-10 for coffee/day use)
- Best Cafe for Work
- DDW Beach Club (Tafuna) or local bakeries with mobile hotspots
- Networking Events
- American Samoa Chamber of Commerce meetings in Pago Pago
- Social Events for Expats
- Rotary Club of Pago Pago or events at Goat Island Club
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use local 'Aiga' buses ($1.00 - $2.50) or call 24/7 Taxis (684-633-8888)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rare; local rental cars available at Pago Pago Airport from $60/day (Avis/Budgets)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Leone Beach (rocky/scenic); nearby sliding rocks or Vaitogi Cliffs
- Top Regional Airline
- Samoa Airways (flights to Apia, Samoa)
- Top International Airline
- Hawaiian Airlines (direct flights to Honolulu)
- Highway Access
- Route 1 (Main West Coast Road)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None; Pago Pago Port is the primary sea arrival point
- Public Transport Passes
- Pay-per-ride on Aiga buses (cash only)
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island ferries to Manu'a islands from Pago Pago harbor ($40-$60)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Faga'alu (approx. 20 mins from Leone)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Private classes often held at the Pala Lagoon Swimming Center
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness 24/7 in Tafuna; monthly memberships approx. $50
- Laundry Services
- Local laundromats in Tafuna/Ottoville area (~$2.00 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; order for pickup via phone at local diners
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sapo'asui (Samoan Chop Suey) or Palusami ($10-$15 at village markets)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fresh fruit from Leone village markets; vegetable curry at local Asian diners
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pani Popo (Coconut buns) from local village bakeries ($1.00 each)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Cost-U-Less in Tafuna for bulk buying or local Leone village stalls
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipping is slow/limited); local Facebook groups for buy/sell
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; self-shopping at Forsgren's or Neil's ACE Home Center
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Tappy's Bar or diners in Pago Pago harbor area
- Local Brewery
- None; import beers available at local markets (Vailima from Samoa)
- Wine Bars
- Sadie’s by the Sea (Pago Pago) offers a decent wine selection
- Street Food Stalls
- Leone village roadside stalls selling BBQ chicken and taro ($5-$10)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Flying Fox Thai Restaurant in Pava'ia'i
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Leone Church (Holy Cross) and the Monument to the first missionaries
- Museums & Art Venues
- Jean P. Haydon Museum in Pago Pago
- Historical Sites
- Leone Healing Garden and old Navy bunkers
- Religious Sites
- Holy Cross Catholic Church (noted for its Samoan architecture/carvings)
- Annual Events
- Flag Day (April) featuring longboat (Siva Afi) races
- Cultural Districts
- Leone Village (historical capital of the West)
- Theater Venues
- None; community performances usually held in village 'fales'
- Local Markets
- Leone Roadside Market for fresh fish and produce
- Music Scene
- Church choirs and occasional live music at Tappy’s or Sadie's
- Street Art
- Village 'fales' (traditional houses) featuring intricate patterns and carvings
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes often arranged via local homestays/villagers
- Art Galleries
- Tiapapata Art Centre (in nearby Samoa) or Pago Pago local gift shops
- Historic Buildings
- The Leone Courthouse and traditional fales
- Local Heritage
- The 'Fa'a Samoa' (The Samoan Way) deeply influences Leone life
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Leone Falls and the Leone mangrove forest
- National Parks Nearby
- National Park of American Samoa (access via Pago Pago/Vatia)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal road walks along the Leone bay
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Blunt's Point Trail (near Pago Pago) for panoramic ocean views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Leone wetlands for seeing the Pacific reef heron
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private village beach areas (seek local matai/chief permission first)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS Leone Post Office (Zip 96799)
- Tech Repair Services
- Bluesky retail store in Laufou Shopping Center
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local youth centers or schools in the Leone/Tafuna area
- Language Classes
- American Samoa Community College (ASCC) in Mapusaga
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Feleti Barstow Public Library in Pago Pago
- Community Centers
- Leone Village Fale for community meetings
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly mobile gaming via local cellular networks
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly prohibited in American Samoa
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Land is communal; non-Samoans generally cannot buy, only lease. Leases approx. $1,000/mo for land
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Leasehold only; $600 - $900 per month for standard units
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A - Communal land system applies
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A - Communal land system applies
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A - Communal land system applies
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A - Communal land system applies
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive up to 44% (American Samoa has its own tax code)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally matches US federal rates (approx. 15-30%)
- Tax System
- Self-governing tax jurisdiction based on the US IRS code of 1986
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 34% for individuals
- VAT
- 0% (No sales tax, but an import excise tax of 5-8% applies)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Follows modified US federal standards
- Property Tax
- None (No property tax on land/buildings in American Samoa)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Minimal recording fees for leases
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Possibility of Section 933 exclusion if a bona fide resident, but complex