Essentials
- City
- Tafuna, Tutuila Island, American Samoa
- Population
- 9,500 (Largest village in the territory)
- Internet Speed
- BlueSky and ASTCA offer 20-50 Mbps via Hawaiki Submarine Cable
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). 1 USD is the local currency.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled or filtered water (approx. $1.50 per 1.5L)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- BlueSky American Samoa ($15 for 5GB data), ASTCA ($20 for 10GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS), ANZ Bank (limited), or US-based online banks like Charles Schwab
- Accommodation
- Tradewinds Hotel (~$160/night), Sadie's by the Sea (nearby Pago Pago, ~$180/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Major hotels and supermarkets accept credit cards; small shops/buses are cash only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Limited Airbnb availability; expect $80–$120/night for private units
- Budget Accommodation
- Moana O Sina (~$90/night) or long-term guest houses in the Fogagogo area
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Ottoville (near shopping and Tradewinds Hotel)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Fogagogo or Leone (quieter, more scenic, residential vibe)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None official; the Tradewinds Hotel Business Center is the primary workspace ($10–$20 day use)
- Best Cafe for Work
- DDW Beach Cafe (Pago Pago, 15m drive) or the lobby at Tradewinds Hotel
- Networking Events
- American Samoa Chamber of Commerce monthly meetings at various Tafuna venues
- Social Events for Expats
- Thursday night social hours at the Goat Island Club (Pago Pago)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use local taxi stands near Laufou Shopping Center (~$5–$10 within Tafuna)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not standard; most nomads rent cars from Avis or Budget (~$55/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Fogagogo Beach (lava rock coastline) or Maliu Mai Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Samoa Airways (flights to Apia, Samoa)
- Top International Airline
- Hawaiian Airlines (direct flights to Honolulu twice weekly)
- Highway Access
- Route 001 (Main Island Highway) runs directly through Tafuna
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Pago Pago International Airport (PPG) is located in Tafuna
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; 'Aiga Buses' (colorful wooden buses) are $1.00–$2.00 per ride
- Regional Travel
- Interisland Airways or local ferries to the Manu'a Islands
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- LBJ Tropical Medical Center (located in Faga'alu, ~15 mins from Tafuna)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Tiapapata Art Centre (occasional retreats) or fitness classes at local high schools
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Tafuna Fitness Center ($5 drop-in, located near the airport)
- Laundry Services
- Laundromats available at Laufou Shopping Center (~$3.00 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; call restaurants directly for pickup (e.g., Pizza Hut Tafuna)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Oka (raw fish in coconut cream) and Palusami (baked taro leaves)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; Island Choice Restaurant offers vegetable stir-fry and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Kruse Store for traditional 'Panikeke' (Samoan pancakes)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Cost-U-Less (Warehouse style) and Forsgren's (Laufou Shopping Center)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (ships via USPS, can take 2-4 weeks)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; in-person shopping at Neil's ACE Home Center/Grocery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- T-Rex Bar and Grill (Tafuna) or localized hotel bars
- Local Brewery
- None currently; imported Vailima Beer from Independent Samoa is common
- Wine Bars
- The Equator Restaurant offers the best selection in Tafuna
- Street Food Stalls
- Roadside BBQ stands near the airport (Sat/Sun morning, $10 plates)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Flying Fox (Asian Fusion) and any of the several local Chinese eateries
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The National Park of American Samoa (visitor center nearby)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Jean P. Haydon Museum (Pago Pago)
- Historical Sites
- Blunts Point and Breakers Point WWII gun batteries
- Religious Sites
- Holy Family Cathedral in Ottoville (stunning stained glass)
- Annual Events
- Flag Day (April 17th) featuring Fautasi (longboat) races
- Cultural Districts
- The Malae (Village Greens) of nearby Leone
- Theater Venues
- Regal Nu'uuli Place Cinemas (standard film theater)
- Local Markets
- Fagatogo Market (Pago Pago) for fresh produce and handicrafts
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic Samoan music at Tradewinds Hotel every Friday night
- Street Art
- Community murals at the high schools and the Tafuna industrial park
- Cooking Classes
- Informal village 'Umu' (earth oven) demonstrations through homestay hosts
- Art Galleries
- Tiapapata Art Gallery (requires travel to sister island/Apia or pop-ups)
- Historic Buildings
- The Government House (located on the hill in Maugaoali'i)
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Tatu (Tatau) art practiced by local master tattooists
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lower Sauma Ridge Trail for panoramic coastal views
- National Parks Nearby
- National Park of American Samoa (only US NP south of the equator)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The airport perimeter road is a popular evening walking circuit
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Vaitogi Turtle and Shark site at the cliffside
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lata Mountain area for Fruit bats and Honeyeaters
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public beaches in Utulei (with permit/permission)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (United States Postal Service) located near the airport
- Tech Repair Services
- BlueSky Retail Store (phone and tablet repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local schools; no dedicated public ping pong lounges
- Language Classes
- American Samoa Community College (ASCC) offers Samoan language courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Feleti Barstow Public Library (Pago Pago)
- Community Centers
- DYWA (Department of Youth and Women's Affairs) Center Tafuna
- Gaming Lounges
- None; mobile gaming is more popular locally
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is prohibited in American Samoa
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Land is communal/family-owned; non-Samoans cannot purchase land, only lease (~$1,000/sqm for improvements)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Leasehold basis: Approx. $150,000 for a long-term structure lease
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Leasehold basis: Approx. $220,000
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Leasehold basis: Approx. $180,000
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Leasehold basis: Approx. $300,000
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Leasehold basis: Approx. $250,000
- Corporate Tax
- Graduated scale up to 44% (American Samoa has its own tax code based on US IRC)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 15% (tax treaties may apply via US)
- Tax System
- Mirror System of the US Internal Revenue Code
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 34%
- VAT
- No Sales Tax or VAT in American Samoa
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following US-derived regulations
- Property Tax
- None
- Property Transaction Tax
- Recording fees apply, but no central transaction tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Potential for Section 933 US tax exclusion if resident for a full year