Salelologa, Samoa 🇼🇸
#1129 -13.733782, -172.222295

Nomad Score: 54%
Overview Guide Scores Costs

Essentials

🏙️ City Salelologa is the main port town of Savai'i, the largest island of Samoa, situated at -13.733782, -172.222295.
👥 Population Approximately 2,000 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 10-20 Mbps, with some spots having faster connections.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 WST (Samoan Tala) ≈ 0.37 USD.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is generally not recommended to drink. Bottled water is widely available.
🔌 Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets.
📶 SIM Card SamoaTel and Digicel are popular mobile providers offering prepaid SIM cards.
💳 Banking for Expats Commonly accepted forms of payment include cash (WST) and major credit/debit cards at some businesses.
🛌 Accommodation Various accommodation options including guesthouses, bungalows, and homestays are available.
💳 Cashless Friendly Not entirely cashless, though some establishments accept cards.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Platforms like Airbnb and local guesthouses offer short-term rentals options.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel Aleipata offers budget-friendly staying options from $30 USD per night.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space No dedicated coworking spaces are available; cafes are popular for remote work.
☕ Best Cafe for Work The local cafe, Manage, offers free Wi-Fi and a comfortable atmosphere for working.
💼 Networking Events Limited networking events; often informal meetups occur at local cafes.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Engage with the local community through informal gatherings in local cafes or community centers.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Local taxis are available; no ride-sharing apps currently operating.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bicycles can be rented from local shops; scooters are not commonly available.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Manase Beach, known for its beautiful white sands, is 10 minutes away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Samoa Airways operates regional flights between islands.
✈️ Top International Airline Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia provide international flights.
🛣️ Highway Access Access to the main coastal road around Savai'i leads to different parts of the island.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Salelologa is the main ferry terminal providing access to Upolu Island.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Public buses are available, but no formal pass system exists.
✈️ Regional Travel Travel between islands is mainly via ferry service or small domestic flights.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Savai'i Hospital is the primary healthcare facility in Salelologa.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Limited wellness centers; yoga classes can be found intermittently at local resorts.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Few options available; some accommodations offer basic fitness facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats and cleaning services available in town.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Limited delivery services; local eateries are preferred for takeout.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Sample 'Oka Ika', raw fish marinated in coconut cream.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Local markets and restaurants offer vegetarian dishes primarily using local produce.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Try the fresh tropical fruit and coconut-based desserts at the local market.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Salelologa Market is the prime spot for fresh produce and local handicrafts.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Limited online shopping options available due to internet speeds; local stores preferred.
🛒 Grocery Delivery No established grocery delivery services; shopping is typically in-person.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Local bars, such as the Salelologa Tavern, offer a very casual nightlife experience.
🍻 Local Brewery No local breweries; beer is imported from New Zealand and Australia.
🍷 Wine Bars Not common; wines are available at select restaurants.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors offer local snacks and fresh fruit around the market.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Limited international options; local fare dominates the culinary scene.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Visit the nearby Afu Aau Waterfall, known for its stunning natural beauty.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Limited museums; local art is exhibited in community centers.
🏰 Historical Sites Explore the ancient stone sites and cultural landmarks throughout Savai'i.
🕍 Religious Sites The Salelologa Church, an iconic local structure representing the area's culture.
🎉 Annual Events Cultural festivals occur, showcasing traditional music, dance, and local crafts.
🎨 Cultural Districts Local neighborhoods in Salelologa feature traditional Samoan houses.
🎭 Theater Venues No major theater venues; community-based performances are common.
🛍️ Local Markets The Salelologa Market operates on Saturdays, offering local produce and crafts.
🎼 Music Scene Local bands play at cultural events and gatherings; traditional music is popular.
🎨 Street Art Limited street art; local community artists display their work at events.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Cooking classes highlighting Samoan cuisine are offered at local resorts.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Absence of formal galleries; art is found in local markets and cultural venues.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Explore the historical landmarks reflecting the cultural heritage of Samoa.
🏴 Local Heritage Samoan cultural practices are prevalent, emphasizing community and family values.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Explore the lush landscapes and natural beauty of Savai'i's interior.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Savai'i has initiatives for preserving natural areas, though no formal national park.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Limited marked trails; however, exploring along coastal roads is popular.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Enjoy picturesque views from the coastal road or cliffside lookout points.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Savai'i is home to various native bird species, making it a birdwatching destination.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Beach areas provide opportunities for bonfires and gatherings.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Local postal services handle parcel delivery, but international shipping can be slow.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Limited tech repair services; some shops provide basic fixes.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Local community centers occasionally have table tennis facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Language schools are scarce; however, local community members often offer informal lessons.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Limited resources; public spaces can be utilized for studying.
🏘️ Community Centers Salelologa has community centers for cultural gatherings and events.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Limited access; most gaming occurs on personal devices.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls No casinos are available in Salelologa.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $102,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000).
💼 Corporate Tax Standard corporate tax rate is 27%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax Tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 15%.
🏦 Tax System A progressive tax system based on worldwide income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Maximum personal income tax rate is 30%.
🧾 VAT Standard VAT rate is 15%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, there are regulations governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property taxation system is based on property valuation.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Tax applied during property purchases is approximately 6%.