21 Tips to Save Money in American Samoa

American Samoa has plenty of affordable accommodations to choose from. You'll find it surprisingly easy to secure comfortable lodging for around US$100 a night in homestays throughout the Manu'a Islands and locally run hotels on Tutuila.

If you're travelling as a group, it's definitely worth looking into holiday homes, particularly in the Manu'a Islands. These often come with one fixed rate for your entire group, which can work out to be less than US$100 per person – a fantastic deal when you're splitting the cost.

We've compiled all our favourite budget-friendly options in The Best Budget Accommodations in American Samoa guide.

When it comes to paying your way in American Samoa, we not only recommend paying with cash, as it’s often the only accepted form of payment, but also to avoid card fees.

Vendors charge an extra 3-6% on all purchases made by foreign bank cards, which certainly adds up after a few purchases!

Bring some cash to American Samoa with you to start your first few days, then exchange it in Pago Pago (see the point below) on arrival.

When you start to get low on funds, withdraw as many US Dollars as you feel comfortable carrying from an ATM to see you through a few more days.

Make sure you secure your cash, however, as petty theft does happen in American Samoa.

Learn more about paying your way through the islands using What is the Best Way to Pay in American Samoa? and keep your cash safe following our American Samoa Safety Tips.

The local currency is the US Dollar, which is one of the world's easiest currencies to exchange, so shop around at home for the best exchange rates before heading to American Samoa. If you don't have the time, then exchange at the currency exchange bureaus at Pago Pago International Airport.

Where is the best place to exchange currency in Pago? While American Samoa's bank, the Territory Bank of American Samoa, tends to have better exchange rates for swapping foreign currency for US Dollars, they are notorious for their long queues, so they are usually not worth the hassle. There are Western Union/No1 Currency branches across Tutuila but they don't have the best rates. The best we found was at Pago Pago International Airport where you have two currency exchange bureaus to choose from (although one of them only exchanges USD and WST).

For more on currency exchange, take a look at our tips in The Best Place to Exchange Currency in American Samoa.

Let's be honest, cruise lines have a reputation for charging eye-watering prices for shore excursions, and we've seen markups of up to 300%!

That's why we always recommend booking your activities independently. You'll save a considerable amount whilst having much more flexibility with your time.

American Samoa might be small, but it's packed with incredible experiences. From breathtaking sightseeing adventures to thrilling waterbike tours, there's something for every type of traveller.

For cruise passengers looking to make the most of their time ashore, we recommend checking out our 10 Best Shore Excursions in American Samoa. Better yet, book all your American Samoa tours directly through book.americansamoapocketguide.com and skip those hefty cruise line fees entirely!

Americans are renowned for their hearty appetites, and Samoans are equally famous for theirs—combine the two cultures and you'll discover some seriously generous portions in American Samoa.

Here's a money-saving tip we've discovered: splitting meals is one of the smartest ways to dine out without breaking the bank. The portions are absolutely massive, so you can easily share a main course between two people (and sometimes even three!).

With mains typically ranging from US$10-$30 at most establishments, this makes dining out incredibly affordable for couples, groups and families. You'll love how much you can save whilst still enjoying a proper feast.

For even better deals, we recommend hitting up the local cheap eats—you'll find some fantastic bargains that way. Check out our comprehensive guide to The Top Cheap Eats in American Samoa for all the best spots we've discovered.

Speaking of meals, accommodations with kitchen facilities are available in some of the guesthouses across Pago Pago, as well as some accommodations in the Manu'a Islands.

Buying local groceries and cooking for yourself will save you a ton compared to eating out continuously.

So, look out for listings with kitchen facilities in our guide, Where to Stay in American Samoa: 10 Best Accommodations, and follow the advice in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in American Samoa to learn about where to shop.

In the Manu'a Islands, choose accommodations with breakfast and dinner included; the portions are very substantial, and it's likely that you'll be offered some leftovers for lunch.

Check out your accommodation options in The Best Places to Stay in the Manu'a Islands.

We're big fans of renting a car rather than relying on taxis for getting around American Samoa. The savings alone make it worth considering: you'll pay around US$60-$110 per day for a rental car compared to US$200-300 for taxi services.

If you're arriving on a cruise ship, many rental companies will actually deliver vehicles directly to the port (which saves you the hassle of figuring out transport from the get-go).

For more details on your options, check out our Guide to the Best Car Rentals and get a better sense of pricing in The Cost of Renting a Car in American Samoa.

American Samoa’s 'aiga buses are an iconic part of the landscape, suited up in vibrant colours and blasting reggae remixes as they chug along the island roads. What’s more, they are incredibly cheap, costing only a couple of dollars.

While buses are regular and can get you to just about anywhere on Tutuila, they don’t run on any particular schedule, so they are not always the most reliable form of transport.

But if you’ve got the time but not got the money, taking the bus in American Samoa is a definite way to save some cash.

Learn more about taking the bus in our American Samoa Bus Guide: Bus Fares, Routes & More.

If you're looking for an incredibly budget-friendly way to travel between Tutuila (the main island) and the Manu'a Islands, we highly recommend taking the ferry.

At just US$30, it's an absolute bargain compared to flights. You'll save a considerable amount whilst enjoying the scenic journey across the water.

For all the details on schedules, booking and what to expect onboard, check out our guide to taking the ferry in American Samoa.

Here's something we've learned the hard way: baggage allowances in American Samoa are surprisingly strict, and they can hit your wallet if you're not careful.

If you're flying from Apia, you'll get 33-44 lbs (15-20 kg) for checked baggage. But here's where it gets tricky – flights to the Manu'a Islands (that's Ofu and Ta'ū) only allow 22 lbs (10 kg) of checked luggage.

Stick to these limits religiously, especially on Apia flights. They're incredibly strict about enforcement, and you'll be looking at an extra US$40 for an overweight bag or even more if you need to check an additional piece.

The good news? Domestic flights to Manu'a are generally more relaxed about the rules (unless the flight's packed to capacity, then they get strict again).

Our advice? Weigh your bags before you leave home and pack light – your budget will thank you later.

On the subject of baggage allowances, don't bother taking food to the Manu'a Islands if you're taking a flight - even if everyone else tells you to!

The convenience store prices are only one or two dollars more expensive per item, but that's still cheaper than the excess baggage you'll likely have to pay when trying to reduce your bags to 22 lbs (10 kgs)!

For an idea of what grocery stores are available, check out our guide to the Information, Shops & Services in the Manu'a Islands.

The internet is not something to take for granted in American Samoa. Apart from a few limited situations that we list in How to Get Internet & WiFi in American Samoa, you often have to pay for WiFi.

Most of the time, it isn’t good and it isn’t cheap.

If you plan on keeping connected for your whole trip, you’ll save money and have a more reliable connection if you connect to the internet using a local SIM card. The local phone networks also hire out portable modems if you need to connect alternative devices or your phone isn’t compatible with the local frequency.

Learn more about getting connected with our complete guide, The Best SIM Card in American Samoa for Travellers.

The highlights of American Samoa are not helicopter rides, skydiving or spa treatments (although the latter is actually quite affordable in Pago), but its natural wonders.

Discovering waterfalls, national park hiking trails, historical sites and coastal formations doesn’t demand too much from your wallet, even if you need to pay the odd beach fee, as is customary in American Samoa. Fill your time sightseeing instead of doing costly activities and you’re sure to save big!

For a list of affordable attractions and experiences, in which we state what’s free and what’s not, take a look at the 40 Free & Cheap Things to Do in American Samoa.

You'll love eating out at the affordable cafés, restaurants and takeaways we've discovered during our visits to American Samoa. We've listed all our favourite budget-friendly spots in our cheap eats guide!

One of the things we personally love about American Samoa is that it hasn't been overrun by tourists yet. This means you'll find genuine local prices rather than inflated tourist rates.

From what we've experienced, most of the best local finds and street food gems are covered in our cheap eats article, so if you're planning to dine out, this guide will definitely help you save money whilst discovering some local flavours.

Whatever you do, don’t waste money (and kill the environment) by buying bottles of water throughout your trip.

If you know you’re staying at an accommodation with filtered drinking water, have a few reusable water bottles to refill at the resort before you head out.

Alternatively, we highly recommend using a water purification bottle, such as Lifestraw, which removes 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites from water. That way, you can refill the bottle from any tap water you come across.

We’ve used ours right across the South Pacific with no issues!

For more tips on having access to water, check out Is the Water Safe to Drink in American Samoa?

We don't mean to be rude, but tipping isn't mandatory in American Samoa!

Despite being an American territory, locals here don't rely on tips to make a fair wage. Businesses set their prices to properly pay their staff and cover all their costs, which means you're not expected to add that extra 15-20% on top of your bill.

From what we've experienced, this can genuinely save you a significant amount on your trip, especially if you're dining out frequently or using lots of services.

That said, if you've received exceptional service and want to show your appreciation, a tip is certainly welcome and appreciated. It's just not an obligation like it might be back home.

For all the details on tipping etiquette and local tax information, check out our comprehensive Guide to Tipping and Taxes in American Samoa.

The more people you travel with, the more savings you’re likely to make!

Whether it’s splitting the cost of a holiday home rental, car rental, taxi fares or even doing a boat or fishing charter, there are certainly more savings to be made as a tribe.

We can't get enough of this money-saving tip: extend your trip to the Manu'a Islands and you'll discover why you might never need to book that expensive Hawaiian holiday again.

Trust us on this one, the Manu'a Islands are some of the most pristine and stunning islands in the Pacific.

A short flight or ferry ride whisks you away to what feels like an entirely different world. You'll find dramatic mountain peaks rising from turquoise waters, plus some of the world's highest-ranked beaches that remain blissfully untouched.

Don't just take our word for it; start planning your trip on The Complete Guide to the Manu'a Islands and our 50 Best Things to Do in the Manu'a Islands.

Before we conclude this list of money-saving tips, we can’t forget to mention how you can save money on your trip to American Samoa by saving on your flight to American Samoa!

There are multiple airlines and routes for getting to the islands, connecting in either Samoa or Hawai'i, so be sure to compare all of your options following the advice in Getting Here: How to Get to American Samoa and Which Airlines Fly Directly to American Samoa?

As an extra tip for those parking at the airport before departing for American Samoa, be sure to compare third-party park-and-ride companies rather than just paying at the official airport car park. They are usually significantly cheaper!

If you’ve made it all the way to this point on this list of tips to save money in American Samoa, then you probably don’t need this tip but we’ll tell you anyway… Doing your research about American Samoa before you travel ensures that you’re staying in the best-value accommodation, getting the best deals on activities, and making your dollars stretch further thanks to the money-saving tips we offer here at American Samoa Pocket Guide!

Head to The Backpacking & Budget Travel Guide to American Samoa for more ways to shave the costs.