Is Apia safe?
Safe for visitors. Petty theft, loose dogs and drunk driving are the bigger risks; alcohol can raise tension late at night.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Samoa: 6.3 per 100,000 people (2018, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Samoa: 13.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Apia at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Opportunistic theft from guesthouses and beaches, occasional bag snatching in Apia, and fights around bars on weekend nights. |
| At night | Apia is quiet after dark and street lighting is patchy; take a taxi rather than walking far. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable with modest dress; harassment is uncommon. Avoid isolated beaches and dark roads at night. |
| Other risks | Cyclones Nov–Apr; Rip currents and reef cuts; Dengue in the wet season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Take care
- Apia waterfront and bars late at night: drunk locals and opportunistic theft
- Dogs on roads and beaches: roaming and sometimes aggressive
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- On Sundays most businesses close and alcohol can't be sold
- Drinking age is 21; drinking in public outside bars is illegal
- Owning drug paraphernalia is illegal; drug offences can mean long prison terms
Quick answers
Is Apia safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable with modest dress; harassment is uncommon. Avoid isolated beaches and dark roads at night.
Is Apia safe at night?
Apia is quiet after dark and street lighting is patchy; take a taxi rather than walking far.
What is the crime rate in Apia?
Opportunistic theft from guesthouses and beaches, occasional bag snatching in Apia, and fights around bars on weekend nights. Nationally, Samoa records 6.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2018).
What number do I call in an emergency in Apia?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Apia
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Samoa Tourism Authority
- Samoa Airport Authority
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.