Best Samoa SIM cards for Travelers

This article will provide information on the best options for Samoa SIM cards, including the top mobile network providers, pricing, and where to purchase them.

For travelers visiting Samoa, getting a local SIM card is an excellent way to stay connected during your trip. While options like public WiFi and roaming can work, using a local SIM card is often the most convenient solution. This article will guide you through the best SIM card options for tourists visiting Samoa, including where to purchase them, current pricing, and the top data packages.

I. What are the Best Samoa SIM cards for Tourists?

Many preferential mobile packages for tourists coming to Samoa are offered from Samoa’s two largest carriers, Digicel and Vodafone.

1. Digicel

A prepaid sim card for Digicel is free when you top up with one of the following data packages:

• 10 GB data for 7 days = $5.5 USD.

• 15 GB data for 7 days = $7,4 USD.

• 20 GB data for 14 days = $11 USD.

• 100 GB data for 28 days = $ 37 USD.

2. Vodafone

Registering a Vodafone prepaid sim card is also free:

• 20 GB data + 50 minutes for 15 days = $18 USD.

This allows tourists to call 100 minutes to Australia or New Zealand and unlimited calls/sms to Vodafone numbers in Samoa.

II. Where to Buy SIM Cards in Samoa for Tourists?

When visiting Samoa, you have a few options for getting a SIM card for your phone:

• Buy Before You Go

• Buy at the Airport.

• Buy in the City.

• Buy Samoa eSIM online

1. Buy Before You Go

Many Samoa mobile providers let you order a prepaid SIM card online and have it delivered to your home before your trip. This way, you’ll have the SIM card ready to use as soon as you arrive in Samoa.

2. Buy at the Airport

Major airports in Samoa, like Faleolo International Airport, have stores where you can buy a prepaid SIM card right when you land. This is a convenient option if you want to get set up with a SIM card right away.

At the airport’s arrival terminal, you’ll find two shops that sell prepaid SIM cards – one for Vodafone and one for Digicel. These are the two main mobile providers in Samoa.

The SIM card prices at the Apia airport are slightly higher than in the city center, but the difference is small.

3. Buy in the City

If you don’t mind waiting until you’re in Samoa, you can also purchase a prepaid SIM card from mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or supermarkets once you’re in a city like Apia, the capital city.

There’s a Digicel store near the McDonald’s, and a Vodafone store in the same general area.

4. Buy Samoa eSIM online

eSIMs can typically be purchased online from the mobile operator’s website or through a mobile app. Some providers also offer eSIM sales at airport kiosks or stores. The advantage of an eSIM is that you can activate it instantly on your compatible device without physically changing the SIM card.

III. How Much is a Tourist Samoa SIM Card?

Tourist SIM cards in Samoa typically range from around $5 USD to $40 USD or more, depending on the network operator and the specific plan’s features. Many tourist SIM cards offer data packages that vary in size and validity period. The price of the SIM card may also depend on the data package included.

IV. What types of Samoa SIM cards are available for tourists?

When visiting Samoa, you have two main options to stay in touch in this country: 

• Prepaid Physical Samoa SIM Card.

• Samoa eSIM.

1. Prepaid Physical Samoa SIM Card.

This is the traditional choice for travelers. Prepaid SIM cards come in different sizes – standard, micro, and nano – to fit various phone models. These SIM cards offer voice, text, and data packages that you can easily top up as needed.

2. Samoa eSIM

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can activate directly on your compatible smartphone. Some mobile providers in Samoa offer special prepaid eSIM plans for tourists.

Advantages of an Samoa eSIM:

• Convenience: No need to swap out a physical SIM card, making it easy to switch between carriers.

• Instant Activation: You can purchase and activate the eSIM plan right away, without waiting.

• Wide Compatibility: eSIMs work with a variety of recent iPhone and Android devices.

V. Do I Need to Buy a Sim Card for Samoa travel?

Yes, since getting a local SIM card can be very useful during your stay: 

• Affordable Rates.

• Unlimited Data Packages.

• Reliable Coverage. 

• Staying in Touch.

• Convenience.

Prepaid SIM cards in Samoa start around $15 Tala, making it a very affordable option for travelers.

VI. What to prepare when buying a SIM card in Samoa?

If you’re visiting Samoa and need a SIM card, a passport is the most important document you need to keep in mind. The store will make a copy of your passport, and your new SIM card will be linked to your name and passport number. This registration process is free of charge. Then, you’ll receive a physical prepaid Samoa SIM card with a phone number that starts with +685, the country code for Samoa.

VIII. Samoa eSIM – alternative to Tourist SIM cards

If you’re visiting Samoa, Samoa eSIMs can be a great option for staying connected. eSIMs are digital SIM cards that can be easily set up on your smartphone or tablet.

Advantages of eSIMs in Samoa:

• Instant Setup: With a Samoa eSIM, you can get your plan activated right away, without waiting for a physical SIM card to arrive.

• No SIM Swapping: Samoa eSIMs allow you to switch between different plans or carriers without having to physically swap out a SIM card.

• Wide Compatibility: Samoa eSIMs work with a variety of recent smartphone models from both iPhone and Android.

• Convenient Management: You can purchase and manage your eSIM plan directly from your device, no need to visit a store.

To use an eSIM in Samoa, you’ll need a compatible device. There are many reputable and trustworthy suppliers like Gigago that offer Samoa eSIM plans for tourists. You can typically purchase and activate the eSIM right from the provider’s website or app.

With Gigago’s Samoa eSIM plans, you will have:

• More options for data and validity.

• Better prices.

• Easier purchasing process.

• No identity document required.

For Samoa, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 7 days with $9.90 . What is great about Gigago’s Samoa eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $9.90 – $38.50 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Samoa, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

IX. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Samoa?

The duration a tourist SIM card lasts in Samoa typically depends on several factors, such as: expiry period, top-ups, roaming rules,… Most prepaid SIM cards in Samoa have an expiry period that ranges from 30 days to 90 days, depending on the package you choose.

For example, Digicel offers packages with many different validity periods from 7 to 28 days, making it easier to access Samoa telecommunications services.

X. How to activate a SIM card in Samoa?

Here’s a simple guide on activating Samoa prepaid SIM cards and eSIM:

1. Samoa Prepaid SIM Cards

• Get a Samoa SIM card: You can buy prepaid SIM cards from phone stores at the airport or around the country. The main providers are Vodafone and Digicel.

• Insert the SIM card: Put the SIM card into your phone. Make sure it fits your phone.

• Activate the SIM: Follow the instructions to activate the SIM and connect to the Samoa network.

• Check your balance: Dial a short code to see how much data, minutes, and texts you have left.

• Top up as needed: You can easily add more credit to your SIM card at stores or online.

2. Samoa eSIM

• Get a Samoa eSIM: Some providers like Gigago offer eSIM options you can buy online before your trip.

• Scan the QR code: When you arrive, scan the eSIM QR code to install it on your compatible phone.

• Connect to the network: Your phone will automatically connect to the Samoa network.

• Check your balance: Monitor your eSIM usage and top it up online if you need more.

XI. FAQs

Overall, getting a Samoa SIM card is the most convenient and cost-effective way to stay connected on your travels to this beautiful South Pacific destination. With affordable data and reliable coverage, you can make the most of your time in Samoa.