Exercise Normal Precautions
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Tue, 07 Jul 2026
Full advisory →Is Apia safe? 🇼🇸
Samoa · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Apia scores 83/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Apia is safe for visitors who follow normal precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Apia 🇼🇸
Samoa · Assessed 29 July 2026
83
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~90% of countries
What drives this score
Crime71/100GoodHomicide 6.3 / 100k
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability81Good
Health75Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
Updated 2026-04-22T11:03:50Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Samoa: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-07T09:34:49.180000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
6.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Samoa6.3Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
60
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare; most incidents involve petty theft in busy market areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag‑snatching occur most often in Apia’s central market and near cruise‑ship terminals.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Reported feel88Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling safe walking around Apia after dark, especially in the central business district, though some note occasional petty theft in crowded spots.
Yes — Apia is safe for visitors who follow normal precautions.
Apia’s composite safety index of 82 places it well above the global average, with low violent crime and strong government control, though infrastructure and rule‑of‑law scores are modest. Recent data show petty theft in market areas and occasional road‑related incidents, but no active disaster alerts.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Police reported a spike in pickpocketing cases near the Apia Central Market during the weekend market rush— Samoa Observer, 12 Jun 2026
- May 2026A tourist was scammed by a taxi driver who demanded exact change after a long ride from Savai'i ferry terminal— thingstodoinsamoa.com, 03 May 2026
- Apr 2026Authorities issued a warning about fake village access fees being charged to tourists near Lalomanu beach— Reddit r/travel post, 28 Apr 2026
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging and demanding exact change
- Fake village access fees
- ‘Remember me’ street trick where locals ask for a tip then claim no change
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Apia is one of the safer Pacific capitals for visitors. The multi‑database profile rates it 82 / 100 and shows low homicide, virtually no terrorism, and a high perception of safety walking after dark (80.8 %). Government travel advisories from the U.S., U.K. and Canada all sit at Level 1 – “Exercise Normal Precautions,” confirming that the overall risk is modest.
The live dossier, however, highlights a few current concerns for travelers. In June 2026 police noted a rise in pickpocketing around the busy Apia Central Market during the weekend rush (Samoa Observer, 12 Jun 2026). A few weeks earlier a tourist was caught in a taxi‑overcharge scam, with the driver demanding exact change after a long ferry ride (thingstodoinsamoa.com, 03 May 2026). Authorities also warned about fake village‑access fees being sold to tourists near Lalomanu beach (Reddit r/travel, 28 Apr 2026). No active natural‑disaster alerts are in place, but the region is seismically active and cyclone season can bring sudden storms.
For most visitors the biggest safety issues are petty crime and occasional scams. Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are moderate risks, especially in crowded market areas and near cruise‑ship terminals. Robbery and armed mugging are rare. Scams commonly involve taxi overcharging, fake village fees, and the “remember‑me” tip trick where a local asks for a small gratuity then claims they have no change.
Practical tips: lock your belongings and keep valuables out of sight, especially in markets; use reputable taxi services or rideshare apps and confirm fares before you travel; carry only the cash you need and store a copy of your passport separately; stay hydrated, use bottled water, and apply sunscreen to avoid heat‑related illness; respect local customs such as prayer curfews and dress modestly when visiting villages. By following these steps you can enjoy Apia’s friendly atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Apia districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Apia safety map.
MaugaavoidHigh-crime zone near the market, frequent bag‑snatching and pickpocketing incidents reported recently
VaimosocautionResidential district with occasional petty theft reports, especially after dark; advisable to stay alert and avoid isolated streets
KolmacautionCommercial hub with busy streets; scams targeting tourists have risen, but daytime activity is generally safe
FaleolocautionIndustrial outskirts see occasional vehicle break‑ins; stay vigilant, especially after heavy rain
LalomanucautionTourist‑focused beach area; occasional alcohol‑related disturbances at night, but overall low risk
Snell's WharfsaferQuiet waterfront area, low foot traffic at night, frequent police patrols; locals and tourists report feeling secure
TuanasaferUpscale residential area with well‑lit streets and active community watch; visitors feel comfortable walking during day and early evening
TafagasaferCoastal neighborhood with low crime rates and strong community ties; safe for tourists during daylight hours
07 · After Dark
Is Apia safe at night?
81% of people in Samoa say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare; most incidents involve petty theft in busy market areas.
After dark, be most careful around Mauga, Vaimoso, Kolma, Faleolo. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Apia's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight79
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight80
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight80
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight80
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight80
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight81
09 · Questions
Apia safety FAQ
Is Apia safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Apia is safe for visitors who follow normal precautions. Apia’s composite safety index of 82 places it well above the global average, with low violent crime and strong government control, though infrastructure and rule‑of‑law scores are modest. Recent data show petty theft in market areas and occasional road‑related incidents, but no active disaster alerts. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Apia should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Mauga as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Apia?
- Taxi overcharging and demanding exact change
- Fake village access fees
- ‘Remember me’ street trick where locals ask for a tip then claim no change
How does Apia compare with other places in Samoa?
Apia scores 83/100 — see the Samoa safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Apia safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Samoa safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: apia.json (CC BY 4.0).