Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever occur. It is strongly recommended you take prec

It contains new information under Where to get help (Australian High Commission in Apia has reopened). The overall level of the advice has not been changed. We continue to advise european travel package Australians european travel package to exercise normal safety precautions in Samoa.
Cyclone Evan hit Samoa on 13 December 2012, causing damage to local services european travel package and infrastructure, including communications, water and electricity services and Faleolo International Airport. You should contact your airline, travel agent or accommodation for up to date information.
On 7 May 2012, an exchange of gunfire causing serious injuries and one death took place between police and suspected criminals at a section of Faleatiu village at a location about seven kilometres from the Faleolo international airport, some distance inland from the main road. Australians european travel package are advised to be vigilant in the Faleatiu area when travelling along the main road to and from the airport, and to keep well away from the inland european travel package section of Faleatiu village.
Cyclone season in Samoa is from November to April. However, tropical storms and cyclones may occur in other months. For information on cyclones, including links to local metrological european travel package services and advice on what to do in the event of a cyclone, see Additional information: Natural disasters, severe weather and climate.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
There have been a number of violent assaults and robberies in Samoa, including sexual european travel package assaults. Sexual assaults against foreigners, including recently Australians, have occurred in Samoa. Females, european travel package in particular, should avoid going out alone at night or alone to isolated locations, including beaches.
Particular european travel package care should be taken near Apia s downtown bars and restaurants where a number of violent incidents involving foreigners and Samoans have occurred. A number of incidents have taken place in the sea wall area along the harbour front at night.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. european travel package Consult with your bank to find out the most appropriate currency to carry is and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuable european travel package documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive european travel package to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Villagers in Satapuala continue to hold demonstrations against Government land development plans. On 16 August 2012, there were reports of roadblocks on the main road to Faleolo International Airport. Australians european travel package travelling to and from Faleolo International Airport on the main road to Apia should exercise vigilance, and be aware that they may be delayed by demonstrators, who may be armed.
On 7 May 2012, an exchange of gunfire causing serious injuries and one death took place between police and suspected criminals at a section of Faleatiu village at a location about seven kilometres from the Faleolo european travel package international airport, some distance inland from the main road. Australians are advised to be vigilant in the Faleatiu area when travelling along the main road to and from the airport, and to keep well away from the inland section of Faleatiu village.
Visitors must obtain a temporary driver's licence before driving in Samoa. These are available from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure office in Vaitele, the Polynesian Explorer Office at Faleolo airport and from some car hire agencies in Apia. Visitors must present their current Australian driver's licence.
Driving in Samoa can be dangerous, particularly at night, due to insufficient street european travel package lighting, and poor and deteriorating european travel package road conditions. The general standard of driving is poor and many motor vehicles are not well maintained. For further advice, see our bulletin european travel package on Overseas Road Safety .
Levels of motor vehicle insurance can vary from rental car company to company. You should ensure you understand the insurance european travel package portion of any rental contract. Before you depart Australia, you should discuss hire car insurance cover in Samoa with your travel insurance provider.
The safety standards Australians might expect of tour/ferry operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports and when undertaking inter-islands trips. Check operators credentials and safety equipment beforehand and ensure your travel insurance policy covers your planned activities. Inter-island ferries may be overcrowded, which could impede access to life jackets or life rafts and proper implementation of safety procedures during an emergency.
Fatal swimming accidents have occurred due to tidal changes and powerful currents in the many coastal lagoons that surround the islands, particularly at the ebb tide or when seas are heavy. Consult european travel package local residents and tour operators for advice on possible hazardous swimming and water sports areas.
Levels of services in Samoa for travellers with disabilities are extremely limited. The lack of footpaths or adequately paved walkways makes it difficult for individuals in wheelchairs or the walking impaired to travel around Samoa. There are few, if any, motor vehicles capable of transporting wheelchairs and the lack of disabled ramps and access points at major hotels makes finding suitable accommodation difficult. None of the tour operators cater specifically for the disabled.
When you are in Samoa, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Court processes in Samoa can be lengthy.
Penalties for the possession and use of illegal drugs, including cannabis, may include a prison sentence. Possession of drug paraphernalia is illegal. Suspected drug offenders should expect to be held in custody while the police european travel package investigation is underway.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians european travel package overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood european travel package vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Hospital and medical facilities are limited and medical european travel package evacuation may be required in serious cases. To receive medical european travel package services you may be required to pay in advance and provide a deposit if hospitalised. Medical evacuation by air ambulance to Australia or New Zealand is extremely expensive. Evacuations using commercial airlines may be delayed during June and November to January when flights are often heavily booked.
There are no hyperbaric chambers on any of the islands for treatment of scuba diving related injuries. Serious cases of decompression sickness are evacuated to the nearest treatment centre in Suva, Fiji, or Auckland, New Zealand. All registered dive companies carry basic treatment equipment to meet PADI standards.
Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever occur. It is strongly recommended you take precautions european travel package against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent, wearing long, loose fitting, light-coloured clothing european travel package and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof. For further information see the World Health Organization's factsheet on dengue fever .
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, hepatitis, filariasis and tuberculosis) occur, with more serious outbreaks from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked european travel package food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website . For more information see our travel bulletin on avian influenza .
Note : The Australian High Comm