🎒Backpackers
Where to Stay in Apia
Cheapest areas, hostel districts, and budget tips
⚠️ Caution💰 Budget: WST 100/day🚇 Good Transit☀️ Best: Jun, Jul, Aug
Our pick for backpackers
Stay in Vaitele
Offers the most affordable accommodation and a more local, less tourist-centric experience.
Best Neighborhoods for Backpackers
Ranked by relevance for backpackers visiting Apia
1
Vaitele
BudgetA developing area known for its industrial presence and growing residential zones.
digital nomadsbudgetfamilies
- +More affordable accommodation options
- +Less touristy, more local feel
- +Emerging infrastructure
- -Can be noisy due to industry
- -Fewer tourist attractions
- -Less aesthetically pleasing in parts
2
Apia Central
Mid-rangeThe bustling heart of Samoa, offering a mix of commerce, government, and local life.
first-timersculturefoodies
- +Central location for amenities and transport
- +Access to local markets and eateries
- +Good base for exploring the island
- -Can be noisy and crowded
- -Limited tourist-focused attractions directly within
3
Mutia Beachfront
Mid-rangeA more relaxed, coastal area offering ocean views and a slower pace of life.
couplesfamiliesbeach lovers
- +Scenic oceanfront location
- +Quieter atmosphere
- +Good for relaxation
- -Further from central amenities
- -Fewer dining options within walking distance
Daily Budget (Budget)
WST 100/day
Lava Lodge dorm bedWST 40
Local market food stall - Palusami and grilled fishWST 20
Local bus fare to Mulinuu PeninsulaWST 5
Explore the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum grounds and walk along the waterfrontWST 10
Relax at Return to Paradise Beach (transport cost extra if not using local bus)WST 25
2 areas to be cautious about
Read our full safety guide for Apia