Pago Pago

Introduction

Pago Pago is the capital and largest settlement in American Samoa with a population of roughly 20,000 inhabitants. The town is located along the Pago Pago Harbor on the island of Tutuila and is a major tourist destination, mainly catering to North American tourists. It is a colourful town with a harbor surrounded by dramatic cliffs, which plunge almost straight into the sea. All facilities are located in or around Pago Pago and it makes for a great holiday, with some snorkelling nearby as well as walking and climbing the nearby peaks. A climb to the summit of Mt. Alava in the National Park of American Samoa provides a bird's-eye view of the harbor and town.

Neighbourhoods

The town is located between steep mountainsides and the harbor. The main downtown area is Fagatogo on the south shore of Pago Pago Harbor, the location of the Fono (territorial legislature), the port, the bus station and the market. The banks are in Utulei and Fagotogo, as are the Sadie Thompson Inn and other hotels. The tuna canneries, which provide employment for a third of the population of Tutuila, are in Atu'u on the north shore of the harbor. The village of Pago Pago is at the western head of the harbor

Sights and Activities

• Jean P. Haydon Museum - A museum that showcases Samoan history, culture, and nature, it's a great place to learn about the island and become acquainted with the local culture before venturing out to other destinations. The museum features many cultural artifacts, such as clothing, art, weaponry, pottery, and tattooing. There are also artifacts from WWII. Exhibits about the island itself, including the types of plants and animals are also on display. The museum is named after the wife of the founder, who collected many of the artifacts on display in the museum.

Events and Festivals

American Samoa Flag Day

Each April 17, the people of American Samoa celebrate the day the first United States flag was raised above their territory in 1900. Several homes and offices proudly fly both the Stars and Stripes and American Samoa’s own flag during this lively two-day celebration filled with feasts, parades, cricket matches, and traditional fautasi longboat races. Fagatogo hosts a fun traditional dance and music competition.

National Tourism Week

American Samoa now owes at least one-quarter of its gross domestic product to tourism, and during the first week in May, the territory celebrates this growing sector of its economy with this lower key equivalent to the Teuila Festival in neighboring Samoa. The festival’s highlight is undoubtedly the annual Miss American Samoa crowning on Utulei Beach, but locals and tourists also enjoy parades, canoe races, fireworks, and barbecues throughout the week.

Weather

Pago Pago has a hot and humid tropical climate. Temperatures hoover around 30 °C throughout the year and never drop much lower than 23 °C or 24 °C at night. Temperatures are slightly higher during the wetter November to March period and slightly lower between April and October. This last period is the best season to visit as it rains less (but still significantly) and there is almost no chance of hurricanes, which can strike from December to March. Pago Pago is one of the wettest inhabitant places anywhere in the world, so be prepared to get soked sometimes.

Getting There

By Plane

Pago Pago International Airport (PPG) on Tutuila Island receives all international air traffic. Polynesian Airlines, Inter-Island Airways and Hawaiian Airlines all serve American Samoa. Destinations include Los Angeles, Tonga, Samoa, Auckland and Sydney.

By Boat

The only option to get to American Samoa by boat is taking the MV Lady Naomi. It operates between the capital of Samoa, Apia and Pago Pago once a week departing Apia every Wednesday at midnight returning from Pago Pago every Thursday at 4 pm, taking around 7 hours to complete the journey. Expect rough rides now and then. Although it costs about half compared to a plane ticket, it is rather basic and takes much much longer of course.

Eat/Drink

Sleep

• Sadie's by the Sea, ☎ +1 684 633-5981, e-mail: [email protected]. Formerly known as The Rainmaker Hotel (aka The Ratmaker) the hotel has been much improved in recent years.
• Sadie Thompson Inn, ☎ +1 684 633-5981, e-mail: [email protected]. Sadie Thompson was the prostitute who featured in the short story "Rain" by Somerset Maugham. There are 12 rooms for $135 and 2 apartments for $175.
• Tradewinds Hotel, Ottoville Road (just a few minutes from the airport), ☎ +1 684 699-1000. 100 rooms in this hotel built in 2003. Clean and well maintained. $150-$240 a room.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

External Links