  
Samoa Packing List:
What to wear:
Please pack light. You will have
to carry your own baggage at times and heavy luggage is a nuisance
for you and others. Leave unnecessary "stuff" at home
so that it does not distract you from the Samoa experience. You
are going to a tropical climate where long sleeved shirt or pants
are not needed to keep you warm, but to protect you from the
sun. (Jeans are too warm for most people.) Packing
light will make it less burdensome to move your things from the
vehicle to the accommodations each time.
Below is a general packing list that you should consider bringing
to Samoa for our retreats. Many people find the list helps when
packing for the trip.
Clothes:
Modest and breathable. Women’s shirts should
cover the shoulders and skirts/shorts should be below the knees
for going to the villages. It is more culturally acceptable
for men to have shorts/swimsuits that go to their knees (i.e.
board shorts). At the resorts and around the one small town,
Apia, it is ok to dress with less, but still preferred to stay
elegantly conservative. Both men and women will be provided
with a lavalava (traditional wrap) for wearing in the villages.
Everyone should bring at least one bathing suit!
Yoga:
Yoga clothes (tank tops are ok for this)
Meditation shawl
Yoga mat
General Items:
- Beach and
shower towel
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- Water bottle
- Handkerchief to wipe off sweat
- Bug repellant
- Mask, snorkel and fins for snorkelers
- Reef (water) shoes for EVERYONE for going in the ocean!
- Flip Flops or open sandals (this is what Samoan people wear every
day as they are easier for taking on and off each time you enter
a house in Samoa)
- Nylon or quick-dry shorts
- Sun shirt (to swim and snorkel with, could be just a t-shirt)
- Day bag for the beach and waterfalls
- Camera and film/batteries
Sunday:
1 white outfit for Sunday church (cotton or linen is good because
it is breathable), or a nice outfit.
Laundry:
You will be able to have your laundry
hand-washed along the trip. It will cost approximately start
at 20 Samoan tala/load or about $8 USD/load up to 2.50 Samoan
tala per article in some places. These rates vary from place
to place and are subject to change. It will be sun dried, so
hope for sun!
Extras:
It is nice to bring small gifts for the
village children and adults, colored pencils and
paper are great, crayons or markers, stickers,
baseball or other team hats and shirts. Anything
you have personally handcrafted would be superior!
Even necklaces or earrings that you like but no
longer wear would be great for the ladies. Do NOT
bring candy or money for the gifts. Consider bringing
something your town or state is known for.
You will have a wonderful time in
Samoa
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