Home › The Guild Travel Library › United States › American Samoa
American Samoa
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Heart of Polynesia · Capital: Pago Pago · U.S. Territory — Pacific
Rainforested volcanic islands and one of the least-visited national parks in the system.
Why go
What makes American Samoa worth the trip.
Untouched Polynesia
A traditional fa'a Samoa way of life endures.
Dramatic scenery
Rainforest ridges plunging into the South Pacific.
True remoteness
One of the quietest corners of the U.S.
American Samoa on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
American Samoa — State Facts
A short history
Samoans have lived across these volcanic islands for roughly 3,000 years, developing fa'a Samoa, a communal way of life built around extended families (aiga) and matai chiefly titles that still governs daily life today. European contact began in the 1700s, and by the late 1800s Germany, Britain and the United States were competing for influence in the Samoan archipelago.
An 1899 treaty split the islands, with the United States taking the eastern group, formalized through deeds of cession signed by local chiefs between 1900 and 1904. Pago Pago's deep natural harbour made it valuable as a naval coaling station, and American Samoa remains an unincorporated U.S. territory administered locally, with residents holding U.S. national, though not automatic citizen, status.
The economy has long depended on tuna canning, government employment and remittances from Samoans living abroad. The National Park of American Samoa, established in 1988, protects rare Pacific rainforest and reef ecosystems, and today the territory remains one of the least-visited corners of the United States, prized for its authenticity.
American Samoa became a U.S. territory in 1900 when local chiefs signed a deed of cession to the Navy, and the fa'a Samoa way of life — built around extended families and village matai chiefs — has shaped daily life here ever since.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Pago Pago
A spectacular deep volcanic bay.
Selected hotels
National Park of American Samoa
Rainforest, reefs and flying foxes.
Selected hotels
Ofu Beach
A remote, near-empty coral-sand beach.
Selected hotels
Mount Alava
A ridge hike with sweeping harbour views.
Selected hotels
Time your trip for the dry season and head out to Ofu Beach on the Manu'a Islands — it's a short flight past Tutuila, but you'll likely have that ribbon of coral sand and the reef just offshore entirely to yourself.
When to go
The drier months (June–September) are most comfortable.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
The wet season, warm and humid with frequent tropical downpours.
Spring (Mar–May)
Rain gradually eases; lush green landscapes and fewer crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The drier, cooler season and the most comfortable time to hike and dive.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Still relatively dry, transitioning back toward the wetter months by November.
American Samoa FAQ
What is the capital of American Samoa?
Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa.
What is the largest city in American Samoa?
Tafuna is the largest city in American Samoa.
Is American Samoa a US state?
American Samoa is a U.S. territory, which came under U.S. control in 1900, not a state.
What is American Samoa known for?
American Samoa is known for rainforested volcanic islands and one of the least-visited national parks in the system.
When is the best time to visit American Samoa?
The drier months (June–September) are most comfortable.
Plan your American Samoa trip
Browse hotels and flights through the Guild's travel partner, and explore more of the United States.
All of the USA The Travel Library