Pago Pago

Pago Pago is the capital city of American Samoa. In the Samoan language it is pronounced "Pahngo-Pahngo".

Understand

The Pago Pago metropolitan area has several villages strung together along Pago Pago Harbor. The villages are: Utulei, Fagatogo, Malaloa, Pago Pago, Satala and Atu'u. Fagatogo is the downtown area, referred to as "town", and is home to the legislature, while the executive seat is in Utulei. Also in Fagatogo are the police department, the Port of Pago Pago, and many shops and hotels.

Get in

By plane

A Hawaiian Airlines aircraft at Pago Pago Airport, June 2018

• 1 Pago Pago International Airport (PPG  ^IATA Tafuna Airport) (approximately 16 mi (26 km) from Pago Pago). Taxis are always available when exiting the building. There does not seem to be a lot of air traffic, except for flights to/from Hawaii (5 hrs 45 mins) and neighboring islands of Manu'a and the independent country of (Western) Samoa. The cost of a taxi ride from Tafuna to Pago Pago is usually $15-20, and $1.00 on a aiga bus. Most hotels on the island offer pick-up and shuttle service if arranged in advance.  

See

Pago Pago harbor

• 1 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 World War II. 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.  

Do

• 1 Ili'ili Golf Course, Ili'ili Road, ☏ +1 684-733-6592. 18 holes, par 72. (updated Jul 2018)

Sleep

The historic Rainmaker Hotel

• 1 Sadie's by the Sea, Utulei Beach, ☏ +1 684-633-5900, info@sadieshotels.com. Formerly known as the Rainmaker Hotel (aka the Ratmaker) it has been much improved. 
• 2 Sadie Thompson Inn, ☏ +1 684-633-5900, info@sadieshotels.com. 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.  
• 3 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.