Why American Samoa National Park deserves to be on your wishlist

With 12,134 visitors, American Samoa National Park was the second least visited national park last year. Only the Gateway to the Arctic in Alaska was visited by fewer people.

Yes, the park in the South Pacific is far away, but it is beautiful and steeped in cultural history. Here's what travelers should know about American Samoa National Park, writes USAToday.

It is the only national park south of the equator

The National Park Service describes American Samoa National Park as "a world of sights, sounds, and experiences you won't find in any other national park in the United States."

Located about 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii, it is the only national park south of the equator.

The park is not only a natural resource center for the region, but also for its cultural heritage.

The park's website states that the Samoan culture is the oldest in Polynesia, and almost all the inhabitants of American Samoa are native Samoans of Polynesian descent.

"More than any other people in the United States or Polynesia, Samoans are tradition-oriented and have carefully observed social customs and hierarchies since long before the first Europeans arrived," the website says. "This Samoan way of life - or fa'asamoa - is still deeply rooted in the culture of American Samoa."

Consider the cultural customs of the locals

In addition to safety tips, such as watching out for falling coconuts on the beaches and not touching coral, as cuts from them take a long time to heal, the park's website explains various cultural customs associated with the Samoan way of life.

Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and diving in American Samoa National Park, which covers 4,000 marine acres.

Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and diving in the 4,000-acre American Samoa National Park.

For example, "always ask permission from locals before taking pictures, using the beach, or engaging in other activities, no matter how unobtrusive your actions may seem. Permission will almost certainly be granted."

And more: "Every evening at dusk, villagers observe a time of prayer called Sa. If you enter a village during Sa, stop and wait quietly until Sa is over. You may even be invited to join the family prayer.

To learn more about fa'asamoah, visit the park's website.

How do I get to American Samoa National Park?

There are two main ways to get to the park: by air or by sea, both of which involve land transportation. The nearest airport is Pago Pago International Airport on the island of Tutuila.

Only one major carrier serves American Samoa: Hawaiian Airlines, which offers flights to and from Honolulu. Smaller planes operate daily flights from neighboring Samoa.

Several cruise lines, such as Celebrity and Princess Cruises, also stop in Pago Pago. In Pago Pago, guests can rent cars or take a taxi to the park. Local buses, known as "aiga", are also available, but they do not run on a scheduled basis or on Sundays. As stated on the park's website, "you can wave at the buses to stop or drop you off anywhere they can safely pull off the road."

How much does it cost to visit the park?

There is no entrance fee to the park, but visiting it is expensive due to the cost of the flight to American Samoa. A round-trip flight from Honolulu costs about $1,000. Plus the cost of traveling to Honolulu.

What is the size of the natural attraction?

American Samoa National Park covers 13,500 acres on three islands: Tutuila, Tau, and Ofu.

"Almost the entire territory of these volcanic islands-from the mountain peaks to the coast-is covered with tropical rainforest," the park's website says. "About 4,000 acres of the national park are underwater, offshore from all three islands.

Is American Samoa part of the United States?

American Samoa is a territory of the United States, as are Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Can anyone visit this park?

"All visitors to American Samoa require a passport valid for six months or more, a return or round-trip ticket, and sufficient funds to cover your stay," the park's website says.

The Department of the Interior reports that a certified birth certificate proving US citizenship is also accepted. US citizens and US nationals do not need visas.

Travel Wise has written about the 63 US national parks, each offering unique natural wonders and outdoor adventures. From the thermal spectacles of Yellowstone to the spectacular cliffs of Yosemite, there is a park for every taste.