Guam is the largest, southern-most island in the Marianas Islands of Micronesia. A thriving tourist economy located halfway between mainland America and Asia, this island takes pride in its people, landscape, and fiesta plate.
Population: 153,836 (2020 U.S. Census)
Known for: Beautiful beaches, exotic marine life, World War II history
Climate: Tropical. Expect 85 degrees F (30 C) and high humidity year-round. Typhoons are not uncommon during rainy season from August to January. Dry season extends from February to July. Every day is sunscreen weather.
Prior to arrival: As a U.S. territory, American citizens may enter Guam with any government-approved form of identification. Global visitors with a passport issued by Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guiana, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom may participate in the federally-approved visa waiver or ESTA program and enter Guam or the CNMI for 15 days without a visa. All other visitors should contact local government about obtaining a U.S. visa prior to booking flights and making travel arrangements.
On arrival: If you’re arriving from a foreign destination like Japan expect to go through U.S. Customs before you’re able to get your luggage. U.S. citizens have a separate line and it’s usually shorter. After getting your luggage you’ll need to go through Guam Customs. Fill out a Guam Customs form online before you arrive up to 72 hours before arrival. After completion you’ll get a QR you show the Guam custom officer before exiting arrivals.. As a general rule, no live animals or plant specimens allowed. Don’t bring fresh fruit or vegetables, and don’t try to take any away.
If you are moving to Guam with a pet, tell your vet at least 30 days out, and begin to assemble necessary paperwork.
Getting around: Although Guam is a small island, few places outside Tumon are ideal for pedestrians. If you are checking into Tumon, you can walk the strip to bars and restaurants, but your experience of the island will be limited. Taxis are overpriced, costing $15-20 to go from the airport to hotel row, so whenever you book a tour, make sure transportation is included.
Plan to rent a car, for at least one day and drive around the island – just keep the ocean to your right, and you’ll never get lost! The trip from Marine Corps Drive, down around Inalåhan, and back up through Yigo can be done in three hours, but take your time and stop along the way at parks, beaches, and fruit stands.
Getting by: Nearly everyone on Guam speaks the lingua franca English, but the language of the indigenous people is CHamoru, and many local signs reflect this. Common phrases include…
Hello: Håfa Adai
Thank you: Si Yu’os Ma’åse’
Goodbye: Adios
What to see: Don’t leave Guam without going swimming! One of the best things about any island is the ocean that laps on its shores. From Ritidian down to Ipan, the water is teaming with mountains of porites coral and flocks of butterfly fish. If you plan on sticking around, get SCUBA certified and visit the Tokai and Kitsamaru in Apra Harbor – this is the only place in the world where you can see a ship from WWII sunk on top of a ship from WWI.
Hidden away in the jungle, there are dozens of waterfalls and pools for adventurous hikers and memorials to the great battles of the Second World War’s Pacific Arena.
What to eat and drink: Throughout the year, each village hosts its own fiesta, piling picnic tables with the best food Guam has to offer. Though this celebration of life and blessings comes once a year, the food is available year round, if you know where to look. The island’s starch of choice is rice, or on special occasions, red rice. Fiesta plate specials often include lemon-marinated kelaguen, soy sauce-soaked BBQ and cups of local finadene.
For quick bites, check out the mom ‘n’ pop stores for empanadas and musubi, or road side fruit stands for local mangos, calamansi, and sweet corn. See our Eating Local section For more places and ways to enjoy the local fare.
Listen to: “Maloffan I Pakyo” by Microchild, “Ginen Marianas” written by Joe Garrido Crutch, and “No Breaks” by the John Dank Show, “HOT” by Pia Mia, “Midnight” by Jason J, “Mångge' Hao” by Micah Manaitai.
