Your Guam Travel Guide
For statesiders, this is a faraway and more expensive trek to get year-round warm weather, bath-temperature water and sun. For neighboring Asians, this little island is a more convenient substitute for Hawaii and even the U.S. Mainland. Guam is a United States territory, so visitors enjoy almost all the amenities of the United States - islanders speak English, buy with the U.S. dollar and enjoy the freedoms and protection of the United States. At one point, Guam even had the largest KMart in the world! Okay - not a selling point for travel.
Let's move on - enjoy this guide for your traveling adventure to the island.
Guam Facts
Get to know the island a little
Guam is an unincorporated United States territory, and the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana Islands. It's only 212 square miles! The island is located in the western Pacific Ocean, about 6-7 hours west when traveling from Hawaii towards the Philippines. Guam's exact location is 13 28 N, 144 44 E. It's Time is Greenwich Mean Time +10, approximately 15 hours ahead of Washington DC.The capital of Guam is Hagåtña, and its economy is mainly supported by tourism particularly from Japan, Korea and the United States armed forces. The military is the secondary economic force, according to Guampedia.
The main languages of the island are English and Chamorro, the native language of Guam. English is spoken everywhere, so don't worry about not being understood.
According to the Flagcounter.com, the current population of Guam is 178,430.
Guam's dry season is between January and May, while its rainy season falls mostly between October and December.
Getting to Guam
The airport, passport requirements and airlines
When you fly to Guam, there is only one airport - the Antonio B. (A.B.) Won Pat International Airport, and it is licensed under the Federal Aviation Administration.If you are a US citizen, you don't need a passport to travel to Guam from the US Mainland or US Territory, but I'd recommend having one, anyway. Learn more about entry requirements to Guam.
The following airlines have flights to Guam, though the biggest airlines are Continental and Northwest. I usually take a Continental Airlines flight with a layover in Honolulu, Hawaii, but have enjoyed Northwest Airlines through Narita, Tokyo, as well.
Continental, Northwest, JALWays, China Airlines, TAG Aviation, American Airlines, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines and Delta. Get great deals on Expedia.com!
For the flight cost and long flight to Guam (if you're from the U.S. Mainland), I recommend you plan a visit for at least 10 days, or add Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Hong Kong or Japan to your trip!
Guam's Resort Hotels
Guam's hotels all have beach access and spectacular sunset views. These are my picks.
The Pacific Islands Club
One of my favorites where you can spend your day on the beach or in their resort water park. Great for kids!They also have great restaurants. My favorite is the Bistro, serving contemporary American cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean influences.
Book your Beach Travel on Expedia.com: Plan a sunny, sandy escape!
Hyatt Regency Hotel
It's where I spent my honeymoon 15 years ago. An elegant hotel with its own resort water park - quieter than the Pacific Islands Club. Float around the waterway, lounge on the beach or enjoy a sunset BBQ by the pools.My favorite restaurant on the island is Niji Restaurant where you can enjoy THE BEST all-you-can-eat Japanese Teppanyaki, Sushi and other traditional favorites! Their lobby bar serves up delicious appetizers for guests and visitors. Also try their International buffet breakfasts!
Book your Beach Travel on Expedia.com: Plan a sunny, sandy escape!
Outrigger Guam Resort
It's one of the most luxurious hotels on Guam. It's impressive lobby also has free wi-fi, and is right next to all the shopping! Underwater World, Planet Hollywood and the Sandcastle Dinner Theater are onsite or right next door.It was my favorite place to go when I wanted an early morning coffee and walk on the beach.
Book your Beach Travel on Expedia.com: Plan a sunny, sandy escape!
Hilton Guam Resort and Spa
Doesn't every vacation destination have a Hilton? The Hilton has been around on Guam for decades! Access to the beach, ocean cliffsides, a gorgeous wedding chapel with a spectacular view, and its own little water park, the Hilton doesn't disappoint.You'll find award-winning Roy's Restaurant and tropically-styled Islander Terrace for great dining! I grew up with the Hilton and remember their mouth-watering Sunday brunches at the Islander Terrace.
Book your Beach Travel on Expedia.com: Plan a sunny, sandy escape!
Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort
Just a little away from the main strip in Tumon, the Sheraton sits alone on the cliff, Oka Point, overlooking the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.One of the best hangouts for adults is the Atrio bar and lounge - trendy, sophisticated with billiard, cocktails and live music.
Enjoy great dining in their various restaurants, or enjoy the lush grounds of this 5-star hotel.
Book your Beach Travel on Expedia.com: Plan a sunny, sandy escape!
What hotel do you recommend?
Did we not mention your favorite hotel or resort on Guam? Help a traveler choose their hotel destination.
More photos around the island
Two Lovers Point, Tamuning
Visit Guam's Cocos Island
An island of the island
On the southern side of Guam, you'll find a dock that launches glass-bottom boats to the beautiful Cocos Island - a 100-acre island surrounded by a clear, turquoise lagoon off the shores of Merizo.In recent years, this little island was the focus of international attention due to a Spanish galleon wreak which has yet to be recovered. Commercial divers and underwater archaeologists have been excavating the ocean depths since 1998.
When you arrive on the island, enjoy a variety of water sports and activities such as jet skiing, scuba diving, wind surfing, banana boating and more!
Chamorro Village
You can't miss this!
At the Hagatna Boat Basin and Paseo Stadium.Enjoy a glimpse into the island's culture, lifestyle and cuisine in this quaint shopping "village" where you'll also enjoy local foods and handicrafts. Find affordable island gifts to bring home!
The best nights - Wednesday from 6-9pm for shows, 'fiesta' fare and fun!
What restaurants, activities, or activities do you recommend?
If we didn't list your favorite destinations on Guam, it's not on purpose and we welcome your favorites. Help a traveler plan their vacation with your recommendations!
Shopping and Dining on Guam
Guam's entertainment destination with shops, bars, and grills are in Tumon, but you'll also find buses to malls in major cities on the island.
On the same street as the hotels in Tumon, you'll find many places to shop, eat and stroll. Here's my photo taken of Pleasure Island on an early morning, after coffee at the Outrigger Hotel.
For shopping, you can always find things in Duty Free Shops in your hotel, or walk or take a trolley to Pleasure Island from your hotel. You'll find a lot of souvenir shops, as well as, high end Gucci, Christian Dior, Lancome and more boutiques.
For eating, find well-known Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe and Sam Choy at Pleasure Island, but also, lots of delicious foods at little and large restaurants that line the street. Try Capricciosa Ristorante Italiano for family-style Italian food. Of course, you'll also find a McDonalds and Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream somewhere on the strip.
Try Colors Red Restaurant for fusion fine dining at the Acanta Mall, which also has the Java Cafe.
Tour Buses are available to the Micronesia Mall in Dededo - the largest mall on the island where you'll find Macy's Department Store, a movie theater, Funtastic Park and Arcade, lots of shopping and food.
Add the Chamorro Village in Hagatna to your list of places to visit! Find island crafts and enjoy a variety of cultural foods and even entertainment throughout the week. The best time to go is Wednesday nights!
For your trip, travel lightly with a very affordable Flip Video recorder:
Ever been to Guam?
Dive Guam
What are your top things to do on Guam?
If you've spent time on Guam, or live there now, what activities, restaurants, clubs, sites or hotels do you recommend? Help potential travelers plan their vacations!
The Weather
Guam has two seasons - sunny and wet.
Current weather conditions in Tamuning, GU
Local Pollen Reports
80°F (Feels like 86°F)
Last update: 1/1/10 6:54 PM Local Time
Humidity: 81%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 74°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 29.84in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 6mph From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 76°F
Sunrise: 6:44 AM
Sunset: 6:05 PM
Saturday
Jan 2
N/A
High: 85°F
Low: 77°F
Sunrise: 6:44 AM
Sunset: 6:05 PM
Sunday
Jan 3
Mostly Sunny
High: 83°F
Low: 77°F
Sunrise: 6:45 AM
Sunset: 6:06 PM
Monday
Jan 4
PM Showers
High: 83°F
Low: 75°F
Sunrise: 6:45 AM
Sunset: 6:06 PM
Read up on Guam
Private Yokoi's War and Life on Guam, 1944-72: The Story of the Japanese Imperial Army's Longest WWII Survivor in the Field and Later Life
Amazon Price: $50.00 (as of 01/01/2010) 
List Price: $50.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Franko's Guide Map of Guam USA
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
List Price: $8.00
A History of Guam
Amazon Price: $66.60 (as of 01/01/2010)
List Price: $66.60
Usually ships in 24 hours
Guam or Hawaii?
Hawaii is much larger, with more tourist areas than the 212 square mile island of Guam.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by
Shout out about this lens or about Guam
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Reply
- DreamsFulfilled DreamsFulfilled Jun 9, 2009 @ 12:17 am
- Thanks for the comment! I'll be making another trip this year - I'll make sure to upload more photos. I'm also creating another lens on the island.
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Reply
- whyimfat whyimfat Jun 8, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
- Great lens. I love a look at exotic getaways like this. Five stars! More. More!
Have a memorable trip
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