Known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches and unique culture, Guam is a major tourist destination around the Southeast Asia region. A United States territory in the Western Pacific, Guam is the largest island in Micronesia and is the westernmost point of the United States. “Where America’s Day Begins” is an unofficial slogan for Guam since the island is U.S. soil and ahead in the international dateline. It’s 14 hours ahead of the U.S. east coast.
Guam has a pleasant tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 °F and is fairly even throughout the year. Guam has a dry season from January to May and a wet season from July to November. As a U.S. territory, U.S. citizens and permanent residents do not need special paperwork to visit Guam. The U.S. dollar is the island’s official currency, while Chamorro and English are the official languages. Home to the Chamoru people, its population is around 168,000.
5 Reasons To Visit Guam
This small U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean is a holiday paradise if you love to be sun-kissed in nature. From the many white sandy beaches, to the waterfalls tucked in the jungles, Guam offers the perfect tropical escape.
Make your visit to Guam a fun and adventurous one by going scuba diving, jungle trekking, or skydiving. If you want to turn it down a notch, a dolphin watching tour or snorkeling in the pristine waters of Guam is also a great option.
One of the best reasons for visiting Guam is for sure the tax-free shopping-spree you can enjoy. From locally made fashion to world renowned brands, you will find everything you need in this paradise called Guam. Consider shopping at the T-Galleria and Tumon Sands Plaza in Tumon, the Chamorro Village and the Agana Shopping Center in Hagåtña, the Guam Premier Outlets and K-Mart in Tamuning or Micronesia Mall in Dededo.
From unique main dishes including Guam’s signature BBQ, Red Rice, and Keleguen to lip-smacking desserts like the Coconut Candy and Guyuria, a foodie shouldn’t miss what Guam has to offer.
The essence of traveling is learning about the culture of a place. What better way to do that than to get your feet on the landmarks of Guam? Explore over 4,000 years of Guam’s history, tradition, culture, and heritage with a visit to the Guam Museum or a tour of the award-winning Valley of the Latte.
Must See Attractions
* Two Lovers Point: Guam’s most well-known attraction is Two Lovers Point. It is the most iconic attraction located on a towering cliff that overlooks all of Tumon bay. The legend of Two Lovers Point is a timeless, bittersweet tale of eternal love and every year, thousands of locals and visitors come through and celebrate their love while enjoying one of the best views on Guam.
* Valley of the Latte: An award-winning, top-rated attraction that combines nature, local wildlife, ancient CHamoru history and traditional practices into a unique island experience suitable for all guests.
* Kårera: Journey to adventure on a “Voyage of Wonder” with this fun-filled, family-friendly live show. Visitors will experience exotic fire dancing, breathtaking acrobatics, live musicians, stunning visuals and special effects on a stage that can compete with any on Broadway. The show features over 50 performers from Guam, Samoa, North America and Europe.
* The Guam Museum: Take a walk through Guam’s 4,000 year-old history by visiting the exhibits at the Guam Museum, first of its kind on the island, featuring interactive, state-of-the-art technology and the most complete display of the island’s history and culture.
* Cultural Dinner Shows: Found in most major hotels in the island, the dinner shows offer guests a unique cultural experience they can only witness in the islands in the Marianas. From fire dancing to interpretive story-telling, the CHamorro Cultural Dinner Shows is one that should not be missed while vacationing in Guam.
* Super American Circus: Located in the PIC Resort, the Super American Circus is a 90-minute modern one-ring circus that showcases some of the best acts in the world. The brand new production combines traditional circus spirit and heart with a unique modern show.
Guam Cuisine
Guam offers unique local delicacies, including Guam’s signature CHamoru BBQ, chicken kelaguen, buñelos uhang and desserts such as coconut candy, guyuria and latiya. Guam cuisine has evolved over the years to reflect its diversity. It has pulled influences from Spain, Philippines, Japan, Korea and America. Try red rice which is made from achiote/annatto seeds which gives it a unique flavor and reddish orange color. Barbecued meats are another staple of the island’s cuisine and are marinated in vinegar, soy sauce and onion.
Accommodations
All types of accommodations are available on Guam, from budget-friendly hotels to luxurious international-standard resorts. The majority of Guam’s hotels and resorts are located on the beachfront in Tumon bay, the center of Guam tourism district. Visitors that want something different can opt to rent one of many Airbnb properties found all over the island.
Safe Travel Destination
Guam is considered a safe destination. A testament to this is the popularity of family travel to Guam from Japan and South Korea. The Guam Visitors Bureau has also invested in a program called the Visitor Safety Officer (VSO) Program, which serves as a team of concierges, tour guides, security officers and beach safety officers, created to be able to respond to safety and security incidents and provide basic visitor information.