An unincorporated territory of the United States, the island of Guam is a land of contrasts between the rural and mountainous south, the cosmopolitan and urban central region, and the flat north full of opportunities for beach-goers and hikers.
Home of shipwrecks and beautiful reefs, the Pacific Ocean surrounding Guam is a treasure trove for all of those who prefer to spend more time underwater than on dry land.
The acronym GIFT stands for Guam Island Fiesta Tour and it provides a rare opportunity to taste the island's Chamorro cuisine while mingling with locals.
It takes about 30min to climb to the top of the highest peak in Guam: Mount Lamlam. The views from the top are worth the hike, no matter how long you take.
Every day is a good day to visit Chamorro Village and get in touch with the island's ancient culture. But nothing beats heading there on Wednesday nights for the Night Market where you can sample the best of local street food.
What if you could have a dream beach all to yourself? At Coco Palm Garden Beach, you can make that dream come true. Different packages give you access to all you need to relax and have fun at the beach without worrying about the crowds.
Weather wise, the best time to visit Guam is during the dry and cool season, from December to June. If you'd like to celebrate the Fourth of July in a holiday setting, plan to include the end of June and beginning of July in your travel itinerary.
The same rules to enter the United States apply to Guam. Nationals from some countries, including Canada and most of Europe, don't need a visa to enter Guam but might need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
Guam is served by only one civilian airport: Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport. It's served by flights from the United States, from or via Honolulu, operated by United Airlines. Other carriers operate regular flights from different destinations in Asia.
You can enter Guam by boat aboard a cruise ship with scheduled stops to the island. There are no private or public ferries traveling to Guam.
Most hotels in Guam are located in or around the area of Tumon Bay. Accommodation types range from simple hotels to all-inclusive beach resorts.
You can easily catch a taxi at your hotel or one of the shopping malls. All taxis are metered and the standard flag fare costs approximately $3.
Expect to pay around $8-10 for a ride between the airport and your hotel.
Buses are operated by Guam Mass Transit Authority, on nine routes that connect most of the villages on the island.
A one-way ticket costs approximately $1, but you can opt for a daily pass of $3 if you intend to use the service several times a day. Buses don't run on Sundays and national holidays.
Most car rental companies don't rent vehicles to drivers under 21. In general, the documents requested are your driver's license and a passport. An International Driving Permit is not needed.
Drive on the right side of the road and don't text or talk on the cell phone when driving. Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants of the car.
The local currency is the US Dollar. ATMs are widely available and credit card payments are accepted in larger businesses like hotels, restaurants, and shops. A couple of days of groceries will cost approximately $60 while a meal at an affordable restaurant will cost you around $13. A meal at a more expensive restaurant is around $35 for two people.