Guam travel guide
Guam is a US territory in the western Pacific, the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands, with warm water, coral reefs and the living culture of the indigenous Chamorro people. It suits beach and diving holidays, visitors interested in Pacific and Second World War history, and travellers stopping between Asia and the wider Pacific.
Places worth the trip
Tumon Bay
Guam's main resort area, a curved, reef-sheltered bay with calm, shallow water for swimming and snorkelling, and most of the island's hotels, restaurants and shopping along the shore.
Two Lovers Point
A clifftop viewpoint high above the sea at the northern end of Tumon Bay, linked to a Chamorro legend of two lovers who tied their hair together and leapt from the cliff.
Hagåtña
The capital has the Plaza de España, remnants of the Spanish colonial era, the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica and the Guam Museum, which tells the island's story from ancient Chamorro times to the present. A night market in Chamorro Village serves local food.
War in the Pacific National Historical Park
Several sites around the island, including Asan Beach and Agat, where US forces landed in 1944 to retake Guam after Japanese occupation. The visitor centre explains the battle and its impact on the Chamorro people.
The south coast villages
A drive around the quieter south passes Umatac, where Magellan is traditionally said to have landed in 1521, the ruins of the Spanish-era Fort Soledad, the Cetti Bay overlook and the natural seawater pools at Inarajan.
Ritidian Point
Part of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge at the island's northern tip, with a long white beach, limestone forest trails and ancient cave sites. Swimming can be dangerous because of currents, and access hours are restricted.
Diving and snorkelling
Clear water, reef walls and wrecks from both world wars make Guam a good dive destination. Sites such as the Blue Hole and the wrecks in Apra Harbor are reached with local dive operators.
Interesting facts about Guam
- Guam lies west of the International Date Line, so it is a day ahead of the US mainland and calls itself 'where America's day begins'.
- The Challenger Deep, the deepest known point in the world's oceans, lies in the Mariana Trench south-west of Guam.
- Latte stones, stone pillars with cup-shaped capstones, were used as foundations for ancient Chamorro buildings and are a symbol of Guam.
- The accidental introduction of the brown tree snake, probably after the Second World War, wiped out most of Guam's native forest birds.
- Guam has been a US territory since 1898, and people born there are US citizens.
Best time to visit Guam
Guam is warm all year. The dry season from roughly January to May has less rain and lower humidity and is the most comfortable time to visit. The wet season runs from about July to November, with heavy showers and the highest risk of typhoons, which can affect the island at any time of year but are most likely in this period. Japanese, Korean and other Asian holiday periods can make Tumon busier.
Getting around
A hire car is the easiest way to see the island; distances are short, and a circuit of the south coast takes a few hours with stops. Driving is on the right, and US speed limits are in miles per hour. Within Tumon, hotels are close together and trolley-style shuttle buses run between the hotels and shopping areas. Public buses are limited. Taxis are available but can add up over longer distances. The international airport has flights to Asian cities, Hawaii and nearby Pacific islands.
Practical details
- Capital
- Hagåtña
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English, Chamorro
- Plug types
- A, B
- Voltage
- 110 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 911
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- US customs apply: around 15 to 20 percent in restaurants unless a service charge is included, and tips for tour guides and taxi drivers.
Staying online in Guam
Coverage is good across most of this small island, particularly in Tumon, Hagåtña and the populated central areas, with 4G widely available. Signal can be weaker in parts of the hilly south, in some coves and at the base of cliffs. Hotels and many cafés and shopping centres have Wi-Fi. Note that some US home plans treat Guam as roaming, so check before you travel. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Guam eSIM plans
Ilimitado
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Guam
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 7 Days for Guam
Ilimitado
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Guam
2 GB
2GB eSIM Data for 15 Days for Guam
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Driving and finding beaches, trailheads and historic sites around the island.
- Windy: Following weather, wind and storm forecasts, which matters during typhoon season and for boat or dive trips.
- FEMA: US government emergency alerts and disaster preparedness information, which covers Guam.
Guam travel FAQs
Guam is an unincorporated US territory. It uses the US dollar and US postal services, and English is an official language alongside Chamorro. Entry requirements can differ from those for the US mainland, so check the rules for your nationality.
Yes. Coverage is good across most of the island. Some US carriers treat Guam as roaming rather than domestic, so check your plan, or use a travel eSIM for local data.
The Chamorro are the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands. Their culture survives in language, food such as red rice and kelaguen, village fiestas and traditions of respect for elders. The Guam Museum is a good introduction.
Reef-protected areas such as Tumon Bay are generally calm. Beaches outside the reef, including Ritidian, can have strong currents and rip tides. Swim where locals do, and heed any warning flags or signs.