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71°F / 21°C
(Sprinkles. Broken Clouds. Mild.)
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For a small island in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, Guam has a surprising amount to see and do, with natural wonders and sunny beaches never more than a short trip from modern conveniences and fine dining. At only 32 miles in length and 8 miles wide at its widest, the island is eminently accessible, and anywhere on the island you get a mind to go, you can get to within minutes.
Tumon Bay
Guam's premier tourist district, Tumon has the island's highest concentration of hotels, including the all-inclusive Pacific Islands Club, amusements including Underwater World, and entertainments including the Sandcastle Dinner Theater, all within walking distance of one another. Dining opportunities abound, with hotel kitchens and stand-alone eateries turning out a range of cuisines from high French to French fries and from super-fresh sashimi to fish sticks. Pleasure Island, a no-holds-barred shopping and entertainment zone, sits in the middle of Tumon, running from DFS Galleria to Sandcastle along San Vitores Road.
Shopping
For diehard international shoppers it may be enough to declare: Guam is a duty-free! For the uninitiated, that means bargains, especially on usually high-duty jewelry, leather goods, etc. The island has its share of malls and more than its share of luxury goods outlets. The leader among these is the aforementioned DFS Galleria, but competitors, including Acanta Mall, have sprung up along San Vitores Road. Around the island, other popular malls, as well as innumerable boutiques, afford modern shopping experiences, and almost anything sold in the world can be purchased here. For bargains on non-luxury items, a good bet is Guam Premium Outlets, south of Tumon in Tamuning. And Micronesia Mall, west of Tumon in Dededo, bills itself as "Guam's Largest American Style Shopping Center." For traditional island products and authentic souvenirs, not to mention delicious Chamorran foods, visit Chamorro Village near downtown Agana. And finally, don't miss out on the chaotic but charming shopping scene at the flea markets. One of the most popular is the Harmon Flea Market, held at the Harmon Industrial Park in Tamuning, but check local listings for current hot spots.
Around the Island
Top-notch tourist attractions notwithstanding, the true appeal of Guam must be its warm climate, its local culture and its storied history, all of which suggest setting off around the island to see what there is to see. Santa Rita, Agana Heights, Talofofo and almost every other village on Guam celebrates a fiesta with colorful processions, music, dancing, games, and bountiful Chamorran food and plentiful drink. One of the best known is the Malojloj Fiesta, held for three days each may, but a fiesta somewhere on the island probably coincides with your visit. Get information from the tourist bureaus and from local chambers of commerce. Even outside their fiesta dates, the villages are worth visiting for a glimpse into native cultures.
And the island is loaded with history, from Magellan's discovery of Guam, reenacted at Umatac Bay every March 3rd, to the Japanese occupation during World War II, Liberation Day being celebrated everywhere every July 21st. For a varied sense of the island's history and some of its best beach combing, visit Jeff's Pirates Cove in Talofofo on the west side of the island. Here you can study the fascinating story of Sergeant Yokoi, a Japanese soldier who survived for 28 years in the jungle, or hunt for examples of Jeff's own favorite souvenirs, the beautiful glass fishnet floats once used by Japanese fishermen. For more military history visit the Andersen Air Force Base at the north end of the island whose airstrips were instrumental in WWII and also the US Naval Air Station adjacent the airport, which includes the Marianas Military Museum.
Finally, a note on getting around: the Guam Mass Transit Authority (GMTA) has nine bus routes, servicing almost every village. Ride all day for USD3. Many of the big hotels have shuttle services, and with so much so close together taxi cabs are a viable alternative, especially at night. Rental cars are also available and an excellent way to tour the countryside.
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