Whether you’re planning a trip to Guam or a massive move, this little island in Micronesia is bursting with tons to do and see.
Guam is a tropical island located in the Pacific Ocean. It’s part of the cluster of islands that make up Micronesia and is home to beautiful and consistently warm temperatures year-round – making it a fantastic beach destination.
While this island is teeny tiny (it’s population is only about 165,000 and you can drive around the entire island in less than a day), there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Guam. And I’m here to give you the essential Guam travel tips you need to make your trip as fabulous as possible as you see it all.
Here are the essential Guam travel tips to prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
↠ Read More: The Ultimate Vacation to Guam Travel Guide
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15 Essential Travel Tips for a Perfect Trip to Guam
1. Know your tourist visa requirements (they’re the same as America).
Since Guam is a U.S. territory, visa entry requirements are the same as the U.S. If you’re an American citizen, you’ll need your U.S. passport. I’ve read in some cases a Real I.D. may suffice, but better to come with an actual passport.
If you’re not an American citizen, you’ll need to read more about what visa is needed to visit Guam. I know visiting America for citizens of other countries can be a complicated process, so be sure to thoroughly research the requirements for smooth entry into Guam.
2. Guam is (essentially) the U.S.
So you can expect things on the island to be the same as the US. For example:
- The tap water is safe to drink. The island of Guam is in full compliance of the American Safe Drinking Water Act and you are good to go ahead and drink the tap water.
- This also means that the outlets and voltage are the same as America – 120 V and the two prong sockets.
- The local currency is USD.
3. Renting a car is the best way to get around.
Guam is a small island but everything is pretty spread out and rural. Especially if you hope to leave the downtown area of Tumon and venture off to see the great hiking trails and quieter beaches around the island, you’ll want the freedom and flexibility of having a car.
4. Know your other transportation options on the island.
If you decide you don’t want to rent a car, there are a couple of transportation options for you while you’re visiting Guam.
Stroll. Stroll is essentially the Uber on Guam. You can download their app and call a ride from anywhere on the island. It’s cheaper than the taxis on the island and is super convenient. Here’s where you can download the Stroll App before you arrive.
Taxis. There is also a national Guam taxi service you can use when visiting, but it’s a bit more on the expensive side.
Buses. There are buses on the island as well, but honestly I’m not sure how good the service or routes are as I didn’t need to take them during my visit. If you’re all about public transportation, you can find more information about the buses here as well as route information here.
5. Research the best Guam tourist spots before arriving.
As previously mentioned, this pretty tropical island is best known as a beach destination, which means beach going is up there as one of the best things to do!
But that’s not all there is to do in Guam. Some of the best things to do in Guam include:
- Caving at Pagat Cave and hiking to an epic cliffside lookout.
- Admiring the island’s rolling green hills from atop Mt. Lamlam.
- Visiting a beach bar and sipping a cocktail while admiring the view.
- Hiking to the striking Sharks Cove Beach
- Stopping by the observation deck at Two Lovers Point
↠ Read More: 21 Things to Do in Guam
6. Bring hiking/walking/outdoor shoes and clothing.
Guam is a great place to relax on the beach, but it’s also a fabulous place for hiking and exploring nature. The hiking trails on the island are not difficult at all, and even the most out of shape folks can manage most of them. Don’t miss out on the beautiful coastal lookout points, waterfalls or caves and come prepared with the necessary athletic clothing.
7. Don’t forget to pack bug spray and sunscreen.
The climate in Guam is hot, humid and tropical – so there is no shortage of bugs and mosquitoes and the threat of sunburn is real. Pack the best sunscreen and bug spray to stay comfortable during your stay in Guam.
8. If you’re not American military, be warned that some attractions may not be open to you.
And if you’re not in the military, I recommend trying to befriend someone who is! Why? Because a few of the most beautiful and interesting things to do in Guam are actually on military land.
For example, if you’re hoping to check out sites like the Spanish Steps, Gab Gab Beach and others, you’ll need someone with a military ID to sponsor your entry into these areas.
9. Know when the best time to visit Guam is (Guam has a typhoon/rainy season).
The temperature in Guam stays a consistent hot and humid 77° – 90°F / 25° – 32° C year round. However, there are two distinct seasons you’ll want to keep in mind when visiting; rainy season and dry season.
Between the months of July – November, Guam sees the most rainfall. Typhoons can happen anytime of the year, but they seem to form most often during this rainy season. The rest of the year is considered the dry season, although random rain showers can occur at any time – it’s just a part of life on a tropical island!
10. Guam isn’t a budget travel destination.
This may not faze other travelers, but I’ve been living and traveling around Asia for the past 2 years so the prices in Guam were a little hard to swallow for a budget traveler like myself. The cost of things are very comparable to prices in other major tourist areas in the U.S, but if you’re expecting Asian prices for food, accommodation etc, it’s not the case.
11. Familiarize yourself with the local culture.
Guam has a diverse and interesting history. The local indigenous people on the island are the Chamorro people and have their own foods, culture and language. However, being an American territory, many things are now Americanized and everyone on the island speaks English.
But when you visit a new place, one of the best things to do is to learn about a new culture. Come prepared to try some of the Chamorro foods and maybe even check out a dance performance or the local market.
12. The best area to stay in Guam is in Tumon, but Tumon is not Guam.
Tumon is the island’s largest “city” and is where you’ll find the international airport, the main shopping streets and the best Guam hotels. It’s also where the island is most busy and active, especially in nearby spots like Tumon Beach and Tumon Bay.
Be sure to venture to other more off the beaten paths on Guam and not just stay in this one area.
Bonus: Guam Hotel Recommendations
- Hilton Guam Resort & Spa is a popular resort with ocean views, multiple swimming pools, tennis courts, a spa, and various onsite restaurants and bars at a reasonable rate.
- The Tsubaki Tower is a highly-rated luxury hotel and iconic Guam landmark. It’s situated in a prime location right off of Tumon Beach.
- Dusit Thani Guam Resort is a unique beachfront Guam hotel that boasts gorgeous Thai-inspired decor. The resort has a spa and hot tub, as well as various restaurants.
- Garden Villa Hotel is budget-friendly Guam accommodation that offers apartment-style suites with a private kitchens ideal for larger groups.
13. Most things are closed on Sundays.
As a predominantly Catholic community, many businesses and restaurants are actually closed on Sundays. This is super important to factor into your travel planning! Thankfully as a natural paradise there’s still plenty to keep you entertained even when everything is shut.
14. Your bill probably already includes tax and tip.
The price you see in Guam is typically the price you pay! Sales tax is relatively low in Guam, and because of how the island pays taxes as a territory, businesses typically include it in the listed price.
15. Guam is a safe place to visit.
Guam is just as safe as any other U.S. destination, and possibly even safer. The island sees a low crime rate and is a great place for family vacations.
The Visit Guam tourist website does share helpful Guam safety tips for those interested in learning more.
Check out these awesome resources for Guam travel planning.
Stripes Guam: This website is an online publication that serves the U.S. military community on Guam. They share tons of information about current events, the local travel spots and activities, entertainment and more. They have a lot of good info about the things to do in Guam and how to do them! A great place to find more Guam travel tips.
The Guam Guide: Started by a couple who moved to Guam in late 2009, the website has grown into a massive database of Guam travel tips, guides, recommendations and things to do on the island. I found their website immensely helpful while planning my trip to the island.