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Territory of United States

Micronesia

GuamTravel guide

Explore Guam visa rules

Guam is a United States territory in the western Pacific Ocean. Its capital is Hagåtña, and its main tourist area is Tumon Bay.

Why go

  1. Tumon has beaches, wildlife reserves, an aquarium and live shows.

  2. Coral reefs, underwater channels and shipwrecks attract divers.

  3. Chamorro Village offers local food, especially on Wednesday nights.

  4. Chamorro culture reflects Asian, Spanish and American influences.

Best time to go: January to June is the dry season. Guam is warm and humid throughout the year, with rain more common from July to December.

Getting there

By air

  • Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Airport (GUM) is the island’s only civilian airport.
  • United Airlines serves Honolulu, Tokyo and other destinations in Japan, East Asia and the Pacific.
  • Other airlines connect Guam with cities including Seoul, Busan, Osaka, Taipei and Manila.

By sea

  • There is no regular ferry service to Guam.
  • Cruise ships visit, usually during Pacific crossings or trips around the world.

Customs

  • United States citizens returning from Guam have a duty-free allowance of $1,600. No more than $800 of that allowance may cover goods bought outside the territories listed in the source.

Getting around

  • Rental car

    Major United States car rental companies have offices at the airport. Drive on the right. Marine Corps Drive, also called Route 1 or Marine Drive, is the main road. Rush-hour delays rarely exceed 30 minutes. American visitors should ask their insurer whether their car policy covers rentals in Guam. The island-wide speed limit is 35 miles per hour, or 56 kilometres per hour. Watch for speeding, drivers running red lights and sudden lane changes. Older roads made with coral can be very slippery in rain, especially in the south.

  • Public bus

    The Guam Regional Transit Authority runs buses across the island. Services can be slow, hard to understand and unreliable. Operating hours are limited. You may wait an hour or more for a bus and again for a connection.

  • Private tourist bus

    Private companies run trolley-style buses through Tumon’s main tourist areas and major hotels. Routes also serve Micronesia Mall, K-Mart, Agana Mall and Guam Premier Outlets.

  • Hotel airport pickup

    Some hotels offer airport pickup. Taxis can be expensive.

What to see and do

  • Tumon Bay

    Guam’s main tourist area has beaches that also serve as wildlife reserves.

  • Tumon aquarium

    A large aquarium is among Tumon’s visitor attractions.

  • Guam’s coral reef

    The reef surrounds the island and has underwater channels.

  • Shore and boat diving

    Guam has many dive sites, mainly along the western coast. MDA and Axe Murderer Tours serve English-speaking divers.

  • Blue Hole dive

    This advanced dive passes through a vertical passage in the reef and reaches the maximum depth for recreational diving.

  • Apra Harbor wreck dives

    The SMS Cormoran II and Tokai Maru wrecks touch underwater. They are thought to be the only touching wrecks from the First and Second World Wars.

Food and drink

  • Chamorro Village

    Find a wide choice of local Chamorro food, especially on Wednesday nights.

  • Fresh seafood

    Fish, octopus and crab are served grilled, baked, as sashimi and in other Pacific styles.

  • Ya Mon’s Jamaican Grill

    A locally owned restaurant serving Jamaican food.

  • International restaurants

    Choices include Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Mexican and European food.

  • American chains

    Familiar options include Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and several pizza chains.

Money

United States dollar (USD), divided into 100 cents.

  • Check prices carefully, as shipping goods to Guam adds to their cost.
  • Shopping options include familiar United States stores and mostly mid-priced shops.
  • K-Mart and Don Don Donki have large souvenir departments.

Language

  • English and Chamorro are the official languages.
  • Tourism workers typically know some Japanese.

Staying safe

  • Sea currents can be strong and unpredictable. The National Weather Service in Guam publishes beach and rip-current forecasts twice daily.
  • Rainwater can collect on roads and cause flooding, especially in southern Guam.
  • Potholes are common and can damage tyres.
  • Drive carefully around speeding vehicles, drivers running red lights and drivers following too closely.

Local customs

Do

  • Use common courtesies when meeting people.
  • Dress modestly.
  • Respect Chamorro customs, including rosary gatherings held to remember people who have died.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is safe to drink in Guam.
  • Hiking and swimming carry a risk of leptospirosis, an infection that can cause serious illness without treatment. Symptoms can appear 2 to 20 days after infection.
  • Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning is the main public hospital. Its building suffered significant damage during Typhoon Mawar in 2023.
  • Guam Regional Medical City in Dededo is a private hospital offering specialist care and treatment for urgent illnesses.

Where to stay

  • Tumon Bay has many high-rise hotels and resorts.
  • Cheaper places to stay are available near the airport, especially around Harmon. The source describes Harmon hotels as less appealing, in an area with both homes and industry.
  • Many connecting flights require an overnight stay in Guam, so plan accommodation ahead.
  • Some hotels offer airport pickup, which may be useful because taxis can be expensive.

Outdoor adventures in Guam

Guam has sandy beaches, coral reefs and shore and boat diving, mostly along its western coast. Named dive sites include Blue Hole and two touching shipwrecks in Apra Harbor. The island is warm and humid, with a dry season from January to June and a rainy season from July to December.

  • Tumon Bay beaches

    BeacheCentral/Metropolitan Regionnear Tumon

    Visit the beaches in Tumon, Guam’s main tourism area.

    • Currents can be fast and unpredictable.
    • Check the NWS Guam Surf Zone Forecast for expected rip currents before entering the water.

  • Western coast shore and boat diving

    Scuba divingWestern coast

    Arrange shore or boat diving through a dive shop. MDA and Axe Murderer Tours cater to English speakers.

    • Currents can be fast and unpredictable, depending on the season.

  • Blue Hole

    Scuba diving

    Hard

    Ask a local dive shop about arranging this advanced dive. English-speaking options include MDA and Axe Murderer Tours.

    • This is an advanced dive through a vertical opening in the reef.
    • The dive reaches the maximum depth for recreational diving.

  • SMS Cormoran II and Tokai Maru wrecks

    Scuba divingApra Harbor

    Ask a local dive shop about diving the wrecks in Apra Harbor. MDA and Axe Murderer Tours cater to English speakers.

    • Currents around Guam can be fast and unpredictable.

  • Ritidian Beach

    BeacheNorthern Region

    Visit Ritidian Beach in northern Guam. Transport and access arrangements are not specified.

    • Currents can be fast and unpredictable.
    • Check the NWS Guam Surf Zone Forecast before entering the water.

  • Talofofo black sand beaches

    BeacheSouthern Regionnear Talofofo

    Visit the black sand beaches at Talofofo in southern Guam.

    • Currents can be fast and unpredictable.
    • Check the NWS Guam Surf Zone Forecast before entering the water.

  • Cocos Island

    More to doSouthern Region

    Plan an island visit in southern Guam. Crossing arrangements are not specified.

  • Guam National Wildlife Refuge at Ritidian Point

    WildlifeNorthern Region

    Visit the refuge at Ritidian Point, Guam’s northernmost point. Visitor access arrangements are not specified.

  • War in the Pacific National Historical Park beaches

    Beache

    Visit the park’s sandy beaches. Transport and beach access arrangements are not specified.

    • Currents can be fast and unpredictable.
    • Check the NWS Guam Surf Zone Forecast before entering the water.

Airports, metros and trains in Guam

Airports with scheduled flights

  • GUMAntonio B. Won Pat International AirportHagåtñaMain international airport

People and safety in Guam

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian94%
  • No religion2%
  • Other2%
  • Folk religions2%
  • Buddhist1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 8 of 99 countries can visit Guam easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required7
  • eTA required1
  • Visa required91

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania7 of 14 countries
  • Europe1 of 3 countries
  • Africa0 of 54 countries
  • Americas0 of 19 countries
  • Asia0 of 9 countries

Questions

Is Guam part of United States?

Guam is a territory linked to United States, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United States.

Does a United States visa let me visit Guam?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United States may not cover Guam. Check the Guam visa page for your passport.

When is Guam’s dry season?

The dry season runs from January to June. The island stays warm and humid throughout the year.

Which airport will I arrive at?

Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Airport, with the airport code GUM, is Guam’s only civilian airport.

Can I get around by bus?

Public buses run across the island but can involve long waits. Private tourist buses serve Tumon, major hotels and several shopping centres.

What money does Guam use?

Guam uses the United States dollar, divided into 100 cents.

Will people understand English?

English is an official language, alongside Chamorro. Tourism workers also typically know some Japanese.

Where are most hotels?

Most tourist hotels and resorts are around Tumon Bay. Cheaper accommodation is available near the airport, especially around Harmon.

Where can I try local food?

Chamorro Village offers many local food choices, especially on Wednesday nights.

Is the tap water safe to drink?

Yes, tap water is safe to drink in Guam.

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