Guam Travel Guide

Full Name

Territory of Guam

Former Name

None

Capital City

Hagatna (Agana)

Government Type

N/A

Area Size

total: 541.3 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +10 hours

Climate

The climate is characterized as tropical marine. The weather is generally warm and humid with little seasonal temperature variation. The mean high temperature is 30°C and mean low is 24°C with an average annual rainfall of 2,180 mm. The dry season runs from December through June. The remaining months constitute the rainy season. The highest risk of typhoons is during October and November. An average of three tropical storms and one typhoon pass within 330 km of Guam each year.

Geography

Guam has an area of 544 km². It is the southernmost island in the Mariana island chain and is the largest island in Micronesia. This island chain was created by the colliding Pacific and Philippine tectonic plates. The Marianas Trench, a deep subduction zone, lies beside the island chain to the east. The Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth, is southwest of Guam at 10,911 m deep. The island of Guam is 74 km long and 6 km to 13 km wide. The island experiences occasional earthquakes due to being on the edge of the Pacific Plate.

Languages

English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)

Culture

In addition to its inviting beaches, elegant hotels, and great bargains, Guam has another vital attraction- its unique culture. The traditions and customs of Guam's proud island heritage thrive, despite invading conquerors, wars and epidemics, and changing governments. Forged from a neolithic foundation and molded by historical events, Guam's living culture has expanded into a vibrant, modern way of life. Guam's traditional arts are very much alive. During cultural fairs and exhibitions, visitors often have the opportunity to watch master weavers, carvers and even a blacksmith at work. Legends and folklore about village taotaomo'na (ancient spirits), doomed lovers leaping to their death off Two Lovers' Point (Puntan Dos Amantes), and Sirena, a beautiful young girl who became a mermaid, are portrayed in many of Guam's enriching cultural dances.

History

Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

Travel Information

Virgin Atlantic flies regularly to Narita (Tokyo, Japan), where passengers can connect with a Continental Micronesia flight to Guam. Other airlines serving Guam include Air Japan, All Nippon Airways , Korean Air, Northwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines. Antonio B Won Pat International Guam Airport (GUM) is 11km from the city. Taxis are available, most hotels have courtesy vehicles for airport transfers. Airport facilities are Bureau de change, free hotel telephones, duty-free shop, Main ports: Apra Harbour is the principal port in Micronesia and a port of call for the following shipping lines: American President, Kyowa, Micronesia Transport and Maersk Sea-Land Services.

Accommodation

Luxurious international-standard hotels are set in landscaped gardens on the beaches of Tumon Bay, the island’s premier resort destination. A few hotels are also located in the southern and central parts of the island. A number of fine business hotels and family style accommodations are located in Hagåtña, Maite, Tamuning and Mangilao. As the island is small, most of these properties are minutes away from the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal.

Visa Requirements

Passports are required by all except: US citizens entering Guam from the US mainland or a US territory, provided they hold proof of citizenship and valid photo ID card. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (introduced 23 January 2007), US citizens returning directly from a US territory do not need to present a passport to re-enter the USA. All visitors must now hold a machine-readable passport (MRP). Visa requirements for Guam are the same as for mainland USA; travellers require a visa or, if qualified, may travel visa free under the US Visa Waiver Program. If applying for a visa, application procedures are also the same. However, there is also a Visa Waiver Program specifically for Guam. -Nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK may travel to Guam visa free for visits of 90 days under the USA Visa Waiver Program. -Nationals of Australia and the UK may travel to Guam visa free for 15 days under the Guam Visa Waiver Program. This program is based on the following conditions: purpose of visit is for business, touristic or transit purposes only; the air carrier is a participant in the Guam Visa Waiver Program; all visitors are in possession of a completed and signed visa waiver form, I-736 (obtainable from the airline). -Nationals of Canada may visit Guam under the same restrictions as a visit to the USA. -Nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovak Republic should check Passport/Visa in the USA section for visa requirements. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. The following are not eligible to receive a USA entry visa: people afflicted with certain serious communicable diseases or disorders deemed threatening to the property, safety or welfare of others; anyone who has been arrested (except for very minor driving offences) or who has a criminal record; narcotics addicts or abusers and drug traffickers; anyone who has been deported from or denied admission to the USA.

Getting Around

The Guam Mass Transit Authority operates buses on nine routes, connecting nearly all the villages on the island. Buses do not run on Sundays or public holidays. In addition to the public transit buses, there is also a bus route to select areas including most major shopping centres as well as the hotels in Tumon and Hagåtña. To identify pick up and drop off points look for the bus signs. Taxis are available near major shopping centres and at hotels. Fares are metered. Car hire is available through most major companies. Hire can be arranged at offices throughout the island including the airport and hotel lobbies.

Health & Safety

Travellers are adviced to take special precautions for Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. There is, however, a risk of biointoxication from raw or cooked fish or shellfish. Hepatitis B and tuberculosis occur; vaccination is sometimes advised. Dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis can occur in epidemics. Jellyfish might also pose some threat.Health insurance is strongly advised, owing to the high cost of health care. There is one civilian hospital, the Guam Memorial Hospital, and a number of private clinics, as well as some medical facilities run for US military personnel. Most visits to Guam are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 15 Jan - Martin Luther King Day. 12 Feb - President’s Day. 5 Mar - Guam Discovery Day. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 28 May - Memorial Day. 4 Jul - Independence Day. 21 Jul - Liberation Day. 21 Sep - Labour Day. 9 Oct - Columbus Day. 2 Nov - All Souls' Day. 11 Nov - Veterans Day. 22 Nov - Thanksgiving Day. 8 Dec - Lady of Camarin Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

U.S. Dollar (USD)

Electricity

120v AC

Emergency Numbers

911