Perhaps every continental American’s dream vacation is to visit the Hawaiian Islands. Who wouldn’t want to see the beautiful views of this American paradise? But there is another American island that few people know about. That is the island of Guam.
Located on the islands of Micronesia, Guam lies between Asia and Hawaii in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is a small island only 32 miles long and 8 miles wide. You could travel the entire perimeter of the island in about two hours. Like Hawaii, Guam is surrounded by coral reefs and beautiful white sand beaches. The lush rainforests feature colorful flowers and dense vegetation. Beautiful waterfalls are around every corner. The ocean water surrounding the island is crystal clear and you can easily see colorful fish darting among the corals. Guam’s climate is typical of paradise: the temperature hovers around 80 degrees throughout the year.
Guam is an American territory, so there is no need to worry about currency exchange or language barriers. However, one thing you won’t find in Guam is a lot of American tourists. It is a popular tourist spot in South Asia, but somewhat unknown to Americans. When you arrive in Guam, you feel like you’ve entered another country, without the hassle of exchanging your money or dealing with language translation. It really does look like Hawaii, but with an Asian flair. Everywhere you look, you’ll see Asian Keys, specifically intended for the Japanese who frequent beachside resorts. You quickly forget that you are still on American soil!
The natives of Guam are the Chamorro, who have their own culture and language. A fun thing to do in Guam is to explore the culture of the Chamorran people. Other nationalities include Filipinos, Pacific Islanders, Chinese, Japanese, Europeans, and many other Asian nationalities. It is a truly racially and culturally diverse island.
One of the most striking attributes of the people of Guam is their friendliness. Nowhere will you find a more hospitable people. The reason for this is obvious while touring the island. The only industry on Guam is tourism. They have no factories or agriculture. They base their entire economy on making tourists feel comfortable. Hafa Adai is the local greeting and you will hear it wherever you go.
Hotel accommodations are second to none on Guam, but be prepared to pay for them. There are no cheap hotels on this island. Along the western beach there is a strip of beautiful luxury resorts filled with all the comforts you can imagine. Most of these resorts have beachfront properties with their own private beaches for guests. Or, if you prefer, you can skip the salt water and take advantage of the hotel’s pool or water park.
Don’t be surprised if you witness a wedding or two while on Guam. Guam is like the Vegas of Micronesia when it comes to weddings. Many Asian couples come to Guam to get married in a beachfront chapel. In fact, most spas have a chapel for this purpose.
What to do in Guam? Well, one day of your visit should be spent simply touring the perimeter of the island. This has two purposes. First, it will allow you to orient yourself on the island, and secondly, it will allow you to appreciate the great cultural variety of the island. Be sure to stop at a few waterfalls on this tour. Plan at least two days for water activities. Snorkeling, diving, underwater tours, boat rentals, and swimming are just some of the activities you can do in the water. However, one thing you should not bring to Guam is your surfboard. The waves on the island are not big enough for surfing. An interesting cultural attraction in Guam is the town of Chamorro. Located along the beach, this area offers a place for local Chamorro artists and chefs to pedal their wares. This is a great place to taste the local cuisine. Plus, if you’re into history, plan to spend a day touring WWII monuments and memorials. Make sure to watch a sunset on the beach during your stay!
The best time of year to visit Guam is during the dry season, which runs from January to May. The island is made up of rainforests and averages around 80 inches of rain a year, so keep that in mind if you plan a trip in the rainy season.
Guam is truly an undiscovered paradise for the American tourist. The island will provide you with a taste of Asia with a homey touch. When planning your next dream vacation, consider this little gem!