Island Destinations : Guam
Located in the Pacific Ocean and largely a part of the United States of America, Guam is a small island destination which is a haven for beach lovers and scuba divers from around the world. Offering loads of recreational activities from scuba diving and snorkeling in the coral gardens on the northern end to mountaineering and volcanic safaris in the south, Guam is a must visit destination if you are the more adventurous type.
Located very close to the deepest point on earth, the Mariana Trench, Guam does not require any kind of visa or permit for a visit, if you do not need a visa to enter the United States of America. However, an ESTA travel authorization is deemed as necessary and can be availed at the local emabssy in your area.
Guam can be reached by flights that land at the Won Pat Guam International Airport. The major airlines that service the destination include the Continental Micronesia Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, China Airlines, Philippine Airlines, ANA and JAL.
The only other way to reach Guam is by boats. Although there are no standard ferry transfers from and to Guam, several cruise ships dock here for a short break before moving on to other destinations.
The best way to get around Guam is by renting a car or opting for taxis. The roads are not in perfect condition and tend to get slippery if it rains. The roads are fairly congested and the Marine Corps Drive/Guam Route 1 happens to be the major route servicing the entire island.
Buses are available but not frequent and can get quite crowded. The only other possible way around the island is by walking which needs to be restricted to the central districts of Hagatna and Tumon only. There are no standard side walks on any other part of the island and the traffic is heavy here, leading to many accidents.
Even though the island is small and sparsely populated, Guam offers guests loads of dining options to choose from. You can find every kind of restaurant from botiques to road side eateries here, serving a myraid of local and international delicacies.
Fresh sea food is a hit with locals and tourists alike and some of the other popular dishes inlcude grilled reef fish, chicken, breadfruit, beef short ribs, Chorizo sausages, lobster, octopus and tortillas. Almost all the dishes are served along with baked or grilled vegetables and fruits in a traditional Pacific style.
While dining here, you can opt to try the Chamorro meal which is offered in almost all the restaurants. If you request for finadene, you will be served a tangy hot sauce which is made of soy sauce, yellow onions, local red peppers and lemon juice. Quite spicy and flavored, finadene is your cup of tea only if you love spicy food.
There are so many beautiful places of interest in Guam. Most of the sites are off cultural importance and while you are touring the island, you would probably not want to miss out on these places.
The Chamorro Village is located right next to the Hagatna Boat Basin in the village of Hagatna in Paseo Park. Offering tourists an insight into the cultures and traditions of Guam, the Chamorro Village is filled with traditional gift shops, ethnic restaurants and local night pubs.
Chamorro Village also happens to be the entertainment center of Guam with numerous locals and tourists flocking to the pubs on Wednesday nights to party till the next morning.
Visiting Cocoa Island is like visiting a paradise within a paradise. The island is uninhabited and offers visitors over 100 acres of stunning sandy beaches and crystalling blue waters. There are hordes of recreational activities to take part in which include boat rides, scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, dolphin excursions, snorkeling or simply lazing out at the beach.
The Fish Eye Marine Park is a unique underwater observatory and a marine preserve. Originally a part of a larger naturally protected lagoon, the park requires an admission fee for entrance and is also situated near a popular dive site which houses over 200 species of fish.
Couples and honeymooners will definitely love the “Two Lovers’ Point” which is a lookut point situated atop a steep cliffline. Located in Tumon, the point overlooks the Tumon Bay and offers wonderful views of the surroundings. Getting to Two Lovers’ Point is a little difficult for first time visitors as it is hard to locate.
Talofofo Falls Park: The Talofofo Falls Park is a thrity foot falls which is located on the southern end of the main island of Guam. The falls is originally a part of the Ugum River and the base of the falls is a wonderful picnic site for locals and tourists alike to relax and enjoy the day pass by or take a swim in the pool below the falls.
History buffs will defintely love the diverse plethora of historical sites and landmarks the island has to offer. These include century old mansions, several museums, ancient caves, latte stones, spanish ruins and several memorials of World War II to name a few.
The Guam Museusm in Hagatna and the Pacific Historical Park in Asan are must visit locations for those who wish to know more about the island’s history and the world wars.
Scuba Diving is a very popular sport in Guam and avid divers come here from around the world to visit some of the most exotic underwater locations in the world, including the Mariana Trench. In addition to being the least expensive dive training places in the world, the waters around Guam are said to house more than 950 species of fishes, 300 varieties of corals and several ship wreck sites.
The five most popular dive spots in Guam include the SMS Coromon and Tokai Maru, Kitsukawa Maru, Blue Hoel, WWI and WWII wreck sites, Haps Reef and GabGab 2. The warm climate and clam waters make it easier for even the beginner to move through the water with ease.
In addition to diving, the beaches of Guam also offer a myraid of other water sporting activities including snorkeling, parasailing, fishing, swimming, wind surfing, kite surfing and submersible excursions.
If you wish to stay on land, you need not worry about lack of things to do to keep yourself entertained. You can choose from several land activities which include golfing, sky diving, hiking, nature walks, trekking, mountain climbing and biking.
There are several indoor attractions on the island to while away the time if the weather decides to play havoc on your vacation. Shopping is a pleasure here and you can visit the Acanta Mall, Micronesia Mall, Agna Shopping Center, Guam Premier Outlets, DFS Galleria and the Tumon Sands Plaza for a remarkable shopping experience. Families who are traveling with children can also visit Pleasure Island and the Underwater World to spend some quality time together.
