With its fantastic food culture and untouched beaches, the small island of Guam is one to add to the bucket list.
GUAM
Chances are, you havenβt considered a trip to Guam. This US-owned island in the West Pacific is better known for its American army bases than as a holiday destination. However, travel to this small island and youβll discover a wealth of geographical and cultural attractions. A former Spanish colony, Guam still bears traces of its colonial past. Take a road trip across the southern parts of the island and youβll discover tiny hilltop towns, such as Umatac, populated with Spanish-built churches and forts. And then, of course, thereβs the beaches, where powdery white sand is lapped by the translucent waters of the Pacific. The most popular tourist area is around Tumon Bay, where youβll find a host of resorts clustered around a wide sweep of sand.
US travellers will discover a lot thatβs familiar to them β malls, fast food outlets and even US post boxes. But the islandβs population is comprised of around 40 percent indigenous Chamorro people, Filipinos, Pacific Islanders, Asians and whites. This multiculturalism has affected many areas of life, especially the islandβs food culture. Try a local dish of red rice or Guam-style barbecue, where the meat is marinated in soy sauce, vinegar and onions.
DEDEDO IN FOCUS
With a population of around 45,000, Dededo is Guamβs most populous town β the capital, HagΓ₯tΓ±a, has 1,100 inhabitants. Dededo is in the northern part of the island, within easy distance of the coast. Once a sleepy farming community, itβs now an important commercial and residential centre with plenty of attractions close to hand.
If you like to shop, head to Micronesia Mall β the largest on the island. For a taste of local flavour, hit up the Guam Farmers Market, where youβll find stalls selling fresh produce, handicrafts and delicious barbecue. Youβll find plenty of coffee shops, restaurants and hotels for a comfortable stay here.
A string of beaches runs along the outskirts of the town. One of them is Mushroom Rock Hilaan Beach, named after the mushroom-shaped limestone formations in the bay. Itβs a quiet, picturesque beach thatβs great for swimming. Another nearby beach is located at Ritidian Point, a national wildlife refuge.
LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS
TWO LOVERS POINT
This lookout point, atop a 125-metre high limestone cliff, commands the best views on the island. It gets its name after the two star-crossed Chamorro warriors who allegedly jumped to their death.Β
GUAM PACIFIC WAR MUSEUM
If youβre interested in World War II History, this museum is a must-visit. Youβll find informative displays about Guamβs role in the war, memorabilia and even a selection of World War II vehicles.
MOUNT LAMLAM
Guamβs tallest mountain offers stunning views of the island and the ocean beyond. It rises 37,820 feet above the floor of the Marianas Trench, meaning itβs technically the tallest mountain in the world β although most of it is underwater.
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OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS
EAT:
For local flavoursβ¦
For delicious barbecueβ¦
Core BBQ and Seafood Restaurant
For Japanese Cuisineβ¦
SLEEP:
For luxurious beach getawaysβ¦
For Thai grandeurβ¦
For total relaxationβ¦
COMMUNICATE:
For hassle-free holiday communicationβ¦
DoCoMo PacificΒ is Guamβs total telecommunications and internet provider. Itβs responsible for setting up free Wi-Fi hotspots across the island, and for introducing an advanced 4G LTE service in 2012. It offers a great βvisitor sim + wifiβ plan, which includes unlimited local calls and SMS, allowing you stress-free communication.
DO:
For fire dancing show and unlimited BBQβ¦
For jungle river cruisesβ¦
Valley of the Latte Adventure Park
For observing dolphinsβ¦
For scuba diving adventuresβ¦
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
Guam International Airport is the largest airport in the country, serviced by several airlines, including United Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air. It flies to 35 international destinations, including 11 in Japan β there are no direct flights from Europe. Most hotels in Guam offer free airport pickup.
The island is small, with a good road network β the best way around it is to rent a car. There are plenty of car rental providers near the airport, and in the tourist hotspot of Tumon. Taxis are also available, and the Guam Regional Transport Authority operates buses along nine scheduled routes.