Think palm trees, white beaches, coral reefs - and the world's biggest K-Mart. Guam doesn't fit the stereotype of tribal villages and ancient cultures untouched by the modern world. This highly developed strategic US territory is no postcard 'Tropical Paradise'. Sure there's sun, sand and wilderness but travellers know Guam mainly for the duty free shopping.
Destination Facts
Capital: Hag å t ñ a
Governor: Felix Camacho
President: George W. Bush
Government: Colonial
Time zone: GMT +10
Area: 549
Population: 169000
Languages: 98% Roman Catholic, 2% other
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Weight System: Imperial
Country Dialing Code: 671
Getting There
Go to Guam whenever the boss gives you time off. The temperature hovers around a balmy 27 ° C (81 ° F) all year, so don't worry about the weather. If it's a little more humid between July and November, at least you're never far from a cooling dip in the ocean. The only time you should really avoid Guam is during Japanese holiday seasons: Christmas, Golden Week (the last week of April and the first week of May), and Obon, in August.
Getting there and away
About 6km (4mi) north-east of downtown Hagat ñ a, the newly expanded Won Pat international airport serves eight air carriers and provides more than 100 flights per week to Hawaii and the US mainland, East Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Apra Harbor is the only point of entry for boats to Guam. Yachties should contact the Yacht Club at Apra Harbor.
Getting around
The public transport system consists of small vans that crawl around the island in confusing patterns at irregular intervals. Taxis are willing and able enough, but be warned that drivers often overcharge. Renting a car is not a bad idea, expect to pay upwards of 45.00 per day. Bikes can be hired from hotels and shops in Tumon Bay. If you opt for walking you'll soon find that the entire population thinks you're an escaped lunatic.
Visa:
US citizens don't need a visa to visit Guam, or any other Micronesian islands. Anyone else (except Canadians and those travelling on a visa waiver) must obtain a US visa in advance. Under Guam's visa waiver programme, citizens of certain countries may enter Guam for up to 15 days for business or pleasure without a US visa. Those countries include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Great Britain.
Weather
This far western region of the Pacific consistently delivers temperatures between 22 ° C (72 ° F) and 30 ° C (86 ° F) at any time of the day, any day of the year. Humidity is always high, but the even temperature and fresh sea breeze means conditions are never too stuffy. Rainfall is moderately heavy for most of the year, but typhoons tend to pay the island a visit between July and November and brings with it hefty downpours. Ominously, Guam is in a sector of the Pacific Ocean known as 'Typhoon Alley'; typhoons are said to hit the island once every eight years, usually during October and November.
Places of Interest
Guam doesn't fit the stereotype of tribal villages and ancient cultures untouched by the modern world. This highly developed strategic US territory is no postcard 'Tropical Paradise'. Sure there's sun, sand and wilderness but travellers know Guam mainly for the duty free shopping.
Destination Facts
Capital: Hag å t ñ a
Governor: Felix Camacho
President: George W. Bush
Government: Colonial
Time zone: GMT +10
Area: 549
Population: 169000
Languages: 98% Roman Catholic, 2% other
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Weight System: Imperial
Country Dialing Code: 671
Getting There
Go to Guam whenever the boss gives you time off. The temperature hovers around a balmy 27 ° C (81 ° F) all year, so don't worry about the weather. If it's a little more humid between July and November, at least you're never far from a cooling dip in the ocean. The only time you should really avoid Guam is during Japanese holiday seasons: Christmas, Golden Week (the last week of April and the first week of May), and Obon, in August.
Getting there and away
About 6km (4mi) north-east of downtown Hagat ñ a, the newly expanded Won Pat international airport serves eight air carriers and provides more than 100 flights per week to Hawaii and the US mainland, East Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Apra Harbor is the only point of entry for boats to Guam. Yachties should contact the Yacht Club at Apra Harbor.
Getting around
The public transport system consists of small vans that crawl around the island in confusing patterns at irregular intervals. Taxis are willing and able enough, but be warned that drivers often overcharge. Renting a car is not a bad idea, expect to pay upwards of 45.00 per day. Bikes can be hired from hotels and shops in Tumon Bay. If you opt for walking you'll soon find that the entire population thinks you're an escaped lunatic.
Visa:
US citizens don't need a visa to visit Guam, or any other Micronesian islands. Anyone else (except Canadians and those travelling on a visa waiver) must obtain a US visa in advance. Under Guam's visa waiver programme, citizens of certain countries may enter Guam for up to 15 days for business or pleasure without a US visa. Those countries include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Great Britain.
Weather
This far western region of the Pacific consistently delivers temperatures between 22 ° C (72 ° F) and 30 ° C (86 ° F) at any time of the day, any day of the year. Humidity is always high, but the even temperature and fresh sea breeze means conditions are never too stuffy. Rainfall is moderately heavy for most of the year, but typhoons tend to pay the island a visit between July and November and brings with it hefty downpours. Ominously, Guam is in a sector of the Pacific Ocean known as 'Typhoon Alley'; typhoons are said to hit the island once every eight years, usually during October and November.
Places of Interest
Guam doesn't fit the stereotype of tribal villages and ancient cultures untouched by the modern world. This highly developed strategic US territory is no postcard 'Tropical Paradise'. Sure there's sun, sand and wilderness but travellers know Guam mainly for the duty free shopping.
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