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When it comes to welcoming and entertaining visitors, Guam is legendary for its warm hospitality and Håfa Adai spirit. The island’s friendly, laid-back atmosphere is conducive to relaxing the mind, enabling full appreciation of the stunning scenery and warm tropical breezes.
Yet, Guam is more than a laid back paradise, it is a place with rich culture and fascinating history, where rugged adventure, exciting activities, high style and fast paced entertainment all combine to create a perfectly unique and memorable experience. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely tempo to soothe your mind and body or craving an adventure that’ll spike your adrenaline, Guam has it.
Here are 10 ways to experience an unforgettable holiday in tropical paradise.
1. Submerge yourself in history
Guam’s many historical landmarks include churches, forts, historical trails and ancient archaeological sites that immerse the visitor in history and bring guests into contact with landmarks that are hundreds, even thousands of years old. The graceful remains of Spanish buildings, the Plaza de España, and stone bridges may be seen in the Hagåtña, Guam’s capital.
2. Tour the living past
Explore the cultural village at Gef Pa’go located in the southern village of Inarajan and experience what life was like in the early days of the island. At the Lina’La Chamorro Cultural Park in Tumon, reenactments make the past come alive while ancient customs and traditions are open for discovery.
3. Dive into adventure
Warm, clear, pristine waters surround Guam and offer world class diving and snorkeling with some of the most exotic and breathtaking locations available in the world.
Explore the Blue Hole, one of Guam’s most unique dive sites, where eagle rays, whale sharks, dolphins and pilot whales have been spotted.
Guam has plenty of wreck diving, too, notably the SMS Cormoran and Tokai Maru site, which is the only dive site in the world where wrecks from two different countries and two different wars are nearly touching.
4. Drive down the fairway
A round of golf at one of Guam’s many courses is an opportunity well worth the effort. Seven courses, ranging in environment and difficulty level, are situated throughout the island and some, like Leo Palace, were even designed by golfing greats Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. The golfing experience in Guam is one-of-a-kind with greens winding through the hills against the backdrop of lush jungle foliage and foaming surf crashing against the reefs.
5. Share in Guam traditions and culture
The friendly and welcoming people of Guam love to celebrate, and nowhere is that more visible than during village fiestas (gatherings) and at the Chamorro Village in Hagåtña every Wednesday night, featuring great food, lively music and a vibrant display of local culture. Check local newspapers and visitguam.com for a schedule of events.
6. Shop for duty free luxuries & gifts
Guam has some of the world’s most luxurious and famous designers with boutiques lined up and down Pale San Vitores Road in Tumon. You can also hop on a Guam Shopping Bus, which stops at the malls, retail outlets and even the Chamorro Village night market where local arts and crafts can be found. What makes this wide selection of shopping opportunities even better is that all retail purchases in Guam are tax-free.
7. Explore the nightlife
When night falls, the bars, clubs and lounges of Guam come alive and pulsate with energy. Local DJs and live cover all ranges of music for guests at action packed bars, modern dance floors and chilled-out lounges. Tumon is the village best known for its abundance of party spots. Clubs are clustered along the main strip to assure club-goers a fun and safe bar hopping experience and saving you the hassle of driving to each location.
8. Find a unique item made only in Guam
Purchasing products made in Guam is an opportunity to own unique, hand crafted items made with skill and dedication by local artisans. Owning original art and handicrafts, exquisite jewelry and masterful woodwork are excellent ways to preserve your memories of Guam. Check out the Chamorro Village in Hagåtña or ABC Stores in Tumon and be sure to look for the “Made in Guam” seal to ensure the item’s authenticity.
9. Relax under the sun or in the spa
Whether it’s on the shores of picture-perfect beaches, the deck of a fantastic pool or water park, or under the hands of an expert masseuse, Guam has a way of getting guests to relax. Spas on Guam are well equipped to handle your every aesthetic and therapeutic need, and one can be found in nearly every major hotel. Choose from a variety of establishments that specialize in foot or full-body massage, foot reflexology and more. Relax and melt away in a wet or dry sauna, and invigorate your body with a bubbling Jacuzzi. Allow yourself to float away after a full body or facial treatment, and let Guam’s experts bring you back fully refreshed and rejuvenated.
10. Enjoy the unique island cuisine
Guam is a haven of the culinary arts with a wide array of restaurants offering scrumptious delicacies to delight any palate. Major hotels and restaurants serve quality continental meals and exotic ethnic dishes as well. Fresh seafood is bountiful. Fresh fish, octopus, and lobster are either grilled or baked with vegetables or fruit, sashimi, and in other imaginative ways unique to the Pacific. Travelers who venture further will find Chamorro, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Mexican, and European restaurants, each with its own distinct ambiance. Although having a diverse array of food from around the world at shops and restaurants, Guam is especially known for its unique island cuisine combining Asian, Spanish and Pacific Island influences into a fusion found only in Guam.
