Guam

Hi,

I'm hoping the lonely planet community can help me!

My boyfriend and I were thinking of going to Guam about March/April 2007 (ie next year). We really just want a relaxing holiday - sun, sand, and surf - just to do nothing much but read, eat and drink for a week. We thought Guam sounded interesting and neither of us have been there before. Plus it is not too hard to get to from Australia.

However, we have had a number of people tell us that the idea is a bad one and that we should find somewhere else to go, but we are still keen. The only problem has been finding information - the travel agents I have visited do not have any information.

So I guess my questions are:
has anyone been to Guam?
What did you think? Would it be fine for a relaxing holiday?
Where would you recommend staying - is it worth paying for one of the bigger hotels ie Marriott, Hilton etc.
Is it expensive? And would we be paying in US $$?

Any guidance would be much appreciated. I have searched the websites but I am trying to find someone who has actually been there and give first hand advice. Thanks!

Cheers,
Pymble

There are lots of large resorts at Tumon Bay, but the area (the water) did not seem that inviting, and one study that came out when I was there said it was pretty polluted. It's about 99% Japanese honeymooners, who are willing to pay a lot of $$$. The shops are all semi-ripoffs, like if you were visiting Hollywood or Waikiki.

There are much nicer parts of Guam, but I don't think you'll find large resorts in those out of the way places.

I think there are places closer to Australia that may be nicer to visit, and you'd get more value for your $$$.

Or go to one of the other Micronesian Islands. I do not find Guam terrifically relaxing, or terribly interesting, for that matter. It is largely shopping and big resorts- ok ones, but not the destination places you find in Hawaii, for example. I agree with Raro- many places closer to Australia that would give you a lot more. What is it that you have heard or read about Gaum that peaks your interest? I really would be curious to know.

Hi Raro and 5Waldos,

Thanks for the quick replies!

The whole guam idea started with a brochure for a marriott hotel in Guam that my boss gave me! It looked really nice and then my boyfriend just decided that was where he wanted to go. And of course the tourism websites for Guam sound amazing and then we started asking around to see whether the information was true - you can't always trust websites! My boyfriend is not really a travelling type (but I am) so I was rather excited when he actually came up with an idea of where we could holiday (usually it me!) so I really wanted to see if it was workable.

Where islandish (not necessarily close to australia) would you suggest going? I guess we were trying to find somewhere a little different to where most aussies end up.

Thanks again. Cheers,
Pymble

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>somewhere a little different to where most aussies end up<hr></blockquote>Well, you could probably stun them all by going to PNG. ;-)
I am not joking - despite the reputation it has in AU, it actually is nice!
And it does have some fine resorts in places like Madang or New Ireland.

Another place Australians don't seem to go to too often is New Caledonia.
The Isle of Pines there must be one of the most beautiful spots in the entire Pacific.

Some tempting PNG resorts in Milne Bay, New Ireland and Madang.

Thanks, I have already been to PNG (admittedly for work) and it was fabulous. I really loved the place.

Now you mention it I might have a look more seriously, I was thinking of going back again next year by myself but hadn't actually considered it for a relaxing holiday...... good thought. Thanks for the advice.

Will also check out new caledonia. I like the sound of the isle of pines!

Isle of Pines official website

The island's top accomodation - and the full range

The photos alone should be enough to convince a reluctant boyfriend! ;-)

Hi Pymble

My wife and I are going through Guam on our way to Palau - wish looks really interesting with great snorkeling and diving with beautiful limestone islands. All the info we have had uses Guam as a tranfer point to Micronesia. We are flying out of Cairns in Janurary.

That pretty much decribes Guam- except for tons of Japanese tourists who come to shop.

I live in Guam and I find it fantastically relaxing. If you want a resort with lots of shops you could stay in Tumon, its annoyingly bright and busy but a lot of people like it. My husband and I stayed at the Marriott in Tumon for a few weeks while looking for a house, and it was great. I live up in the mountains on the southern part of the island. There aren't any tourists and the water is a brilliant turquoise. The locals are immensely friendly. Food, beer and little cabanas are cheap out here. There's a lot to do. Check out the south if you're still interested, there's a hell of a lot more to Guam than Tumon. I didn't mean to sound like the Guam Tourism board, I just really love the island.

My wife and I heading to Guam in mid-February (this weekend!) for a week and I was wondering if I could get some advice. Any info would be really appreciated.

Are there any things/events happening during that time?

Is it easy to rent a car/scooter and if so are there some cheaper places to rent from?

What are some good sites to see? We're not too into the shopping thing and we're not staying in the main town center, a little out of the main town. We'd like to do some snorkeling, perhaps fishing if we can find a reasonable charter, hiking(?), hang on some nice beaches. Any low key spots that may fit into our criteria?

Any good restaurants, relaxing watering holes, flea markets to recommend?

Lastly, currency exchange, etc. Would we be best off to exchange $ (from yen or euro) before we head to Guam or are the rates reasonable on the island? I assume that credit cards are widely accepted.

Any pointers would be very appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Joe

My wife and I heading to Guam in mid-February (this weekend!) for a week and I was wondering if I could get some advice. Any info would be really appreciated.

Are there any things/events happening during that time?

Is it easy to rent a car/scooter and if so are there some cheaper places to rent from?

What are some good sites to see? We're not too into the shopping thing and we're not staying in the main town center, a little out of the main town. We'd like to do some snorkeling, perhaps fishing if we can find a reasonable charter, hiking(?), hang on some nice beaches. Any low key spots that may fit into our criteria?

Any good restaurants, relaxing watering holes, flea markets to recommend?

Lastly, currency exchange, etc. Would we be best off to exchange $ (from yen or euro) before we head to Guam or are the rates reasonable on the island? I assume that credit cards are widely accepted.

Any pointers would be very appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Joe

Really funny how your approach to things changes depending on where you are starting. Like arriving in Hawaii in Feb- those starting in NYC start removing clothing and melting in the lovely weather. those starting in Micronesia bundle up and shiver- heavens it is only 72 degrees at mid day!

Same with Guam I guess. Starting from the states, for example, it seems quiet and relaxing. Starting from Palau it is a busy raving metropolis.

Credit cards are widely excepted, and ATM's are abundant, so I would suggest going that route mostly. I don't know about changing money, since we were dollar to dollar.

I was born and raised on Guam so I might be a bit biased, but the facts are:

Tumon Bay (Hotel Road Beach) is not polluted, it's actually one of the best beaches for snorkeling (if you go out far enough), because it has been a nature preserve for the last 10 years—and it really shows (again, if you swim out far enough). There is a little problem though on some parts of the beach with fresh ground water seeping through the sand and into the salt water, causing algae blooms (though probably only on 15% of the bay).

Guam can be touristy in Tumon, comparable to how Waikiki was 20 or 30 years ago.

Palau is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and is a short plane flight from Guam.

Guam is beautiful, and it's home for me, but if you're looking for the idyllic beach island experience, I suggest Palau over any tropical destination I've ever traveled to.

I can see that there is a serious time lag from the last entry on Guam but I wanted to add my feelings about this island that sits at the deepest point of the Marianas Trench.

I lived in Guam over 10yrs ago and my husband is in a very good position to get a job in Guam very soon

To say I am excited is an under statement. I loved Guam, the people (Chamoros), the attitude, the culture, the climate, basically everything.

I am Australian and felt so comfortable living on this Island that leaving Australia to go back there has me feeling like a 5yo on Xmas morning.

I am realistic about the problems of living on a small isolated island but life is what you make of it.

Yes, it is Hawaii for the Japanese who can't afford Hawaii. Yes, it is duty free heaven for them; so
what! Theire tourism supports the economy, I don't like their arrogance any more than the Chamoros do.

All I can say is "go with an open mind" the real locals are a very gentle, compassionate, generous people.

Avoid Tumon, it is the '5 star resort' area, (repeat Wakiki).

Enjoy your stepping stone (island) to the other islands in Micronesia, some of the best snorkeling/diving in the Pacific if not the world (and I have been to the Red Sea).

Allisbella

I agree whole heartedly. I was born and raised in Guam and also had the opportunity to travel throughout the world. I find Guam a great dicotomy of both, laid-back island life and touristic, label hungry, and fast paced. It is American as well as many different races and cultures. From Filipino, to Chinese, to Chamorro (the native culture). I was home just recently and spend the day riding my bike. I ended up on a nice secluded beach and laid down after a cool refreshing dip to soak up the intense sun. Later that night I went to the Micronesian Mall and had Sushi and surfed wifi on my Laptop and drank my Frappuccino. Then went to a wondeful night club on the beach called Jimmy Dees'. They had polynesian dancers and fire-twirling. Not to mention rum drinks standing ankle deep in the beach, where I forgot that even at night, the ocean is still warm. That day best summed up how diverse the island can be if you choose to make it. You can find anything materialistic and naturalistic you desire.