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Guam, a pale sand beach lined with coconut palms and a low stone wall beside turquoise water
Oceania

Travel to Guam: cheap flights to Guam

A US territory in the Mariana Islands, about three hours by air from Japan and the Philippines, Guam combines CHamoru traditions that go back thousands of years, the beaches of Tumon Bay and the memory of the Pacific war. Here is what to know before you go, and how to watch fares to Guam.

Capital

Hagåtña

943 residents in 2020

Population

~168,000

2020 census: 168,485

Area

~545 km²

About 48 km long

Currency

US dollar

USD

Languages

English, CHamoru

Filipino widely spoken

Highest point

Mount Lamlam

About 407 m

Status

US territory

Unincorporated, US citizens

Time zone

UTC+10

No daylight saving

Airports covered

1

Guam (GUM)

A slice of America in the western Pacific

CHamoru culture over 4,000 years old

The CHamoru have lived here for millennia. Latte stones, megalithic pillars found only in the Marianas, once held up houses, and inafa'maolek, harmony, remains a core value.

Beside the Mariana Trench

Challenger Deep, Earth's deepest point at about 10,900 m, lies south-west of the island. Mount Lamlam, about 407 m, is billed as the tallest mountain on Earth when measured from the trench floor.

Asia three hours away

A US territory where you pay in dollars, Guam draws mainly Japanese visitors, then Koreans, Filipinos and Taiwanese. The result is lively beaches and plenty of flight connections.

Beaches, reefs and diving

Tumon Bay is a marine preserve, with snorkelling at Ypao Beach Park, coral reefs and calmer outings around Piti. Water that stays near 27 C all year is the island's first card.

Tumon, Hagåtña, the south and Ritidian Point

Tumon, the beach strip

Tumon Bay is Guam's tourist hub, with more than twenty large hotels, calm water and a marine preserve. Ypao Beach Park is the place to swim and snorkel, and a tunnel through the cliffs, used by Japanese forces during the war, leads to the bay.

Guam, a sandy beach lined with palm trees, seafront hotels and a headland in the distance, above a turquoise lagoon
Guam, a hotel swimming pool among palm trees facing the ocean, with a rainbow in the sky

Hagåtña, the historic capital

With fewer than a thousand residents, Hagåtña was founded by the Spanish in 1668. You can see Plaza de España, remains of Spanish rule, the cathedral-basilica and Fort Santa Agueda; the Chamorro Village Night Market runs every Wednesday evening.

War in the Pacific park

War in the Pacific National Historical Park has six units, including the Asan Bay Overlook honouring those killed during the Japanese occupation and the battle of 21 July to 10 August 1944. Liberation Day on 21 July is the island's main holiday.

The south and Ritidian Point

In the south, Umatac, where a marker recalls Magellan's 1521 arrival, and Inarajan are linked by scenic roads dotted with waterfalls. In the north, Ritidian Point in the Guam National Wildlife Refuge offers a beach and limestone forest.

Guam, aerial view of a rocky shoreline, turquoise sea and forest

Red rice, kelaguen and village fiestas

Chamorro cooking centres on red rice coloured with achiote, chicken kelaguen dressed with lemon and coconut, and barbecue served at village fiestas. Japanese, Korean, Filipino and American restaurants are everywhere, and a specialty coffee scene is growing.

Guam has no general sales tax, which keeps shopping simple. Spanish rule left its mark on surnames and on a strong Catholic tradition, while the southern villages keep a slower pace than Tumon.

Rental cars, hotel shuttles and regional flights

Guam has no rail: a rental car is the easiest way to reach the south and Ritidian, and traffic drives on the right. In Tumon, hotel shuttles and taxis are enough. The international airport sits in Tamuning and Barrigada, about 4.8 km east of Hagåtña.

To add other stops, Guam links to Saipan, Koror, Manila, Tokyo, Seoul and Honolulu. Nearby you could add the Philippines or Japan; because Guam is a US territory, the United States page gives the wider picture. Palau and Micronesia are neighbouring destinations.

A drier season from December to May

PeriodClimateWorth knowing
December to MayDrier, afternoon highs around 30 C, March driest at about 70 mmBest time for beaches and diving
JuneTransition between dry and wet seasonStill pleasant
July to NovemberFrequent rain, July and August around 450 and 385 mmShowers, seas less calm at times
August to NovemberHighest typhoon riskAvoid if your dates are flexible

The mean annual temperature is about 27.6 C and roughly 2,500 mm of rain falls a year. The latest major typhoon, Mawar, hit in May 2023. Entry follows US rules and depends on your nationality: check with the authorities before you travel.

The Guam airport covered by SniperAir

GUM

Antonio B. Won Pat International

In Tamuning and Barrigada, about 4.8 km east of Hagåtña: the island's only international airport and a United Airlines hub, linked to Tokyo, Seoul, Manila, Taipei and Honolulu.

Frequently asked questions about Guam

Which airport do I fly into for Guam?

There is just one: Antonio B. Won Pat International (GUM), in Tamuning about 4.8 km east of Hagåtña. It has flights from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and Hawaii.

When is the best time to travel to Guam?

December to May is drier. July to November is the wet season, and the typhoon risk is highest from August to November.

Is Guam expensive?

Prices are in US dollars and close to the mainland, with the priciest rooms around Tumon. Compare offers with our partners before booking.

Do I need a visa for Guam?

Guam follows US entry rules: a visa or electronic authorisation depending on your nationality. Check with the authorities before you travel and keep a valid passport.

How long should I stay in Guam?

Four to seven days cover Tumon, Hagåtña, the south and Ritidian. Guam pairs well with Palau or Japan.

How do I get alerted when a flight to Guam drops below my budget?

Create a SniperAir alert with your departure airport and Guam as destination. We watch prices and notify you when an opportunity matches. See how it works.

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