The southernmost and largest island of the Mariana Archipelago gives guests the opportunity to get acquainted with virgin nature surrounded by the most wild Pacific Ocean, go diving, get acquainted with the culture of the local Chammoro people, absorb the sun and freedom of this distant fragment of the Earth.
Geography of Guam
Guam is the largest island in the Marianas archipelago, located in the western Pacific Ocean, and the closest to the deepest point on our planet – the Mariana Trench. The island has a rather modest size, its length from north to south is only 50 kilometers, and in the narrowest part from west to east – 12 kilometers. The total area is 541 km². The surface of the island varies considerably as you move along it, if the northern part of Guam is a limestone plateau of ancient corals, then the southern part is hilly and composed of volcanic rocks. In the northwest and north, the plateau has sharp, hard-to-reach cliffs near the ocean coast. The highest point of the island is Mount Lamlam, its height is only 406 meters above sea level.
Capital
hagatna
Area
The area of Guam is 541 km. sq., occupies the 192nd place in the world by area.
Population
159 358
Currency
The state currency is the US dollar (USD).
Language
Official language – English, Chamorro
Visa to Guam
Since January 15, 2012, the facilitated visa regime allows citizens of the Russian Federation to visit Guam for tourism purposes without the need to apply for a visa. To obtain permission to stay in Guam for up to 45 days, you will need a foreign passport with a validity of at least a week after visiting the island, a reservation for a room in one of the local hotels and a return ticket. If you plan to stay in Guam for a longer period, you can obtain a visa from the US Embassy. It’s worth clarifying that despite being close to the US, a Guam entry permit does not allow you to enter the US without a visa.
Weather in Guam
The island of Guam has a classic tropical monsoon climate, the weather is stable and practically does not change during the year. The average annual temperature is comfortable 26-27°C. From May to November, the rainy season begins in Guam under the influence of the southwest monsoon. The precipitation level in August is 410mm. From January to April, the dry and windy season lasts, in which the amount of precipitation is minimal and reaches a maximum of 55 mm. The island is open to typhoons and tsunamis, which rage here mainly in the summer. All tourist infrastructure in Guam is built with this factor in mind and is protected from such natural disasters. Thanks to a comfortable climate throughout the year, Guam can be visited year-round, focusing only on your personal preferences and free time.
Currency exchange in Guam
The main currency of Guam is the US dollar, you can cash out a bank card at ATMs at the airport, hotels and bank branches. Cashing travelers checks in US dollars will also not be a problem. You can exchange currency at the branches of local banks, which work in the following hours: Monday – Thursday – from 10:00 to 15:00, Friday – from 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday – from 9:00 to 12:00. Exchanging currency with illegal money changers is highly discouraged due to the high risk of fraud.
Electricity
Voltage 110V, 60Hz. There are two types of sockets: type A (two vertical flat pins) and type B (two vertical flat and one D-shaped ground pin). Adapters can be found in almost any hotel.
Religion
Officially, more than 85% of local residents of Guam are Catholics, most of the remaining citizens are atheists.
Security
Guam is a relatively safe island with a low crime rate, but petty theft and currency exchange fraud have not been canceled. For your own safety, do not visit remote (especially Philippine) areas alone at night, do not carry large sums of money, documents and other valuables with you, which are best kept in a hotel safe.
Health
No special vaccinations are required to visit Guam. Tap water is quite clean, but to be completely sure of your own safety, it is better to use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. While swimming, be careful, in some areas of the island, depending on the time of year, tidal currents are possible, out of which it is necessary only in a spiral, and not directly. Check with the locals or hotel reception for the current situation before entering the water.