Guam Travel Tips

Guam’s currency is the US Dollar (US$). One dollar is equal to 100 cents. Banknotes are presently issued in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins come in denominations of US$1; and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

The following currencies can be exchanged at the airport, banks, bureaux de change and hotels: Australian dollar, Deutsche mark, Hong Kong dollar, Japanese yen, Korean won and Philippine peso. ATMs are widely available, at which cash advances can also be transacted by credit card. Most credit cards are widely accepted, and travellers’ cheques can be changed at many banks, hotels, restaurants and shops.

Banks are open from 10:00 to 15:00, on Monday through Thursday; from 10:00 to 18:00, on Friday and from 9:00 to 12:00 on Saturday.

The import and export of foreign currency is not limited, as long as it is declared on arrival and departure.

Visitors are allowed to import the following items into Guam without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200g of tobacco (or a combination of the three); 3 bottles of spirits; perfume for personal use; and other goods up to a value of US$1000. Restricted items include flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, meats and meat products, narcotics and any items in breach of US copyright laws.

120 volts, 60 cycles with US plug patterns.

Most tourists do not encounter significant health problems when visiting Guam and no specific inoculations are required for entry. However, visitors are advised that Hepatitis A and B, tuberculosis and typhoid fever do occur. Dengue fever, diphtheria and Japanese encephalitis can occur as epidemics. If you are planning to swim or dive, be advised that jellyfish can also pose some threat.

Tap water is considered safe to drink, although as it is normally chlorinated it may cause mild abdominal upset with some visitors. Bottled water is readily available. Milk is pasteurised, and dairy products are also considered safe for consumption. Local meats and poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are normally safe to eat, although there is always a risk of illness from eating raw fish or shellfish.

Comprehensive health insurance is strongly advised, as the cost of health care in Guam is high. There is one civilian hospital, the Guam Memorial Hospital, which handles medical emergencies and there are various private clinics on the island.

Medical emergency telephone number: 911

Petty crime exists, particularly in Tumon, and the best way to avoid being a victim is to be aware of your belongings at all times. It’s best to keep your passport either locked away in a hotel safe, or carried in an under-clothing pouch. Also, avoiding walking alone at night and keeping to the more frequented areas will help ensure your safety.

As tourism is so vital to the island’s economy, safety is taken very seriously. The police have a dispatch centre in operation at all times, linking emergency medical dispatchers and police officers, who are skilled in determining the nature of an emergency, ensuring that the most urgent incidents are attended to rapidly.

Police emergency telephone number: 911

Western customs are well understood and it is likely that visiting Westerners will be more exposed to the customs of the visiting Japanese than the social conventions of the locals as Japanese tourists comprise approximately 90 per cent of Guam’s tourists. As is customary with the Japanese, you will note that extreme politeness is the norm.

Overall, the most evident Chamorro legacy is the language and a range of facial expressions used for communicating, called ‘Eyebrow’ - virtually a language in its own right.

Tipping from 10 to 15 per cent is standard in restaurants and hotels, and with taxi drivers. If a 10 per cent service charge is added to the bill, additional tipping is optional.

There is no VAT in Guam. Tax-free shopping is available at Guam’s international airport and designated shops around the island.

The country code for Guam is +671. Internet service is readily available, with wireless hotspots at the International Airport and the Micronesia Mall. Internet cafés can be found in Tumon.

GMT +10

No passport or visa is required of US citizens arriving from the US. All others must meet US passport and visa requirements. Canadians and those eligible for the visa waiver programme (citizens of Australia, Great Britain, Japan and New Zealand) may enter Guam for up to 15 days; nationals of all other countries must obtain a US visa in advance.