Guam Travel Tips

Car Renal

Although there’s several rental car services in Guam, most can be super expensive as they are geared towards tourists. The alternative is Andy’s Car Rentals. I will admit I have heard that the cars aren’t in the best shape, but hey they’re cheap and they will get you from point A to point B. I think last time I checked the rentals were going for $16 a day. You’ll need a car in Guam if you want to explore. The only public transportation is taxi’s and they are overpriced. Guam also has a Uber service called “Stroll Guam”. This is an affordable option if you don’t have a rental car.

Accommodation

Book through Airbnb if you’re trying to travel on a budget. Most hotels are fancy and cost an arm and a leg to stay in. If you’re looking for long term housing, checkout the Guam Facebook sites, as they are always posting available rooms.

Shopping

If there’s anything in particular you need check at Ross before going to other stores. It’s the same price as on the mainland and you’re bound to find some island steals. Everything in Guam is more expensive, then you go to Kmart and it’s triple the normal price. Crazy stuff. I buy all my toiletries, clothes, and even snacks at Ross.

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Hiking

Be sure to always go hiking with someone who knows the area. 90% of the hikes in Guam are unmarked and it’s easy to get lost. Also ask the local what type of hike it is and what type of gear you need. I underestimated the hikes in Guam and got tore up on my first one. The sword grass is no joke.  Needless to say I learned my lesson and I’ll be hiking with long pants and gloves from now on. It’s also important to not leave anything valuable in your car when you leave for your hike. The island is notorious for having car robberies. Depending on the location, sometimes it’s best to take your valuables with you and leave your car doors unlocked. That way if someone wants to get in, they don’t have to break the window. They can just open it, see there’s nothing valuable in it, and leave. This hasn’t happened to me but it’s always good to take precaution.

Scuba Diving

Guam has several opportunities for getting SCUBA certified and they’re very affordable! When I got here, I heard rumors that it’s way cheaper to get certified here then most other places. Now I’m not sure what the typical price is, maybe $300-$400? My open water PADI certification only cost me $200. There’s two dive shops on the island that offer classes, but there’s multiple private instructors. Do your research, ask around, and choose a reputable instructor.

Local Food

One of the higher expenses in Guam is food. Typically grocery store prices are almost double what they would be back home. It’s also not easy to find cheap meals at restaurants on the island. You can definitely eat between $10-$15 but doing that for every meal adds up. I forgot to mention how hard it is to find healthy food on this rock too. Most restaurants don’t offer many healthy selections, and if you want to shop for nutrition it’s going to cost you. Although the island’s land isn’t very utilized for agriculture, there are a few local options. Every Saturday and Sunday there is a farmers market in Dededo. Locals gather to sell fresh produce at a reasonable price. There’s also a few farmers Co-Ops on the island. There locations change often so just ask a local what is available.