Guam travel and eSIM guide

Key takeaways

Guam is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands chain, an unincorporated US territory and one of the most strategically significant American military bases in the Pacific. For visitors it is a tropical beach destination with American standards and infrastructure: English everywhere, US dollars, US plug sockets and fast mobile data. DoCoMo Pacific (a subsidiary of NTT DoCoMo Japan) was the first operator to launch 5G in Guam and is the primary network. IT&E is the largest locally-owned carrier with strong south island coverage. A Roamix Guam eSIM activates before you fly and connects at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, served by flights from Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Australia and Honolulu.

• DoCoMo Pacific launched Guam's first 5G and is the technology leader. IT&E has the widest overall coverage including the southern villages and naval base areas. GTA TeleGuam is the local alternative.
• A Roamix eSIM activates before departure and connects to the best available Guam network on landing at Won Pat International Airport, used by millions of Japanese, Korean and Australian tourists annually.
• Guam uses US standards throughout: US dollars, Type A and B 120V power sockets, US food labelling and US emergency number 911. No currency exchange needed for US visitors.
• Tumon Bay is the tourist epicentre: a crescent of beach lined with Japanese-catering resort hotels, duty-free shopping malls and restaurants. The island extends south to quieter villages, jungle waterfalls and WWII history sites.
• Guam is a key layover and transit hub for Japan-Australia and Japan-US routes. Even a 24 to 48-hour transit is enough to explore Tumon Bay and Two Lovers Point.

Resort Wi-Fi in Tumon Bay is generally fast and reliable, particularly in upmarket Japanese-catering properties like the Guam Marriott, Westin and Hilton. Smaller guesthouses in Hagatna and the south villages have slower connections. DoCoMo Pacific 5G in Tumon Bay is often faster than resort Wi-Fi in practice.

• 5 GB

  Tumon Bay beach and resort holiday (one week)

  In-resort use with good Wi-Fi supplementing data needs. 5 GB covers daily navigation, social media, messaging and light streaming away from the resort.

• 8 GB

  Island explorer (full Guam including south villages and WWII sites)

  Moving across the island with regular navigation, downloading WWII site audio guides, dive booking and active social media posts from multiple locations.

• 10 GB

  Dive and outdoor adventure trip

  Multiple dives at Blue Hole, Tumon Bay Reef and Crevice with dive log apps, weather apps, regular photo uploads from shore and evening streaming at the resort.

1. 1

   Purchase a Roamix Guam eSIM plan at roamix.app and receive the QR code by email.

2. 2

   Go to Settings, then Cellular or Mobile Data, then Add eSIM, and scan the QR code.

3. 3

   Set the Roamix eSIM as your data line; keep your home SIM for calls and texts if needed.

4. 4

   Enable data roaming on the Roamix eSIM in your cellular settings.

5. 5

   On landing at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport your eSIM connects to DoCoMo Pacific or IT&E automatically.

Visa on arrival

Available

eVisa or ETA

Under the GCWVP, eligible nationals do not need to apply in advance. Bring a completed I-736 form (Guam-CNMI Visitor Permit), available on the flight. Check the US CBP website for the current list of GCWVP eligible countries.

Passport validity

Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay is required.

Onward ticket

Onward or return ticket is required. Immigration officers at Won Pat Airport do verify this.

Download your hotel booking confirmation and return flight details offline before landing. Won Pat Airport immigration can be slow for large aircraft arrivals; working data for messaging your hotel while waiting is useful.

Guam entry requirements differ from US mainland requirements. Verify current GCWVP eligibility at the US Customs and Border Protection website (cbp.gov) before travel.

Guam has no internet censorship. US First Amendment standards apply. All mainstream apps and streaming services are freely accessible.

• WhatsApp, works

  Works fully. Widely used by international visitors and Filipino-American communities in Guam.

• Google Maps, works

  Works fully with excellent Guam data including dive sites, beaches and hiking trails.

• FaceTime, works

  Works fully over 5G and resort Wi-Fi.

• Uber, blocked

  Uber does not currently operate in Guam. Taxis and local rideshare services (iRide Guam) are available.

• Netflix, works

  Works fully. US Netflix catalogue available on US territory. 5G in Tumon Bay enables smooth 4K streaming.

• iRide Guam, works

  Local rideshare and taxi booking app for Guam. Download before arrival for airport and inter-island transfers.

• National Park Service App, works

  Essential for the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. Download park maps for WWII site navigation.

• Rental car

  Essential for south Guam, Talofofo, Ritidian and WWII site exploration. Most major rental agencies have counters at Won Pat Airport. US driving licence accepted. Google Maps navigation works throughout Guam with offline map downloaded.

• Taxi and iRide Guam

  Taxis are available from the airport (taxi stand outside arrivals) and from major hotels. The iRide Guam app provides local rideshare service. Roamix data enables app booking from the terminal.

• Hotel shuttle bus

  Most Tumon Bay resort hotels run complimentary shuttles to the airport and to DFS T Galleria duty-free shopping. Limited to the Tumon Bay corridor. Check schedules with your hotel on arrival using Roamix data.

• Island Hop Guam ferries

  Ferries run from Merizo Pier to Cocos Island (a small uninhabited coral atoll off the south coast with a beach park). No signal on the crossing. Download Cocos Island map offline before boarding in Merizo.

Cards and cash

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted everywhere in Tumon Bay: hotels, restaurants, duty-free shops and dive operators. Cash is useful for local restaurants in Hagatna, the Yigo and Inarajan village markets and small roadside food trucks. Contactless and Apple Pay are increasingly accepted at larger venues.

ATMs

Bank of Guam, First Bank of Guam and Bank of Hawaii ATMs are available throughout Tumon Bay and in major shopping centres. Airport ATMs charge fees; better rates at bank branch ATMs in Tumon Bay or Hagatna. Japanese yen and Korean won can be exchanged at DFS T Galleria and major hotel front desks.

Payment apps

Apple Pay and Google Pay work at major retailers and hotels throughout Tumon Bay. Zelle and Venmo are used by American community members but not relevant for tourist transactions. DFS Galleria has its own shopping reward app for Japanese-market visitors.

Tipping

Guam follows US tipping norms. Restaurant service: 15 to 20 percent. Taxi drivers: 10 to 15 percent round-up. Hotel housekeeping: USD 2 to 5 per day. Dive guides: USD 10 to 20 per dive or day trip. Duty-free shopping staff do not expect tips.

Language

English is the official language and lingua franca of all commerce, government and tourism in Guam. Chamorro, the indigenous language of the Chamorro people, is co-official and taught in schools. Japanese is widely spoken in Tumon Bay due to the dominant Japanese tourist market. Filipino languages (Tagalog, Ilocano) are spoken by the large Filipino-American community.

Food

Chamorro cuisine is distinctive and deeply local: kelaguen (marinated raw or grilled chicken or beef with lemon, coconut and hot peppers), red rice (coloured with achote seeds and traditionally served at every feast), pancit (Filipino-influenced noodle dish), empanada (meat-filled pastry from Spanish influence), and the ubiquitous plate lunch of rice, barbecue chicken and finadene sauce (Chamorro hot sauce). The Chamorro Village Night Market in Hagatna every Wednesday night is the best food experience in Guam. Japanese and Korean restaurant options in Tumon Bay are excellent and numerous.

Plugs

120V, Type A and B plugs

Apps worth having

• iRide Guam

  Transport

  Local rideshare app for Guam. Use for airport transfers, Tumon Bay to Hagatna trips and when you prefer not to drive.

• Scubaboard / DiveAdvisor

  Diving

  Dive site reference apps covering Guam's Blue Hole, Crevice and Tumon Bay reef sites. Download site briefings offline before each dive.

• National Park Service

  Sightseeing

  Official NPS app with offline maps and audio guides for the War in the Pacific National Historical Park battle sites including Asan Beach, Fonte Plateau and Nimitz Hill.

Stay reachable

Keep your Roamix eSIM active when driving south Guam's coastal roads, hiking Talofofo or visiting Ritidian Beach in the north. Signal coverage is thinner in these areas, so cache offline maps before departure from Tumon Bay and ensure your emergency 911 is accessible.

Health

Guam operates under US healthcare standards. Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning and Naval Hospital Guam (military, limited civilian access) are the main facilities. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for non-US visitors, as healthcare costs in Guam match US pricing.

Tap water

Tap water in Guam is treated and safe to drink throughout the island. The Guam Waterworks Authority maintains treated water supply. Bottled water is widely available and commonly served at resorts.

Typical speeds

DoCoMo Pacific 5G in Tumon Bay delivers 150 to 600 Mbps. IT&E 4G in central and southern Guam delivers 30 to 100 Mbps. GTA TeleGuam 4G delivers 20 to 80 Mbps.

5G

5G is live via DoCoMo Pacific across Tumon Bay, Tamuning and central Hagatna. Expanding south toward Dededo and Barrigada.

The interior jungle of the central plateau and some southern coastal areas around Umatac Bay and Cetti Bay overlook areas can have weaker 4G signal. The Guam National Wildlife Refuge in the north tip and the Ritidian Beach area have limited coverage. Most tourist areas, hotels, dive sites and beaches have strong 4G or 5G. Guam uses US-compatible LTE bands and 5G NR bands (Bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 66). All US-market iPhones work natively. Most international unlocked iPhones (XS and newer) and recent Android devices support the relevant bands. Guam uses 120V power with Type A and B (US-standard) sockets.

Off the beaten path

1. March

   MagellanFest

   Umatac, South Guam

   An annual festival in the village of Umatac commemorating Ferdinand Magellan's landing in Guam in March 1521, historically the first European contact with Micronesia. Features a reenactment of the landing, Chamorro cultural performances, traditional food, and the annual Miss Umatac Bay pageant.

2. March

   Guam Marathon

   Tumon Bay and coastal roads

   An international marathon drawing runners primarily from Japan, South Korea and the US mainland who combine the race with a Guam beach holiday. The course covers the Tumon Bay resort strip and portions of the scenic coastal highway. A signature Pacific destination race event.

3. May

   Guam Micronesia Island Fair

   University of Guam Field House, Mangilao

   An annual festival celebrating the traditional cultures of Micronesia: Guam, the Northern Marianas, Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and the Marshall Islands. Traditional crafts, food, dance, navigation demonstrations and canoe racing bring together the island cultures of the Pacific in one extraordinary gathering.

4. July 21

   Liberation Day

   Hagatna and Tumon Bay

   Guam Liberation Day commemorates the American liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation on July 21, 1944. The largest public event in Guam, featuring a military parade through Hagatna, fireworks over Tumon Bay, a Liberation Day Carnival and village fiestas across the island. The most important day on the Guam calendar.

5. September

   Guam BBQ Block Party

   Hagatna Waterfront

   A popular outdoor barbecue and music event celebrating Guam's outdoor grilling and fiesta culture on the Hagatna waterfront. Local restaurants, food trucks and home cooks compete and sell traditional Chamorro barbecue dishes alongside live local music. A signature community event of the Guam summer season.

6. October 31

   Halloween in Tumon Bay

   Tumon Bay Street

   As a US territory, Guam observes Halloween with significant enthusiasm. Tumon Bay's main strip transforms into a costume parade, with hotels and stores competing for the most elaborate decorations. The Chamorro Village holds a Halloween market. A colourful cultural snapshot of Guam's American-Pacific hybrid identity.

7. November

   Guam Visitors Bureau Food and Culture Festival

   Hagatna and Tumon Bay

   An annual celebration of Chamorro cuisine and island culture organised by the Guam Visitors Bureau. Features traditional kelaguen, red rice, pancit and barbecue cooking demonstrations, Chamorro craft vendors and live dance and music performances.

8. Varies (typically late year)

   Guam International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup

   Guam Olympic Shooting Range

   Guam hosts international shooting sports events as part of the ISSF World Cup circuit, drawing Olympic-level competitors from across Asia and the Pacific. Guam's shooting programme has produced Olympic qualifiers and is a point of local sporting pride.

9. Multiple events year-round

   Guam Ko'ko' Road Races

   Various courses, Guam

   Named after the endangered flightless Guam rail bird (ko'ko'), the Guam Ko'ko' Road Races series features multiple running events throughout the year including a half marathon, 10K and 5K. Courses showcase Guam's coastal and jungle scenery and the events draw participants from the military and civilian community.

10. Varies (multi-year cycle)

    Festival of Pacific Arts

    Guam (hosted periodically)

    The Festival of Pacific Arts (FestPAC) is the premier cultural gathering of Pacific nations, rotating hosting between Pacific territories and nations every four years. Guam has hosted FestPAC twice. When in Guam, the event brings together over 25 Pacific nations for traditional arts, dance, navigation and craft for a two-week celebration.

Through the year

Spring

April to June is a pleasant shoulder period: dry season extending into May, with June bringing the first humidity of the new rainy season. Good value accommodation. The Micronesia Island Fair in May is a highlight. Dive visibility is excellent in April and May with the clearest water of the year.

Summer

July to September is the heart of Guam's rainy season and typhoon risk period. Humidity is at its highest and afternoon tropical downpours are daily. The Japanese school summer holiday (July to August) coincides, making Tumon Bay very busy with Japanese family tourists despite the weather. July 21 Liberation Day is the biggest holiday. Typhoon risk is real; monitor JTWC forecasts.

Fall

October to November sees the rainy season tapering. Humidity begins to drop by November. Typhoon risk recedes after October. Hotels offer better rates as Japanese school holiday season has ended. The Guam BBQ Block Party in September and food festivals in November provide cultural engagement.

Winter

December to March is dry season and peak tourism. Humidity drops, temperatures are 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, and the island is at its most comfortable. December and January are the busiest months with Japanese and Korean New Year travellers. The Guam Marathon in March and MagellanFest also draw visitors. Book well in advance for this period.

Connection

DoCoMo Pacific 5G in Tumon Bay delivers speeds far exceeding what most professional remote workers need. Tumon Bay hotel business centres and some cafes offer co-working-style environments.