Guam travel guide
The highest point on Guam is Mt. Lamlam with its staggering height of 406 m. It's possible to hike to the peak and back in about 3-4 hours. The route can and should also include the second-highest peak, Mt. Jumullong Manglo, which is often mistaken for Mt. Lamlam from the distance, as it's covered in with crosses (it's a sacred Catholic site). A fun-fact; Mt. Lamlam actually starts at the bottom of the Mariana Trench 10,994 m below, suddenly making Mt. Lamlam the highest mountain on the planet.
Hidden in a residential neighbourhood lies this WWII memorial. It's unusual that it commemorates the Japanese. The centerpiece is a 15 m tall monument that abstractly depicts hands in prayer. It was here the head commander of the Japanese forces committed harakiri as it was clear that the Americans will over run them. Walk down the stairs to the bamboo forest, where there are several caves used by the japanese. You can crawl into them, if you’re not afraid of the dark and getting dirty.
A black sand beach popular with surfers. It's actually one of the few beach on Guam not protected by an inner reef.
There are quite a few of these random leftovers from when Guam was a Spanish colony (1565-1898). This is an old stone arch bridge from the late 19th century. It has been damaged, but you can still walk across it.
Talofofo Falls Resort Part is strange amusement park. Kitch attractions falling apart mixed with modern zipline and cable car. But inside the park are the Talofofo Falls, which actually are nice. But they are super Disneyfied and you can't swim there, just look at them. The park also includes a replica of Yokoi's Cave, another weird - though fascinating - sight.
Tamuning is Guam tourist central. And there is nothing wrong with the reef-calmed water and long white sandy Tumon Beach, but it’s fringed by high-rise hotels. The main street runs one block up and is lined with a mix of fashion brand stores, restaurants, fun parks (shooting range, anyone?), and the odd adult store. You don't have to be a genius to figure out that the main tourists are Japanese, Korean and Chinese for many advertisements are quadrilingual. But tourism is a big thing for Guam (second after the US military), so no reason to be surprised.
This trail connects two of the most beautiful beaches on Guam, namely Gun Beach and Fai Fai Beach. It's a short trail, which starts at the north end of Gun Beach, where the gun actually stands. Then climb the side of the cliff and then around at water level. It's well made with fence, rope and boardwalk. The reward for the small struggle is the drop-dead gorgeous Fai Fai Beach, which can only be reached by this trail.
During the colonial times, a wealthy Spanish businessman had arranged for his daughter to wed a powerful Spanish captain. She, however, fell in love with a modest Chamorro man. The father, the captain and some soldiers pursued the young couple up to the high cliff above Tumon Bay. Trapped between the edge of the cliff and the marching soldiers, the two lovers tied their hair together and throw themselves of the cliff. Or so the legend goes. Today, the viewpoint is one of Guam's biggest attractions and the entrance fee gives you access to the overhanging walkway. It's, of course, very popular for wedding photos. Though the sweeping view along the coast is spectacular, the view of the cliff is actually best down from Tamuning.
It was in Umatac Bay the first (known) European, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, sat foot in 1521 (though some drawings from the navigator's diary suggest that it might have been Tumon). Later during the Spanish colonization, Umatac became an important port for the Pacific trade. When the Spanish eased their Pacific crossings, Umatac golden era came to a halt. Today, the small town is just a nice stop with photo opportunities of the beautiful bay, the bridge and the fort up on the hill, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad.
As Highway 2 rolls over the "mountainous" southwest Guam, it possible to stop at three viewpoints; Sella Bay Overlook, Cetti Bay Overlook, and Southern Mountains Lookout. From Cetti Bay Overlook there are nice views of both Mt. Lamlam (406 m, highest on Guam) and Mt. Jumullong Manglo (391 m, 2nd highest). The Mt. Lamlam trail also starts here.