{"id":17525,"date":"2019-09-23T10:00:45","date_gmt":"2019-09-23T00:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theguamguide.com\/?p=16285"},"modified":"2020-01-09T16:30:46","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T06:30:46","slug":"15-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-guam-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archives.theguamguide.com\/ja\/15-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-guam-2\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Things to Know Before You Go to Guam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guam is unique and complex. It looks like one thing on the surface, but it’s entirely another animal underneath. Save time, money, and embarrassment on your trip (or move) to Guam with these tips! You can thank us later.<\/p>\n

Chamorron <\/em>is not a word<\/h3>\n

\"chamorro-village-man\"<\/p>\n

Newbies mistake the name of Guam’s indigenous people with the insulting misnomer ‘Chamorron.’ The correct designation,\u00a0Chamorro<\/em>,\u00a0describes\u00a0the people, language, food, and culture. Chamorros consider themselves Americans and have all the rights of U.S. citizenship. Respect them by not inserting “moron” into any part of their moniker.<\/p>\n

The rest of Guam looks nothing like Tumon<\/h3>\n

\"tumon-strip-1\"<\/p>\n

Let’s face it, Tumon would fit right in at Disney’s Epcot Center as Americaland<\/em>. That’s all well and good, but there is more to Guam than luxury shopping and hamburgers. The few square miles of Guam’s tourist center are perfect for lodging, shopping, dining, entertainment, and beaches, however, to experience the island’s historical sites<\/a>, rugged beaches<\/a>, and rolling hills, venture outside\u00a0of Tumon. Read our guide to a Lazy Southern Drive<\/a>\u00a0or Go North!<\/a><\/p>\n

You will have Shark’s Cove<\/a> to yourself<\/h3>\n

\"sharks-cove-beach-fisherman-H\"<\/p>\n

In fact, there are many exotic beaches<\/a> that are often void of any people, especially the secluded ones! Most visitors head straight to Tumon Bay\u00a0simply because it’s close, convenient, and easily accessible. Follow our directions\u00a0and maps<\/a> to explore the island’s most rugged, dramatic, and secluded beaches from Ritidian<\/a> to Talofofo Bay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hire a car, bus, or taxi to get around<\/h3>\n

There’s no public transportation<\/a> system to speak of, so budget time and money to hire a car, bus, or taxi. A\u00a0free budget template<\/a>\u00a0is always a great option for this (and usually free too). Guam may look compact on a map, but you can\u2019t get very far on foot due to the heat, distance, and lack of signage or sidewalks outside of\u00a0Tumon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

View the Red Trolley route<\/a>\u00a0from to\/from Micronesia Mall and major hotels. Most visitors use the trolley or taxi, which is more expensive.\u00a0View an interactive map<\/a>\u00a0of trolley stops.\u00a0Read more<\/a>\u00a0about\u00a0transportation on Guam<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There’s no such thing as a fast lane<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Research shows (and Guam proves) that life near the equator just moves slower than elsewhere. There are no freeways and no fast lanes on Guam, but who needs one when you’re on vacation?\u00a0Residents\u00a0are notorious for running red lights and pausing at green ones. Take a chill pill and just go with the (slow) flow when you get behind the wheel. \u00a0Remember that you probably came to Guam to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life anyway.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Guam in this movie<\/h3>\n