Guam has no public bus system available to tourists. The island measures approximately 30 miles long and 4 to 12 miles wide. Most visitors rent cars at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Tamuning. Rental agencies include major international brands and local operators. Driving occurs on the right side of the road. Speed limits range from 15 miles per hour in residential areas to 45 miles per hour on Route 1, the main highway connecting Hagåtña to northern villages like Dededo and Yigo.
Taxi services operate from the airport and major hotels in Tumon Bay. Taxis use meters or charge flat rates depending on the company. Hotel shuttle services run between Tumon hotels and shopping centers. Several tour operators offer fixed-route shuttle buses that stop at major attractions including Two Lovers Point, Ritidian Point, and War in the Pacific National Historical Park. These shuttles require advance booking and operate on limited schedules.
The distance from Tumon Bay to Hagåtña is approximately 3 miles. Tumon to Ritidian Point in the north spans roughly 18 miles. Tumon to the southern villages of Umatac or Inarajan requires 25 to 30 miles of driving each way. Roads in the southern volcanic region follow winding coastal routes. Route 4 connects northern and southern portions of the island along the eastern shore. Apra Harbor sits on the western coast near the Orote Peninsula.
Walking works within Tumon Bay's hotel district where shopping centers, restaurants, and beaches cluster within a one-mile radius. Sidewalks exist along Pale San Vitores Road, the main commercial strip. Most other parts of Guam lack continuous sidewalks or pedestrian infrastructure. Bicycles face similar limitations outside Tumon due to narrow roads and limited bike lanes.
Ride-sharing applications operate on Guam but with fewer drivers than major U.S. cities. Response times vary by location and time of day. Availability drops significantly outside Tumon and Hagåtña. Private tour companies offer day trips to specific sites including Cocos Island, which requires boat access from Merizo. No ferry services connect different parts of the main island.
Guam sits at 13 degrees north latitude in the western Pacific Ocean. The island experiences a tropical marine climate with two recognized seasons. The dry season runs from December through June. The wet season spans July through November. Average annual rainfall totals approximately 95 inches, with most precipitation falling during wet season months.
Temperatures remain consistent year-round. Daily highs average 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit across all months. Nighttime lows range from 74 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity stays elevated throughout the year, typically between 70 and 80 percent. Trade winds from the northeast provide some cooling effect, particularly from January through March.
Typhoon season officially runs from June through December, with peak activity occurring between August and October. Guam experiences an average of one to two typhoons annually, though some years pass without direct hits. Typhoon Paka struck in December 1997 with sustained winds exceeding 150 miles per hour. Typhoon Pongsona hit in December 2002 causing extensive infrastructure damage. Typhoon Mawar passed over Guam in May 2023 as a Category 4 equivalent storm. These storms cause airport closures, power outages lasting days to weeks, and hotel service disruptions.
Tourism peaks align with dry season months and visitor origin patterns. Japanese tourists historically formed the largest visitor group, with peak arrivals during Japanese holidays including Golden Week in late April to early May, and New Year periods. South Korean visitors increased through the 2010s with similar holiday-driven patterns. U.S. mainland visitors arrive more consistently throughout the year but increase during summer months when school breaks occur.
Hotel rates and flight prices rise during December through March and again during Japanese and Korean holiday weeks. The period from April through June excluding Golden Week offers lower accommodation costs with continued dry weather. September and October present the highest typhoon risk. November transitions toward drier conditions but remains within official typhoon season. January through March provides the most reliable weather with moderate tourist density and prices compared to December.
Ocean conditions for swimming and diving remain suitable year-round at protected beaches along Tumon Bay and Asan. Visibility for diving typically improves during dry season months. Swells increase along exposed coasts during wet season. Water temperature stays between 80 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit across all months.
Guam uses the United States dollar as its currency. Prices reflect the island's remote location, limited agriculture, and dependence on imported goods. Nearly all food products, building materials, vehicles, and consumer goods arrive by container ship or aircraft. This import dependence creates prices typically 30 to 50 percent higher than comparable items in U.S. mainland states.