Social ConventionsWestern customs are well understood – for the visiting Westerner it is quite likely that it will not be the customs of the locals that have to be observed, but those of the visiting Japanese who make up around 90% of the island’s tourists. The most evident Chamorro legacy is the Chamorro language and a range of facial expressions, called ‘Eyebrow’, which virtually constitutes a language of its own.
International Travel:Getting There by AirVirgin Atlantic (website:
www.virgin-atlantic.com) flies regularly
to Narita (Tokyo, Japan), where passengers can connect with a
Continental Micronesia (website:
www.continental.com) flight to Guam. Other airlines serving Guam include
Air Japan,
All Nippon Airways (website:
www.ana.com),
Korean Air (website:
www.koreanair.com),
Northwest Airlines (website:
www.nwa.com) and
Philippine Airlines (website:
www.philippineairlines.com).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsAntonio B Won Pat International Guam Airport (GUM) (website:
www.airport.guam.net) is 11km (7 miles) from the city.
To/from the airport: Taxis are available, most hotels have courtesy vehicles for airport transfers.
Facilities: Bureau de change, free hotel telephones, duty-free shop, car hire, restaurant, coffee shop and cocktail lounge.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Apra Harbour is the principal port in Micronesia and a port of call for the following
shipping lines:
American President (website:
www.apl.com),
Kyowa (website:
www.kyowa-line.co.jp),
Micronesia Transport and
Maersk Sea-Land Services (website:
www.maersksealand.com).
OverviewThe following may be imported into Guam without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200g of tobacco (or a combination of the three).
• Three bottles of spirits.
• A reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.
• Goods up to the value of US$1000.
Note: Prescription medication should indicate the medicine is used under the doctor’s supervision.
Prohibited ImportsFruit, vegetables, flowers and plants; livestock and meat products; narcotics; items in breach of US copyright law.
Internal Travel:Getting Around by RoadBus: The
Guam Mass Transit Authority operates buses on nine routes, connecting nearly all the villages on the island. Buses do not run on Sundays or public holidays. In addition to the public transit buses, there is also a bus route to select areas including most major shopping centers as well as the hotels in Tumon and Hagåtña. To identify pick up and drop off points look for the bus signs.
Taxi: Fares are metered. Taxis are available near major shopping centers and at hotels.
Car hire: Available through most major companies. Hire can be arranged at offices throughout the island including the airport and hotel lobbies.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or a US license is required.
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