Guam, “where America’s day begins.” Well, this was certainly true for us. Guam is one hour ahead of Japan and is the first American territory in the Asia Pacific, which means it’s the first to see the sunrise before any other territories or states. We had been craving the sun after working the night shift for months, so waking up with the beautiful sunrise over a bay was precisely what we needed.

It’s incredible how easy it is to take the simple pleasures in life for granted, such as waking up with the bright burning ball of fire in the sky and going to bed with the lull of the moon. Without it, we were more than eager to arrive in Guam, be close to Japan, and have regular work time.

A Getaway in Guam

Our Guide for Your Guam Holiday

Guam is known for its beautiful crystal clear waters in the bay, shopping, and overall American tourism. However, our stay in Guam was slightly amended, given the COVID pandemic. Most restaurants had rules and restrictions limiting capacity, and most shops were often closed, especially in the main tourist areas. It’s a small island with limited healthcare facilities, so no surprise that they are cautious in protecting their people. So our experience may have been a little unusual. However, we could still explore much of the island via a car rental and see some beautiful sites. Guam is surrounded by rolling hills of jungle-like foliage, and what looks like a short trip can often be much longer than expected.

We initially thought we could get around the island without a car; however, public transportation is hard to come by. Many attractions and restaurants are spread out, more than we are accustomed to in Basel, Switzerland, where every few blocks have some sort of convenient public transportation. It’s much easier to rent a car to get to where you need to go.

We stayed in Guam for several weeks due to our situation. Still, a week-long stay would be adequate to capture all the sites. There are hiking trails, a variety of beaches, and locally-owned restaurants to make your visit unique.

What’s most special about Guam is the people. Here you’ll find an exciting diversity of heritage, whether local Guam citizens (Chamorro’s), military personnel from various branches, visitors from other Asia Pacific countries, or American travelers. Everywhere you go, you’ll be greeted with a warm Håfa Adai (welcome/good morning/evening), a smile, and excellent customer service. I can honestly say that we probably wouldn’t have intentionally made our way to Guam if it weren’t for our situation. We’ve wanted to experience Asia for a while, but it was nice to have a little piece of America with a bit of Guam spice.

Where to Stay

Our Pick: Tsubaki Tower

241 Gun Beach Rd, Tamuning, 96913, Guam | Website | More…

Since we've never been in a position where we considered Guam as a destination, so I wanted to be sure to do it right the first time! From the moment I searched for lodging options on Google and Airbnb, all arrows pointed to Tsubaki Tower. We quickly fell in love with Tsubaki Tower's large infinity pool and Nunu, the poolside bar and restaurant. Every room in Tsubaki has a killer view overlooking Tamuning Bay. The hotel also features several little cafes and bars in its interior, a large restaurant on its main floor, and a top-floor restaurant. Whether you want a classic Old Fashioned, a great glass of wine, and often live music, be sure to check out La Cantina, the rooftop bar. As always, we highly value excellent customer service. There's no shortage of excellent service from the friendly and oft-smiling faces at Tsubaki. Even with masks, the happy vibe radiates through. We, of course, have become somewhat regulars at NuNu bar, where AJ and Michael make the poolside bar experience that much more special!

Where to Eat

While there's no shortage of restaurants in Guam, here are some of our favorites from our few months in Guam!

Primo Pizzakaya

1370 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913 | Website

If you're like us and have those certain unique restaurants that you can spend $60-80, or splurge and spend $120, yet leave more satisfied and impressed than some more expensive places, this is your spot. I don't even think Guam is on Michelin's map, but it should be for Primo. All that matters is it's now on YOUR map. Primo is a creation by Chef Dylan Saad, an incredibly talented chef who is changing the game in Guam. Savage cranks out a fresh, innovative, and ever-changing menu that I can't get enough of. We made this a weekly staple because it's fantastic, and you can always get something different. The pies are incredible, so ask what they recommend as it will likely be different from what we had. For your sake, I hope the ribs are on the menu because they're the best we've had. No matter what, I'm confident you'll be impressed.

Savage Sandwich Co

1275 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913 | Website

First and foremost, arrive eager to feast! The servings are more than generous and wildly delicious. Savage is another creation of Chef Dylan Saad from the above Primo Pizzakaya. It has a very cool skateboarder theme with punk rock and alternative jams pumping through the restaurant! The menu is innovative, with specials and new sandwiches premiering monthly. The Belgium Style Fries come in various options, our favorite being 'De'Fancy' with a special sauce with finely chopped jalapeno. The Savage Reuben, The Klucker, and the Cubano are must-try dishes. My go-to is the Savageville Hot Chicken, a secret menu item.

Ban Thai Restaurant

971 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913 | Website

I'd been craving Thai throughout the entire quarantine week, and for me, delivery just doesn't do it justice. I needed fresh from the kitchen curry, and Ban Thai hit the spot! It was honestly some of the best Thai I've had, and that's saying a lot! I'm a bit picky with my curry, but especially so with my Pad Thai! Ban Thai checked all the boxes! The Pad Thai, Red Fish Curry, Duck Red Curry were all incredible. The portions are generous, and we often just shared one with an order of spring rolls! Definitely call ahead because they are often full!

Stax

110 W Soledad Ave, Hagåtña, 96913 | Instagram

A bit further down the strip, you'll find Stax. A burger and fries joint serving up some of the best burgers on the island. With a relaxed dark vibe inside, fantastic beer, and a cool music mix thumping all day, it's the perfect pairing to a simple menu of burgers and fries. The basics are the Classic or Classic Double, but I always drifted toward the spicy fresh Jalapeño Onion burger. Pair your favorite burger with Tots or Waffle Fries, and choose between a dip or a nice saucy topping! You really can't go wrong here, so just go with your cravings!

Caliente Restaurant

Archbishop FC Flores St, Hagåtña, 96913 | TripAdvisor

If you're craving Mexican fare, you'll find the best on the island at Caliente. Our car rental fee was worthwhile simply so we could hop in and roll to Caliente with any taco or burrito craving! So much so that we did it three times, even though it was a twenty-minute drive south. I was quickly hooked on the Carne Asada Burrito, the perfect burrito filled with Steak and Rice. The tacos and enchiladas are great there as well, but I was hooked on the burrito! We had to take advantage of the $2 Dos Equis Lager special on all of our visits because it's just unreasonable to pass up such a bargain.

The Beach Restaurant & Bar

96913 Gun Beach Rd, Tamuning, 96910 | Website

Some days call for a cold beer and a relaxing sunset. This was the case for several of our Friday nights. After a week of working, we'd walk down to The Beach for a couple Kona Big Waves and catch a sunset. It's one of the better places on the island for such a scene! They have cocktails, burgers, fish and chips, and a few other essential menu specials, including buckets of beers, for those really tough Fridays! The food is ok, but the beer is cold, and the sunsets are incredible!

Fuji Ichiban Ramen

932 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913 | Website

A trip to Guam is simply incomplete without a big bowl of Ramen. I'm convinced they may not get any bigger than those at Fuji Ichiban. Sure, you can try the spicy Mayo Sriracha Karaage Chicken, a Japanese fried chicken method, but do so knowing the delicious Tonkotsu Ramen will be quite the dish! The food is inexpensive and super fresh!

What To See and Do

It’s a small island but there’s enough here to keep you busy!

Rent a Car and Go!

I'm honestly not sure if it was an incentivized program due to the pandemic, but we could get a car for a great rate in Guam. First, I checked the airport services like Sixt, Budget, etc., but I quickly stumbled upon a $299/mo special in a Mazda 6 at RentaCar. It feels sort of sketch compared to the airport rentals, but it was a great car for very little money! You really do need a car if you are here for an extended length of time, but you still need one for the short term if you want to see the island. Guam is a small place and has beautiful corners tucked away on the shores.

Drive Around the Island

While it may look like a small island when browsing on Google Maps, it's pretty mountainous. The island is formed from volcanic soil over time, and the mountains make for a long journey around than you'd think. We drove southbound from Tsubaki, cruising around the coastline. We made it to the University before we turned back west to head to the hotel. This, in total, was a 3-hour cruise. There are tons of places to stop along the way, if only for some photos from overlooks and beaches!

Hike

As you know, we love a good hike! There's no shortage in Guam. Just be sure to wear the appropriate clothing and bring plenty of water. It's so hot here, and water is the top priority. Top trails you'll want to look into are Tarzan Falls, Mount Jumullong Summit, Pagat Caves, Mount Lam Lam, and Sella Bay. Did I mention bringing water?

Water Fun

Whether you enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or even jet skiing, you'll have a blast in Guam! There are so many bay areas and obviously beaches, you'll get your fill! There are all sorts of places around town to rent your supplies, especially near each bay!