Guam Short Escape: 4 Days Tropical Beaches & WWII History

Tour Overview

Experience the tropical beauty and fascinating history of Guam on this 4-day short escape, from the capital of Hagåtña to the beautiful Tumon Bay, the historic WWII sites of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, the beautiful beaches and coral reefs for snorkeling, and the traditional Chamorro culture. Guam, a U.S. territory in the Western Pacific, is the largest island in Micronesia, famous for its beautiful tropical beaches, its crystal-clear waters, its vibrant coral reefs, its fascinating WWII history (Guam was the site of heavy fighting during WWII), and its unique Chamorro culture.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Guam & Tumon Bay

Arrive at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (Guam). Transfer to your hotel in Tumon Bay (the main tourist area of Guam, with its beautiful beach, its luxury hotels, its shopping malls, its restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife). Explore Tumon Bay: visit the beautiful Tumon Beach (a beautiful white sand beach with crystal-clear turquoise water, protected by a coral reef, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing), the various hotels and resorts, the shopping malls (including the Micronesia Mall, the largest mall in Guam, and the various duty-free shops), the restaurants, and the beautiful waterfront. Visit the nearby Two Lovers Point (Puntan Dos Amantes, a beautiful cliffside lookout with stunning panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding coastline, with its famous legend of two lovers who jumped from the cliff rather than be separated). Visit the beautiful viewpoint and enjoy the stunning views. After lunch, visit the Guam Museum (in Hagåtña, with its exhibits on the history, culture, and natural heritage of Guam, including the ancient Chamorro culture, the Spanish colonial period, the WWII period, and the modern era). Visit the Plaza de España (the historic Spanish colonial plaza in Hagåtña, with its remaining Spanish colonial structures including the Chocolate House, the Azotea, and the various other ruins). Visit the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica (the main cathedral of Guam, in Hagåtña, with its beautiful architecture and the statue of Santa Marian Kamalen (Our Lady of Camarin), the patroness of Guam). Visit the various historic sites in Hagåtña. Evening welcome dinner with Guamanian cuisine including red rice (a Chamorro staple, rice cooked with achote/annatto seeds), kelaguen (a Chamorro dish of meat or seafood marinated in lemon juice and coconut), finadene (a Chamorro sauce), fresh seafood, and coconut. Overnight in Tumon Bay.

Day 2: WWII History Tour – War in the Pacific National Historical Park

Full day tour of the WWII historic sites of Guam. Guam was a U.S. territory before WWII, captured by the Japanese in December 1941, and liberated by the U.S. in July 1944 in the Battle of Guam, one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War, with over 20,000 casualties. Visit the War in the Pacific National Historical Park (a U.S. National Historical Park commemorating the WWII battles in the Pacific, with several units on Guam including the Asan Beach Unit, the Agat Beach Unit, the Piti Guns Unit, the Fonte Plateau Unit, and the Mt. Alifan Unit). Visit the Asan Beach Unit (the site of the northern landing beaches of the U.S. forces on July 21, 1944, with its beautiful beach, the historic landing beaches, the various monuments and memorials, and the stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding cliffs). Visit the Asan Bay Overlook (a beautiful viewpoint with stunning panoramic views of Asan Bay, the landing beaches, and the surrounding area, with its memorial wall listing the names of the U.S. servicemen and the Guamanians who died in the battle). Visit the Agat Beach Unit (the site of the southern landing beaches, with its beautiful beach, the historic landing beaches, and the various monuments). Visit the Piti Guns Unit (the site of three Japanese coastal defense guns that were used to defend the island during the battle, with the guns still in their original positions). Visit the Fonte Plateau Unit (the site of the Japanese command post during the battle, with its beautiful views and the historic remains). Visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (if time permits, or the various other WWII memorials and cemeteries on Guam). Visit the War in the Pacific National Historical Park Visitor Center (with its excellent exhibits on the WWII battles in the Pacific, the Battle of Guam, and the various artifacts and displays). After lunch, visit the South Pacific Memorial Park (a beautiful Japanese memorial park in Yigo, commemorating the Japanese soldiers who died in the Battle of Guam, with its beautiful peace memorial, the various monuments, and the peaceful setting). Visit the Last Japanese Stronghold (the site of the final Japanese resistance in the northern part of Guam, with its caves and the historic remains). Visit the various other WWII sites and memorials on Guam. Evening return to Tumon Bay. Dinner with Guamanian cuisine and fresh seafood. Overnight in Tumon Bay.

Day 3: Beaches, Snorkeling & Chamorro Culture

Full day enjoying the beautiful beaches and coral reefs of Guam, and experiencing the traditional Chamorro culture. Morning visit the beautiful beaches of Guam: visit Ypao Beach (a beautiful beach in Tumon Bay, with its crystal-clear water and beautiful coral reefs just offshore, perfect for snorkeling), Gun Beach (a beautiful beach with excellent snorkeling, with a sunken Japanese shipwreck just offshore that is teeming with marine life), Faifai Beach (a beautiful beach with its stunning scenery and the nearby ancient Chamorro latte stones), and the various other beautiful beaches. Go snorkeling at the beautiful coral reefs around Guam, which are teeming with marine life including tropical fish, coral, sea turtles, rays, and various other species. Visit the sunken shipwrecks just offshore (including the Japanese shipwreck at Gun Beach and the various other wrecks around Guam). After lunch, visit the Gef Pa’go Cultural Village (in Inarajan, a beautiful traditional Chamorro cultural village that showcases the traditional Chamorro way of life, with its traditional thatched-roof huts, its demonstrations of traditional crafts including weaving, pottery, and cooking, its traditional dances and music, and its beautiful setting on the coast). Take a guided tour of the cultural village, learn about the traditional Chamorro culture and way of life, watch traditional craft demonstrations, and enjoy a traditional Chamorro meal. Visit the nearby Inarajan Natural Pool (a beautiful natural pool formed by lava rocks, with its crystal-clear water and the beautiful ocean views, perfect for swimming). Visit the nearby ancient Chamorro latte stones (the iconic stone pillars of the ancient Chamorro culture, consisting of a base (haligi) and a cap (tasa), used as pillars for traditional Chamorro houses, found throughout Guam and the Mariana Islands). Visit the various latte stone sites around Guam, including the famous latte stones at the Latte Stone Park in Hagåtña (with its eight large latte stones moved from the ancient Chamorro village of Mepo’ and the Fena area). Visit the nearby village and meet the local Chamorro people, learning about their culture and traditions. Evening enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Farewell dinner with traditional Chamorro cuisine and fresh seafood, reflecting on the incredible experiences of Guam. Overnight in Tumon Bay.

Day 4: Guam & Departure

Morning free for a final beach day, snorkeling, or relaxation at one of the beautiful beaches of Guam. Visit the Tumon Beach or the various other beautiful beaches for a final swim and snorkel. Do some last-minute shopping for Guamanian products including traditional Chamorro crafts, jewelry, art, local products, and duty-free goods. Visit the Micronesia Mall or the various duty-free shops for souvenirs. Visit the Guam Museum for a final look at the exhibits, or relax at a café overlooking the ocean. After lunch, transfer to Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 4-day Guam short escape of tropical beaches and WWII history.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses