After my Cali–Michigan trip, I headed back to the Philippines to prep for another holiday. For my mom’s birthday, my family spent 7 days and 6 nights in Guam, one of the US territories in the Micronesia sub-region of the western Pacific Ocean. We initially wanted to go to New York, San Francisco (again, for me!), or even Hawaii, but because we only had 7 days to spare, it was more financially logical to just go to Guam.

Guam vs. Mainland: Why Do Pinoys Choose Guam Instead of Mainland USA?

While this US territory isn’t the most popular holiday choice for Filipino citizens carrying a US visa (most would rather travel to mainland USA), I can see the practical appeal of Guam.

Unlike a Manila to San Francisco non-stop flight that takes over 12 hours, the flight from the Philippines to Guam is only about four hours (3h 45m). A roundtrip Manila-Guam flight is more affordable at around ₱20,000 ($335) per passenger compared to a Manila-SFO or LA flight that costs anywhere between ₱60,000-120,000 ($1,000-2,000) per passenger.

As for the food, shopping, and hotels, Guam’s price range is similar to New York and LA, sometimes even more expensive. This is my second time in Guam (the first was in 2010), and having just returned from Cali, I easily noticed that when it comes to commercial consumerism, Guam has limited options. I still prefer the shopping and dining experience in the US mainland.

But that’s not to discount Guam’s shopping experience. As tourists, my family had a blast swiping our credit cards in the shops around Guam. We found some good deals that could rival the outlet stores on the mainland, while the prices for designer luxury goods are much cheaper in Guam than in Manila. No wonder Pinoy celebrities like to go to Guam for a quick luxury shopping spree. When comparing the prices of designer bags such as Prada and Marc Jacobs, it’s around P5,000-10,000 cheaper for a mid- to small-sized designer bag in Guam than in Greenbelt, Makati.

Best of all, Guam does not impose a general sales tax, unlike in mainland US where every purchase, from food to apparel, has an additional sales tax (i.e 8.625% in San Francisco and 9.5% in Los Angeles).

Where To Stay in Guam

In 2010, we stayed in Fiesta Resort (now Crowne Plaza Resort Guam). This time we booked one of their best beachfront hotels—Dusit Beach Resort Guam. For ₱15,000 ($260) per room per night (2 adults), it was a pretty good deal.

Our veranda gave us a breathtaking view of Tumon Beach and Guam’s shopping strip. Every morning we had a filling continental and Asian buffet. My nephew had a ball at the family-friendly pool with a water slide and fun kiddie activities.

As a Pinoy, by default, I always compare beachfronts with Boracay’s White Beach during peak season. I’m glad to report that Tumon Beach, our part in front of Dusit Beach Resort Guam, had enough water activities (such as kayaking and paddleboarding) to keep their guests occupied, but it’s not as overcrowded and overwhelming as Boracay’s Station 2. We sunbathed and swam in peace.

The Duty-Free Shops are connected to our hotel, while other commercial establishments are within walking distance. There was a show band (guess the nationality of the singers and musicians!) every night and fun hotel activities from morning to late afternoon.

Getting Around Guam

In 2010, my father rented a car and used his international license to drive us around Guam. This year we decided to try the Red Shuttle Bus, a convenient bus system that takes tourists to the popular malls, hotels, and tourist spots. The price is $7 per ride, $15 per day, $20 for a two-day ride-all-you-can ticket, $25 for 3 days, $30 for 4, and $35 for the 5-day pass.

The only downside is that the last ride of the Guam Red Shuttle is at 9pm and it doesn’t cover distant spots. They don’t have Grab or Uber in Guam, but they do have a local ride-hailing app called Stroll, which we didn’t try. They have taxis that are easy to contact (just ask help from the concierge or security of the malls or establishments). We paid about $30 one-way per vehicle, which fits four adults and one child.

Things to Do In Guam

We skipped the activities we already did back in 2010 (such as Two Lovers Point and a self-drive tour circling the entire island), while I was outnumbered by my entire family who did not want to do the outdoorsy adventures (such as exploring Guam’s waterfalls). Boo!

What became our main agenda for Guam was: SHOPPING!

For 7 days, when we weren’t hitting the hotel pool and Tumon Beach, we were busy exploring the top shopping spots in Guam, such as:

 

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1. DFS

The Duty-Free Store chain has several locations around the world, including Guam. I used to ignore these shops as a kid and rebellious teen and only started appreciating the DFS deals when, as an adult, I became more interested in designer bags. The DFS shops in Guam are run by mostly Filipinos, and they’re not as snooty as the designer store employees in other countries.

They also have great discounts and bundle deals. For example, I got a Marc Jacobs bag that’s cheaper by ₱5,000 in Guam compared to the one I saw in Greenbelt, Makati. Tip: Sign up for the DFS Circle (Membership Program). Use it in any DFS shop around the world for rewards points and extra discounts.

2. Guam Premium Outlets

Including the artistically painted carabaos outside, GPO hasn’t changed much since we first visited this place in 2010. They don’t have as many brands as the outlet shops in California, but if you browse through GPO’s Famous Footwear and branded shops such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, you’ll find some good deals.

They also have Ross, a Fil-Am community favorite, a shop that my family will never skip! For drinks and grub, head to the Food Court or dining options a stone’s throw away, like Ruby Tuesday. Tip: Because this is an outlet store on a remote island, lower your expectations for finding the latest trends or styles.

3. JP Superstore

A quick walk from our hotel along Pale San Vitores Road, this shopping mall gives off a Nordstrom-meets-Serremonte vibe. Unlike GPO, JPS has a bigger selection of brands—though not tagged with outlet prices. They have a branch of Honolulu Coffee Company and the classic Fridays, where we had my mom’s birthday lunch.

4. Micronesia Mall

This mall is exactly as I remember it in 2010. It’s like going to a multiverse of Greenhills Shopping Center but with our American favorites, such as Macy’s, Foot Locker, Denny’s, and Winchell’s Donuts. It’s one of the stops of the Red Shuttle.

5. Agana Shopping Center

Except for the huge Ross where we spent hours splurging on clothes and beauty products, Agana feels like you’ve time-traveled to the malls of the ’90s and early aughts. As a Filipino, my favorite part of this mall is the SM Island (yes, a small version of the Filipino SM!) with a big BDO poster of Piolo Pascual in front. It’s like I never left home! Tip: This area isn’t covered by the Red Shuttle route, so get ready to book a cab.

6. ABC Stores

Originally from Hawaii, the ABC Store is more common than a Starbucks or McDonald’s in Guam. You’ll find an ABC Store in almost every corner, and my shopaholic family entered every single one! A souvenir shop and convenience store in one, ABC stores are often full of tourists getting late-night snacks and last-minute souvenirs or groceries. Tip: The souvenirs and grocery goods are more expensive here, but it’s super accessible to hotels, especially when the neighboring malls have already closed.

7. K-Mart

For old-time’s sake, we fueled up with pizza and pasta from K-Mart’s Little Caesar’s (a classic from the ’90s!) before a whole day of shopping. Though not as abundant as the ones that used to dominate mainland USA, Guam’s K-Mart is still alive and thriving.

In case you didn’t know, K-Mart closed its last full-scale store in mainland USA this year. I hope this one in Guam doesn’t fold as they have better deals than the other department stores on the island.

What I loved most about K-Mart Guam is its massive area for Guamanian souvenirs—from chocolate-covered macadamia nuts to magnets. Tip: Buy your magnets, t-shirts, and other souvenirs in K-Mart instead of the ABC Stores. It’s much cheaper here.

8. Chamorro Night Market

If it’s your first time in Guam and there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s the Chamorro Night Market. Chamorro Village on its own draws tourists daily, but it’s their Wednesday Night Market that’s most happening.

 

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Come to immerse in the local culture—dancing, music, woodworks, and arts and crafts. And of course it’s the best spot for your food trip, where you can sample a little bit of everything—from traditioal Chamorro eats to tropical fruits and good ol’ American snacks and desserts.

What’s New in Guam: Village of Donki

Comparing this 2024 trip to our 2010 Guam trip, I noticed that nothing much has changed in Guam, which isn’t a bad thing. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Guam has such a throwback, chill vibe. You can drive around the entire island in half a day—hence, all the “hafa adai” jokes that my brother-in-law quipped.

But there is one new, standout establishment here that my family loved: Village of Donki (also known as Don Don: Donki). It’s Guam’s franchise of the popular Japanese chain, Don Quixote. Cue the Donki song! After breaking ground in 2020 and being pushed back because of the pandemic, The Village of Donki finally opened its doors in April 2024.

While Guam’s Donki carries a mix of souvenirs, kawaii merch, fresh produce, and groceries, I noticed it isn’t purely Japanese fare. They also offer items from other Asian countries, including the Philippines.

Other highlights of Donki are the gachapon machine area and food hall. My foodie sister zeroed in on the baked sweet potato stand, reminiscent of our Japan trip in 2018, while my mom and I got our caffeine and dessert fix from Boong’s Café and Infusion Coffee.

They even have their own Donki Bus, similar to the Red Shuttle, which takes tourists to and from Donki. Open 24/7, Donki is shaking up the retail game in Guam.

Is Guam Worth Visiting?

I’ve had mixed feedback from Filipino friends who have been here. Some love Guam so much that they come back every year, while others feel like it didn’t meet their expectations.

I’m somewhere in the middle—or better yet, off-center gearing towards the positive side. As celebrity Eric Tai once put it, “Guam is the perfect getaway destination for Filipinos looking for an American experience on a beautiful island without having to travel far.” I agree.

In 2010, as a younger traveler, I had a different impression of Guam as I was expecting a modern, fast-paced experience. But now that I’m a more seasoned traveler, I appreciate remote tropical islands that urge you to disconnect and be in the moment. Guam gave me the chill break I needed—that and really good designer bag deals.