Tumon is Guam’s beach and hotel district: a gentle crescent of white sand about 3 km (2 miles) long on the island’s west coast, sheltered by a reef that keeps the lagoon calm, shallow and turquoise. Along it stand most of Guam’s large resort hotels, and behind them Pale San Vitores Road, the main street, is lined with restaurants, bars, duty-free stores, malls, dinner shows and tour desks, signed in English, Japanese and Korean. Families come for safe swimming, snorkeling among fish in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve and water parks; couples for the sunsets from Two Lovers Point on the cliffs at the north end; and shoppers for luxury brands with no sales tax. Guam International Airport is about 10 minutes away, and Hagåtña, the capital, with its Spanish plaza, museum and Wednesday night market, is 15 minutes south. Tumon is also the base for exploring the rest of the island, from the World War II beaches of War in the Pacific National Historical Park to the forts and waterfalls of the south. It is warm all year; the dry season from January to May brings the calmest, sunniest days.
Right now in Tumon
- Wed 24–30°C 76–85°F 16 mm Heavy rain
- Thu 24–32°C 75–89°F 11 mm Heavy rain
- Fri 25–31°C 76–88°F 19 mm Heavy rain
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ
Top tours in Tumon
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Tumon at a glance
- Best months: January to May for dry, sunny weather and calm water; July to November is wetter, with the greatest typhoon risk.
- Getting there: Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Tamuning is about 10 minutes by car or taxi.
- Getting around: walk along the bay and Pale San Vitores Road; tourist trolleys, taxis and rental cars for the rest of the island.
- Time needed: three to five days in Tumon, with day trips to Hagåtña and the south.
- Entry (as of October 2026): US rules apply, plus the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program with its online ETA, and everyone completes the Guam Electronic Declaration Form; see our Guam travel guide.
Tumon’s areas and who each one suits
North Tumon and Gun Beach
The northern end of the bay curves toward the cliffs of Two Lovers Point. Gun Beach, named for a Japanese coastal gun still in place there, and neighboring Fai Fai Beach have more coral, fish and dramatic sunsets, plus a few beach bars. Resorts here are slightly quieter, and the reef edge is close, so currents are stronger; it suits confident snorkelers and couples.
Central Tumon and Pale San Vitores Road
The heart of Tumon is the strip of big beachfront hotels and the busy road behind them, with malls, duty-free stores, restaurants of every kind, karaoke and nightlife. It suits first-time visitors, families who want everything within walking distance, and shoppers. The beach in front is wide, shallow and calm.
South Tumon and Ypao Beach Park
At the southern end, Ypao Beach Park is the island’s best-known public beach park, with picnic shelters, lawns and good snorkeling, popular with local families on weekends. Matapang Beach Park, nearby, is another public beach. Hotels here are close to the beach parks and to the San Vitores shrine.
Upper Tumon and Tamuning
On the plateau above the bay, Upper Tumon and Tamuning have mid-range and business hotels, apartments, the large shopping malls, supermarkets and local restaurants, and are close to the airport. They suit travelers with a car or those on a tighter budget who don’t need a beachfront room.
Top things to see in Tumon
Tumon Bay and the marine preserve
The bay’s lagoon is part of the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve, one of Guam’s five marine preserves, where fishing and collecting marine life are restricted. Because of that, the shallow water is full of reef fish, and you can snorkel straight from the beach in water often less than chest deep. The best coral and fish are at the north end near Gun Beach and around the channels toward the reef, but stay well inside the reef crest, where currents and waves are dangerous. Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear can be rented from beach huts and hotels.
Ypao Beach Park
This public beach park at the south end of the bay has shade trees, picnic pavilions, restrooms and calm water. It hosts community events and is a good place to see local families enjoying the beach on weekends. The adjacent reef is good for beginner snorkelers.
Two Lovers Point (Puntan Dos Amantes)
At the northern end of Tumon, limestone cliffs rise more than 100 m (330 feet) above the sea. A park with an observation deck at the edge, which charges a small entry fee, gives a sweeping view over Tumon Bay and the Philippine Sea. According to CHamoru legend, two young lovers, forbidden to marry, tied their hair together and leaped from the cliff to stay together forever. It is a popular wedding and sunset spot, with a café and gift shop.
Gun Beach and the sunset
Gun Beach takes its name from a rusting Japanese coastal defense gun at the end of the beach, one of many World War II relics on the island. Walk along the sand at low tide to the gun and the cliffs, snorkel over the coral close to shore when the sea is calm, and stay for sunset, which is often spectacular, with the silhouette of Two Lovers Point.
The San Vitores shrine and church
Tumon is named in Guam’s history as the place where the Spanish Jesuit missionary Diego Luis de San Vitores was killed in 1672, a turning point in the conflict between the Spanish and the CHamoru. A small shrine marks the site near the beach, and the church named for him stands on Pale San Vitores Road.
Shopping on Pale San Vitores Road
Tumon’s shopping district has duty-free galleries with luxury brands, open-air plazas, outlet-style stores and souvenir shops. With no general sales tax on Guam, prices are attractive for visitors from Asia. Larger malls in Tamuning and Dededo sell everyday American brands.
Dinner shows and nightlife
Several hotels and venues stage dinner shows with Pacific island dance, fire performers and illusionists, along with bars, karaoke rooms and live music along the main road. Nightlife is mostly lively but relaxed.
Other things to do in Tumon
- Snorkeling and paddleboarding: rent gear on the beach and stay inside the reef.
- Diving: dive shops pick up from Tumon hotels for sites such as the Blue Hole, a vertical shaft in the outer reef, and the wrecks in Apra Harbor.
- Dolphin watching: morning boat trips from Apra Harbor look for spinner dolphins off the west coast.
- Parasailing and jet skis: operators run from the bay and from Apra Harbor.
- Water parks and family attractions: resort water parks and aquariums suit children.
- Golf and shooting ranges: both popular with visitors from Asia.
- Spa days: most big hotels have spas.
Food and drink
Tumon has the widest choice of restaurants on Guam: steakhouses, seafood grills, sushi bars, Korean barbecue, ramen, Filipino and American diners, and hotel buffets. For CHamoru food, look for red rice, chicken kelaguen, barbecue ribs and chicken with finadene sauce, kadon pika (spicy chicken stew) and coconut desserts; several local restaurants in Tumon and Tamuning serve them, and the Wednesday night market at the Chamorro Village in Hagåtña is the classic place to try them. Tipping is customary, as in the US mainland.
Day trips from Tumon
Hagåtña
Fifteen minutes south, the capital has Plaza de España, the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, the Guam Museum, Latte Stone Park and Fort Santa Agueda. Go on a Wednesday to combine sightseeing with the Chamorro Village Night Market, with food stalls, crafts and live music.
War in the Pacific National Historical Park
About 20 minutes south, the National Park Service protects Asan Beach, where US Marines landed on 21 July 1944, the Asan Bay Overlook with its memorial walls and other sites around the west coast. Pillboxes and guns remain along the shore. Admission is free.
The southern loop
A full-day drive around the south takes in the Cetti Bay overlook, Umatac and Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, built by Spain in 1802–19, Merizo and the boat to Cocos Island, the natural pools at Inarajan and Talofofo Falls. Start early and carry water.
Saipan
A 45-minute flight north takes you to Saipan, in the Northern Mariana Islands, for Managaha Island, the Grotto and the World War II cliffs of Marpi. The same ESTA, US visa or G-CNMI ETA covers both islands.
Nearby destinations
- Saipan212 km
Getting there and getting around
By air
Guam International Airport (GUM) is in Tamuning, about 10 minutes from Tumon. United Airlines flies from Honolulu, Japan, Manila, Palau, Saipan and Micronesia; Korean and Japanese airlines fly from Seoul, Busan, Tokyo and other cities. Many flights from Asia arrive late at night, and hotels often run airport shuttles.
From the airport
Taxis wait outside arrivals and take about 10 minutes to most Tumon hotels (about US$20–30). Many hotels and tour companies offer transfers, and rental car desks are at the airport.
Getting around Tumon
Tumon is easy to walk, along the beach or the sidewalks of Pale San Vitores Road; use the crosswalks, as traffic is busy. Tourist trolley buses loop between the hotels, malls and other attractions, with single-ride and multi-day passes. Taxis can be found at hotels.
Driving
Rent a car for trips beyond Tumon. Guam drives on the right with US-style roads and signs. Speed limits are generally 35 to 45 mph (55 to 70 km/h), lower in villages and school zones. Parking is easy at most beaches and attractions, but don’t leave valuables in the car.
When to go and how long to stay
Tumon is warm all year, with highs of 30 to 31 °C (86 to 89 °F) and lows around 24 to 26 °C (75 to 78 °F). The dry season from January to May has the least rain; July to October is the wettest period, with frequent heavy showers. Typhoons are most likely from about July to November but can occur in any month.
| Month | Guam high / low | Rain | Days with 2.5 mm (0.1 in) or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 / 24 °C (86 / 75 °F) | 136 mm (5.3 in) | 11 |
| Feb | 30 / 24 °C (86 / 75 °F) | 105 mm (4.2 in) | 9 |
| Mar | 31 / 24 °C (87 / 76 °F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8 |
| Apr | 31 / 25 °C (88 / 77 °F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 8 |
| May | 31 / 25 °C (89 / 78 °F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 9 |
| Jun | 32 / 26 °C (89 / 78 °F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 14 |
| Jul | 31 / 25 °C (88 / 77 °F) | 311 mm (12.2 in) | 18 |
| Aug | 31 / 25 °C (87 / 77 °F) | 449 mm (17.7 in) | 19 |
| Sep | 31 / 25 °C (87 / 76 °F) | 385 mm (15.2 in) | 19 |
| Oct | 31 / 25 °C (87 / 77 °F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 18 |
| Nov | 31 / 25 °C (88 / 77 °F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 14 |
| Dec | 30 / 25 °C (87 / 77 °F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12 |
Figures are NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Guam International Airport, about 4 km (2.5 miles) from Tumon: mean daily maximum and minimum temperature, total rainfall and days with at least 2.5 mm (0.1 in) of rain.
How long to stay: 3, 5 and 7 days
- 3 days: two beach and snorkeling days in Tumon with sunset at Two Lovers Point, and a half day in Hagåtña (on a Wednesday for the night market).
- 5 days: add War in the Pacific National Historical Park and a full day on the southern loop, or a dive or dolphin trip.
- 7 days: add Cocos Island, a hike with a guide and a two-night side trip to Saipan.
Events
Liberation Day on 21 July brings a big parade in Hagåtña and carnivals; village fiestas fill weekends through the year; and the Ko’ko’ Road Race, Guam’s half marathon, often starts near Tumon. Asian holiday periods, such as Lunar New Year, Golden Week and Chuseok, make Tumon especially busy.
Where to stay in Tumon
- Beachfront resorts: the large hotels along the bay, with pools, water parks, kids’ clubs and direct beach access; the most convenient choice for families.
- Mid-range hotels one block back: lower prices, a short walk to the beach and the main road.
- Upper Tumon and Tamuning: business hotels and apartments near the malls and the airport, best with a car.
- Hagåtña: a few hotels near the capital for travelers more interested in history and culture than the beach.
Rates are quoted before the 11% hotel occupancy tax, and many resorts add a daily resort fee.
Typical costs in Tumon
| Item (as of October 2026) | Price in US dollars |
|---|---|
| Beachfront resort room, per night | about US$200–400 |
| Mid-range hotel room, per night | about US$130–220 |
| Hotel occupancy tax | 11% of the room rate |
| Taxi, airport to Tumon | about US$20–30 |
| Tourist trolley day pass | about US$15–25 |
| Snorkel gear or paddleboard rental, per hour | about US$15–30 |
| Two Lovers Point observation deck | small entry fee |
| Casual meal | about US$15–30 |
The hotel tax is from the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation; all other prices are typical ranges, not official figures.
Safety in Tumon
- Reef and currents: swim and snorkel inside the reef. The reef edge and channels have strong currents and breaking waves, especially at the north end; read warning signs.
- Coral and sea life: wear water shoes, don’t stand on coral, and avoid touching anything you don’t recognize.
- Sun: UV is intense; use coral-safe mineral sunscreen and a rash guard.
- Children: Guam law forbids leaving children unattended, including in hotel rooms and cars.
- Traffic: Pale San Vitores Road is busy, especially at night; use crosswalks.
- Belongings: don’t leave valuables on the beach or in parked cars.
- Typhoons: if a typhoon threatens, follow the National Weather Service, Guam Homeland Security and your hotel’s instructions.
- Emergencies: call 911. The Guam Visitors Bureau runs a 24-hour visitor hotline with language support.
Practical tips for Tumon
- Time zone: Chamorro Standard Time, UTC+10, with no daylight saving.
- Money: US dollars; cards are accepted almost everywhere. Tip as in the US mainland.
- Power: 120 volts with US plugs.
- Arrival form: complete the Guam Electronic Declaration Form up to 72 hours before landing.
- Shopping: no general sales tax; returning US travelers have a US$1,600 duty-free exemption from Guam.
What to pack for Tumon
Swimwear, a rash guard, coral-safe mineral sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, water shoes, a snorkel mask if you have a good one, light summer clothes and something smart-casual for dinner, a compact umbrella or rain jacket in the wet season, and insect repellent for trips into the countryside.
Tumon travel FAQ
Is Tumon Bay good for snorkeling?
Yes. The bay is a marine preserve with calm, shallow water and plenty of fish close to shore. The north end near Gun Beach has the best coral; always stay inside the reef.
How far is Tumon from Guam’s airport?
About 10 minutes by car or taxi. Taxis cost about US$20–30, and many hotels run shuttles.
What is Two Lovers Point?
A cliff-top park at the north end of Tumon Bay with an observation deck over 100 m (330 feet) above the sea, linked to a CHamoru legend of two lovers who leaped together. There is a small entry fee for the deck.
Do I need a car in Tumon?
Not for Tumon itself, which is walkable and served by tourist trolleys. Rent a car for a day or two to visit Hagåtña, the war sites and the south.
Where is the best beach in Tumon?
The central bay is best for calm swimming and families; Ypao Beach Park for public facilities and picnics; and Gun Beach for snorkeling and sunsets, with more care needed for currents.
When is the night market near Tumon?
The Chamorro Village Night Market is held every Wednesday evening in Hagåtña, about 15 minutes from Tumon.
Is shopping in Tumon tax-free?
Guam has no general sales tax, so prices in Tumon’s stores carry no added tax. Hotels charge an 11% occupancy tax on rooms.
What is the best time to visit Tumon?
January to May, the dry season, for the sunniest days and calmest water. The wet season from July to November brings more rain and typhoon risk.
Is Tumon safe at night?
Generally yes. Stay in well-lit areas, use crosswalks on the busy main road, keep valuables secure and don’t drink and drive.
Can I visit Hagåtña from Tumon by trolley?
Yes. Tourist trolley routes connect Tumon with several stops including the Chamorro Village area; check current routes and times, or take a taxi.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 5 October 2026. Tumon Bay, Ypao Beach Park, the Wednesday night market, historical sites, safety tips and entry information come from the Guam Visitors Bureau; War in the Pacific National Historical Park from the National Park Service; the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program from US Customs and Border Protection; the hotel occupancy tax from the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation; the US$1,600 exemption from CBP; climate from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Guam International Airport. Hotel, transport, rental and meal prices, Two Lovers Point details, flight routes and drive times are general estimates or secondary sources. Prices change, so check before you go.
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