Hagåtña
Hagåtña (pronounced huh-GAHT-nya) is the capital of Guam. It is the island's second smallest village in both area and population. Hagåtña is the seat of local government and one of the island's major commercial districts. It has a population of only 1,100, but the surrounding metropolitan area is much larger.
Understand
Formerly known as Agana in English, Hagåtña (also spelled as Hagatna on various publications) is now known by its original name in the native Chamorro language, which was restored in 1998. It is speculated that Hagåtña roughly translates as "related to Agat" or "more/better Agat," Agat being a southern Guamanian village where the founders of Hagåtña are thought to have migrated from.
From the 18th through mid-20th century, it was Guam's population center; but following heavy bombardment during World War II, much of the village was destroyed and a majority of Hagåtna's population permanently relocated to neighboring villages. It was rebuilt to include large government and office buildings, and storefronts.
Get in
By plane
The main airline serving Guam is United Airlines, which offers non-stop service to Honolulu and Tokyo with onward connections from either airport to Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington-Dulles. It also offers non-stop flights from Guam to most major cities in Japan, Hong Kong, Palau, Manila and Cebu City in the Philippines, and many of the Federated States of Micronesia.
All other service to Guam is through East Asia on Delta Air Lines, and JAL (both serving Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya), Jeju Air (Seoul), Jin Air (Seoul), Korean Air (Seoul and Osaka), ANA (Osaka), China Airlines (Taipei), Eva Air (Taipei) and Philippine Airlines (Manila).
See
- 🌍 Fort Santa Agueda, Fort Ct (off Hwy 7). Ruins of a Spanish fort, built around 1800, and used as a signal station until 1933. During World War II, when Guam was oocupied by the Japanese military, it was converted to a gun emplacement. There is a great view of Guam from here.
- 🌍 Pacific War Museum, 6th St, ☏ +1 671-477-8355.
- 🌍 Guam Museum, 193 Chalan Santo Papa Juan Pablo Dos, ☏ +1 671-727-2935, info@guammuseumfoundation.org. Exhibits on the history of Guam, plus a cafe and gift shop. $3 per person.
- 🌍 Fish Eye Underwater Observatory, 818 N Marine Corps Drive Piti, ☏ +1 671 475 7777. Daily 9AM-5PM. Underwater observatory where visitors can view marine life. They also offer dolphin watching cruises and other cultural shows and events.
- 🌍 San Carlos Falls (intersection of Larson Road and Turner Court). Trail to San Carlos Falls which is a waterfall with a popular swimming hole. Trail can be very steep and slick after a decent rainfall and it is recommended to bring mosquito repellent. Free.
Buy
- 🌍 Chamorro Village, 169 W Marine Dr Agana Heights, ☏ +1 671 475-0376. Marketplace known for merchants selling locally made items along with many food vendors.
Eat
- 🌍 MainStreet Delicatessen & Bakery, Herman Cortez Ave (between Aspinall Ave and Padre Polomo), ☏ +1 671 479 3354. M-F 6AM-2PM, closed Sa Su. Donuts, baked goods, and sandwiches.
Drink
- 🌍 Carabao Brewing, 140 Aspinall Ave, ☏ +1 671 969 2337. Tu-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su noon-6PM, closed M. Brewery. Also serves food.
- 🌍 Hava Java Café, 148 Aspinall Ave, ☏ +1 671 477 0600. M-Th Sa 6:30AM-4PM, F 6:30AM-5PM, closed Su. Coffee shop. Also serves sandwiches.