Perhaps the dream vacation for every American on the mainland is to visit the Hawaiian Islands. Who wouldn’t want to see the beautiful views of this American paradise? But there is another American island that few people know about. That is the island of Guam.

Located on the islands of Micronesia, Guam lies between Asia and Hawaii in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is a small island only 32 miles long and 8 miles wide. You could drive the entire perimeter of the island in about two hours. Like Hawaii, Guam is surrounded by coral reefs and beautiful white-sand beaches. The lush tropical jungles boast colorful flowers and dense vegetation. Beautiful waterfalls are around every corner. The ocean water surrounding the island is crystal clear and you can easily see colorful fish moving among the corals. The weather in Guam is typical of paradise: temperatures hover in the 80s year-round.

Guam is a US territory, so there is no need to worry about currency exchange or language barriers. One thing you won’t find on Guam, however, is a large number of American tourists. It is a popular South Asian tourist spot, but somewhat unknown to Americans. When you arrive in Guam, it feels like you’ve stepped into another country, without the hassles of changing your money or dealing with language translation. It really does look like Hawaii, but with an Asian twist. Everywhere you look, you’ll see Asian touches, especially for the Japanese who frequent the beachside resorts. You quickly forget that you are still on US soil!

The native people of Guam are the Chamorro people, who have their own culture and language. One fun thing to do in Guam is to explore the culture of the Chamorra people. Other nationalities include Filipino, Pacific Islander, Chinese, Japanese, European, and many other Asian nationalities. It is a truly racially and culturally diverse island.

One of the most striking attributes of the people of Guam is their friendliness. Nowhere will you find more hospitable people. The reason for this is obvious as you tour the island. The only industry on Guam is tourism. They have no factories or agriculture. They base their entire economy on making tourists feel comfortable. Hafa Adai is the local greeting and you will hear it wherever you go.

Hotel accommodations are second to none in Guam, but be prepared to pay for them. There are no cheap hotels on this island. Along the western beach is a strip of beautiful luxury resorts filled with every imaginable amenity. Most of these resorts have beachfront properties with their own private beaches for guests. Or, if you prefer, you can skip the salt water and take advantage of the pool or water park that the hotel owns.

Don’t be surprised if you witness a wedding or two during your time in Guam. Guam is like the Las Vegas of Micronesia when it comes to weddings. Many Asian couples come to Guam to get married in an oceanfront chapel. In fact, most resorts have a chapel for this purpose.

What is there to do in Guam? Well, one day of your visit should be spent simply walking around the perimeter of the island. This has two purposes. Firstly, it will allow you to find your way around the island and secondly, it will allow you to appreciate the great cultural variety of the island. Be sure to stop at a few waterfalls on this tour. Plan at least two days to spend on water activities. Snorkeling, scuba diving, underwater tours, boat rentals, and swimming are just a few of the activities you can do in the water. However, one thing you should not bring to Guam is your surfboard. The waves on the island are not big enough to surf. An interesting cultural attraction in Guam is the Chamorro people. Located along the beach, this area offers a place for local Chamorro artists and chefs to pedal their wares. This is a great place to sample the local cuisine. Also, if you like history, plan to spend a day touring the World War II monuments and memorials. Be sure to catch a beach sunset during your stay!

The best time of the year to visit Guam is during the dry season, which runs from January to May. The island is made up of tropical rainforests and averages around 80 inches of rain a year, so keep that in mind if you plan a trip in the rainy season.

Guam is truly an undiscovered paradise for the American tourist. The island will provide you with a taste of Asia with a touch of home. When planning your next dream vacation, keep this little gem in mind!