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Hafa adai!
Hafa Adai!
If you’re visiting Guam and have access to a rental car, a must-do activity is
a scenic island drive. Start in Tumon, head towards Tamuning, then head south
on Marine Corps Drive. You’ll pass through Hagåtña, the political and economic
heart of Guam, and continue to enjoy the southern and central parts of the
island—Asan, Piti, Hågat, Humåtak, Merizo, Inalåhan, and Talofofo—each offering
beautiful, diverse views. You’ll eventually make your way back up through Yona
and Chålan-Pågo, returning either to your starting point or to Micronesia Mall
for a break or shopping. This is the typical southern loop.
However, if you’re thinking, “Wait, that’s not a full
island drive—what about the north?” you’re right! To truly complete a full
island drive, you need to head north as well. While the northern part of the
island doesn’t have many tourist attractions, it offers a glimpse into everyday
life on Guam—residential neighborhoods, busy evening supermarkets, small local
shops, and humble eateries. In this guide, we’ll highlight some key stops and
points of interest during a northern drive.
From Micronesia Mall, drive north on Marine Corps
Drive. On your left, you’ll see a white and blue building—this is Guam Regional
Medical City, a full-service hospital that opened in 2015.
Continuing north, you’ll reach the site of a weekend
flea market, held every Saturday and Sunday morning. During the weekdays, a
small market inside the building sells locally grown produce and eggs, open
from 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday.
A little farther up, you’ll enter the heart of Dededo,
the most populous village on the island. Here you’ll find one of the eight
branches of Pay-Less Supermarket, which gets especially crowded in the
evenings. If your northern drive happens to be on a Tuesday, consider stopping
by for Food Truck Night, held on the lot next to Pay-Less. Starting around 6
PM, a variety of food trucks gather to serve everything from local dishes to
desserts.
Across the street from Pay-Less lies a residential
area that includes Santa Barbara Church, an important Catholic hub for the
community. Nearby is the Dededo Mayor’s Office, making this the central zone of
Dededo.
Also in the area is a lively skateboard park decorated
with colorful murals. Kids usually come out in the afternoon, and by evening,
the place is filled with teens practicing their tricks.
If you’re in need of a break, Ignite is a
popular local juice bar that serves cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and açai
bowls. It’s a local favorite. There’s another location in Tamuning, but both
are in areas that are hard to reach without a car—so take advantage of your
rental and stop by.
Another great stop is Parisco, a French-style bakery
and pastry shop just north of Pay-Less in Dededo. Opened in February of this
year, this branch focuses more on breads than cakes. It has both dine-in and
drive-thru options. This Dededo location is actually the third Parisco shop,
with the second being a takeaway-only store inside the Pay-Less in Yigo.
Near Parisco, you’ll also find popular food chains
like KFC and the long-established donut shop Winchell’s.
Continue past the Parisco intersection, and you’ll
arrive in Yigo, Guam’s northernmost village. This area is primarily
residential, so there aren’t many tourist spots—just local supermarkets,
bakeries, and restaurants serving the community.
Keep driving and you’ll eventually reach Andersen Air
Force Base, a U.S. military installation. Note that entry is restricted to
authorized personnel, and photography—including of the entrance sign—is
strictly prohibited.
After passing the base, the road narrows to a single
lane in each direction. The area becomes more remote, surrounded by dense
jungle and few streetlights. It gets very dark at night, so it’s best to finish
your northern drive before sunset.
While the lack of development may feel a bit
unsettling, don’t worry. You’ll soon reach an intersection leading to Ritidian
Beach, a federally protected wildlife refuge. On sunny days, it’s a wonderful
detour—but note that due to strong waves, it’s not ideal for swimming. To reach
Ritidian Beach, take the road to the right at the junction mentioned above.
If you skip Ritidian and keep going, you’ll pass
Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on your right, and soon you’ll find yourself back
where you started—at Guam Regional Medical City. A right turn at the traffic
light brings you back to Micronesia Mall, completing your northern loop.
The northern area might not offer iconic landmarks,
but Dededo, as Guam’s largest village, provides a real look into the island’s
daily life. Combined with the southern route, this full island drive takes
about 45 minutes without any stops. So if you’re feeling up for it after
finishing the southern loop—give the northern drive a try!
