Many travelers are surprised to find that Guam is a major shopping Mecca for anyone who loves duty-free purchases. Since the entire island of Guam is duty-free, luxury items, alcohol and other shopping treats are available to tourists at prices much lower than many other places in the world. Guam shopping is one of the major draws to tourists and an important part of the Guam economy. Shopping on Guam can include trips to some of the world’s best known names in luxury apparel.
The official currency in Guam is the US dollar. Travelers coming to Guam from outside the US can exchange their currency at the airport upon arriving, where they will likely receive the best rates for currency in Guam. For United States citizens, the duty free status of Guam stores and the acceptance of US currency in Guam are major boons for Guam shopping. In addition to being tax-free, duty free items are also free of many of the tariffs added on to products found in the US, which lowers the cost on luxury items even further.
One of the most popular Guam shopping centers is the Agana Shopping Center located in Agana. The Agana Shopping Center offers a wide array of specialty and luxury items to guests. Yet another popular place for shopping on Guam is the Guam Premier Outlets in Tamuning. Guam stores found in these Guam shopping areas include high end stores, perfume outlets and any type of home or office item a shopper could want.
In addition to shopping centers, shopping on Guam is also noted for hosting the largest K-Mart in the world. The K-Mart on Guam is located in the city of Tumon and is perhaps the most popular store for locals and Guam natives. K-Mart was one of the first Guam stores to feature many convenience items and gained instant favor with the people of Guam.
Along with the western themed mega marts and shopping centers, shopping on Guam can also include trips to some of the smaller local shops in the villages of Guam. The Micronesia Mall in Dededo features handmade crafts from the island of Guam as well as the Micronesian islands that surround Guam. Island clothing, beachwear and other handmade goods can be found at the Micronesia Mall. In addition to shops, the Micronesia Mall also has a small theme park with a few rides and a theatre.
Since the economy of Guam does rely heavily on tourism, guest will have no trouble locating local kiosks and shops throughout the villages, in addition to the major shopping centers mentioned above. Most major debit and credit cards are widely accepted throughout the island, and traveler’s checks can be easily cashed at any of the major banks found on the island. Even gift shops found at hotels and resorts will offer lower prices than many other US shops, but the best prices on gifts and other goods will be found outside the hotel. Whether you travel to Guam specifically to take advantage of the great shopping or simply spend an afternoon checking out one of the many shopping centers, shopping on Guam is an exciting and enjoyable experience.
