Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs.

Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Water activities

Swimming

Tidal changes can cause powerful currents and riptides are common.

• Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas
• Follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities

Diving

Tour operators may not adhere to international standards.

If you undertake adventure sports, such as diving:

• choose a well-established and reputable company that has insurance
• ensure that your travel insurance covers the recreational activities you choose

If in doubt concerning the safety of the facilities or equipment, don’t use them.

Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism

If you engage in adventure tourism:

• never do so alone
• always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped
• ensure that you’re well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• obtain detailed information on each activity before setting out

Unexploded ordnance

Unexploded ordnance from World War II may pose a risk in certain areas, including beaches, construction areas, farms and diving spots. Their presence is not always indicated.

• Avoid travelling after daylight hours in unlit areas
• Avoid areas where sunken vessels or planes have been reported
• Don’t touch war remnants and unknown items and report these to local authorities

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout Guam.

Major roads are paved, but may be poorly maintained and lit. There are no sidewalks outside the central business districts in Hagåtña and Tamuning.

Driving conditions may be hazardous during the rainy season. Roads in southern Guam flood easily.

• Avoid driving after dark
• Be particularly vigilant during the rainy season
• Be mindful of stray animals
• Be vigilant when walking in areas without sidewalks

Public transportation

Buses are available, but unreliable and slow.

Taxis

Taxis are generally safe. Some drivers may overcharge their clients.

• Use only officially marked taxis
• Negotiate fares in advance, or insist that the driver use the meter

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Guam is a territory of the United States.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the U.S. authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passports

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Guam.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas and other entry requirements

Guam is a territory of the United States.

Confirm entry, exit and visas requirements prior to travelling:

• Entry and exit requirements for the United States
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Embassy and Consulates of the United States in Canada

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Medical services and facilities are very good and are widely available.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Cannabis

Although the possession of 1 ounce or less of cannabis is legal in Guam, it remains illegal under U.S. federal laws in any form and quantity.

Don’t attempt to travel to Guam with any amount of cannabis in any form. If you do so, you can expect legal prosecution, fines or a jail sentence.

Useful link

• Cannabis and the U.S. - U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada

Imports and exports

Imports and exports restrictions change frequently.

Contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office in Hagåtña before starting your trip for the latest information on allowances and restrictions.

Declare all items upon arrival.

Port of entry of Hagåtña - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the United States.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the United States, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Useful links

• General information for travellers with dual citizenship
• Dual nationality - U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Guam.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Guam, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Guamanian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Guam to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Driving

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Money

The currency in Guam is the U.S. dollar (USD).

There’s no limit to the amount of money that you may legally take into or out of the territory. However, you must submit a declaration to U.S. Customs and Border Protection:

• if you carry more than US$10,000 (in cash, cheque, money order, travellers’ cheque or any other convertible asset) into or out of Guam
• if you plan to receive more than US$10,000 while in Guam

Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties, including seizure of the currency or monetary instruments.

Natural disasters and climate

Typhoons

Typhoons usually occur between July and December. During this period, even small storms can quickly develop into major typhoons. These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to Guam during the typhoon season:

• know that you may expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

Since May 2023, following Typhoon Mawar, Guam Waterworks Authority has advised residents in certain areas to boil their water due to possible bacterial contamination.

Useful links

• Precautionary Boil Water Notice – Guam Waterworks Authority
• Eat and drink safely
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Guam is in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis may occur.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you're staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region's evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

Useful links

• Earthquakes - What to Do?
• Tsunami alerts - U.S. Tsunami Warning System