The Villages of Guam
Guam’s 19 Villages Each Have Distinctive Characters - Which One Is Perfect For Your New Home?
Guam has 19 villages spread across the island. Each has a distinctive character that reflects the evolution of hubs focused on fishing, farming, and ranching to residential centers, each with its own Catholic Church. The architectural style is specific to each village and ranges from buildings that reflect a Spanish influence to concrete homes in Asan-Maina that are painted the same color.
Efforts to revitalize and unify the island with an emphasis on art, in particular, are underway. The Guam Visitors Bureau has been leading the charge and enjoys cooperation from local businesses, village mayors, residents, and schools.
To the North
Dededo - Family Friendly with Excellent Schools
This is the second-largest and most populous village, encompassing thirty square miles in northwestern Guam and home to the Guam National Wildlife Refuge and the Anderson Air Force Base.
Situated on Guam's limestone plateau, it is positioned above the Northern Aquifer, a vital freshwater resource for the island providing approximately eighty percent of Guam's drinking water.
Many residents are young families with children, so this is a great location if you are looking for a family-friendly community with excellent schools.
The largest shopping mall in Micronesia, Micronesia Mall, is located in Dededo, making it a valuable retail and community hub. In addition, numerous small stores and businesses cater to the area's Filipino residents.
Tamuning (including Tumon and Harmon) - Perfect For Working Professionals
Working professionals love living in Tamuning. Situated on the Western shore, it is a busy economic hub with an airport, a government-run hospital, and numerous corporate headquarters. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities to shop for local goods, luxury brands, and everything between. Finally, for those coming from the States, you'll find many familiar chain restaurants to patronize when you yearn for a taste of home.
Tumon has beautiful white sand beaches and protected waters. However, in the last 40 years, it has developed into Guam's tourism center, and Harmon is now an industrial park.
Yigo - Guam’s Largest Village Has A Rural Feel
Guam's largest and most northern village, Yigo, encompasses thirty-five square miles. It is the home to Andersen Air Force Base and has secured access to its numerous beaches. In addition, Mt. Santa Rosa, the highest point in northern Guam, offers spectacular views.
Although numerous housing subdivisions have sprung up in the last three decades, Yigo retains a rural feel thanks to its large open spaces and dense forests. Like all northern villages in Guam, it sits on top of the Northern Aquifer.
Central Guam
Agana Heights - A Thriving Cosmopolitan Community
Agana Heights was a farming community for residents who lived in Hagåtña before World War II. Now there are beautiful homes situated throughout the village. Some are gated with manicured lawns, and others are quaint, somewhat smaller residential homes. In addition, this thriving cosmopolitan community has ample apartment complexes for more affordable living and shorter-term stays.
Agana Heights is also home to one of the few remaining Spanish forts, Fort Santa Agueda, which was built between 1700 - 1800. Recreational activities include swimming in and hiking by the Fonte River.
Asan-Maina - This Small Valley Community Is A Tropical Paradise
This district encompasses a vast area that includes: the main coastal village of Asan, the community of Maina, and most of Nimitz Hill (also known as Libugon) plus land beyond it further inland. Many roads are steep and reminiscent of San Francisco, splitting between the hillside of Nimitz Hill and the flat land below.
In Asan, nearly all houses are concrete and painted the same color. In addition, limited space between the ocean and the hills to the east encourages building two-story structures with small yards.
Maina is a small valley community that features lush vegetation with colorful native flowers and bamboo groves and is spread along a narrow, winding main road.
Barrigada - A Residential Community That’s Perfect for Young Families
Stretched along the cliff line, Barrigada is land-locked and located on Guam's limestone plateau near the island's center. It overlooks Harmon Industrial Park to the east and Mt. Barrigada to the north. Residents have incredible aerial island views.
An affluent residential community with a population that hovers close to 9,000, Barrigada is considered an excellent place to raise a family. In addition, easy access to the downtown business districts of Tamuning and Dededo makes it convenient for residents to work outside their immediate community.
Chalan Pago-Ordot - Housing Opportunities For Nature Lovers
Stretched across Guam's narrow "waist" is the municipality of Chalan Pago-Ordot. Small, picturesque, and secluded, the villages sit on the dividing line between the primarily volcanic southern half of the island and the mainly limestone northern half. As a result, the topography is quite rugged and diverse.
Natural attractions include Marbo Cave, San Carlos Falls, Two Lovers Point, and Tuman Bay Beach. There are ample opportunities for cycling on Blackjack Loop and scuba diving at The Blue Hole.
Areas with housing are built mainly along Route 4, with some on the flat plateau and others nestled in the foothills of nearby mountains.
Hagåtña - A Cultural Hub With A Rich History
Located in central Guam, the capital city of Hagåtña is nestled between Agana Bay and the cliffs of Agana Heights and is considered the first European city in the Pacific. Home to about 4,000 residents, it is the second-smallest village and home to the second-largest business district with plenty of job opportunities available.
Hagåtña is the seat of the island's three branches of government as well as the religious center for the Catholic Church. Commercial activities include legal offices, banks, department/variety stores, insurance, technical and professional services, and restaurants.
Home to many of Guam's historical sites, the cultural resources of the village are significant. Hagåtña is also one of the least populated villages on the island, with residential homes primarily located below the cliff in the western portion of the village.
Mangilao - Perfect for Students and Working Professionals
Located on the eastern shore of central Guam, with breathtaking views of Pogo Bay, the village of Mangilao lies between Barrigada and Chalan Pago and branches into subdivisions which are Dededo and Yigo.
Known as "Guam's capital of education," the University of Guam, Guam Community College, and Pacific Islands Bible College are located there. It has a population of 15,000, with the primary demographic being students and working professionals.
If you love the outdoors, you'll find ample opportunities for recreation, including sky diving, golf, swimming and scuba diving, hiking, and more. This is also a football-loving village and a central agricultural area for beans, peppers, tomatoes, tapioca, cassava, and corn.
Mongmong-Toto-Maite - A Tri-Village With Many Housing Options
Located in central Guam, the tri-village community Mongmong-Toto-Maite sits just north of the capital city of Hagåtña. The neighboring town of Tiyan has an airport, and planes fly directly over the tri-village before landing. That said, it is still considered a peaceful and relatively quiet place.
Housing options are diverse and include affordable homes for young families, new modern-style homes, condominiums, new construction, and spacious, upscale single-family homes.
Maite's cliff line is home to some of the island's most well-known families. And there is an industrial area that also spans Maite and Toto with warehouses, hardware and furniture stores, mom-and-pop markets, and many other popular retail locations.
Mongmong runs parallel to Maite. It is heavily vegetated, is the most populous of the three villages, and is at the center of the tri-village.
Toto borders Barrigada to the north and is known for its winding roads and swamplands. The residential areas in Toto and Mongmong are considered more rural, than those in Maite.
Piti - Ideal for Scuba Divers and Water-Lovers
This village has a small residential area with a scattering of homes, many of which date back to the decade after World War II. It is also the home of the Piti Underwater Observatory, which juts out from the coastline into the ocean along Marine Corps Drive
There are two beach parks in Piti: Tepungan Beach Park, with newer pavilions, and Pedro Santos Memorial Park, with an older, large gazebo and basketball court. This coastal area is a marine preserve where fishing is prohibited. As a result, abundant sea life makes Piti popular among divers and snorkelers.
Sinajana - Small Town Living
Sinajana is perched along a hilltop between Agana Springs and Agana Heights and is a beautiful place to live for young families with children. The capital city of Hagåtña is nearby, so amenities and conveniences are close at hand. This quiet, peaceful village of 3,000 residents has high-quality schools and a vibrant community center.
Southern Guam
Hågat (formerly Agat) - A Vibrant, Growing Community
This village is the western gateway to southern Guam. It is also the commercial center of the area. Some of the finest beaches in Guam are along Hågat’s coast, including Nimitz Beach and the nearby Hågat Marina, a take-off point for sunset cruises and dolphin watching. There are also several parks dedicated to the events of World War II.
Development has been brisk in the past twenty-five years, with numerous businesses springing up, transforming what was once a quiet seaside village into a vibrant and growing community.
Humåtak (formerly Umatac) - A Surfers Paradise
Humåtak is a small village located along Humåtak Bay in southern Guam. Ruins interspersed between old houses along the shoreline are prominent reminders of the Spanish colonial era. They include the former Spanish governor's residence, the site of the old San Dionisio church, several Spanish forts, and a battery.
One special note - Humåtak Bay is home to some of the island's best surfing!
Inalåhan (formerly, Inarajan) - Spanish Influence and Style
Are you looking to retire in a tropical paradise? If so, Inalåhan just might be the community for you. The population is small, under 3,000, and the pace is relaxed. With its distinct Spanish style, the village of Inalåhan appears untouched by the hand of time. It is the oldest and best-preserved village from the Spanish era.
Driving through the small Spanish barrio-style streets, you can see the history of Inalåhan displayed in the architecture and design of the houses, reflecting Spanish and early American influences.
One of the recent additions: the Gef Pa'go Cultural Village, gives Inalåhan its heritage-rich flavor. The ancient-style thatched-roof huts are staffed mainly by elder Chamorros who demonstrate traditional Chamorro arts, crafts and cooking to visitors.
Malesso (Merizo) - A Paradise for Water-Lovers
Ideal for water-lovers, Malesso is positioned along Guam's scenic southern shoreline on a long strip of land between mountains and sea. Several rivers flow to the sea from the nearby mountains creating lush valleys through dry savanna foothills.
The water is shallow in places such as Cocos Lagoon and displays a beautiful array of vivid blues and greens. Protected coral gardens lie below the surface making this area a prime destination for snorkelers. Another favorite destination is Priest's Pools - a series of natural pools reached by an easy hike that ends with a spectacular ocean view.
The annual Fiesta Tasi (Festival of the Sea) celebrates the importance of the ocean to Guam's past, present, and future and includes boat races and other water sports competitions and exhibitions.
Sånta Rita-Sumai (Santa Rita) - A Village Simple Life
Not including the military housing areas, Naval Station, and Naval Magazine, the village of Sånta Rita-Sumai proper, is one of the smallest, quietest, and least modernized villages in Guam.
It is surrounded by natural water sources that include Tarzan Falls, Fena Lake, the Fena Reservoir, the Guatali River, and the Namo River and offers plenty of recreational opportunities.
Most of the village's activities revolve around the church. Most families have lived in the town since it was built just after the war, so most residents know or see one another at church every Sunday.
Talo'fo'fo (Talofofo) - Beautiful Scenery and Quaint Homes
Affectionately named "God's Country" by former Mayor Tito Mantanona, this village is perfect for people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and live in nature. Most amenities and work opportunities are within a 30-minute drive, so not too far if this is your dream location. In addition, there are plenty of vacant lots on the market with options for new construction.
Attractions include several secluded beaches, the Ugum River, Talo'fo'fo River, Talo'fo'fo Bay, and Ipan Beach Park. Jeff's Pirates Cove is located on the northern border of Ipan, a sub-community, and it has become an institution in the area. Its relaxed-atmosphere bar and grill, small souvenir store, arts and craft fairs, concerts, and other gatherings make it a popular destination.
Yona - Abundant Nature and First-Class Golf
The first southern village on the eastern side of Guam, Yo’ña is one of Guam's largest municipalities in terms of area. It is divided into ten sections: Baza Gardens, Windward Hills, Yagi, Manenggon, CampWitek, Pulantat, Triangle, Central Yona, Tagachang, and As Namo.
This village offers many opportunities to enjoy recreational activities including Tagachang Beach Park, Turtle Cove, Hamamoto Tropical Fruit World, LeoPalace Resort, and several golf courses. The courses at LeoPalace Resort were designed by American golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
If you would like to learn more about the villages in Guam and are looking to buy a home, we would love to grab you a coffee and chat about how we can best serve your needs and help your family move to the next chapter.
