Guam - Health
In Guam, there are two hospitals: the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) – a public hospital, is located in Tamuning – and Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) – a private hospital located in Dededo. GRMC is equipped with 2 hyperbaric chambers. There are also a number of private clinics located in Guam, including many specialty clinics as well as some medical facilities for military personnel.
It is advisable to purchase adequate travel insurance, that includes medical evacuation, prior to traveling to Guam.
Medicaid and Medicare programs are available in Guam.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccinations for Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B.
Food and Water Concerns:
Generally, the tap water in Guam is safe to drink. Before it is distributed to homes and businesses on the island, the water is filtered and treated by the Guam Waterworks Authority.
However, since Typhoon Mawar there have been reports of minimal service damage. Due to potential bacterial contamination, it is advisable to boil water before drinking.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
Insect-borne diseases, including dengue, are present in Guam.
Other Diseases:
Guam is rabies-free. However, the island has a high number of stray dogs. The CDC recommends rabies vaccination prior to travel.
Prescription Drugs:
When bringing medications, make sure to bring a valid prescription or doctor’s note. The medication should be in its original container with the doctor’s instructions printed on the bottle. If you don’t have the original container, bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and why you need the medication. Bring no more than a 90-day supply of medication.
Emergency numbers:
Last updated: June 2023
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As at Feb 2023. All comments still apply except re too much bureaucracy. It’s not. This is the USA but the most laid back USA you can imagine. Apart from a big increase in military presence, currently, time has forgotten Guam. Love it.
Editor’s Note: As Dean’s comment was lengthy and detailed, Noonsite asked his permission to compile it into a report – which can be read here:
https://www.noonsite.com/report/guam-laid-back-and-friendly/
All previous comments are good and updated at Feb 2019. I would add:
– Agat marina is the only good option in you want a pier.7usd per day (same as MYC), or 240usd/month. No showers there but water, power (120V!), plenty of knowledgeable sailors and access to mechanics, great Wi-Fi, good restaurant, great bar. Bartender/ manager Jo is a legend. Anchorages: Agat Bay is a good anchorage with N/NE/E, stay 200mts from the shore.
Public transportation is none in this area of town, I recommend rent a car or make friends with liveaboards to get a lift.
Find Austin and Belinda on Flying Spirit, they are great.
Cove of Refuge is free and it s the most sheltered spot with no doubts, but no good access to town either, nor facilities.
Find Tom and Ben on Ambler there, lovely couple.
For Immigration UNLESS YOU ARE FROM US OR CANADA YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA UPFRONT.
If u Don t have one u can APPLY for a medical parole if u have any medical condition, or a mechanic one if u need some important repair.
Guam is 99% US, so a lot of formalities!
Next time I ‘ll head to Yap or Palau
February 2018. Checking In and Out.
We travelled on Australian passports with valid US Visas which, absent a US Passport, we gather is essential for a trouble-free entry.
Upon notifying Port Control (VHF 16/13) that we were entering the harbour, Customs and Immigration Officials met us on the beach at the Marianas Yacht Club at about 1100hrs on a Saturday.
The check-in took about 15mins and there were no charges. The officials did point to after-hours fees of $?? if you arrive at night.
Checking out for the Northern Marianas was simply a matter of going to the Port Control and Customs Building in the Commercial Port area (1026 Cabras Highway, Suite 201 Piti Guam 96915, Phone: (671) 477-5931 / 472-PORT) and checking out with them; Immigration check-out is not required.
As of February 2018, the comments for 2015 still apply viz: at Marianas Yacht Club, $7 per day for anchoring off about 0.4nm from the Club; in theory, moorings were available but a yacht had recently broken free and ended on a reef, hence none available when we were there.
The $7 temporary membership provides cold showers, a place to beach your dinghy, excellent internet, rubbish (trash) removal, to-pay-for meals and bar on Fridays and Sundays and a secure place to leave your car. Access to a car is essential from here.
Bob, the live-aboard supervisor of things at the club, can advise on most things. But, in accord with Mike Riley’s comment, the value for dollar cf. other anchorages (e.g. Pohnpei) is poor.
The Marianas Yacht Club charges $7 US a day in 2015. This does not include a mooring. If fact even though moorings are available, you may not take one. You are required to anchor far from the yacht club, even though there is space closer.
As an option, Palau costs $50US/ month for a mooring, food prices are the same, you can walk to town. There are many places to cruise in Palau, there is no where to cruise in Guam.
There are only two places to anchor in Apra Harbour – off the Marianas Yacht Club or inside Port of Refuge. The anchorage of the MYC is a little exposed but otherwise fine.
In 2015 the MYC charges $7US per day for use of their facilities, phone, hot shower, 24 hr wifi, secure parking, potable water, rubbish disposal and temporary membership. A mooring is included if one is available.
Port of Refuge has no facilities other than water. There is no public transport and a taxi to town costs around $70. Hiring a car is the only option and can be hired for $30 per day (plus $15 per day insurance).