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Hagåtña
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Hagåtña, Guam, reveals CHamoru heritage, Spanish landmarks, and Pacific island culture through museums, markets, and coastal sights nearby.

Capital of CHamoru Guam

Hagåtña, the capital of Guam, occupies a compact stretch of western coastline where the island’s political history, CHamoru heritage and Spanish colonial past converge. Often referred to by its former name, Agana, the city has been shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, wartime upheaval and post-war reconstruction. Its streets and public spaces contain some of Guam’s most important historical sites, although much of the colonial town was destroyed during the Second World War.
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Historic Places and Civic Life

The core sightseeing area includes the Plaza de España, the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Latte Stone Park and the Guam Museum. Nearby, Paseo de Susana extends along the waterfront, with open lawns, coastal views and public monuments. Government buildings, churches, museums and memorials give Hagåtña a civic character, while local events and cultural programmes keep the capital connected to contemporary island life.

Coast, Culture and Everyday Island Life

Hagåtña is small enough to explore on foot in sections, particularly around the historic centre, yet its broad roads and dispersed waterfront spaces reflect modern American administration and post-war planning. The capital provides a useful base for understanding Guam through its CHamoru traditions, Spanish-era relics, military history, food culture and Pacific setting. Beyond the central streets, villages and coastal landscapes extend across an island where history remains closely tied to family, language, land and ocean.

When is the best time to visit Hagåtña?

Best: February–April · 31–32°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January3090
February (best)3170
March (best)3170
April (best)3260
May3270
June32100
July32200
August32230
September32200
October32170
November31130
December31100

Getting to and around Hagåtña

How to get there

Most international visitors reach Guam through Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Tamuning, approximately a short drive from Hagåtña. The airport is Guam’s principal air gateway, with connections determined by current airline schedules and regional demand. Hagåtña is also accessible by road from Guam’s other villages, and visitors commonly use rental cars, taxis or arranged transfers because the island’s attractions are spread across a relatively large area. There is no passenger railway to the capital, and long-distance mainland-style coach services are not the normal way of reaching Guam. Travellers arriving by sea should confirm arrangements carefully, as regular passenger-ferry access is not the island’s standard visitor connection.

Transportation

Hagåtña’s central historic area can be explored on foot, particularly around the Plaza de España, cathedral, museum and government quarter, although heat, humidity and strong sun make water and shade important. Buses serve parts of Guam, but routes and frequency may not suit every sightseeing itinerary, so a rental car, taxi or organised transfer is often more practical for reaching beaches, villages and southern viewpoints beyond the capital. Roads are generally designed for motor vehicles, and visitors should allow time for traffic around the main urban corridor. Pedestrian conditions vary outside the centre, while parking and access arrangements differ among public sites and attractions.

Best attractions in Hagåtña

Hagåtña’s principal attractions are concentrated around a historic and civic centre that rewards slow exploration. The Plaza de España preserves the setting of Spanish colonial administration, while the nearby Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica represents the continuing importance of Catholicism in Guam. The Guam Museum presents the island’s natural and cultural history, placing CHamoru heritage, colonial change and wartime experience within a wider Pacific context. At Latte Stone Park, monumental stone pillars evoke the ancient architectural traditions of the Marianas, and the Chief Quipuha statue recalls a significant CHamoru leader associated with the early mission period. Along the coast, Paseo de Susana offers open space, sea air and public monuments, including the Statue of Liberty of Guam. Together these sites make Hagåtña less a conventional museum quarter than a readable landscape of layered island history.

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Best landmarks in Hagåtña

Hagåtña’s landmarks express the island’s layered political and religious history. The Plaza de España was the centre of Spanish colonial administration, and surviving structures such as the Azotea and the Chocolate House evoke the former governor’s complex despite the wartime destruction around them. The Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica stands nearby as the seat of Guam’s Catholic archdiocese and a major religious presence in the capital. Latte Stone Park displays ancient CHamoru architectural forms, whose paired pillars and capstones are among the most recognisable symbols of the Mariana Islands. The Chief Quipuha statue commemorates a powerful CHamoru leader linked to the first Spanish mission, while Paseo de Susana’s waterfront monuments reflect modern civic memory. Together, these places show how Hagåtña’s identity has been rebuilt through fragments, memorials and active public institutions.

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Explore Hagåtña on the map

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Best restaurants in Hagåtña

Dining in Hagåtña reflects Guam’s CHamoru foundations and its long history of Pacific, Spanish, Filipino, Japanese and American connections. Local specialities commonly include kelaguen, in which finely chopped meat or seafood is seasoned with citrus and coconut, red rice, barbecue and dishes flavoured with coconut, chilli and achote. Chamorro-style food is found in family-run eateries, markets, fiestas and casual restaurants, while the capital’s civic setting also brings cafés and everyday lunch spots serving the island’s multicultural population. Seafood and grilled dishes are part of Guam’s coastal identity, though menus vary with supply and season. Visitors may also encounter Filipino, Korean, Japanese and American cooking, reflecting contemporary migration, tourism and regional links. The most revealing meals are often informal, where local preparations sit alongside familiar Pacific and Asian influences rather than being presented as a single fixed cuisine.

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Best bars in Hagåtña

Hagåtña’s evening scene is relatively restrained compared with Guam’s main hotel and entertainment corridors, but the capital offers a selection of casual bars, restaurants and waterfront settings for a quieter night. Evening activity often centres on dining, social gatherings and public events rather than a dense concentration of nightclubs within the historic core. Live music and cultural performances may appear as part of festivals, civic programmes or hotel-area entertainment, with schedules varying throughout the year. Visitors seeking a broader choice of late-night venues generally look towards Tumon and neighbouring commercial districts, which are outside Hagåtña and have a stronger tourism-oriented nightlife infrastructure. As elsewhere in Guam, drink-driving is a serious risk, and travellers should arrange a taxi, designated driver or other safe transport rather than assuming that walking routes connect all evening venues.

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Best nightclubs in Hagåtña

Hagåtña’s evening scene is relatively restrained compared with Guam’s main hotel and entertainment corridors, but the capital offers a selection of casual bars, restaurants and waterfront settings for a quieter night. Evening activity often centres on dining, social gatherings and public events rather than a dense concentration of nightclubs within the historic core. Live music and cultural performances may appear as part of festivals, civic programmes or hotel-area entertainment, with schedules varying throughout the year. Visitors seeking a broader choice of late-night venues generally look towards Tumon and neighbouring commercial districts, which are outside Hagåtña and have a stronger tourism-oriented nightlife infrastructure. As elsewhere in Guam, drink-driving is a serious risk, and travellers should arrange a taxi, designated driver or other safe transport rather than assuming that walking routes connect all evening venues.

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Best shops in Hagåtña

Shopping in Hagåtña is more civic and local in character than the large retail zones around Tumon and Tamuning. Small businesses, convenience shops, cafés and service establishments serve residents, while markets and community events provide opportunities to encounter local food products and handmade goods when they are operating. Visitors looking for distinctive purchases should seek CHamoru-inspired crafts, local artwork, woven items, shell-based products and packaged island foods, checking that natural materials have been sourced and sold legally. Contemporary Guam also offers Filipino, Japanese, Korean and American retail influences, reflecting the island’s diverse population and strategic Pacific connections. Larger souvenirs, fashion retail and international brands are generally concentrated outside the capital, so Hagåtña is best understood as a place for cultural and community-oriented browsing rather than a major shopping district.

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Hagåtña essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar, written as USD or US$. Major hotels, larger shops, restaurants and many visitor-oriented businesses commonly accept internationally issued debit and credit cards, while contactless payment availability varies by establishment. Cash remains useful for smaller purchases, local stalls, transport and businesses with limited card facilities. ATMs are available in Guam’s populated areas, including the main commercial districts, but visitors should notify their bank of overseas use and check foreign-exchange or withdrawal charges. Guam follows US banking and payment conventions, although international travellers should not assume that every small vendor accepts cards or mobile wallets.
Safety
Visitors should use ordinary urban and island-travel precautions in Hagåtña: keep valuables secure, avoid leaving belongings visible in parked vehicles and take care in quiet areas after dark. Heat, sun exposure, heavy rain and sudden changes in coastal conditions can create more immediate hazards than sightseeing itself, so hydration, sun protection and attention to local warnings are important. Roads can be busy and pedestrian facilities inconsistent outside the central area; use marked crossings where available and remain alert near traffic. When visiting the coast elsewhere on Guam, follow posted advice about surf, currents and weather rather than relying on calm-looking water.
Emergency Situations
For police, fire or urgent medical assistance in Guam, call 911, the island’s emergency number. State that you are in Hagåtña or identify the nearest landmark, give clear directions and remain on the line unless instructed otherwise. For non-urgent medical needs, ask accommodation staff or a local health provider about the most appropriate clinic or hospital, and ensure travel insurance covers treatment in a US territory. International visitors should carry identification, medication details and emergency contact information. During typhoons or other severe weather, follow official local instructions and avoid coastal or flood-prone areas until authorities give updated guidance.
Do's and Don'ts
Treat CHamoru cultural sites, churches, memorials and historic remains with respect, keeping voices low and following any photography or access instructions. Modest clothing is appropriate when entering religious buildings, and visitors should ask before photographing ceremonies or people in culturally sensitive settings. Do not climb on latte stones, monuments or archaeological features, and never remove shells, stones or other material from historic or natural sites. Tipping is customary in many US-style restaurants and for some personal services, though practices can vary. A courteous greeting and patience in local businesses are valued, while littering, reckless driving and dismissing Guam’s colonial and wartime history are especially poor form.
Local Tips
Allow time for both the compact historic centre and the wider capital district: a walking circuit around the Plaza de España can be paired with the Guam Museum, cathedral and waterfront, while a car makes it easier to understand Hagåtña’s relationship with neighbouring villages. Visit cultural institutions with an interest in CHamoru perspectives rather than viewing the city only through its Spanish or American remains. Local public events, village fiestas and cultural programmes can offer a more contemporary sense of Guam, but dates and arrangements vary. The tropical climate is most comfortable for walking earlier or later in the day, with indoor museum visits useful during the hottest hours.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHåfa Adai[HAH-fah ah-DIE]
GoodbyeAdios[ah-DYOS]
YesHåʻå[HAH-ah]
NoTi ya[TEE yah]
Please/You're welcomeFanatåsi/Na'ån-hu[FAH-nah-TAH-see/NAH-ahn-hoo]
Thank youSi Yu'os Ma'åse[SEE yoo-OSS mah-AH-seh]
Excuse me/SorryUmatras yu' / Kalu'ås[oo-MAH-trahs yoo/KAH-loo-AHS]
How are you?Håfa tatatmanu hao?[HAH-fah tah-TAHT-mah-noo how]
Fine. And you?Maolek. Hao?[mah-OH-lek how]
Do you speak English?Kao un tungo' Ingles?[kah-oh oon TOONG-oh IN-glehs]
I don't understandTi hu tungo'[TEE hoo TOONG-oh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseLokkue yuʻ fanmenu, fa'ånnai[LOHK-kweh yoo fahn-MEH-noo, fah-AHN-nai]
I don't eat meatTi hu kumuentus[TEE hoo koo-MWEHN-toos]
Cheers!Biba![BEE-bah]
I would like to pay, pleaseFanpåga yuʻ, fa'ånnai[fahn-PAH-gah yoo, fah-AHN-nai]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Ayuda![ah-YOO-dah]
Go away!Ayek agupa![ah-YEHK ah-GOO-pah]
Call the Police!Gumåtao i Polisi![goo-MAH-tow ee poh-LEE-see]
Call a doctor!Gumåtao i manmediku![goo-MAH-tow ee mahn-meh-DEE-koo]
I'm lostTi hu gagaiguai[TEE hoo gah-GAH-ee-gwai]
I'm illMakaloffo yu'[mah-kah-LOHF-foh yoo]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Lokkue yuʻ maimai...[LOHK-kweh yoo mah-ee-mah-ee]
I'm just lookingKåo hao hokkue[KAH-oh how hohk-kweh]
How much is it?Afok yan iyon?[ah-FOHK yahn ee-YOHN]
That's too expensiveMånnge ti mahalang[MAHNG-geh tee mah-HAH-lahng]
Can you lower the price?Mågof siha humahan iyon?[MAH-gohf see-hah hoo-MAH-hahn ee-YOHN]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Fino' klokta iyon?[fee-NOH klohk-tah ee-YOHN]
It's one o'clockPara uno[PAH-rah OO-noh]
Half past (10)Maktol (10)[mahk-TOHL (10)]
MorningManana[mah-NAH-nah]
AfternoonMamaita'i[mah-MY-tah-ee]
EveningMalampe[mah-LAHM-peh]
YesterdayKåhu[KAAH-hoo]
TodayGof ma'ase[gohf mah-AH-seh]
TomorrowMåsagi[MAH-sah-gee]
1Manglo[MAHNG-loh]
2Månot[MAH-noht]
3Måtres[MAH-trehs]
4Måpat[MAH-paht]
5Måsingko[mah-SEENG-koh]
6Måsaisi[mah-SAH-ee-see]
7Måfiti[mah-FEE-tee]
8Måguålu[mah-GWAH-loo]
9Måsiva[mah-SEE-vah]
10Målasa[mah-LAH-sah]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Tåya i...[TAH-yah ee]
What's the address?Fino' i direksion?[fee-NOH ee dee-rek-see-ohn]
Can you show me (on the map)?Mågof siha humuyong gi mapan?[MAH-gohf see-hah hoo-MOO-yohng gee mah-PAHN]
When's the next (bus)?Fino' i manmananåla?[fee-NOH ee mahn-mahn-ah-NAH-lah]
A ticket (to ....)Un bilite (para ...)[oon bee-LEE-teh PAH-rah]

History of Hagåtña

Ancient CHamoru Settlement

Long before European contact, the area around present-day Hagåtña formed part of the homeland of the CHamoru people, whose communities cultivated crops, fished coastal waters and maintained far-reaching connections across the Mariana Islands. The settlement’s position beside the sea and near freshwater sources helped make it an important centre. CHamoru society was organised through family, village and chiefly relationships, while distinctive latte stones—stone pillars topped by hemispherical caps—marked important structures and remain among the clearest archaeological symbols of the Marianas. The history of Hagåtña therefore begins not with colonial administration but with an established island culture whose language, kinship systems, foodways and respect for land continue to shape Guam’s identity.

Spanish Mission and Colonial Capital

Spanish missionary activity began in Guam in 1668, when the Jesuit priest Diego Luis de San Vitores arrived with the aim of converting the CHamoru population to Christianity. He established a mission at Hagåtña, making the settlement the centre of Spanish administration in the Marianas. The colonial period brought churches, new political structures, introduced crops and wider connections with the Spanish Pacific, but it also produced conflict, disease and severe disruption to CHamoru society during the seventeenth-century resistance and demographic crisis. Hagåtña developed as the island’s principal town, and the Plaza de España later became the administrative heart of Spanish Guam. Surviving colonial fragments and the cathedral site recall this layered history.

American Naval Administration

Following Spain’s defeat in the Spanish-American War, Guam was ceded to the United States in 1898 and administered by the US Navy until 1950, apart from the period of Japanese occupation during the Second World War. Naval rule altered education, public administration, language use and the island’s relationship with the wider United States, while Hagåtña remained the governmental centre. The capital’s institutions and infrastructure gradually took on an American character, although CHamoru customs and family networks persisted. The period also strengthened Guam’s strategic importance in the western Pacific, a role that would become decisive during the Pacific War and continue to influence the island’s political and economic life.

Occupation and Liberation

Japanese forces occupied Guam from December 1941 until American forces returned in July 1944. The occupation brought military control, forced movement and hardship for Guam’s population, while many CHamoru civilians endured imprisonment, labour and violence. The battle for the island caused extensive destruction, particularly in and around Hagåtña, whose historic buildings and residential areas were heavily damaged. The liberation remains central to Guam’s modern public memory and is commemorated through memorials, museums and annual observances. The wartime landscape also explains why the capital contains relatively few intact colonial structures compared with the importance of its pre-war history.

Rebuilt Capital of Modern Guam

After the war, Hagåtña was rebuilt as the administrative capital of a changed island. Roads, government facilities and public spaces followed modern planning principles, while historic fragments such as the Plaza de España were preserved or interpreted as reminders of the earlier town. In 1950, the Organic Act of Guam established the island’s civilian government and granted US citizenship to Guamanians, giving the capital a new constitutional role. The twentieth and early twenty-first centuries brought rapid development elsewhere on the island, particularly around tourism and military infrastructure, but Hagåtña retained its importance as the seat of government and a focal point for CHamoru cultural remembrance.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Hagåtña, Guam

Explore Hagåtña like a local with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide that covers attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more.

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Discover the best of Hagåtña, Guam with Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app. From landmarks to local tips, plan your trip effortlessly and experience the city like never before.

  • History of Hagåtña and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips to experience the city like a local
  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions and services
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
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Planning a trip to Hagåtña, Guam? Make the most of your visit with Evendo, your comprehensive, app-based travel guide. Whether you're exploring the historic Plaza de España, wandering through the enchanting Latte Stone Park, or soaking up the culture at the Chamorro Village, Evendo has you covered. The app offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Hagåtña.

Each location on Evendo comes with rich information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip. Discover local favorites like Proa Restaurant for authentic Chamorro cuisine or The Kracked Egg for a hearty breakfast. With the 'Near Me' feature, you can easily find what's around you no matter where you are in the city.

But that's not all! Evendo also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more endless searching for what to see and do or figuring out how to get there. Evendo has everything you need in one place, ensuring your trip to Hagåtña is as seamless as possible.

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