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Santa Rita
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Santa Rita, Guam, combines Chamorro heritage, naval history, Apra Harbor views and access to southern Guam’s coastal landscapes and cultural sites.

A Southern Guam Village

Santa Rita occupies a strategically important corner of southwestern Guam, overlooking the deep waters of Apra Harbor and bordered by the extensive facilities of Naval Base Guam. It is less a conventional resort centre than a residential village shaped by military history, Chamorro culture and the geography of the island’s protected western coast. Roads lead towards nearby coastal viewpoints, historic sites and forested southern landscapes, while access to some harbour and naval areas is restricted.
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From Sumay to Santa Rita

The village’s modern identity is inseparable from Sumay, the former coastal settlement whose residents were displaced during the Second World War when the United States Navy expanded its presence around Apra Harbor. Santa Rita developed as the community relocated inland and southwards after the war. The story remains visible in local memory, in the village’s relationship with the naval base and in nearby remnants associated with Sumay and wartime Guam.

Island Culture and Coastal Landscapes

Santa Rita offers a quieter perspective on Guam than the hotel districts of Tumon. The Catholic parish, family homes and local businesses reflect the island’s continuing Chamorro traditions, while the surrounding coast alternates between working harbour, military infrastructure and tropical scenery. Visitors using Santa Rita as a base can combine its local heritage with excursions to War in the Pacific National Historical Park sites, southern villages, beaches and viewpoints, provided they respect restricted areas and private land.

When is the best time to visit Santa Rita?

Best: February–April · 31°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January31109
February (best)3189
March (best)3186
April (best)3186
May31254
June31584
July31813
August31813
September31530
October31300
November31178
December31127

Getting to and around Santa Rita

How to get there

Most international visitors reach Guam through Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, located in central Guam near Tamuning and Barrigada, then continue south by road to Santa Rita. The village is connected to the island’s main road network and is generally easiest to reach by hire car, taxi or pre-arranged transfer. Guam has no passenger railway, and long-distance coach services are limited compared with larger destinations. Some organised tours cover southern Guam and may pass through or near Santa Rita, but routes vary. Because parts of the village adjoin Naval Base Guam, visitors should use public roads and avoid assuming that harbour-side or military roads are open to general traffic.

Transportation

A car is the most practical way to explore Santa Rita and southern Guam, particularly for reaching dispersed viewpoints, historic sites and neighbouring villages. Roads are generally the main means of travel, while taxis and app-based or hotel-arranged transfers may be available from larger visitor centres but should not be assumed in the village itself. Public bus coverage is more useful on established routes in the populated northern and central parts of Guam than for flexible sightseeing around Santa Rita. Walking is suitable for short local trips but not for linking the village’s scattered attractions, and visitors should never enter restricted Naval Base Guam areas without proper authorisation.

Best attractions in Santa Rita

Santa Rita’s principal appeal lies in its history and setting rather than a dense collection of visitor attractions. Explore the village’s residential streets and Catholic parish surroundings for a sense of contemporary community life, then look towards Apra Harbor, whose sheltered waters explain the area’s strategic importance. Access to many harbour and naval facilities is restricted, so views from public roads should not be confused with public entry. The story of former Sumay provides the essential historical lens, while nearby War in the Pacific National Historical Park sites in Piti and Asan offer museums, memorials and wartime landscapes within a short drive. Southern Guam extends the experience with coastal roads, forested hills and village viewpoints, although distances and facilities are more dispersed than in Tumon. Santa Rita is therefore best understood through a combination of local observation, respectful historical interpretation and excursions into the wider southern part of the island.

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Best landmarks in Santa Rita

Santa Rita’s landmarks are closely tied to community memory, military geography and the legacy of Sumay. The local Catholic parish is an important civic and religious reference point, reflecting the island’s long Christian tradition and the role of the church in village life. Apra Harbor is the defining physical landmark of the area: its deep, protected waters shaped Spanish, American and wartime military history, although much of the surrounding infrastructure is not open for unrestricted public exploration. The former Sumay community and its displacement after the Second World War have greater significance than any single surviving monument, linking Santa Rita to Guam’s wartime transformation. Nearby War in the Pacific National Historical Park sites at Piti and Asan broaden this historical landscape through memorials, interpretation and preserved wartime locations, but they are separate places outside Santa Rita itself.

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Best restaurants in Santa Rita

Santa Rita’s dining scene is local and dispersed rather than organised around a restaurant quarter. Family-run eateries, small shops and casual food outlets reflect Guam’s Chamorro culinary traditions alongside American and broader Asian influences. Look for dishes such as kelaguen, finely chopped meat or seafood seasoned with citrus and coconut, red rice coloured with achote, titiyas flatbread and finadene, a sharp soy-based condiment often served with grilled food. Barbecue, seafood and rice-based meals are common parts of island eating, while fiestas and community gatherings may reveal recipes that are less visible on a standard restaurant menu. Visitors should expect a practical, neighbourhood-oriented atmosphere and limited late-night choice in the village itself. Larger concentrations of restaurants can be found elsewhere in Guam, particularly around Hagåtña, Tamuning and Tumon, making Santa Rita better suited to sampling local food as part of a wider island itinerary than to destination dining.

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Best bars in Santa Rita

Santa Rita has a modest evening scene shaped more by residential life, local gatherings and casual socialising than by dedicated nightlife venues. Small bars or restaurant lounges may provide an informal setting for drinks and conversation, but the village should not be treated as Guam’s main entertainment district. Evening visitors may instead encounter community events, church-related gatherings or local celebrations whose atmosphere is more social and cultural than club-oriented. For live entertainment, larger bar selections and nightclubs, Tumon and parts of central Guam offer considerably more choice, while Hagåtña supplies cultural and dining-oriented evenings. Travellers returning to Santa Rita should plan transport in advance, particularly because public transport is limited and roads near military facilities require attention to signs and access restrictions.

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Best shops in Santa Rita

Shopping in Santa Rita is primarily practical and community-based, with small shops and everyday services rather than a concentrated market or specialist retail street. The village is not known as a major centre for luxury shopping or artisan workshops, so visitors looking for Chamorro handicrafts, locally made gifts and regional food products will find broader choice in Hagåtña, the Chamorro Village area and Guam’s larger commercial districts. Central Guam also has modern shopping centres and outlet retail, while village stores can be useful for drinks, snacks and supplies before exploring the south. When buying cultural products, look for items whose materials and provenance are clearly explained rather than assuming that every island-themed souvenir was made in Guam. Shopping therefore reflects Santa Rita’s residential character and its position within the wider island economy.

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Santa Rita essentials

Currency and Payment
Guam uses the United States dollar (USD). Debit and credit cards are commonly used at established hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations and larger businesses, while contactless payment availability varies between smaller local establishments. Cash remains useful for modest purchases, village businesses, food stalls and places where card terminals may be unavailable or unreliable. ATMs are more readily found in commercial areas outside Santa Rita than within the village, so carrying a reasonable reserve of dollars is sensible when travelling around southern Guam. International visitors should check whether their bank applies foreign transaction or cash-withdrawal fees, even though the local currency is the US dollar.
Safety
Santa Rita is a largely residential community, but normal precautions remain appropriate: secure valuables in vehicles, avoid leaving bags visible and take care on quieter roads after dark. Coastal terrain can be uneven, and strong sun, heat and sudden rain make water, sun protection and suitable footwear important during outdoor visits. Obey warning signs around cliffs, shorelines and military property, and do not attempt to photograph or enter restricted installations. Guam can experience typhoons and other severe weather, so visitors should monitor official local advisories and follow instructions from accommodation providers or authorities when conditions deteriorate.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 in Guam for police, fire or medical emergencies. Give the operator the village, road, landmark or clearly identifiable location, especially when calling from a coastal or rural area. For non-urgent medical needs, accommodation staff, local clinics or hospitals can provide current directions and advice; visitors should ensure that travel insurance covers treatment in the United States-administered territory. During typhoons, remain indoors, keep away from windows and follow official instructions concerning shelter or evacuation. Around Naval Base Guam, comply immediately with security personnel and do not obstruct gates, checkpoints or emergency vehicles.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering Santa Rita’s Catholic church or attending community events, and behave quietly and respectfully in religious and memorial spaces. Ask permission before photographing private homes, ceremonies or people, and remember that Chamorro culture and family connections are central to local identity rather than simply subjects for display. Do not trespass on military property, ignore warning signs or assume that every shoreline is publicly accessible. At restaurants and cafés, ordinary American-style tipping is customary for table service, though practices can differ by establishment. Avoid littering, respect private land and treat historic places without climbing, removing objects or causing damage.
Local Tips
Santa Rita works best as part of a southern Guam itinerary rather than as a self-contained sightseeing centre. Pair local historical orientation with nearby War in the Pacific National Historical Park sites in Piti and Asan, then continue towards Guam’s southern villages and coastal viewpoints. Former Sumay history is essential context, so ask local cultural institutions or guides about the community’s wartime displacement where appropriate. Plan fuel, food and water before heading into less commercial areas, and allow extra time for roads, weather and restricted access. For broader shopping, nightlife and visitor services, central Guam offers more choice than Santa Rita.
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[HA-fa a-DYE]
GoodbyeHåfa Adai[HA-fa a-DYE]
YesHåguaiya[ha-GWAI-ya]
NoTaya[TA-ya]
Please/You're welcomeKao magahet[KOW ma-GA-het]
Thank youSi Yu'os Ma'åse[see you-OS ma-AH-se]
Excuse me/SorryKao magahet[KOW ma-GA-het]
How are you?Haånai maolek?[ha-AN-eye ma-O-lek]
Fine. And you?Mahålang. Yan yu'?[ma-HA-lang. yan yu]
Do you speak English?Ha'åni i mas ångok?[HA-ani ee mas AN-gok]
I don't understandTi hu tungo[tee hoo TUNG-goh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseHa achok na' menu, kamlu[ha a-CHOK na ma-NU kamlu]
I don't eat meatTi hu kåne'[tee hoo KAN-eh]
Cheers!Biba![BEE-ba]
I would like to pay, pleaseHa lina' yu', kamlu[ha LEE-na yu kamlu]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Ayuda![ah-YOO-da]
Go away!Ufresi![oo-FRE-see]
Call the Police!Lågu i Polisia![LA-goo ee po-LEE-see-ya]
Call a doctor!Lågu i manma'åmama'![LA-goo ee man-ma-AH-ma]
I'm lostTi hu fahåran[tee hoo fa-HA-ran]
I'm illTi hu manhaggan[tee hoo man-HAG-gan]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ha saina...[ha SAI-na]
I'm just lookingTi hu fihu[tee hoo FEE-hoo]
How much is it?Ilelek ina?[ee-LE-lek EE-na]
That's too expensiveLeklek yan[LEK-lek yan]
Can you lower the price?Ha tuge' i prisu?[ha TOO-geh ee PREE-soo]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kåo triståt na ora?[KOW tree-STAHT na O-ra]
It's one o'clockEsta i ora humåtto[ES-ta ee O-ra hoo-MA-to]
Half past (10)Kåo gi i 10[KOW gee ee 10]
MorningMåsåna[ma-SAH-na]
AfternoonTånon[TAH-non]
EveningGåni[GA-nee]
YesterdayKåo fumatåno'[KOW foo-ma-TAH-no]
TodayKåo gi este[KOW gee ES-te]
TomorrowKåo gi håfa[KOW gee HA-fa]
1Måsso[MA-sso]
2Gualo[GWA-lo]
3Tulu[TOO-lo]
4Få'gu[FAH-goo]
5Lima[LEE-ma]
6Gualua[GWA-lua]
7Månu[MA-nu]
8Fatman[FAT-man]
9Sånga[SAH-nga]
10Manhåyi[man-HA-yee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kao gi i...[KOW gee ee]
What's the address?Kåo gi i dirision?[KOW gee ee dee-ree-SYON]
Can you show me (on the map)?Ha muna'ån-muna'ån hita (gi i mapa)?[ha moo-na-ah-moo-na-ahN HEE-ta gee ee MA-pa]
When's the next (bus)?Kåo ya-na'?[KOW ya-NA]
A ticket (to ....)Un billete (para ...)[oon bee-YET-te (PA-ra)]

History of Santa Rita

Chamorro Settlement Before Colonial Rule

The area now associated with Santa Rita lies within the ancient Chamorro cultural landscape of Guam. Chamorro communities organised life around coastal resources, agriculture, family networks and seafaring long before European arrival. The nearby harbour and southern coastline provided access to fishing grounds and transport routes, while inland areas supported cultivation and settlement. Archaeological evidence across Guam records longstanding habitation, although the precise development of every modern village cannot always be reconstructed in detail. Santa Rita’s later history therefore rests on a much older island society whose language, kinship customs, foodways and relationship with the land continue to shape southern Guam.

Spanish Colonial Transformation

Spain claimed Guam in 1565, and permanent Spanish administration followed with the establishment of a colonial presence in the seventeenth century. Catholic missions, introduced diseases, warfare and forced resettlement transformed Chamorro society, concentrating communities into recognised villages. The settlement of Sumay, on the shores of Apra Harbor, became part of this colonial village network and developed a Catholic identity that remains important to the history of Santa Rita. Spanish influence survives across Guam in church traditions, place names, family names and elements of language, even though the island’s population and political life changed substantially during the centuries of colonial rule.

American Administration and Apra Harbor

The United States took control of Guam from Spain in 1898 after the Spanish-American War, beginning a new period of administration and strategic development. Apra Harbor’s sheltered waters increased the area’s military importance, and American naval authorities gradually expanded their presence around the harbour. Sumay remained a civilian community, but its location placed it directly within the territory desired for naval operations. The growth of military infrastructure brought new restrictions and economic connections, while also placing local residents within a geopolitical setting that extended far beyond Guam and the western Pacific.

War, Occupation and Displacement

Japanese forces occupied Guam from December 1941 until American forces recaptured the island in 1944. The fighting caused extensive destruction, civilian suffering and major disruption to village life. Sumay was particularly affected because of its position beside Apra Harbor and the military installations. After the war, the United States Navy retained and expanded land around the harbour, and former Sumay residents were relocated to the area that developed as Santa Rita. The village consequently became both a home for displaced families and a community situated beside one of Guam’s most strategically important military zones.

Santa Rita in Contemporary Guam

Post-war Santa Rita grew as a residential village connected to Naval Base Guam and to the wider network of southern communities. Its identity is defined by the continuity of families with roots in Sumay, Catholic and Chamorro traditions, and the practical realities of living near a major military installation. The village is not primarily a tourism centre, but its history provides an important perspective on Guam’s twentieth-century transformation, including the island’s strategic role, the costs of wartime change and the persistence of local community life. Today, Santa Rita forms part of Guam’s broader cultural and historical landscape while maintaining its own village character.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Santa Rita, Guam

Discover Santa Rita with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide offering detailed insights into attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

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  • History of Santa Rita and travel essentials
  • Local advice to enhance your visit
  • User-friendly navigation
  • ‘Near Me’ feature to find nearby attractions and activities
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience

Welcome to Santa Rita, Guam! With Evendo, your journey through this beautiful destination will be nothing short of extraordinary. Our app is designed to help you uncover all the hidden gems, popular attractions, and local favorites with ease.

Discover famous landmarks such as the historic Fort Santa Agueda, marvel at the natural beauty of Apra Harbor, or enjoy the pristine beaches at Gab Gab Beach. Evendo provides detailed information on these and many more attractions, complete with images, descriptions, and local tips to enhance your experience.

Hungry? Santa Rita is home to some fantastic restaurants, and Evendo has you covered! Indulge in local cuisine at renowned eateries like McKraut's German-American Restaurant or enjoy fresh seafood at Jeff's Pirates Cove. Each listing comes with contact details, maps, and user reviews to help you make the best dining choices.

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Our 'Near Me' feature ensures you never miss out on nearby attractions and activities, no matter where you are in Santa Rita. Plus, with curated local tips and travel essentials, you'll feel like a local in no time. Best of all, Evendo is 100% free to use, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Download Evendo today and make the most of your visit to Santa Rita!

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