MORE THAN duty-free shopping and its wide array of great beaches, Guam is a very interesting place to be, especially this summer.

For Filipinos, Guam has become all the more popular recently through the Guam Visitors Bureau’s strong partnership with the media, bloggers, and travelers, aside from the fact that Guam is already home to a number of Filipinos.

What about summer? Though summer is pictured as beautiful beaches, which Guam has in abundance, it also means seeing the culture brightly. If you want to see the locals’ unique way of life, you should be booking Guam by now. Never let it off your bucket list. We won’t.

Speaking of culture, the Chamorro Village Cultural Park is waiting for visitors to learn about the locals and, yes, their distant past. Local dishes await you too, but don’t forget your name as you feast on large sea blessings and, yes, their famed coconut crab!

We tried our best not to be too picky as we listed some of the best places to visit in Guam on warm, sunny days. They’re recommended by our friends at the Guam Visitors Bureau, whom we met at a media gathering early this February. Check them out!

Spanish Steps

The place is called Spanish Steps because of the historical remains from the Spanish colonization, particularly the 1521 to 1898 period. The colonizers built steps to go down the mountain. You trek down the Spanish Steps to find a gorgeous lagoon with an amazing snorkeling experience. Access to the place, however, requires a military pass, so start looking for a military sponsor now if you don’t have a military ID. Photos from http://www.flickr.com, http://www.360guam.com.

Tarzan Falls

If you’re in for an adventurous hike, consider Tarzan Falls. Before you reach the falls, you walk and hike the trail that leads to them. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful views of other waterfalls, the river, and Guam’s tropical foliage. At the end, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the famous Tarzan Falls. Photos from http://www.latitude13.com, theguamguide.softobiz.info.

Agana Bay

Guam is surrounded by bodies of water, which makes it a great place to explore and discover marine life. Agana Bay is a good starting point for a great view of beautiful coral reefs. In the afternoon, you can dine at a restaurant with a nice view of the Agana Bay sunset. Photos from youtube.com, visitcapitalcity.com.

Marianas Islands

The Marianas Islands is a highly popular part of Guam. There you can enjoy the beach with access to modern facilities and amenities at the hotel of your choice, and get intimate with nature as you walk along the white shorelines or hike the nearby hills covered in lush greens. Photos from guam.stripes.com, timejones.com.

Guam Sunset

It’s more a reason to visit than a place to visit, I know. It’s said that Guam is where the sun rises when you’re in America. Watching the sunrise is as amazing as watching the sunset from any beach in the country, and you can end your whole day of touring with a picturesque view of the Guam sunset. Photos from chuuk.com, wondermondo.com.

Undoubtedly, Guam is among the best options when you want to make the most of the summer season, and you’ll surely discover more once there.

Been to Guam? Feel free to add your favorite places in the comments and tell us why you love them.

*Note: Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Guam. Visit cebupacificair.com for more details.