Dededo

Northern Guam village and island population centre, opening onto beaches, markets, and the Ritidian coast

Dededo is the most populous village in Guam, occupying the northern part of the island above the tourist corridor of Tumon Bay. It is primarily a residential area, home to a large proportion of Guam's population including many of the military families associated with the US bases on the island. Visitors rarely come here to stay, but the northern tip of the island that Dededo opens up is worth the drive.

The Chamorro Village Night Market — held each Wednesday evening in Hagåtña but associated with northern Guam's Chamorro community — is the most accessible cultural experience on the island. The real draw further north is Ritidian Point, where a wildlife refuge protects one of Guam's least disturbed beaches and the best accessible reef snorkelling on the island. The forest behind the beach contains ancient Chamorro latte stones and cave drawings.

Guide

Getting There

Dededo is about fifteen kilometres north of Hagåtña and twenty kilometres from Tumon Bay, the main tourist corridor. There is no practical public transport connecting Dededo to the rest of the island — Guam is a car-dependent place, and renting a car at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport is essentially mandatory if you want to reach the northern villages independently.

The drive from Tumon Bay or Hagåtña takes twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic and road conditions. The main road north through Dededo continues to Ritidian Point, though the final stretch to the wildlife refuge involves rough unpaved road. Taxis from the hotel strip in Tumon Bay can take you to Dededo, but they are expensive by local standards.

Guide

Things to Do

Dededo's main draws are Ritidian Point on the northern tip of the island and the Chamorro Village Night Market. Both are worth the drive north from Tumon Bay.