The cuisine of the island of Guam bears similarities to that of the Philippines, says rumgum. Both were occupied by Spain, so many dishes have a Spanish flavor, though of course there are Asian influences as well. Steamed rice is the main starch on the island; for example, red rice, cooked with achiote and onions, is a common fiesta food.
The climate is characterized as tropical marine.
The weather is generally hot and very humid with little seasonal temperature variation. The mean high temperature is 86 °F (30 °C) and mean low is 76 °F (24 °C) with an average annual rainfall of 96 inches (2,180 mm).
Health insurance is strongly advised, owing to the high cost of health care. There is one civilian hospital, the Guam Memorial Hospital, and a number of private clinics, as well as some medical facilities run for US military personnel. For emergencies dial 911.