Saipan

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Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands.

	saipan Travel Guide : 1 Cities 2 Other destinations 3 Understand 4 Talk 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 6 Get around 7 See 8 Do 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 11.1 Splurge 12 Get out 13 External links

Cities

• Garapan is the main hotel area on Saipan, and includes a number of gambling establisments, as well as karaoke/hostess bars.

Other destinations

Understand

Saipan is 23 km (14 mi) long and 8 km (5 mi) wide. The best beaches and most populated areas are on the western and southern coasts, with the north and east being rugged and mountainous.

Many Chamorros on Saipan consider their culture more intact than on Guam, and the US Military has a much smaller presence on Saipan than on Guam. Therefore, comparisons between the two islands should take this into account. Furthermore, Chamorros on Saipan and throughout the CNMI still primarily speak Chamorro at home, while the same isn't true of Guam. Furthermore, while the differences between a commonwealth (as in the CNMI) and a territory (as in Guam) may not appear to be great (especially to a mainland US citizen), Saipan should not be referred to as a territory when speaking to a local. Finally, while the population of the CNMI, as on Guam, are US citizens and proud to be recognized as such, their independence is equally important.

Talk

While English is the official language, relatively few people on Saipan speak English as their first language. Nevertheless, nearly everybody does speak English, though with much more of an accent than on Guam. Most speak Chomorro at home, and the many migrant workers on Saipan come mostly from China and Taiwan. Furthermore, Korean and Japanese tourists make these languages fairly prevalent as well.

Get in

By plane

Saipan International Airport (SPN) is located in the southeast corner of the island. Direct flights exist between Saipan and Seoul, South Korea (via Korean Air and Asiana), as well as between Saipan and Guam, Tinian, and Rota. US Travellers require passports and must pass through customs, as Saipan and the CNMI are considered international locations.

Get around

There is little public transport as such, excluding shuttle buses running between larger towns. Taxis are plentiful and car rental is a good option for getting off the beaten track, as roads are generally quite good. Car rentals tend to be quite expensive, so internet booking is the best way. Mopeds can be rented for about $20, though roads are very dark at night and bugs predominate after dusk. Therefore, consider mopeds for day-tripping only, as drivers tend not to give heed to mopeds or bicyclists throughout the CNMI or Guam. Because Saipan is so small, taxis from the airport to the main hotel area of Garapan can run upwards of $25-30, so plan ahead by arranging transportation through your hotel, which often charge $10 per person flat rate.

See

Saipan, Guam, and many other islands of the CNMI were all important battle sights during WWII, and many Japanese bunkers and armaments still exist on these islands. These sites are managed by the National Park Service under the "War in the Pacific" Parks designation. Saipan is fairly small and by renting a car or moped, it is easy to drive around the island and take in the natural splendor, as well as visit a number of parks. Scuba diving is also popular, and the underwater world should definitely be seen.

Do

Scuba diving and snorkeling are deservedly the most popular activities here among western tourists, though gambling and karaoke/hostess bars are most popular among Korean businessmen, as well as some Japanese travellers. Garapan is coastally located, so other watersports abound as well. For scuba divers, the term "Fun Dive" is used for those who have already been certified and just want to recreationally dive, while "Taiken dive" is used to designate first-time divers that take classes on Saipan. The same is true for the rest of the CNMI and somewhat so for Guam.

Eat

Many nice bakeries exist in and around Garapan and local breakfast places (such as Winchell's) are within walking distance of the main hotel area. Seafood is understandably very fresh.

Drink

Karaoke/Hostess Bars abound in Garapan, as do Gambling Casinos, all of which allow ample drinking opportunities if one is so inclined.

Sleep

Most of Saipan's accommodation caters to package tourists. Rates are steep during Japanese holiday seasons but equally steeply discounted outside them. Internet bookings can regularly find rates below $60 per night, depending on the season.

Splurge

• Saipan Diamond Hotel. Susupe, tel. (670) 234-5900, 1 (http://www.diamondhotel.com/fast_facts/other_dhotels.shtml). Massive hotel with all the facilities you'd expect set on a beautiful beach. The best thing to do here is to borrow a kayak (free), paddle out to the rusting tank hunks a few hundred meters offshore, tie up your boat and dive in to see the corals and fish lurking nearby. Rack rates from a ludicrous $195 per night.

Get out

• Managaha Island. A small island sheltered in a lagoon, this is Saipan's best spot to snorkel. There are even some introductory scuba trails laid out in rope on the sea bed, which also make for great snorkeling sightseeing tours.

External links

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