Hafa Adai.
Welcome to Saipan, the largest island in the CNMI
12 miles in length, and 6 miles in width, Saipan can be easily navigated. There are plenty of outdoor activities from golf on championship courses designed by Greg Norman, to tennis, hiking, scuba diving, ocean swimming and cycling. You can easily turn off the main road and access our beaches along the shoreline, or drive up some mountainous terrain to access Mount Tapochau with an elevation of 1,555′. There’s a strong sense of community in Saipan with warm Chamorro locals, the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands, a group of US mainlanders, and other nationalities and ethnicities who call the Marianas home.
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Neighborhoods
There are many neighborhoods on the island, with Garapan being the busiest area. The many bars and restaurants, as well as stores for tourists can be found along the main stretch on Middle Road and Beach Road. The hospital is at the intersection of Navy Hill and Garapan. Government offices can be found in Capitol Hill, which is a quick drive away. You will be able to find a variety of condos, and single family homes in many of these neighborhoods.
In the areas near the airport and Lao Lao Bay, as well as the beaches that dot the coastline, you will find residential homes, as well as some secluded homes. There is still easy access to supermarkets like in the Dan Dan area and Susupe.
Up north, you will find historical sites including Suicide Cliff. This area is less residential, but is great for hiking and biking.
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Bars and Restaurants
The main area for bars and restaurants can be found in Garapan. Saipan is a relatively casual place, with many dive bars around. You’ll be able to find regulars at VFW, Godfathers and Jonny’s. Korean and Japanese cuisines are very well done on Saipan, and places like Himawari, Umibouzu, and Nam Dae Moon are popular with locals and tourists alike.
If you’d like to celebrate an occasion or explore more upscale options, the brunch at some of the resorts around town offer Sunday brunch with unlimited drinks. The main ones are at the Kensington, Hyatt and Aqua. -
Day-to-day
If you are moving from the US, grocery shopping will take some getting used to, particularly if you’re coming from a larger city. There are many stores around town (e.g. Joeten, Payless, 99 Cents, Joeten Superstore, New XO, Twins II), but you might need to visit a few stores in order to get what you’re looking for. 99 Cents on Middle Road has fresh local chicken and eggs. New XO has a great selection of frozen items. At Payless you’ll be able to find some speciality brands from the US. Joeten is a reliable set of supermarkets. You can find alcohol (beers, wines, some liquor) at these stores as well.
There is good internet and cell service on the island. if you are only going to be in Saipan temporarily, you may wish to look into Google Fi where you’ll be able to keep your number. Otherwise, you can get a 670 number by going with one of the local providers (e.g. Docomo, ITE). You can get reliable internet through these providers too.
Utilities and water may cut off at times during the year given tank levels and the weather. Many homes have back-up generators and water for these times. The water from the tap is safe to drink, but does not taste good, and so many people will buy filtered water. You can refill the containers around the island, or get a delivery service.