Saipan is located in the Western Pacific, 1500 miles east of the Philippines, 1500 miles southeast of Tokyo, and 3000 miles north of Sydney Australia.  There are direct flights from Japan on Delta/Northwest Airlines (connecting through Minneapolis, Detroit, San Fransisco, JFK) daily.  There are daily flights on Asiana from Incheon in Korea.  There are also small commuter airline flights (Continental Connection) from Guam 5 times a day. The currency here is the US Dollar but many stores accept Japanese Yen as well.

Once on the ground, there are taxi's, rent a cars, scooters, and of course hotel shuttles if you have made those arrangements.

The average temperature here is 85 degrees Farenheit all year round and the water temperature is usually about 80 degrees Farenheit.

There are 7 major hotels on Saipan on the Western Lagoon and several smaller budget hotels located in and around Garapan.  Pacific Islands Hotel is the official hotel of the Saipan Sportsfest. www.pacificislandsclub.com/saipan

There are restaurants which serve Indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, American, and many other delightful combinations.  There are also many nightspots for drinking and dancing and whatever. Most restaurants have free wireless internet access as well.

Coffee Care, Cafe on the Park, Thai House, Cappriciosa and Tony Roma's, Hard Rock Cafe, just to name a few are some of my favorite restaurants.  Just check the phone book. Some even offer free hotel pick up.

 WEATHER

The temperature is usually around 85 degrees F all year round during the day and the water temperature is few degrees cooler.  Be sure and bring sunblock because the sun is pretty intense. Light clothing is recommended.

HOTELS

To see a list of hotels in Saipan, click here.