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, the U.S. Military has only one small permanent presence on Saipan, the U.S. Coast Guard. 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 recognised as such, their independence is equally important.
While English is the official language, relatively few people on Saipan speak English as their first language. Nevertheless, nearly everybody does speak English (and a smattering of Japanese), though with much more of an accent than on Guam. Most locals speak Chamorro, Carolinian or another of the Micronesian languages at home. The majority of people living on Saipan are overseas contract labor, however. These people come mostly from Philippines (travel, diving and entertainment), Bangladesh, China (clothing manufacture) and Taiwan. Furthermore, Korean, Japanese and (recently) Russian tourists make these languages fairly prevalent as well.
Most hotels are geared toward a particular language/nationality such as Japanese or Korean, which represent most of the tourism. A notable exception is Pacific Islands Club, which is geared toward a multilingual/multinationial clientele. Likewise, most of the SCUBA shops are geared toward Japanese or Korean tourism, though the heavy reliance on Philippine dive staff ensures that many will also be able to handle English-speaking customers.
'''Saipan International Airport''' ('''SPN''') is located in the southeast corner of the island. Direct flights are available from Tokyo and Nagoya (via Northwest Airlines), Seoul (via Korean Air and Asiana), and the nearby islands of Guam, Tinian, and Rota.
U.S. travelers require passports and must pass through customs, as Saipan and the CNMI are considered international locations.
There is little public transport as such, excluding shuttle buses running between larger towns.
There is no public bus service on Saipan, but on Saipan PDI and other companies run a shopping shuttle bus to and from the Duty Free mall (DFS Galleria) in Garapan. DFS also has their own free shuttle from most of the major hotels.
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.
Car rental is a good option for getting off the beaten track, as roads are generally quite good. Most car rental offices are either at the airport or at major tourist hotels; some offer a free pick up and drop off service.
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.
Saipan, Guam, and many other islands of the Marianas were all important '''battle sites''' 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.
Scuba diving and snorkeling on Saipan 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 travelers. 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 recreational 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. While boat dives are available, you can still drive to some '''awesome dive sights, like Grotto'''. A cavern dive to open ocean is great. If you go outside, you will need a guide. Very easy to get turned around outside and lose track of the tunnel back in.
For lengthy descriptions of individual dive sites in Saipan, see WikiTravel's Dive Sites of Saipan page.
You may also want to check out one or more of the '''5 golf courses'''. Two were designed by Greg Norman, one by Larry Nelson and another by Graham Marsh. The other course is considered a "local" course. There is also a 9 hole course that is great for beginners.
Recently, Segway of Marianas has started renting out Segway Personal Transporters for use in exploring downtown Garapan at reasonable rates.
The '''Saipan Hash House Harriers''' [http://www.huffypuffy.com/] meet every Saturday at 3:30PM at the Bank of Guam parking lot in Garapan to run, hike, jog, climb and otherwise trek through jungle, swamps, mountains, and other terrain. It's usually a great way to meet people and see a side of island life you might not catch otherwise.
'''Trekking''' and other land-based activities are available on the island. '''The Forbidden Island''', originally occupied by evil spirits and now a bird sanctuary, can be reached by an hour's hike from the edge of the town of Kagman on the east coast. Take a snorkel kit to enjoy the diving area between the island and shore.
Most trekking activities will require a guide.
Duty Free Galleria, in the center of Garapan, has the top name brands and fashions available for high prices (but supposedly lower rates than in Tokyo). Locally made crafts are available in some stores on the islands, but check first to make sure the items were not manufactured in the Philippines, Thailand, or Indonesia.
The largest locally owned souvenir store is La Moda Isla [http://www.lamodaisla.com]. It's located on the north side of DFS Galleria. It's got a full selection of island oriented merchandise both made locally and throughout Asia. They've got a snack bar with free wifi.
There is a tiny branch of '''Bestseller Books''', packed full of the latest titles as well as magazines and travel guides, in the Joeten Susupe shopping center. '''Music And''', further south on Beach Road, carries discs by local musicians.
One of the classic adventures on island is a bike tour done by Marianas Trekking up on the North Coast. The guides take you up by van to the top of Suicide Cliff and then you can ride down, with stops at all of the historical sites, and a snorkeling stop at the Blue Grotto. The tour breaks for lunch at Mariana Beach and ends at the Mandi Asian Spa. It is a treat.
Many nice bakeries exist in and around Garapan and local breakfast places are within walking distance of the main hotel area. Seafood is understandably very fresh.
Hard Rock Cafe, Tony Roma's, McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, and the Filipino hamburger chain Jollibee are all represented on Saipan. Vegetarian options are possible to find as well. For self-catering options, try one of the '''Joeten''' supermarkets for fruits and vegetables, some locally grown.
Enjoy a selection of Hawaiian favorites such as Kalua Pig, Spicy Poki, Sashimi, Sesame Shrimp, and many other. Weekly specials on drinks and food --- see the local Saipan Tribune for more info. Our specialty on Wed & Sat is a little taste of Mexico --- the best and only in Saipan!
Hawaii Bar & Grill located on Orchid Street in Garapan, Saipan (across from the Hyatt parking lot, next to Primo's Sports Bar) We are open 6pm-11pm Monday thru Saturday Call us at 233-8200</eat>
'''Karaoke/Hostess Bars''' abound in Garapan, as do Gambling Casinos, all of which allow ample drinking opportunities if one is so inclined.
'''Coffee Care Saipan''', is located part way up Capitol Hill road (now "Isa Road"), near Vestcor and Micronesian Brewers, is a great place to eat or enjoy some fine coffee. Need a ride? Call 323-5282. Or, send e-mail to:coffeecare@saipan.com
'''Thai House''', next to the Cabrera Center in Garapan. Call them at 235-8424 for a ride.
'''The Hyatt''' has the best Sunday Brunch in the Asia/Pacific region, according to some travelers. Don't miss it.
'''The Spicy Thai Noodle Place''' (Tel : 235-8603) in San Antonio next to the Thailand Food Store has excellent Thai food.
'''Oleai Beach Club''' is a great 'sunset' bar and lunch spot on the beach in San Jose Village. It's popular with the locals because of their lunchtime $1 Taco Special.
'''Giovanni's''' at the Hyatt Hotel in Garapan offers the best Sunday Brunch in the Pacific for $34.00. Reservations are a must. The Hyatt also has a daily buffet lunch for $20.00
Saipan finally has a multiplex theatre run by Wallace Theaters. Now with first run movies with Dolby Digital sound. As of April, 2008 the theatre was closed due to incessant power outages on the island. The theatre is presently open again, do not know for how long though due to power availability and rates.
If you like to run, drink beer or both, there is an active chapter of the '''Hash House Harriers''' (a drinking club with a running problem) on Saipan. The Saipan Hash House Harriers meet every Saturday at the Bank of Guam building in Garapan at 3:30 PM in 'Winter', and 4:00 PM in 'Summer'. Join the Hash if you'd like to meet some folks from Saipan, see some of the lesser known areas of the island, and enjoy a bit of outrageous partying. The cost is US$10.00 per person for the run, all the beer, soda and junk food you can consume, and all the fun you can handle. The Hash also has a [http://www.huffypuffy.com home page].
For those with a different idea of 'fun', there are plenty of night clubs, strip joints, karaoke bars and massage parlours.
'''Truong's Restaurant''' vietnamese cuisine.
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.
Many hotels and restaurants on Saipan now offer free wireless internet access to customers that bring their own laptops, including Coffee Care, McDonalds, Wild Bill's in Garapan, '''Java Joe's''' in Dandan, and '''Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan''' in Garapan. La Moda Isla in Garapan offers free wifi in its snack bar area.
According to the 3 October 2007 ''Saipan Tribune'', "tour agents have been reported to be overcharging customers while deviously forcing tour operators to bid against each other". An official interviewed about the matter rhetorically asked, "Tourists who have been ripped off may not complain, but once they got home, what kind of stories would they tell about our island?"