[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Palau, Republic of](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/) # Guide to Palau, Republic of To visit Palau, Republic of, check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references. Palau invites a combination of the Rock Islands, Babeldaob and everyday Koror. Conservation is not scenery: plan around its rules and the people who care for the sea. [Places in Palau, Republic of · 2 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/palaos/) ## Visa for your trip Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically. Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling. [Destination source](https://bcbp.pw/?page_id=165) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm) Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source. ## eSIM and connectivity Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. [Saily ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim?source=guide&lang=en)[Airalo ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim-airalo?source=guide&lang=en) Affiliate links: we may earn a commission on purchases. ## Currency and payments US Dollar (USD) ## Embassy Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission. View 4 missions and contacts ### [Embassy of Japan, Koror](https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/) Koror [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62471446) ### [Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Koror](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62479846) Koror [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62479846) ### [embassy of the United States in Palau](https://pw.usembassy.gov/) Airai / Koror Omsangel/Beklelachieb[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105622818) ### [Apostolic Nunciature to Palau](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12785023) [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12785023) ## Highlights ### [Rock Islands Southern Lagoon](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/islas-rocosas-de-palaos/) Rainforest-covered limestone islets surrounded by coral lagoons. ### [Koror](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-koror/) Island life, museums and access to Palau’s seascapes. ## Complete guide · chapter reading [Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-0) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-1) · [Talk](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-2) · [Regions](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-3) · [Cities](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-4) · [Other destinations](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-5) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-6) · [Get around](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-7) · [See](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-8) · [Do](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-9) · [Buy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-10) · [Eat](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-11) · [Drink](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-12) · [Sleep](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-13) · [Learn](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-14) · [Stay safe](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-15) · [Stay healthy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-16) · [Respect](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-17) · [Connect](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/palaos/#full-chapter-18) ## Introduction Palau (Belau) is a group of more than 300 tropical islands in the area of the , to the southeast of the . ## Understand After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands chose independence in 1978, instead of joining the . A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. Palau became independent on October 1, 1994. It is illegal to sell/buy or use sunscreen or skin care products that contain chemicals that damage the reef. Details can be found on the [ICRI web page](https://www.icriforum.org/the-republic-of-palau-bans-sunscreen-chemicals-to-protect-its-coral-reefs-and-unesco-world-heritage-site/). History Early Palauans may have come from and . Depending on the origin of a family, Palauans may represent many parts of , and Polynesia. However, they are not traditionally considered to be Micronesian. For thousands of years, Palauans have had a well established matrilineal society, believed to have descended from Javanese precedents. Palau had limited relations before the 18th century, mainly with Yap and . Had it not been for shipwrecked islanders who took refuge in the Philippines, Europeans likely would not have found Palau until much later. Englishman Captain Henry Wilson was shipwrecked off the island of Ulong in 1783 and it was Wilson who gave the archipelago the name "Pelew Islands". In the late 19th century, possession of the islands was claimed by Britain, Spain, and Germany. In 1885, the matter was brought to Pope Leo XIII for a decision. The Pope recognized the Spanish claim, but granted economic concessions to Britain and Germany. Palau then became part of the Spanish East Indies, along with the , the Caroline Islands and the . They were all administered from the . Spain sold the Palau archipelago to Germany in 1899 after which it was administered from German New Guinea, and a period of economic development began. German engineers began exploiting the islands' deposits of bauxite and phosphate, and a rich harvest in copra was made. World War I intervened and the German period lasted only 15 years after which the League of Nations awarded Palau to Japan as a South Seas Mandate. The Japanese presence made Palau a major target for the Allied forces in World War II, and there were several major battles in the area. Climate Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone. Culture Palau inherits its traditional practices and a modern cultural life in its closeness to nature. There is a tradition of storyboards (itabori), which is storytelling recorded in old Palauan legends and skill of woodcarvings. Tourist information [Palau Tourism](https://www.pristineparadisepalau.com/) website ## Talk English and Palauan are the official languages, although some islands also give official status to their own languages. The state of Angaur is actually the only place in the world where Japanese is an official language, as Japan has no official language. ## Regions Melekeok The largest island, with a population of roughly 6,000 people, also Babelthuap, Babelthwap, Babeldoub, Babeldaub, etc. Home of the largest city of the same name. A made up of almost 300 mostly uninhabited islands, home to Jellyfish Lake, a lake with millions of jellyfish with very weak stingers where snorkelers can safely swim. PeleliuAbout 700 people live here, mostly in the village of Kloulklubed. AngaurRemote southern outpost with about 200 inhabitants, site of a major World War II naval battle and a modern-day surfing destination of some repute. Sonsorol IslandsConsists of Sonsorol and Hatohobei states; these islands are home to about 100 people, way to the southwest of the rest of Palau. ## Cities - 2km from the new capital of Ngerulmud. This is on the island of Babeldaob and is a pleasant drive from Koror along the new road constructed by Daewoo. Head out over the bridge and the road to Melekeok is clearly signposted. - the largest city and former capital. Koror contains Palau's only real concentration of shops, restaurants, and hotels. Many of the largest dive operators are also based here. ## Other destinations The southwestern islands of Palau are worth a visit if you have your own marine transport such as an ocean-going yacht. There are Sonsorol, Fana, Meriil, Hatohobei and Helen Reef, a conservation area. However be sure to take mosquito repellent if you visit Meriil as its local name is Dancing Island. Go there and you will find out why! If you intend to visit any of these islands it is a wise idea to make the acquaintance of the governors at their offices in Koror. If you are lucky you just might be able to take a trip on the island supply vessel, the Atoll Way. Sleeping is on a hard wooden platform along with the other souls who are either returning to their home islands or maybe the doctor from Peleliu Island Hospital who is making a routine visit to check up on the health of the islanders. ## Get in Visa requirements Visas are not required by citizens of any Schengen country (90 days), (90 days), the (1 year), (90 days), the (1 year) and the (1 year). Nearly all other visitors can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival, except for citizens of and who must obtain a visa in advance. Upon entry, visitors must sign the Palau Pledge, a promise to protect the environment. Single-use plastics and non-reef-safe sunscreens are prohibited. Children of Palau, I take this pledge as your guest, to preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home. I vow to tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully. I shall not take what is not given. I shall not harm what does not harm me. The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away. Palau Pledge By plane The only realistic choice. There is only one airport, Airai (ROR), or officially Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, on Babeldaob. This airport is served by scheduled direct flights from Brisbane (on Saturdays only), Guam, Manila, Nauru, Taipei and Tokyo, and charter flights from Hong Kong. As of 2023, there were no taxis waiting for incoming passengers at the airport, so you will need to organize your transfer to your hotel in advance (approx US$30). By boat Possible but only recommended for experienced mariners. Cruise ships occasionally visit Palau. ## Get around By taxi There are many local taxis. By car If you rent a car, be prepared to drive slowly on some bumpy roads. Palau features both left- and right-hand drive cars, which can cause some confusion; traffic drives on the right. If you drive south to Ice Box Park, the facility behind it is a sewage treatment plant. The road further north is paved and is very nice... once you get past the airport. Renting a motorcycle is also a good idea. Palau is small enough to ride around on one, and rentals are relatively cheap. Speed limits in Palau are in miles per hour (mph), with the same design of the speed signs seen in the . The national speed limit is 25 mph, even on rural roads. It's also illegal to pass slow vehicles. By boat Any other diving will be from a boat, after an hour or more ride which will cost around US$150 for a two-tank dive. There are no dive spots or beaches on Koror, the main island. ## See Most visitor attractions are found on and around The or Chelbachebover. These 250 rock islands — many tiny, uninhabited places — offer some enchanting views and are a World Heritage site. Popular dives include Blue Corner, Blue hole and the German Channel. Take a guided tour along ancient stone monoliths and terraces while your guide tells you about the legends that surround them. With just over 21,000 inhabitants, even the capital might feel like a village, but there's a handful of interesting sights and a few museums showcasing traditional Palau culture and the country's turbulent war time history. Again though, it's the sheer beauty both above and under water that makes visitors rave about this small island nation. Palau is the site of the world's first shark sanctuary across 629,000 kilometers in exclusive economic zone and breeds a variety with 135 species of endangered sharks. ## Do Palau is most famous for . The Blue Corner, with constant sharks and a high current, is less than 1 hour's boat ride from most resorts. There are many local dive shops and live-aboards that offer tours, including tours to battle fields. The Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel and Blue Holes are all amazing dive sites. Snorkelling in jellyfish lake has become less popular lately. This lake contains jellyfish which have evolved away their stingers in the absence of predators. There are many tours you can join (US$100, 2023) which will go to the jellyfish lake to snorkel. Scuba diving is not permitted, nor is necessary, in the jellyfish lake. However, the warming of the lake, caused by climate change, forces the jellyfish to leave it and go elsewhere. As a result, jellyfish are present in the lake only sporadically, and not in the numbers seen only a few decades ago. Seeing them is not guaranteed. ## Buy Money Palau uses the U.S. dollar as its currency ("$", ISO currency code: USD). It is divided into 100 cents. Costs As you might expect from a remote island where tourism is the main industry, prices are comparatively high, and even a low-end daily budget would be around $100/day. An increase in visitor numbers in 2015-16 (including many Chinese package tours) has caused overcrowding; in 2017, President Tommy Remengesau proposed policy intended to reposition Palau as a destination of primarily "five-star hotels" (so fewer visitors, at a higher cost) to limit the negative environmental and social impact. Tipping Tipping culture in Palau is similar to the United States. It's not mandatory, but it is generally expected that you pay a customary 10–15% tip. Handicrafts Palauan storyboards are traditional wood carvings depicting Palauan myths and legends. ## Eat Palau has large communities from Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Japan and the United States and the local stores have evolved to supply their needs. So Koror offers an amazing range of foodstuffs in its stores, at a price of course. Japanese-inspired Bento lunch boxes are very popular. Koror also has the largest concentration of restaurants. ## Drink Many licensed establishments in Palau — from quiet little bars to Japanese-style karaoke bars complete with bar girls. For a decent affordable drink, try Sam's Dive Shop or High Tide. Alcohol is readily available at most stores. Public drinking is not allowed, and the local police are more than happy to inconvenience you if you are caught. Red Rooster Beer. Despite its size Palau has a small brewery, to be found next to the West Plaza by the Sea hotel (see below). It offers Amber and Stout and three other beers. Abai Ice in Koror is a small hut that offers fresh fruit smoothies — highly recommended. ## Sleep Budget Palau offers a number of guest house style boutique accommodations. Some are close to or within Koror, some are not. These are available for international bookings via dive shops that offer holiday packages (such as [Sam's Tours](http://www.samstours.com/)). Prices range from US$50 a night upward. Mid-range There are also a number of nice basic hotels available in Palau. Splurge There are lots of reasonably high end resorts on Palau, most catering for scuba divers. ## Learn Palau Community CollegeOffers AS/AA degrees and occupational certificates. The campus library is open to the public, and offers computer terminals for community members and visitors to check email. The school is accredited through the Western Association of Colleges. Listing reviewed2020-01-17 [Official website](http://pcc.palau.edu/) ## Stay safe Palau is quite a safe country to visit. Walking in downtown Koror at night, even past midnight is quite safe. But as with any place in the world today, common sense prevails. Pedestrians should be careful, as sidewalks are limited even in downtown Koror. Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) still exist in Palau's mangroves and in the beautiful Rock Islands and can potentially be found anywhere on the island. Despite their fearsome and, in some areas, very justified reputation, here they rarely grow to the immense size that they do in Australia and New Guinea. There was only one fatal attack by a crocodile in Palau within recorded history and that occurred in 1965. The biggest crocodile in Palau's history was 15 feet in length; large, but average size for saltwater crocodiles in most other countries. The rarity of attacks probably stems from the fact that there are no more than 150 adult individuals on the island. Snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular in Palau. A 2012 attack on a tourist was the first since 1965. According to one survey, it appears crocodiles are unjustly hated by the locals, in harsh contrast to the worship they are given by the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The reasons for this are unclear. Bull Sharks are common in the coastal waters and estuaries, so caution must always be taken while scuba diving or snorkeling. ## Stay healthy According to the [CDC](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/clinician/none/palau), tap water in Palau is generally safe to drink. Drinking from private wells is not recommended. ## Respect Palauans have been known throughout history for their hospitality. Many Palauans are very understanding, realize cultural differences, and easily give respect for foreign visitors. Be sure, however, to always pay respect to the local culture. As with any other ethnic group, rude remarks or any form of prejudice against the local culture is not taken kindly. Palauans can be just as angry and rude as they are kind. As long as you do not disrespect the culture, violate historic areas, pollute, or harm the ocean in any way, you will find the local atmosphere very laid back and easy going. ## Connect There are 2 ways to get connected to the Internet in Palau. You can use free Wi-Fi, which is common around Koror, or you can get a SIM card from one of the 2 carriers (PNCC, Globus). You can buy a SIM card from mini marts, shopping centers or the carriers' official stores. Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-08-08T21:54:13Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5325308) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Palau&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ## Local food ### Demok Palauan soup using taro leaves. ### Taro cocido A root central to food and ceremonial exchanges. ### Bento local Japanese-influenced boxed meal in everyday food culture. ## Local drinks ### Café A Koror café drink, not exclusively Palauan. Alcohol-free ### Bubble tea Documented contemporary option, not an Indigenous traditional drink. Alcohol-free Plan your itinerary ### Operator and permits Confirm which permits a Rock Islands outing includes and which areas it will visit. ### Responsible diving Choose dives suited to your experience; ask about currents and alternatives if conditions change. ### Villages and taro Ask before entering bai meeting houses, taro gardens or community land. ### Babeldaob The largest island, with a population of roughly 6,000 people, also Babelthuap, Babelthwap, Babeldoub, Babeldaub, etc. ### Koror Home of the largest city of the same name. ### Rock Islands A UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of almost 300 mostly uninhabited islands, home to Jellyfish Lake, a lake with millions of jellyfish with very weak stingers where snorkelers can safely swim. Local reading and routes ### [Palau's capitol complex](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) The State of Melekeok is home to Palau's capital complex, though the village of Ngerulmud houses the complex. However the complex is the only thing in Ngerulmud. The picturesque capitol grounds include the judicial, legislative and executive buildings for the national government. The capitol complex remains controversial to many locals, given its expansive size and cost relative to the country's tiny population. ### [Did el Bad er a Beriber](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) Ancient Dock's stone bridge. ### [Ngermecheluch Site](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) ### [Lomech er Ngii el mora](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) Ancient stone path. ### [Odalmelech](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) Ngermelech Gods carved from stone. ### [Meteu el Klechem](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) ### [Bai el Melekeong/Euang el Chades](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) Melekeok's Bai and its platform of four. ### [Badrulchau Stone Monoliths](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Babeldaob#See) Possibly Palau's largest archaeological site with a collection of 52 ancient stone monoliths. ### [Palau International Coral Reef Center](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Koror#See) Very educational aquarium with a handful of open-air habitat exhibits and a single room of aquaria with various local aquatic life. The emphasis is on education, though the entire place is easily seen in 30-60 minutes. ### [Belau National Museum](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Koror#See) Learn about the history, culture and arts of the country. The main exhibition is about Palau throughout history; different aspects of their traditional lifestyle, the Spanish, Japanese and American eras as well as a section on the Taiwanese aborigines. The museum also features research and media libraries and some 4,500 objects, ranging from money and artworks to domestic utensils and canoes. ### [Etpison Museum](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Koror#See) Another museum displaying the culture and history of Palau and Micronesia, housed in a building decorated with colored tiles and carved figures including a spider god who, according to legend, taught Palauan women how to give birth. The exhibits include mannequins presenting traditional clothing and situations, historical tools and money, canoes, shells, and art. ### [Sacred Heart Church](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Koror#See) A Catholic church finished in 1935 on the site of a church built during the Spanish rule. The low, white building with brown corners has a veranda with a bell tower that itself has a balcony on top of it. ### [Melekeok](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melekeok) 2km from the new capital of Ngerulmud. This is on the island of Babeldaob and is a pleasant drive from Koror along the new road constructed by Daewoo. Head out over the bridge and the road to Melekeok is clearly signposted. ### [Koror](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-koror/) the largest city and former capital. Koror contains Palau's only real concentration of shops, restaurants, and hotels. Many of the largest dive operators are also based here. ## Sources [Palau Visitors Authority · Demok](https://pristineparadisepalau.com/special-events/demok-fest/) · [Palau Visitors Authority · guía cultural](https://pristineparadisepalau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Alii-Palau-English.pdf) · [Palau Visitors Authority · bebidas contemporáneas](https://pristineparadisepalau.com/experience/bubble-tea-shop/) · [Palau Visitors Authority · experiencias](https://pristineparadisepalau.com/experiences/)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0 [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Palau](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5325308) [Guides by topic](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/?view=topics)