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Micronesia

PalauTravel guide

Explore Palau visa rules

Palau, also called Belau, is a group of more than 300 tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines. It is known for diving, marine life and the Rock Islands.

Why go

  1. Explore the Rock Islands, a World Heritage site.

  2. Dive at Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel or Blue Holes.

  3. Visit ancient stone monuments and terraces with a guide.

  4. Learn about Palauan culture and wartime history in local museums.

Getting there

By air

  • Palau's only airport is Roman Tmetuchl International Airport on Babeldaob. It is also called Airai, and its airport code is ROR.
  • The source lists direct flights from Brisbane, Guam, Manila, Nauru, Taipei and Tokyo. Brisbane flights run on Saturdays only, and charter flights operate from Hong Kong.
  • Arrange your hotel transfer before arrival. In 2023, no taxis were waiting for arriving passengers, and a transfer cost about US$30.

By sea

  • Arriving by private boat is possible but recommended only for experienced sailors.
  • Cruise ships occasionally visit Palau.

Customs

  • Visitors must sign the Palau Pledge on arrival, promising to protect the environment.
  • Single-use plastics and sunscreens that harm reefs are prohibited.
  • Buying, selling or using sunscreen or skin care products containing chemicals that damage reefs is illegal.

Getting around

  • Rental car

    Traffic drives on the right. Rental cars may have the steering wheel on either side. Some roads are bumpy, so drive slowly. The national speed limit is 25 miles per hour, or 40 kilometres per hour, including on rural roads. Speed signs use miles per hour. Passing slow vehicles is illegal.

  • Motorcycle

    Palau is small enough to explore by motorcycle. The source describes rentals as relatively cheap.

  • Boat

    Many dive trips involve a boat ride of an hour or more. A trip with two dives costs around US$150, according to the source.

  • Walking

    Downtown Koror is described as quite safe to walk around at night. Watch for traffic because sidewalks are limited, even downtown.

What to see and do

  • Rock Islands

    This group of 250 islands is a World Heritage site. Many are tiny and uninhabited, with beautiful views above and below the water.

  • Ancient stone monuments and terraces

    Guided tours explain the legends surrounding these historic places.

  • Local museums

    Museums introduce traditional Palauan culture and the country's wartime history.

  • Scuba diving

    Popular sites include Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel and Blue Holes. Blue Corner is known for sharks and strong currents.

  • Snorkelling in Jellyfish Lake

    Tours visit a lake with jellyfish that have lost their stingers, but sightings are not guaranteed. Scuba diving is prohibited in the lake.

  • World War II battlefield tours

    Local dive shops and boats offering onboard accommodation run tours that include wartime battlefields.

Food and drink

  • Bento lunch boxes

    Japanese-inspired packed lunches are very popular.

  • Restaurants in Koror

    Koror has the country's largest concentration of restaurants.

  • Food shopping in Koror

    Stores offer a wide range of foods to serve communities from Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Japan and the United States.

  • Red Rooster Beer

    Palau's small brewery makes Amber, Stout and three other beers.

  • Abai Ice

    This small hut in Koror serves fresh fruit smoothies.

  • Sam's Dive Shop

    The source recommends it for an affordable drink.

Money

United States dollar (USD), divided into 100 cents.

  • Prices are comparatively high in this remote island destination.
  • Even a basic daily budget is around US$100, according to the source.

Tipping: Tips are not mandatory, but a tip of 10–15% is generally expected.

Typical costs

  • Basic daily budget: around US$100.
  • Airport transfer: about US$30 in 2023.
  • Boat trip with two dives: around US$150.
  • Jellyfish Lake snorkelling tour: around US$100 in 2023.

Language

  • English and Palauan are the official languages.
  • Some islands also give official status to their own languages.
  • Japanese has official status in Angaur.

Staying safe

  • Palau is described as quite safe, including downtown Koror after midnight. Use common sense when walking at night.
  • Watch for traffic when walking, as sidewalks are limited.
  • Saltwater crocodiles live in mangroves and the Rock Islands and may be found elsewhere in Palau. Attacks are rare, but have occurred.
  • Bull sharks are common in coastal waters and river mouths. Be cautious when diving or snorkelling.

Local customs

Do

  • Respect local culture and cultural differences.
  • Protect historic places.
  • Keep the islands and ocean free of pollution.
  • Follow the environmental promises in the Palau Pledge.

Don't

  • Make rude or prejudiced remarks about local culture.
  • Damage historic areas or harm the ocean.
  • Use sunscreen or skin care products containing chemicals that damage reefs.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is generally safe to drink, according to the source.
  • Drinking water from private wells is not recommended.

Phone and internet

  • Two mobile carriers are listed: PNCC and Globus.
  • You can buy a mobile SIM card at mini marts, shopping centres or the carriers' official stores.
  • Free Wi-Fi is common around Koror.
  • A local mobile SIM card is another way to access the internet.

Outdoor adventures in Palau

Palau is a tropical island country best known for scuba diving, with sharks, underwater sites and the scenic Rock Islands. You can also snorkel in Jellyfish Lake, surf at Angaur or explore remote southwestern islands with your own ocean-going boat.

  • Blue Corner

    Scuba divingRock Islands

    Join a tour through a local dive shop or a live-aboard boat, where guests sleep on board. The boat ride takes less than one hour from most resorts.

    • The site has a strong current.
    • Sharks are regularly present. Take care while diving.

  • Jellyfish Lake

    SnorkellingRock Islands

    Join an organised tour to snorkel in the lake.

    • Cost: Tours were listed at US$100 in 2023.

  • German Channel

    Scuba divingRock Islands

    Arrange a dive tour through a local dive shop or a live-aboard boat.

    • Bull sharks are common in Palau's coastal waters and estuaries. Take care while diving.

  • Blue Holes

    Scuba divingRock Islands

    Arrange a dive tour through a local dive shop or a live-aboard boat.

    • Bull sharks are common in Palau's coastal waters and estuaries. Take care while diving.

  • Ulong Channel

    Scuba diving

    Arrange a dive tour through a local dive shop or a live-aboard boat.

    • Bull sharks are common in Palau's coastal waters and estuaries. Take care while diving.

  • Angaur surfing

    SurfingAngaur

    Head to Angaur for surfing. Transport and local operator details are unspecified.

  • Southwestern islands exploration

    SailingSouthwestern Palau

    Visit with your own ocean-going yacht or other suitable marine transport. Before travelling, meet the island governors at their offices in Koror. A trip on the supply vessel Atoll Way may sometimes be possible.

    • Take mosquito repellent if visiting Meriil.

Airports, metros and trains in Palau

Airports with scheduled flights

  • RORRoman Tmetuchl International AirportBabelthuap IslandMain international airport

People and safety in Palau

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian87%
  • Other10%
  • No religion1%
  • Buddhist<1%
  • Folk religions<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #63 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

75% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 196 of 198 countries can visit Palau easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required34
  • Visa on arrival162
  • Visa required2

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa54 of 54 countries
  • Europe46 of 46 countries
  • Americas35 of 35 countries
  • Oceania13 of 13 countries
  • Asia48 of 50 countries

Questions

What is the weather like in Palau?

Palau is tropical all year, with an average temperature of 28°C. Rain can fall year-round and is more frequent from July to October.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Arrange a transfer in advance. In 2023, taxis were not waiting for arriving passengers, and a transfer cost about US$30.

How much should I budget each day?

The source gives around US$100 a day for a basic budget. Palau uses the United States dollar.

Can I speak English in Palau?

English and Palauan are the official languages.

What driving rules should I know?

Drive on the right and stay within the national limit of 25 miles per hour, or 40 kilometres per hour. Passing slow vehicles is illegal.

Will I definitely see jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake?

No, jellyfish are present only sometimes, and sightings are not guaranteed. You can snorkel there, but scuba diving is prohibited.

Can I drink the tap water?

Tap water is generally safe to drink, according to the source. Water from private wells is not recommended.

How can I get internet access?

Free Wi-Fi is common around Koror. You can also buy a local mobile SIM card from a mini mart, shopping centre or carrier store.

Can I bring my usual sunscreen?

Sunscreens that harm reefs are prohibited. Buying, selling or using sunscreen or skin care products containing chemicals that damage reefs is illegal.

Where can I find food?

Koror has the largest concentration of restaurants and stores with a wide range of foods. Japanese-inspired bento lunch boxes are popular.

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