Question 1

How many days do I need in Palau?

Accepted Answer

5-6 days is realistic. Getting here eats into a short trip — flights are limited and often arrive late at night. A workable plan is one Rock Islands boat day (Milky Way, Long Beach, snorkeling), two diving days (Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel), one day on Babeldaob (Ngardmau Waterfall, the capital), and an optional Peleliu WWII day, then departure. Almost everything is based in Koror, the main town on Koror Island; the islands themselves are reached by boat. Three days only covers the Rock Islands plus a little diving, and weather can cancel a boat day, so build in a buffer.

Question 2

When is the best time to visit Palau?

Accepted Answer

The drier months, roughly November to April, are the most reliable for boat trips and diving, with calmer seas and better underwater visibility. May to October is the wetter season with more frequent rain and the occasional tropical storm — Palau sits below the main typhoon belt but is not immune. Temperatures barely move all year (highs around 30-31°C, lows around 24-25°C); it is humid year-round. There is no true 'cold' season. Diving is possible year-round, but visibility and sea conditions are generally best in the drier months.

Question 3

Is Palau safe?

Accepted Answer

Palau is generally a low-crime, safe destination for travelers; violent crime against visitors is rare. The real hazards are in the water: strong currents at famous dive sites like Blue Corner and Ulong Channel (a reef hook and an appropriate certification matter), boat days that can be rough, sun exposure, and remoteness — medical facilities are limited and serious cases are evacuated off-island, so travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly advised. Always dive within your training and follow your guide.

Question 4

Do I need a visa for Palau?

Accepted Answer

Most nationalities receive visa-free entry on arrival for a generous stay — US citizens up to one year, and many other passports (EU, UK, Australia, Japan, Korea, Canada) from 30 days up to a year, depending on agreements. Rules change, so confirm with your airline or Palau immigration before you fly. You will also pay the Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee ($100), which is now collected within the airfare on tickets to Palau, and you must sign the Palau Pledge stamped into your passport on arrival.

Question 5

What should I prepare before traveling to Palau?

Accepted Answer

Bring reef-safe (mineral) sunscreen — Palau banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octcrylene and several other chemicals in 2020, and non-compliant products can be confiscated. Pack a rash guard, water shoes, and your diving certification card and logbook if you dive. Carry some US cash for tips, smaller vendors and Peleliu. Book flights early (few carriers serve Palau) and reserve dive days and tours ahead in peak season. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is important given the limited local healthcare.

Question 6

How is Palau different from Guam, Saipan or the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Palau is a sovereign Pacific nation (not a US territory like Guam or Saipan) built around marine conservation — it has a Pledge, a sunscreen ban, and a $100 environmental fee, and its draw is diving and the UNESCO-listed Rock Islands rather than resorts and shopping. Compared with the Maldives, Palau is less about overwater villas and more about wreck dives, shark walls and limestone islets. It is remote and expensive, with no real budget tier and limited nightlife — you come for the water, not the resort scene.

Question 7

How much does Palau cost per day?

Accepted Answer

Palau is expensive and has essentially no backpacker tier. A lean day still runs around $100+ once you factor in a guesthouse, meals and local transport; a comfortable mid-range day is roughly $230-250; and a higher-end day with a resort and serious diving can pass $500. The big variable is activities — boat tours and two-tank dives are the budget breakers, often $130-260 per day before fees. Palau uses the US dollar, so there is no currency conversion for dollar-based travelers.

Question 8

What are the mandatory fees in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Two are unavoidable for most visitors. The Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee is $100 per person, now included in the price of international tickets to Palau. To enter the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon you need a permit — around $50 per person, valid about 10 days. Visiting Jellyfish Lake requires an additional permit (around $100 per person when the lake is open to visitors). Reputable tour operators usually arrange the Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake permits for you, but confirm whether the quoted tour price includes them.

Question 9

Do I need cash in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Cards are accepted at hotels, dive shops and larger restaurants in Koror, but bring US-dollar cash for tips, small eateries, market stalls, mopeds and especially Peleliu, which is very cash-oriented with little to no card infrastructure. ATMs exist in Koror (Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii) but can be limited or run out, so withdraw what you need while in town. Budget extra for tipping dive guides and boat crews.

Question 10

How much are hotels in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Simple Koror guesthouses and budget hotels run roughly $50-90 a night; mid-range hotels around $100-180; and the better resorts (Palau Royal Resort, Palau Pacific Resort and similar) from around $250 upward, more in peak season. Options are concentrated in and around Koror — there is no large hotel scene out in the Rock Islands, which are protected. Book ahead in the drier high season, as inventory is genuinely limited.

Question 11

Why is Palau so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Almost everything is imported by sea or air to a nation of around 18,000 people, fuel for boats is costly, and tourism is deliberately capped and conservation-focused (fees, permits, limited development). Diving and boat tours carry premium prices because they require boats, fuel, guides and permits. There is no budget mass-tourism infrastructure to drive prices down, so even careful travelers should expect Pacific-resort-level costs without resort-level discounts.

Question 12

How do I get to Palau?

Accepted Answer

Flights land at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (airport code ROR) on Babeldaob, a short drive from Koror. Service is limited and changes seasonally: routes have included connections via Manila, Taipei, Guam, Tokyo and other Asian hubs, plus seasonal charters. There are no budget mega-routes, schedules are sparse, and flights frequently arrive or depart late at night. Book early, keep connections loose, and verify your routing close to departure since carriers adjust Palau service often.

Question 13

How do I get from ROR airport to Koror?

Accepted Answer

It is a short drive (roughly 20-30 minutes) from the airport on Babeldaob across the bridge to Koror. Many hotels arrange airport transfers — worth confirming when you book, since flights often land late at night. Otherwise taxis and pre-arranged vans are the practical options; there is no train or organized public bus from the airport.

Question 14

How do I get around in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Koror is the base, and it is walkable in parts, but distances and heat make taxis common for getting between hotels, dive shops and restaurants. There is no real public transit network. Most sightseeing is on the water — Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake, dive sites and Peleliu are all reached by boat, almost always as part of an operator's tour. Some visitors rent a car or moped to explore Babeldaob (the capital, Ngardmau Waterfall) on a land day.

Question 15

Do I need to book tours, or can I go independently?

Accepted Answer

For the water, you book through operators. Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake require permits and are visited by licensed tour boats, and serious dive sites need a dive shop's boat and guide. Independent exploring is mostly limited to Koror on foot and Babeldaob by rental car. Peleliu can be visited via a guided WWII day tour by speedboat, or independently by reaching the island and renting a moped, but it takes planning and cash.

Question 16

What food should I try in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Local staples lean on taro, cassava, reef fish and coconut. Demok is a taro-leaf stew cooked with coconut milk; tinola is a ginger chicken soup often made with green papaya and chili leaves; ulkoy are deep-fried shrimp-and-squash fritters; and pichi-pichi is a coconut-and-cassava dessert. Seafood is the highlight — fresh reef fish and, when available, mangrove crab and coconut crab. Fruit bat soup is a traditional delicacy you will see on some menus, though it is not to every traveler's taste.

Question 17

Where do people eat out in Koror?

Accepted Answer

Most of Palau's restaurants are in Koror. The Taj is well known for Indian food, Drop Off Bar & Grill on Malakal is a popular seafood-and-grill spot, Kramer's Cafe is a casual waterfront favorite, Mog Mog serves Japanese-Palauan seafood, Carp Restaurant does Japanese-Palauan fusion, and Elilai Seaside is a higher-end Pacific Rim dining room with sunset views. You will also find Korean, Chinese, Japanese and American options reflecting Palau's mix of visitors and history.

Question 18

Is it easy to find food I recognize?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Koror has a practical range beyond Palauan dishes, including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian and American (burgers, fries) spots, plus convenience stores selling bento-style meals. Japanese cuisine is especially well represented given Palau's history. Out on Peleliu and the smaller islands, options shrink dramatically, so day trips often mean a packed lunch arranged by your tour. Vegetarians can manage in Koror but should expect a seafood-heavy default.

Question 19

What about drinks and alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Local lager (commonly Red Rooster) is the everyday beer, fresh coconut water is widely available, and imported drinks are sold in Koror at import prices. Note that some islands are effectively dry — Peleliu has little or no alcohol available outside hotels — so do not count on buying drinks once you leave Koror. Tap water quality varies; many visitors stick to bottled water.

Question 20

What are the must-do experiences in Palau?

Accepted Answer

A Rock Islands boat day is the signature — cruising the UNESCO-listed limestone islets, the white-sand Long Beach, and the Milky Way lagoon with its silky white clay that visitors smear on as a natural 'spa' rinse. Snorkelers and divers come for Blue Corner (a shark-and-fish wall), German Channel (manta rays), and Ulong Channel (a drift dive). Jellyfish Lake is famous when open and healthy. History travelers add a Peleliu WWII day. Most of these are full-day, boat-based outings booked through operators.

Question 21

Is Jellyfish Lake worth visiting right now?

Accepted Answer

Be realistic and check current conditions first. The lake is famous for millions of golden jellyfish, but their numbers swing dramatically — it closed for a stretch in 2017-2018 when the population crashed, and as of 2025 numbers were reported to be very low again, with only a few thousand golden jellyfish rather than the historic 'wall.' It has reopened to permit-holding visitors, but the experience varies year to year, so ask your operator what people are actually seeing before you pay the permit.

Question 22

Do I need to be a certified diver to enjoy Palau?

Accepted Answer

No — snorkelers get a lot here, including the Rock Islands, Milky Way and (when open) Jellyfish Lake, plus shallow reefs. But Palau's headline sites are dives: Blue Corner, German Channel and Ulong Channel involve walls, depth and current. Open Water is the minimum and Advanced is recommended for the current-heavy sites, where guides use reef hooks. Dive shops in Koror run courses if you want to certify, though that takes several days out of your trip.

Question 23

What is the Peleliu WWII tour like?

Accepted Answer

Peleliu was the site of a brutal 1944 Pacific battle, and the island is dotted with relics — landing beaches, tanks, bunkers, caves, memorials and the ridge fighting positions. It is reached by speedboat from Koror (about 30-60 minutes depending on conditions). Guided WWII day tours cover the key sites, or you can go independently and rent a moped on the island. Bring cash, water, sun protection and food, as services on Peleliu are minimal and it is largely dry.

Question 24

Where should I stay in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Almost everyone stays in or near Koror, the main town, because that is where the hotels, dive shops, restaurants and tour departures are. The Rock Islands are protected and uninhabited, so there is no staying out among them. Picking a hotel near the waterfront and your chosen dive operator cuts down on early-morning transfers, since boat days start early.

Question 25

What types of accommodation are available?

Accepted Answer

Options range from simple Koror guesthouses and budget hotels (roughly $50-90), through mid-range hotels (around $100-180), to a handful of larger resorts such as Palau Royal Resort and Palau Pacific Resort (from around $250). There are also dive-focused lodges tied to operators. There is no large luxury overwater-villa scene like the Maldives, and inventory overall is limited for a destination this famous.

Question 26

When should I book?

Accepted Answer

Book ahead, especially for the drier high season (roughly November to April) when seas are calmer and demand peaks. With limited flights and a small hotel stock, popular places and dive days sell out, and last-minute options can be thin or expensive. If you have specific dive days or a Peleliu trip in mind, reserve those alongside your room.

Question 27

Is Palau safe for tourists?

Accepted Answer

Palau is generally safe, with low rates of crime against visitors and a calm, welcoming feel. As anywhere, use common sense with valuables. The greater risks are environmental — ocean currents, boat conditions, sun and heat — rather than crime. Solo and female travelers generally report feeling comfortable, particularly within Koror.

Question 28

What are the main hazards to watch for?

Accepted Answer

The water. Blue Corner, Ulong Channel and German Channel have strong currents, and dives there require appropriate certification, a guide and often a reef hook — never dive beyond your training. Boat days can get rough and trips may be cancelled for weather. Sunburn and dehydration are easy to underestimate at this latitude. Stings and cuts on coral happen; do not touch marine life. The Palauan jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake are effectively harmless to humans, but ocean jellyfish elsewhere are not.

Question 29

What about medical care and insurance?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare in Palau is limited — there is a hospital in Koror for basic and emergency care, but serious cases are evacuated off-island, which is extremely expensive without cover. Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is strongly recommended, especially for divers. Bring any personal medication you need, as pharmacy stock is limited. Divers should respect no-fly-after-diving times before departing on Palau's often late-night flights.

Question 30

Are there environmental rules I must follow?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and they are taken seriously. You sign the Palau Pledge on arrival, committing to protect the environment. Only reef-safe (mineral) sunscreen is allowed — chemicals like oxybenzone and octocrylene were banned in 2020 and non-compliant sunscreen can be confiscated. Do not touch or stand on coral, do not harass marine life, and follow permit and no-take rules in protected areas. The Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake require permits.

Question 31

What languages are spoken in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Palauan and English are both official, and English is widely understood in tourism, hotels and dive shops, so most visitors get by easily. Japanese is also commonly encountered in the tourism sector, a legacy of Palau's history. A couple of Palauan words go a long way — 'alii' for hello and 'sulang' for thank you.

Question 32

Is tipping expected in Palau?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is appreciated and fairly customary in the tourism sector. It is normal to tip dive guides and boat crews (often $10-20 a day depending on service), and to leave around 10% at sit-down restaurants. Carry small US-dollar bills for this, as cash is the practical way to tip guides and drivers.

Question 33

What should I know about local customs and respect?

Accepted Answer

Palau is a small, close-knit society where conservation and respect for the land and sea are core values — the Palau Pledge reflects this. Dress modestly away from the beach and dive boats, ask before photographing people, and treat war relics on Peleliu and traditional sites (such as the bai meeting houses) with respect. Follow your guides on protected-area etiquette, and never remove shells, coral or artifacts.

Palau Travel FAQ

Palau Travel FAQ — Key Answers

General Travel Info