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Travel Guide
Visiting Palau
Select your passport to instantly check if you need a visa.
Discover
Top Attractions in Palau
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
A UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2012, the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon encompasses roughly 445 uninhabited limestone islets scattered across 100,200 hectares of turquoise water. The islands' distinctive mushroom-shaped silhouettes rise from some of the most biodiverse reef systems on earth, hosting over 385 coral species, 700-plus fish species, and 13 species of shark. Visitors explore the lagoon by boat, kayak, and snorkel, discovering hidden coves, marine lakes, and white-sand beaches tucked between forested limestone walls.
Jellyfish Lake
Jellyfish Lake sits on Eil Malk Island within the Rock Islands and contains millions of golden jellyfish that have evolved in isolation, having lost the potent sting of their open-ocean relatives. Every day the jellyfish migrate horizontally across the lake following the arc of the sun, creating a surreal spectacle for snorkellers moving through the warm, amber-tinged water. Visitors require a Rock Islands permit to enter, and sunscreen is prohibited to protect the lake's delicate ecosystem.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Palau. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Palau.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 911 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Palau see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police911
Ambulance911
Fire911
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Drive on
right
Language
Palauan, English
Plug Types
Type A, B
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Palau
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Palau page at Yoogo.
Palau uses the United States Dollar (USD) as its official currency. Card payments are accepted at larger hotels, dive operators, and some restaurants in Koror, though smaller establishments and outer islands operate on a cash-only basis, so it is advisable to carry sufficient notes.
Palau is generally considered a safe destination with low rates of violent crime. Petty theft can occur in tourist areas, so standard precautions around valuables apply. The main risks are environmental, including strong ocean currents at dive sites and the possibility of tropical cyclones between June and December.
Koror is compact and can be explored on foot or by taxi. Beyond the main island, most transport is by boat, with tour operators running day trips to the Rock Islands, Peleliu, and other outer islands. Rental cars are available for exploring Babeldaob via the paved Compact Road, and ferries connect Koror to Peleliu several times a week.
The dry season from December to April brings the clearest skies, calmest seas, and underwater visibility that can exceed 40 metres, making it the peak period for diving and island touring. The wet season from May to November sees more rainfall and occasional rough weather, though diving remains possible and accommodation rates are noticeably lower.
Palauan and English are the two main official languages, and English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and dive shops throughout Koror. Outside the main tourist areas, particularly in older communities on Babeldaob, Palauan is the dominant language, and a few words of greeting in Palauan are warmly received by locals.
Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for travellers to Palau, and it is worth consulting a travel health professional at least four to six weeks before departure. Malaria is not present in Palau, but dengue fever has been recorded, so using insect repellent and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodation is advisable.
Tipping is not a standard custom in Palau, and service charges are not typically added to bills. Leaving a small gratuity at restaurants or for dive guides is appreciated but entirely at the visitor's discretion, and no offence is taken if one is not given.
Palau has two local mobile networks, PNCC (PalauCel) and Palau Mobile, both offering 4G LTE coverage in and around Koror and along the main Compact Road on Babeldaob. Airalo offers regional Oceania packages that cover Palau for travellers who prefer to arrange data connectivity before arrival. Coverage drops off significantly in the Rock Islands and on outer islands.