Airai Bai

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.