🚲
Getting Around
Getting around Palau means embracing the boat. Most major natural sites, including the Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake, are accessible only by water taxi or guided tour boat departing from Koror. On land, rental cars and taxis serve the main island of Babeldaob, where paved roads connect towns.
⚖️
Cash or Card
Palau operates on a mixed economy where cash is still king outside of hotels and larger restaurants. Smaller eateries, local markets, and boat operators typically prefer US dollars in cash. Carrying a reasonable supply of small bills will smooth most transactions, especially on day trips to outer islands.
☁️
Good to Know
Palauan culture places great value on respect for elders and traditional authority. Visitors should ask before photographing local people or entering village areas, and should be aware that some sacred sites and lakes are protected by both national law and ancestral custom. Modest behaviour is genuinely appreciated.
🏧
ATMs
There are a small number of ATMs in Koror, including at the Bank of Hawaii and NDBP branches, but availability can be unreliable and machines occasionally run out of cash. It is strongly recommended to arrive with sufficient USD in cash, as there are no banking facilities on outer islands or at most dive sites.
💳
Currency
Palau uses the United States Dollar as its official currency, having no currency of its own. This makes budgeting straightforward for American travelers and simplifies exchange for most others, as USD is widely available internationally before departure.
🔌
Plugs
Palau uses Type A and Type B outlets, the flat two- and three-pin plugs standard in the United States. Voltage is 120V at 60Hz, so travelers from Europe or Australia will need a voltage converter.
🛡️
Safety
Palau is considered one of the safest destinations in the Pacific, with very low rates of violent crime toward visitors. The primary safety consideration is environmental: ocean currents at dive sites like Blue Corner can be powerful, and visitors should only enter the water with qualified, licensed guides who know the tides.
✈️
Airports
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), located on Babeldaob Island near Airai, is the sole international gateway to Palau. United Airlines operates the primary connections via Guam and Manila, with additional regional links through Taipei and Manila making Palau reachable from most major Asian hub cities.