Micronesia (Palau)
Visitors Info
If you're an avid scuba diver, you already know tropical Palau's the last word in underwater wonderlands. Likewise if you're a war buff (you are?), you'll remember the archipelago's significance from the final days of WWII. What you may not know is that Palau also features Micronesia's richest flora and fauna, both on land and beneath the waves, and what's more, they released an Elvis Presley postage stamp a full year before the USA got around to doing so.

Of all the nations to come out of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau has the smallest population, the vast majority of which is concentrated in the capital, Koror. Translation: not only does Palau offer a central metropolis for all your (little) big city needs, but better still, step outside the city's boundaries and you'll never once have to pick your way through commuters on your way home from the beach. Bring your binoculars as well as your beach towel - you're going to like what you see.

Getting There & Away

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^Koror (North - Airport)

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^ Koror (South - Town)

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^ Angaur Island (detail)

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^ Pelilui Island (detail)
Continental has daily flights to and from Guam. Far Eastern Air Transport has twice-weekly flights to Taiwan and another option, if travelling from the USA, is a Circle Micronesia air-pass. Other connections are through Guam. The airport is a 25 minute drive from the capital Koror and travellers leaving Palau must pay a US$20 departure tax.

Although there are inter-island boats within Micronesia, it's rare to find any sort of passenger vessel going to Palau from countries outside the region, aside from the occasional private yacht and live-aboard dive boat. Organized tours focusing on diving, snorkeling and - in dwindling numbers - guiding WWII veterans back through the islands in which they fought during the war are also available.

Getting Around

A few hotels provide airport transportation for their guests. Otherwise, there's a shuttle bus service, taxis and car rental available at the airport. Because Koror is the nation's commercial center, Palauans commonly commute by private speedboat between Koror and their home villages on other Palauan islands. You can sometimes hitch a ride with them by offering to chip in for gas. Ask around at the gas docks. Otherwise, there are occasional flights aboard small Cessnas and weekly trips by government boats from Koror to Peleliu and Angaur.

Visitors are allowed to drive in Palau for 30 days with their home country's driver's license. Driving is on the right, and the speed limit is a doddering 25mph (40k/h).

When to go
Springtime is full of festivals in Palau and can make it an interesting time to visit. February and March are Palau's non-rainy months, while June to August is the stormiest period. Typhoons tend to hit around this time when they come, which isn't often. Palau's water temperatures are in the low 80s °F (high 20s °C) year-round, much to divers' delight. See also next weeks weather forcast for Palau.

Money & Costs
Comfortable travel in Palau will run between US$200 a day or more, depending on your taste for island hopping and dive packages. Travellers on a moderate budget can get by for about half that, assuming they only see a few islands and keep their food costs down. Those getting by on a shoestring can do so for around US$50, but that's not leaving much room for doing the things the islands are famous for. Spend the extra money and get beneath the waves.

There are banks in all the major tourist areas, where credit cards and travellers' cheques are widely accepted. Neither tipping nor bargaining is mandatory in Palau.

Meals
  • Budget: US$5-10
  • Mid-range: US$10-20
  • Top-end: US$20 and upwards

Factsheet:
  • Visas: All tourists may visit Palau for 30 days, visa is issued on arrival for up to 30 day stay and can be extendend and passport should be valid for 6 months further and onward tickets and documents required by entry.
  • Health risks: Dengue fever, typhoid fever, filariasis, jellyfish, poisonous fish, coral and sea snakes
  • Time: GMT/UTC plus 9 hours
  • Electricity: 115/230V, 60Hz
  • Weights & measures: Imperial
  • Holidays & Festivals: Spring is a busy time around the islands. During the last week in April or the first week in May, the Palau Sport Fishing Association hosts their Annual Fishing Derby, attracting anglers from all over the region. The islanders' attentions are brought back to shore on 22 April for Earth Day. On 9 July, the Belau Arts Festival highlights the islands' best artists and artisans. The third week of November brings Tourism Awareness Week - an extra dose of haole consciousness - to Palau. Below you find a list of most important holidays.
    • 1 January - New Year's Day
    • 15 March - Youth Day
    • 5 May - Senior Citizens' Day
    • 1 June - President's Day
    • 9 July - Constitution Day
    • 4 September - Labor Day
    • 1 October - Independence Day
    • 23 November - Thanksgiving Day
    • 25 December - Christmas