Palau Путівник
Основна інформація для подорожі — номери екстрених служб, безпека, валюта, візи, звичаї та пересування.
Palau is one of the safest destinations in the Pacific, with very low rates of violent crime against visitors. The main risks are environmental rather than criminal: strong ocean currents and boat-diving accidents, sun and heat exposure, and occasional petty theft of unattended belongings on beaches or in vehicles. Most travel advisories rate Palau as a normal-precautions destination. Saltwater crocodiles inhabit mangroves and remote channels, though attacks on people are very rare. The chief practical concern is the remoteness of medical care: serious injuries or decompression illness may require costly evacuation to Guam or the Philippines, so comprehensive travel and dive insurance is essential.
United States dollar (USD)
Types A and B, 120V, 60Hz (same as the United States)
Tipping is not a strong local tradition but is increasingly common in tourist-facing services. Rounding up or leaving around 10% at restaurants is appreciated, and tipping dive guides and boat crews (a few dollars per day) is customary among visitors. It is never mandatory.
PNCC (Palau National Communications Corporation) is the main provider and sells local prepaid SIMs and data; PalauCel/PalauTel options also exist. Coverage is good around Koror and Babeldaob but sparse on remote islands and at dive sites. Mobile data is relatively slow and expensive by global standards, so buy a local SIM at the airport or in Koror and consider downloading maps offline.
Most visitors receive a free entry permit on arrival, commonly for up to 30 days, with extensions available from immigration. A passport valid for at least six months and proof of onward travel are typically required. All departing visitors pay the Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee (charged via the airline ticket or on departure). Check current rules with a Palauan embassy or your airline before travel, as conditions and fee amounts change.
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There is no formal public bus network for tourists. Getting around relies on rental cars, hotel shuttles, taxis, and tour-operator transfers. Some hotels run scheduled shuttles between Koror and the airport or dive shops. Distances within Koror are short and walkable.
No Uber, Lyft, Grab, or similar ride-hailing apps operate in Palau
Most travel is between Koror (the main town and tourist hub) and the large island of Babeldaob, linked by the Koror-Babeldaob (KB) bridge. A paved ring road circles much of Babeldaob, reaching the capital, Ngerulmud, and Palau's airport at Airai. Outer islands and the famous Rock Islands are reached only by boat, usually via organized dive and snorkel tours; the remote Southwest Islands are served by an infrequent state supply boat.
- • Palauan society is built on strong matrilineal clans; women hold significant authority over land, titles, and family decisions, and elders are treated with deep respect.
- • Remove your shoes before entering homes and many guesthouses, and dress modestly when visiting villages away from the resorts and beaches.
- • Ask permission before photographing people, traditional bai (meeting houses), or village ceremonies. Many sites and customs are tied to clan ownership.
- • Money and gift-giving play a formal role in customary events such as funerals, first-birth ceremonies (ngasech), and house-warmings; outsiders are usually welcomed as guests rather than expected to contribute.
- • Conservation is a cultural value, not just a law. The traditional 'bul' (a moratorium on fishing or harvesting an area to let it recover) underpins Palau's marine protections, so respect no-take zones and reef etiquette.
- • Sharing food is central to hospitality; accepting at least a little when offered is polite, and a relaxed, unhurried pace ('island time') is the norm.
Light, breathable tropical clothing suits the hot, humid climate year-round. Swimwear is fine at beaches, resorts, and on dive boats but cover up in towns and villages; modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is appreciated when visiting communities, churches, or government offices. Reef-safe sunscreen is required by law, and lightweight long sleeves help with sun protection.
Palau is predominantly Christian (mostly Roman Catholic and Protestant), alongside the indigenous Modekngei faith and a Muslim minority. Sunday is widely observed for church, and some businesses keep reduced hours. Dress modestly and remove hats inside churches, keep quiet during services, and ask before photographing congregations or religious gatherings.
Scuba diving and snorkeling — Palau is a world-renowned diving destination, famous for Blue Corner, German Channel, Jellyfish Lake, and WWII wrecks; ocean activities dominate recreation. Traditional outrigger canoe paddling and fishing remain culturally important, and baseball is the most popular organized team sport, a legacy of the Japanese administration era. Palau also competes internationally in athletics, swimming, and wrestling at events like the Pacific Games and the Olympics.
October 1
Independence Day (Constitution Day)
Marks Palau's becoming a self-governing nation under its constitution in 1981 and full independence in 1994, celebrated with ceremonies, traditional dancing, canoe races, and community feasts.
Late April
Belau Games / Olechotel Belau Fair
A national cultural fair and sporting festival rotating among the states, featuring traditional foods, handicrafts, dance, and competitions that showcase Palauan heritage.
March 15
Youth Day
A national holiday honoring Palau's young people with sports, parades, and cultural events organized by schools and communities.
July 9
Constitution Day observances / President's Day period
Among Palau's official public holidays marked by government ceremonies; dates of civic holidays such as President's Day are set each year and often accompanied by community gatherings.