Palau Travel Guide, Everything I Wish I Knew Before Going
Palau was on my list for years before I actually made it there, and my trip somehow managed to exceed every expectation I had built up. This tiny island country in the western Pacific has built its entire reputation on the ocean, and believe me, the reputation is completely deserved. In this guide I have collected everything I learned across my own travels so you can plan your first visit with real confidence and skip the mistakes I made.
Getting There and Entry
Palau is served by a single international gateway for most visitors, with flights coming in mainly through Manila and a few other regional hubs. Getting there is not cheap and there is essentially one real route, so book early and keep your schedule flexible. On arrival, many nationalities can enter without a prearranged visa for short tourist stays. You will still need a passport valid for well beyond your visit, proof of onward travel and a confirmed place to stay.
I also had to complete a health declaration at the airport. The entry rules have tightened in recent years and can change quickly, so check with your nearest embassy or the official Palau immigration website before you book anything. A few minutes of research will save you a disappointing surprise at check in.
The Rock Islands Are the Main Event
Palau’s beating heart is the Rock Islands, a maze of hundreds of mushroom shaped limestone islets scattered across a vast turquoise lagoon. Almost every one of the must do excursions runs right through here, and it is easy to see why. The best way to see them is on a guided boat tour, and you will have to join one because access to much of the lagoon is carefully managed to protect the fragile ecosystem and its wildlife.
I spent three separate full days out on the water touring different corners of the maze and still felt I had only scratched the surface. Each route offered something different, from hidden coves and lagoons to sandbanks where the boat just stopped because there was nowhere further to go worth leaving for.
Swimming in Jellyfish Lake
The headline attraction for most visitors is the Jellyfish Lake on Mecherchar Island, where millions of golden jellyfish pulse gently through the warm water and have, over time, lost their ability to sting. Swimming among them is genuinely surreal, like floating through a living cloud. The visit is strictly controlled, you must enter with a guide and follow every rule, and the lake sometimes closes temporarily to protect the jellyfish population. I checked carefully before my own visit to make sure it was open, and I recommend you do the same close to your dates.
Diving and Snorkelling Without Equal
For certified divers, Palau is an absolute bucket list destination. The walls, the famous drift dives and the WWII wrecks draw divers from every corner of the globe, and the marine life is extraordinary. I am not a certified diver myself, so I stuck to snorkelling, and even from the surface the reefs were among the most vibrant I have ever seen. If you do dive, bring your certification card and book with a reputable operator, because the conditions at some sites can be demanding.
Where to Stay
Most accommodation in Palau clusters on the main island of Koror. You will find everything from simple budget guesthouses to upmarket resorts, and prices sit noticeably higher than in much of Southeast Asia. I started in a budget guesthouse in Koror town and later treated myself to a resort a short boat ride out, which felt like a completely different holiday in the best way. Either way, staying in Koror keeps you close to the tour departures, which saves you time and hassle.
Getting Around
Koror is small and partly walkable, but a car or taxi makes life much easier. I rented a car for a couple of days to explore the land side and it was well worth the cost. Tours from Koror cover most of the lagoon, so you do not need a boat of your own. If you are heading to the quieter northern islands, transfers and ferries are easily arranged through the tour operators based in town.
Money and Practical Things
Palau uses the US dollar, which simplifies budgeting for many visitors. Daily costs run higher than you might expect because almost everything is imported and prices reflect that. I found that food and activities pushed my budget well past what I normally spend in the Philippines or Indonesia. Cash is handy on the smaller islands and outer atolls, though the main town of Koror has working ATMs and card friendly restaurants.
When to Go and My Final Thought
The dry season from roughly November to April offers the calmest seas and the clearest water, which is ideal for the lagoon tours. I visited within that window and had near perfect weather the whole time. Palau is not a cheap destination and it genuinely takes effort to reach, but it is one of the most extraordinary coastal places on earth. For anyone who loves the ocean and its wildlife, I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
