Palau operates exclusively on the United States Dollar. No currency exchange is necessary for travelers arriving from the United States. ATMs exist in Koror, the commercial center, and dispense USD. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger dive operators, but cash remains necessary for smaller restaurants, taxi services, and village markets. Visitors should bring sufficient cash if planning to stay outside Koror, as ATM access on Babeldaob and outer islands is limited or nonexistent.
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport on Babeldaob serves as the sole international gateway. United Airlines operates direct flights from Guam approximately three times weekly. Asiana Airlines and Korean Air provide service from Seoul Incheon. China Airlines connects Palau to Taipei. Flight schedules vary by season, with reduced frequency during the low travel months of May through September. Palau Pacific Airways operates domestic flights to Peleliu and Angaur using small propeller aircraft. These flights depart irregularly and are often subject to weather cancellations.
Citizens of most countries receive a 30-day visa-free entry stamp upon arrival. This applies to passport holders from the United States, Japan, European Union member states, South Korea, Taiwan, and several other nations. The Palau Visitors Authority maintains the current list of eligible countries. All visitors must complete the Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee payment online before departure. This mandatory fee is 100 USD for tourists and 50 USD for children under twelve. Payment generates a confirmation document required at immigration. Separately, a departure tax of 50 USD applies to all international passengers and is typically included in airline ticket pricing. Visitors planning to stay beyond 30 days must apply for extensions through the Bureau of Immigration in Koror, which grants extensions in 30-day increments up to a maximum total stay of 90 days.
Mobile phone coverage exists on Koror, parts of Babeldaob, and Peleliu. Palau National Communications Corporation operates the primary network. International roaming is available for major carriers, but costs are high. Purchasing a local SIM card at the airport or in Koror costs approximately 10 to 15 USD, with prepaid data packages starting around 25 USD for one gigabyte. Internet speeds in Koror reach adequate levels for email and messaging but are insufficient for sustained video streaming. Hotels typically provide WiFi, though connection quality varies significantly. The Rock Islands and outer atolls have no cellular coverage.
Tap water in Koror comes from treated sources and is generally drinkable, though many visitors prefer bottled water. Babeldaob's water infrastructure varies by state, with some areas relying on rainwater catchment systems. Boiling or filtering water is advisable outside Koror. Bottled water is widely available in stores and costs 1 to 2 USD per liter. Medical facilities are limited to a single hospital in Koror, the Belau National Hospital, which provides basic emergency care and stabilization. Serious medical emergencies require evacuation to Guam or Manila. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential. The hospital lacks advanced imaging equipment and has limited surgical capabilities. Several small clinics operate in Koror for minor ailments, but none exist on the outer islands.
Driving requires a Palauan license, obtained by presenting a valid foreign license at the Bureau of Public Safety in Koror and paying a fee of 10 USD. The license is valid for 30 days. Rental cars are available only in Koror and on Babeldaob, with daily rates ranging from 60 to 90 USD. Roads on Babeldaob are paved and connect Ngerulmud, Melekeok, and Koror via the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge, completed in 2002. Roads in northern Babeldaob states are narrower and less maintained. Speed limits are posted in miles per hour, typically 25 mph in villages and 40 mph on open roads. Driving is on the right side. Fuel stations exist in Koror and at several points along Babeldaob's main road. Peleliu and Angaur have minimal paved roads, and visitors typically rent bicycles or arrange transportation through guesthouses.
Taxis operate in Koror without meters. Fares are negotiated before departure. A typical ride within Koror costs 5 to 10 USD. Transport to the airport from central Koror runs approximately 20 to 25 USD. No public bus system exists. Tour operators provide transportation as part of package pricing for Rock Islands excursions, which typically cost 150 to 250 USD per person including boat transport, lunch, and entry fees. Inter-island boat travel is irregular and weather-dependent. No scheduled ferry service connects the islands. Travelers wishing to visit Peleliu or Angaur without flying must arrange private boat charters, which cost several hundred dollars depending on group size and distance.