Palau travel and visitor guide with hotel, airport, airline and vacation information. Palau has been named one of the Underwater Wonders of the World. An archipeligo surrounded by a fringe reef, Palau's waters are packed with a great diversity of marine life. Go with tour operators that offer day trips from Koror, or stay in the islands in one of Palau's luxurious live-aboards.
Palau is served by Airai Airport (Airport Code: ROR). Most visitors to Palau arrive on Continental Micronesia, by way of daily regular flights from Guam. There are daily connections to Guam from Tokyo, U.S.A. and other metropolitan centers. Two weekly flights from Manila and two charter flights from Taipei, currently connect Palau with other metropolitan Asian cities. Visit our Airports & Airline section for more information.
After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.
Palau enjoys a pleasantly warm climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82° degrees F. (27° C.). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, and the annual average is 150 inches. The average relative humidity is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare as Palau is located outside the typhoon zone. Visit the Official Palau Tourism Site for more information.
Passport, Visa & Embassy Information
Proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate) by U.S. citizens is required. Visas are not required. Non-U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. All visitors must have return travel arrangements or approval by the Chief of Immigration for an extended stay. The fee is $100.00 (U.S.). Cholera and Yellow Fever immunizations are required for those arriving from infected areas. One bottle of liquor and up to 200 cigarettes can be brought into Palau duty-free. Importation of controlled substances and weapons is strictly prohibited. Visit our Immigration section for more information.
Palau maintains an embassy at 1150 - 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202-452-6814). The Republic of Palau's Mission to the United Nations is located at 767 Third Ave, 34th Fl, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-546-0410, fax 212-826-2858).
The mailing address for the U.S. Embassy is P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940. Telephone: 680-488-2920. Fax: 680-488-2911. Email: USembassyKoror@palaunet.com.
Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency.
