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General Description

The jewels of Palau are its 200 Rock Islands, densely forested limestone islets of varying sizes and shapes.

Palau's unique geography makes it a divers' mecca. Three major ocean currents converge there, funneling a wide variety of marine life: 700 corals and anemones, 1,500 kinds of reef and pelagic fish, rare chambered nautilus and giant tridacna clams that are commonly over four feet long and weigh a quarter-ton.

Moreover, Palau Lagoon encloses dozens of World War II shipwrecks, coral reefs, blue holes, giant undersea tunnels, stalactite-filled caves and over 60 vertical dropoffs.

Because of the diversity and density of the marine life and the topography of the islands, Palau is regarded as one of the best dive sites in the world.

Add clear waters with visibility often more than 100 feet, sea temperatures that average 82 degrees, some of the least visited and most romantic islands in the South Pacific.


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Getting There


Flights

Many visitors to Palau arrive on Continental Airlines by way of daily flights from Guam--gateway to Micronesian. There are daily connections to Guam from Tokyo, USA, and other metropolitan centers around the world. Continental Airlines provide daily flights from Guam to Palau and twice a week from Manila, Philippines. Delta offers direct flights from Narita, Japan to Palau four times a week.

In addition, there are scheduled chartered ariline services and they are Asiana Airline from Incheon, South Korea, China Airline from Taipei, Taiwan-ROC, and Japan Airlines from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, Japan to Palau.

From the western seaboard of the United States, you can hop to Hawaii, skip to Guam, then jump to Palau. For a scenic island route, you can do an island hop across Micronesia to Palau. Through Asia, there are twice weekly charter services between Taipei, Taiwan and Palau and additional flights are also available during peak seasons. From Europe,visitors can fly via Emerates direct to Manila, Philippines and onwards with Continental Airlines to Palau--this is possible without overnight stay in Manila.

Departure Tax - $20. US

Flying Times and Distances to Palau
The following list contains times and distances to Palau from Main Points of Departure:
From: Distance (statute miles) / Flight Time
Honolulu: 4609 / 8:45
Guam: 813 / 1:45
Manila: 1041 / 2:35
Tokyo: 2394 / 4:25
Taipei: 2533 / 4:55
Seoul: 2804 / 5:35
Los Angeles: 7161 / 13:55
New York: 9612 / 18:55

Domestic Airline:
Belau Air - Daily and charter flights to the islands of another and Peleliu.

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.

Customs, Immigration and Health Requirements
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. 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.


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Visitor Information


Travel Tips

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. 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).

Weather
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.
Palau's water temperatures are in the low 80s °F (high 20s °C) year-round. Palau is located 400 miles north of the equator and is completely out of typhoon range. The weather is almost the same year round. There is no real wet or dry season.

Time
GMT/UTC plus 9 hours

Electricity
110/230V, 60Hz (American style outlets)

Banks
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.

Shopping
Shopping Centers and Restaurants:Open daily till 10:00PM

Communication
US Postal Service- Zip Code 96940,
Internet Service - Internet Cafes are available in Koror
International Phone Service-Direct call or Prepaid Phone Card
Cellular Phones-Cellular service exists but is not compatible with any international cell phone system.

Palau Activities
The most popular recreational activities are scuba, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, beaches, sportfishing, tennis.

Climate
Tropical, hot and humid with occasional showers

Best Time to Visit
Year Round

 

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