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Palau (officially the Republic of Palau, also known as Belau) is a small island nation of around 18,000 people in the Micronesian Pacific, made up of roughly 340 islands in the western Caroline Islands chain. It is a global leader in marine conservation — home to the world's first shark sanctuary (2009) and one of the largest marine protected areas — and maintains a close relationship with the United States under the Compact of Free Association. Most nationalities enter visa-free for up to 30 days, alongside a mandatory eco-commitment — the Palau Pledge — stamped into every visitor's passport on arrival.
Visa Requirements for Palau
Palau offers visa-free entry to citizens of most countries for tourism purposes. Upon arrival at Roman Tmar International Airport (Koror) or via sea ports, visitors receive an entry permit valid for 30 days for most nationalities. Citizens of many countries can stay up to 90 days visa-free. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. Return or onward ticket required. Visitors must pay a $50 Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee upon arrival (cash or credit card), plus a $30 departure tax when leaving (sometimes included in airline tickets). These environmental fees fund Palau's conservation efforts. The entry process is straightforward with immigration forms distributed on flights. No advance visa application required for eligible nationalities. Visa extensions beyond initial permit may be available through Bureau of Immigration. Palau maintains focus on sustainable tourism with visitor numbers intentionally limited to protect environment. The "Palau Pledge" — a mandatory eco-pledge visitors stamp into passports — commits travelers to environmental protection during their stay. Palau is safe with low crime rates and welcoming to tourists.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (Tourist Permit)
For tourism, issued on arrival for citizens of most countries including US, Canada, UK, EU nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many others.
Visa Extension
For tourists wishing to extend stay beyond initial 30 or 90-day visa-free period.
Advance Visa (Embassy Application)
Required for limited nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry, applied through Palauan embassy or consulate.
Work Permit / Business Visa
For employment in Palau, requires employer sponsorship and approval from Division of Labor.
Important Travel Information
•World-Class Diving: Palau is consistently...
•Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau): One...
•Rock Islands UNESCO World Heritage...
•Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee and...
•WWII Heritage Sites: Peleliu island...
•Compact of Free Association with...
•Limited Infrastructure and High Costs:...
•Getting There: Palau is remote...
•Safety and Health: Palau is...
•Best Time to Visit: Year-round...
Palau is a western Pacific archipelago of around 340 islands universally recognised as one of the world's premier scuba diving destinations — Blue Corner, German Channel and Jellyfish Lake anchor a marine-conservation story that includes the world's first shark sanctuary (2009) and one of the largest marine protected areas on Earth (2015). The UNESCO-listed Rock Islands, Peleliu's WWII heritage sites and the mandatory Palau Pledge round out a country built around protecting what draws visitors to it in the first place.
Discover Palau
What Makes Blue Corner and German Channel World-Class
Blue Corner's reputation comes down to a specific piece of underwater geography: a plateau where the reef drops away on multiple sides, so a strong current sweeping across it concentrates plankton and, in turn, the sharks, trevally and rays that feed on the resulting food chain — divers typically use reef hooks to hold position in the current and watch the action rather than swim against it. German Channel functions as a manta ray cleaning station because small cleaner wrasse and other fish gather at specific coral bommies to pick parasites off larger animals; mantas learn these locations and return to them predictably, which is why sightings there are far more reliable than chance open-water encounters elsewhere.
The Science Behind Jellyfish Lake
Jellyfish Lake's golden jellyfish became isolated in their landlocked marine lake thousands of years ago when sea levels dropped, and without predators to sting for defence, the population gradually lost most of its stinging capability over generations — an evolutionary shift specific to this population rather than the species generally. The jellyfish migrate across the lake daily following the sun, since they host photosynthetic algae in their tissue and effectively farm sunlight for energy, spending the day moving to stay in bright water. Scuba diving is banned specifically because the lake's deeper layers contain hydrogen sulphide concentrations that are hazardous to divers exhaling bubbles near them, a risk that doesn't apply to snorkellers staying at the surface.
How the Rock Islands Got Their Mushroom Shape
The Rock Islands' distinctive undercut, mushroom-like profile comes from bioerosion at the waterline, where a combination of grazing marine organisms and chemical erosion wears away the limestone base faster than the vegetated top, a process that has operated continuously over thousands of years across all 445 islands. Kayaking routes typically thread through narrow sea arches and channels between islands that are only passable at certain tide heights, which is why most tour operators time departures around the tide table rather than a fixed daily schedule.
Visiting Peleliu Today
Peleliu is reached by a short flight or boat crossing from Koror, and a single day is generally enough to see the main sites: the small museum in the island's main settlement provides historical context before visitors head out to the jungle-covered bunkers, tanks and artillery positions, many left largely as found rather than restored or curated as formal exhibits. The hike up Bloody Nose Ridge is the most physically demanding stretch of the circuit, climbing through dense jungle to a series of historical markers; because parts of the island are treated as memorial ground, visitors are expected to stay on marked paths and behave respectfully around the relic sites.
The Palau Pledge as Law, Not Just Symbol
Unlike a voluntary sustainability charter, the Palau Pledge is a legally binding condition of entry: it's physically stamped into every visitor's passport at immigration, and violating its terms — damaging reefs, using banned sunscreen chemicals, disturbing wildlife — can carry real penalties under Palauan law rather than functioning as a symbolic gesture. The model has drawn international attention as a template other small island nations have studied when designing their own visitor-impact policies, and Palau's 2020 sunscreen ban specifically targets oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals with documented effects on coral reproduction and reef health even in small concentrations.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Blue Corner is one of the world's most celebrated dive sites: a plateau where reef sharks, grey reef sharks, barracuda, and giant trevally gather in enormous numbers driven by a powerful current. German Channel is a manta ray cleaning station where mantas hover predictably over coral bommies. Peleliu Wall drops 900 feet vertically. WWII wrecks include Japanese Zero fighters and US Corsairs. Visibility frequently exceeds 30 m. Advanced OW certification recommended for current sites. Shark ban means shark populations are dense and undisturbed.
Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk island contains millions of golden jellyfish that migrated into a landlocked marine lake millennia ago, lost their sting due to the absence of predators, and now move in dense golden clouds. Snorkelling among them is one of the Pacific's most singular wildlife experiences. Scuba diving is prohibited to protect the ecosystem. Access requires Rock Islands permit ($100, 10 days). Populations recovered after a 2016 El Niño decline.
445 uninhabited limestone islands with undercut mushroom bases rising from turquoise lagoons. Kayaking through sea arches, snorkelling pristine reefs, hidden beaches, and marine lakes accessible only by boat. Mandatory Rock Islands permit ($100, 10 days). Day tours from Koror include multiple snorkel sites and beaches. No development permitted. Iconic mushroom island photography and world-class snorkelling.
Peleliu island preserves dense jungle around bunkers, tanks, artillery and Bloody Nose Ridge from WWII (September–November 1944), largely untouched and atmospheric. A WWII museum in Koror provides context. Accessible by 45-minute flight or boat from Koror — one of the least-visited WWII heritage sites in the Pacific.
Every visitor to Palau must stamp the Palau Pledge into their passport at immigration — a commitment to act ecologically responsibly, not harm reefs, not feed fish, use only reef-safe sunscreen (harmful chemicals banned since 2020, the first country to do so). The $50 Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee funds marine conservation. Palau is a global leader in conservation tourism: world's first shark sanctuary (2009), one of the largest marine protected areas (2015).
Money & Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Currency code: USD
Practical Money Tips
US Dollar (USD) — Palau's official currency; no Palauan currency exists; exchange EUR, AUD, and other currencies at NECO Marine Credit Union or Bank of Guam in Koror before arriving on outer islands; airport exchange at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (limited); no exchange facilities on outer islands
Palau uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency — there is no separate Palauan currency. EUR, AUD, GBP, and JPY can be exchanged at NECO Marine Credit Union and Bank of Guam in Koror. The Roman Tmetuchl International Airport in Airai has limited exchange facilities on arrival. Outer islands (Peleliu, Angaur, Kayangel, Hatohobei) have no exchange facilities whatsoever — arrive with USD. ATMs are limited to Koror and nearby areas. Most dive operators and resorts accept USD as the default.
ATMs limited to Koror — NECO Marine Credit Union, Bank of Guam, and PacificCash ATMs in Koror area; accept Visa and Mastercard; no ATMs on outer islands (Peleliu, Angaur, Kayangel); no ATMs at the Rock Islands access points; withdraw USD in Koror before island-hopping; cash essential outside Koror
ATMs in Palau are limited to Koror, the main commercial town. NECO Marine Credit Union and Bank of Guam have ATMs that accept Visa and Mastercard. Daily withdrawal limits apply. There are no ATMs on Peleliu, Angaur, Kayangel, or Hatohobei islands. The Rock Islands (Ngermid Harbour) and Jellyfish Lake access area have no banking facilities. Withdraw sufficient USD in Koror before any multi-day island excursion or boat trip to outer islands. Resorts and liveaboard dive boats should be pre-paid or accept cards.
Card acceptance good in Koror resorts and dive shops — Visa and Mastercard at larger hotels, Palau Pacific Resort, Sam's Tours, Fish n Fins; Apple Pay and Google Pay work (US financial infrastructure); limited card acceptance at local restaurants and small shops; cash preferred for local markets and smaller businesses
Card acceptance is reasonable in Koror, Palau's main hub. Larger hotels such as Palau Pacific Resort and Palau Royal Resort, international dive operators (Sam's Tours, Fish n Fins, Neco Marine), and larger restaurants in Koror accept Visa and Mastercard. Apple Pay and Google Pay work in Palau — the country uses US banking infrastructure and the same payment systems as the United States. Local restaurants, small shops, minibus taxis, and village-level services prefer or require USD cash. All outer island accommodation and services are cash-only.
Expensive dive destination — mid-range hotel Koror USD 100–220/night; dive package (2-tank boat dive) USD 80–130/person; Rock Islands Entry Permit USD 100 (7-day pass); Jellyfish Lake entry USD 35; Peleliu historical tour USD 60–80; restaurant meal USD 15–35; tipping is not part of Palauan culture — avoid
Palau is one of the world's premier but expensive dive destinations. Mid-range hotel in Koror: USD 100–220/night. International-standard dive resort: USD 220–500/night including meals. Two-tank boat dive with a reputable operator: USD 80–130/person. Liveaboard dive trip (multi-day): USD 250–400/day. Rock Islands Entry Permit: USD 100 for a 7-day pass (mandatory for Rock Islands waters). Jellyfish Lake entry: USD 35. Peleliu historical site day trip: USD 60–80 including boat transfer. Restaurant main course in Koror: USD 15–35. Grocery at WCTC Mall: USD-priced, similar to US convenience store. Tipping: tipping is not part of Palauan culture — it can be considered rude. Do not tip guides, dive instructors, or restaurant staff.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Do Apple Pay and Google Pay work in Palau?
Is tipping expected in Palau?
Do I need cash for outer islands like Peleliu and Angaur?
Can I exchange EUR or AUD in Palau?
What is the Rock Islands Entry Permit and how do I pay?
Are Wise or Revolut useful in Palau?
Is Palau expensive?
What USD denominations should I bring to Palau?
Embassies in Palau
These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.
Key origin countries
Accredited missions for Palau
Why is Blue Corner known for shark sightings specifically?
The plateau's underwater geography concentrates a strong current that carries plankton and, with it, the sharks, trevally and rays that feed along the food chain it creates — divers use reef hooks to hold position and watch rather than fight the current.
Why don't the jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake sting?
Isolated in a landlocked lake for thousands of years with no predators, the population gradually lost most of its stinging capability over generations — an evolutionary change specific to this lake's population rather than the species as a whole.
Can I scuba dive in Jellyfish Lake?
No — it's snorkelling only, because hazardous hydrogen sulphide concentrations in the lake's deeper layers pose a risk to divers exhaling bubbles near them, a danger that doesn't apply to snorkellers staying at the surface.
How much time do I need to visit Peleliu?
A single day is generally enough — a short flight or boat from Koror, the small museum for context, then the jungle-covered relic sites and the hike up Bloody Nose Ridge to the historical markers.
Is the Palau Pledge just a formality?
No — it's a legally binding condition of entry stamped into your passport, and breaching its terms (reef damage, banned sunscreen, disturbing wildlife) can carry real penalties under Palauan law rather than functioning as a symbolic gesture.
Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.