Palau

Travel Information

Flight time: Approximate flight duration from London, UK to Melekeok, Palau is approximately 16 hours.

Airport terminal fee: A departure tax of $20.00 USD and a $15.00 "Green Fee" is required for each person departing Palau. The "Green Fee" is used to fund Palau's Protected Area Network's for conservation purposes. The $35 is required to be paid in cash prior to exiting the ticketing area. There is an ATM at the airport in case you forget.

Time Zone:GMT +9 (Wintertime), BST +8 (Summertime)

Passport and Visas: All travellers must be in possession of a passport that is valid at least for six months from the date of departure and a return airline ticket. Citizens of the United States are granted a 1 year visa upon arrival while passport holders of most other western countries obtain a 30 day tourist visa upon arrival. For non U.S. citizens intending to stay longer than 30 days, you may obtain two 30 day extensions for a total of 90 days. Applications for an extension must be approved at least 7 days prior to visa expiry and there is a charge of $50 for each 30 day extension. For visa updates please visit the Palau Visitors Authority website - http://www.visit-palau.com/

Language and Religion: Palauan and English are the official languages of the Republic of Palau and both are widely spoken. Tagalog, Japanese and Mandarin are also quite common. The population is predominantly Christian - with 70% following either the Roman Catholic or Protestant faiths. Modekngei is a mix of Christianity and ancient Palauan customs practiced by around 10% of the population. Islam and Judaism are also found in Palau.

Currency: The US Dollar is the official currency of Palau. The approximate exchange rate is $1.59 USD for £1 GBP (Nov 2012). The majority of established hotels, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards or travellers checks. Occasionally smaller, family-run business will only accept cash. There are several US operated banks and plenty of ATMs so cash is readily accessible.

Electricity: Onboard S/Y Palau Siren there are both 220V and 110V with 2 round pin sockets (European style). Please make sure you take a universal adapter with you if necessary. On land, Palau uses 110V with the US style 2 pin outlets.

Telephone: The mobile phone coverage in Palau is with AT&T which is not compatible with most international mobile phone system and if it is, is very expensive. To use your mobile phone in Palau we would therefore advise you to purchase a Palau sim card which should work fine in your phone as long as it is unlocked. The country code is +680 or 00680. To call the UK from Palau, dial +44 or 0044 and remove the first 0 from the area code of the number you are calling.

Health: Health care is readily available in Palau. The Belau National Hospital is a professionally staffed hospital with an experienced barotraumas team. It is situated in the capital city of Koror along with several other private health clinics. To prevent stomach ailments we recommend travellers follow normal precautions with food and drink bottled water only. Please consult your doctor or nearest health care professional for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. Visitors arriving from countries which are affected by Cholera or Yellow Fever must show proof of immunization upon arrival.

Climate and Weather: Palau is 7 degrees north of the equator and enjoys a warm tropical climate year round. Temperatures average 27°C, while water temperatures average a pleasant 27°C as well. As a tropical island Palau is subject to rainfall throughout the year though more frequently between July and October. Diving, however, is excellent year around with high season considered to be November through May.