Just Landed in Palau? Your First 7 Days

PNCC is the sole telecom and internet provider, delivering mobile and fibre service that has improved sharply since Palau's second submarine cable (Palau Cable 2, part of the Google/Meta-led Echo system) came online, adding redundancy alongside the original 2017 SEA-US branch. Speeds and reliability are far better than a few years ago, but data can still feel expensive and capped compared with mainland norms, and a nationwide fibre-to-the-home rollout is still being extended. Some remote residents and businesses supplement with Starlink.

Typical cost: A prepaid SIM with a starter load costs about USD 10.60, and a visitor data bundle around USD 20 for roughly 10GB over 15 days; home broadband packages typically run from around USD 50 to well over USD 100 per month depending on speed and data allowance.

Palau uses the US dollar as legal tender, so there is no currency exchange for arrivals carrying USD, and prices, salaries and bank accounts are all in dollars. Card acceptance is limited to hotels, larger shops and dive operators, while day-to-day spending, taxis and small eateries run on cash, so always keep small bills on hand.

Opening an account: Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii and BankPacific are the main retail banks, all with branches in Koror and all FDIC-insured. Opening an account as a foreigner typically requires your passport, proof of a local address and evidence of employment or residency status, handled in person; expect several visits and paperwork before the account is fully active.

Cash: Strongly cash-based. Taxis, markets, small restaurants and outer-island services expect US dollars in hand, and card terminals are unreliable or absent, so draw cash whenever ATMs are working and carry a range of small notes for everyday transactions.

Tipping: Tipping is not deeply ingrained but is genuinely appreciated in tourist-facing settings. Rounding up or leaving around 10% for good restaurant, taxi or dive service is normal; it is not expected in casual local eateries or shops.

Palau does not operate a general address or residence registration system, so you do not need to register where you live with any local authority. However, non-citizens who intend to work or reside must obtain and maintain the correct entry permit and, for employment, a work permit through the Bureau of Immigration and the Division of Labor. This is about immigration status rather than an address registry, and overstaying or working without the proper permit carries fines and possible removal.

Where: Palau Bureau of Immigration and the Division of Labor, both located in Koror.

There is no public bus network and no ride-hailing apps, so getting around means taxis, hire cars, hotel shuttles or walking within Koror. Distances are short, but footpaths are limited and it is hot and humid, so most residents end up buying or leasing a vehicle. If you plan to drive, bring your home licence and an International Driving Permit and ask about converting to a local licence.

From the airport: Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) sits in Airai on Babeldaob, roughly 20 to 30 minutes from central Koror via the KB Bridge. Hotel shuttles, usually pre-arranged with your accommodation, are the smoothest option, especially given late-night flight arrivals. Taxis are the alternative: agree the fare before you set off, as meters are not used and prices to arriving foreigners can be inflated.

Most rentals are in and around Koror, ranging from basic local apartments to furnished, expat-standard units aimed at workers and dive-industry staff. Supply is tight and much of it is arranged by word of mouth, through employers or via local Facebook groups rather than formal listing sites, so networking beats searching online. Foreigners cannot own land in Palau, which is constitutionally reserved for citizens, so renting or long-lease arrangements are the norm.

Typical rent: A modest one or two-bedroom apartment in Koror commonly runs from around USD 500 to USD 1,200 or more per month; furnished expat-standard places and houses on Babeldaob vary widely around and above that range.

Deposit norm: Landlords typically ask for one month's rent as a security deposit plus the first month upfront. Terms are negotiated privately and are often informal, so always view the property in person and get the agreement in writing before handing over any cash.

Belau National Hospital in Koror is the country's main facility, handling routine and emergency care, with a handful of private clinics in Koror covering minor needs and dental work. Specialist treatment and serious cases are frequently referred abroad, most often to the Philippines, Taiwan or Guam, which is why medical-evacuation cover matters so much. Pharmacies are limited, so bring an adequate supply of any regular prescription medication and its documentation.

How to access it: For emergencies dial 911, which reaches police, fire and ambulance nationwide. For non-urgent care you can walk in or call Belau National Hospital or a private clinic in Koror. Be ready to pay directly, in cash or by confirmed arrangement, as billing is direct and payment options are limited.

Insurance: Palau operates a national Healthcare Fund funded by contributions, but its coverage is basic. Expats should hold private international health insurance that explicitly includes medical evacuation, given the routine reliance on overseas referral for anything beyond routine treatment.

• Respect the customary land and clan system: much land is family-owned and traditional leaders (chiefs) hold real authority, so ask before entering, crossing or using private or communal land.
• Greet people warmly and make time for small talk; a friendly 'alii' and a bit of patience go a long way, as relationships and courtesy matter more than speed.
• Dress modestly away from beaches and resorts, and remove your shoes when entering someone's home.
• Accept food and hospitality graciously when offered, and reciprocate where you can, as sharing is central to community life.
• Show particular respect to elders and chiefs in gatherings, following the lead of locals on where to sit and when to speak.
• Learn and honour the Palau Pledge you signed on entry; environmental respect is treated as a matter of national identity, not a formality.
• Be generous with your time in social settings and avoid rushing people through conversations or transactions.

• Never touch, take or damage marine life, coral, shells or artefacts; Palau enforces strict conservation rules and takes the Palau Pledge seriously, with real penalties.
• Avoid loud, impatient or confrontational behaviour in disputes, as face-saving and quiet resolution are the strong local norm.
• Be careful discussing land, clan matters or local politics until you understand the sensitivities and personalities involved.
• Do not assume mainland-style opening hours or turnaround times; offices keep short hours, close over lunch, and paperwork moves slowly.
• Avoid photographing people, ceremonies or private property without asking first, especially in villages away from tourist areas.