Travel advice on Palau needed

Dear friends!

I'm a Swedish doctor trying to visit all the countries in the world within my life span. Have been to 164 this far.

Now, I plan to visit Palau 4-5 days in December (2015) and since Palau is not very well covered by guide books and rarely visited by tourists, save the diver and hard core globetrotter, I decided to try this forum to see what info I can get by.

To save transfer tiime I plan to base myself on the main Island (Babeldaob) and from there make various excursions including one or a few dives (I'm a PADI advanced diver). Have also heard about a place where you can snorkel or dive with lots of jellyfish.

I would be most grateful for your input as to what to see and do (and to avoid) whilst om Babeldaob/Palau. Recommendations of hotels, transportation, dive companies and reliable guides will be equally aprreciated.

After browsing the internet it seems like short stays on Palau go without a visa. Is this still true? I'm a Swedish Citizen.

I'm traveling alone but don't mind sharing experiences and costs with others

Best regards

Bengt, Stockholm, Sweden

I did a day (land) tour with Sam's Tours, it was pretty good. I wanted to go to Peleliu to see the World War II sites but they needed other tourists for that. I didn't want to incur the expense of chartering my own boat. The Palau parliament building is nice.

Hi Bengt,

I think Palau is pretty popular with Japanese and Chinese tourists.

There's some good info here, which is pretty up to date as we had a writer go there only a few months ago to update our coverage for the web. Have a look around the page it covers general info on visas etc.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/palau

I hope that helps.
Tasmin

Thank you.

I will also post a report of my activity on Palau

You have to dig for it, but there is enough on Palau to keep you busy for at least a week if you want.

I'd spend at least a day or 2 in the Rock Islands. You can go on Rock Island tours with a guide and go snorkeling. And, if you go for more than the 1-day tour, I'll bet your guide will take you to different places. I loved that area. Saw giant clams, many different coral sites, and secluded beaches.

On Babeldaup (spelling not correct), there is a place where there is an old meeting house and an old stone walkway. Other things also. These are all on the south side of that island, which is the largest in Palau. I'm not sure how much infrastructure has been done on that island farther north. But, you could charter a boat to go up the east or west side of that island.

Koror is the center of activity in Palau. This is where most of the hotels are. There is a real fancy resort on one end of that island. I stayed on this island when I traveled, and used it as a staging place for excursions elsewhere. There are a few things for tourists to do here.

I also took excursions to both Angaur and Pelilieu. For both of these, I took a prop plane from the airport, got set down, and arranged for a pickup at the end of the day.

Angaur can be done in a day. There is a trail that circles the entire island near the coast much of the way. (maps are available, but I can't remember where - I probably bought them on Guam where I was living at the time) It was about 8 miles to do this. There were wild monkeys on this island, and an old collapsed Japanese airplane hangar from WWII. Good beach views towards Pelelieu.

Pelelieu I did the same way, but I'd probably do 2 or 3 days if going there again. Too big to walk around the edge like Angaur. But, you can get rides easily there, and I believe there are a hotel or two there now. I did some hikes into the jungle and found old WWII tanks and other historical things. If you like diving, there are some sunken ships off Pelelieu that you might want to dive to.

TRAVEL REPORT FROM PALAU --- DEC 2 - 7, 2015

Here's my report from my VERY recent visit to Palau.

I flew in from Manila, Philippines, with United. Ticket was quite expensive but Pacific flights with United always are. The flight to Palau was a direct one, but on my way back to Manila I unfortunately have a long stopover on Guam.

I did not need a visa (Swedish passport) and immigration was real smooth. Had my hotel pick me up. I stayed five nights at Palau Hotel situated in downtown Koror. I paid 84 USD a night for a double room with AC and ensuite bathroom. Room was good, staff was very friendly and location of hotel excellent next to post office, several department stores and a few good eateries.

The Tourist Information was helpful but their map was not so good. I bought another map (3 USD) on the 2 nd floor of WCTC mall (across from my hotel) that was so-so.

The currency of Palau is the USD and there are several ATMs. Credit cards are widely accepted but there can be a surcharge on foreign cards up to 5%

I did all my activities with Sam's Tours that I really can recommend. I had three full days with them and not a single complaint. I dived two days and those dives were among my best ever (i.e. German Channel, Blue Corner, Big Drop-Off and Chandelier Cave). On one of these days we went snorkeling to Jellyfish Lake with millions of stingless jellyfish (not to be missed). The third day I went on a full day WWII-tour to Peleliu with Sam's which I can also recommend.

I rented a car thru IA Car Rental (office almost opposite to Tourist Info Office, plus a Booth at Airport) and paid 28 USD + 12 USD Insurance. My Swedish driver's licence was ok for them (didn't need an international one). They delivered my car to my hotel and I could return it at Airport when I was about to leave Palau (thus saved some taxi money). With the rental car I made a tour of Koror and the largest Island Babeldaub. In Koror I visited the Aquarium (OK) and the National Museum (not so good). On Babeldaob I visited the National Capitol (worth seeing) and in the jungle nearby there were some stone faces, stone paths and traditional houses. The stone monoliths in the far North is not really worth seeing, but if you tour the Island you may still eant to make a stop here. The view is nice and staff as well. There are also some ziplines , waterfalls and an aviary that I skipped since I was too tired. The ring road around Babeldaob is in excellent condition. And once you leave busy and congested Koror there is hardly any traffic. The speed limit is ridiculous 20-30 mph but I was constantly speeding once outside Koror.

Palau can be expensive but there ARE some budget places to stay and if you eat take away food where the locals go it's pretty cheap. A restaurang I can recommend is Mog-Mog opposite to Palau Hotel where I ate the palauan dish Fruit Bat (not so tasty but a nice experence)

PS I need to add a few things. (1) There is a departure tax at airport 50 USD cash, (2) There is no public transport on Palau, (3) Tour agencies as well as many restaurants provide free pickups and dropoffs (at least if your accomodation is within Koror State) and (4) if your flight goes via Guam you'll need an ESTA, even if you only transfer, i e don't even leave the airport

Hi Bgt,

You said there were some budget places to stay... do you have any specific recommendations? We've haven't been able to find much budget-friendly accommodation online. Or do you think it would be cheaper for us to just find accommodation once we arrive? Also, did you rent from IA Car Rental beforehand? Or did you arrange it when you arrived?

Thanks!!

1. I can recommend Palau hotel, if there are two of you 84 USD (42 USD per person) isn't too expensive. I Heard from other travelers that there are budget places but didn't ask for details since I already had a place to stay. I suppose if you stay at an unattractive location, such as in a remote part of Babeldaub (possible if you have a car) you might be able to strike good deals. I suggest you browse www.booking.com to see what budget places they list and if you don't find something good enough ask the people at Sam's Tours, they are very helpful (especially if you book diving with them). Third option: Ask the Tourist Office in Koror. However, if you don't pre-book, I still suggest you book at least the first night in advance. Many flights arrive n the wee hours.

2. My car rental was a "walk-in", the day before. Incidentally, the Tourist Office is (roughly) opposite IA

Good luck!

Bgt

PS If budget traveling is your priority, the nearby Philippines is MUCH cheaper than Palau and has pretty much the same thing on offer

Did you go yet? I would like to read an update :-) about Palau

Hello,
I have a few questions (i'm going there in about 3 weeks)!
1. Do you know if they rent scooters?
2. Can we rent a kayak without a guide on the island? If yes, how far can we go alone?
3. Have you visited Long Beach? How can we get there? It looks awesome!!

1. I don't know. I rented a car

2. I don't know. I didn't kayak

3. No, I didn't go to Long Beach

There is a Tourist Office in Koror, ask them or your hotel, they should know.

Have fun on Palau

No problem, thanks for your reply :) I'll start a different topic with those questions, maybe some people have experienced those! If not, I'll definitely go to the tourist office, but I would love to know as much as possible before my trip. Have a good day!

Thank you for your report Bgt. You have an impressive collection of countries, I think I only have about 42 thus far. I'm thinking of a week on a liveaboard diving Palau and then maybe some days for touring by land, would like to swim with the jelly fish. How many days would you recommend for land? Also, thinking of going thru Guam, have you been there and if so, any recommendations? I have been to all 7 continents and all 50 states so trying to get all US territories too. Thanks

I know that Sam's Tours organise liveaboards. They have at least one boat. Sam's also do day diving trips including the jellyfish lake. for land 1-2 Days is enough if you rent a car. There is not very much to see.

Guam is nice, I was there in 2012 and rented a car for an evening plus day touring the Island. The last day I spent at the beach. If you aint an American national you will need an ESTA for visiting Guam

I'm thinking of a week on a liveaboard diving Palau and then maybe some days for touring by land, would like to swim with the jelly fish.

Hi, if you're going to spend a week on a liveaboard you will have land tours on Peleliu and also snorkeling in Jelly Fish Lake included in the program on almost all boats and trips. The only program that may not have them included is Wreck Special. You can check for details of all trips programs of six major liveaboards operating in Palau here. Hope it may help you save some time for land.

I've been reading all your posts here.
I was thinking about going to Palau. I just came from the Philippines. Only saw.. Dumagete, Valenciea + Siquijor. and some amazing jungle/wild nature.
Really didn't spend much time traveling around as I needed to settle for a bit after some traveling/jumping around for the past few months.
BGT.... are you saying..... I could/would find the same in Palau as in Philippines? and for less $$?
Im now off to Raja Ampat for a kayaking trip.. and diving.
Love to hear more from you BGT:) or anyone else:)
thanks! Derrie

Dear Derrie,

I meant the other way around, i e you will find pretty much the same stuff in Phils that you find on Palau, but it will cost you less in the Phils

There are some exceptions though, like the jellyfish lake and the nautilus ...

Best regards

Bgt

Hi Bengt,

How long was your layover on Guam? Is there a chance to go out and explore the Island?

Thanks,

TWT

My stayover was about 9 hrs. I stayed at the airport throughout. However I was in Guam in 2012 for 3D/2N and rented a car one day to tour the island visiting the spots recommended on a tourist map I got from the hotel. Second day I spent at beach. Rememnber that Guam is technically the USA so you need an ESTA or a visa. Good luck

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