Palau Safety Guide 2025
Stay safe during your Palau trip with essential safety information.
Safety Overview
Palau is one of the safest countries in the Pacific with extremely low violent crime rates and a genuinely welcoming local population. The primary safety risks are environmental: strong ocean currents at dive sites, unexploded WWII ordnance on Peleliu and Angaur, and typhoons during the wet season.
Palau is a pristine Pacific paradise featuring the legendary Rock Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 200 limestone and coral islands covered in lush greenery. This small nation offers world-class diving, the famous Jellyfish Lake where you can swim among millions of harmless jellyfish, and some of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.
Current Advisory
Exercise normal precautions. Palau is generally very safe for tourists. Specific risks include strong marine currents at dive sites, WWII unexploded ordnance on Peleliu and Angaur, and typhoons June-November. Medical facilities are limited - comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
Last updated: 2025-01
Travel Advisories
Official warnings and recommendations from government sources.
US State Department
Exercise normal precautions in Palau. Crime targeting tourists is rare.
UK FCDO
Check current advice before travel; typhoon season June-November requires monitoring.
Official Advisory Sources
- 🇺🇸 US: travel.state.gov
- 🇬🇧 UK: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- 🇨🇦 Canada: travel.gc.ca
- 🇦🇺 Australia: smartraveller.gov.au
Safety Checklist & Emergency Card
Download our printable safety checklist and emergency contact card.
Common Scams to Avoid
Be aware of these common tourist scams.
Unofficial Rock Islands Permit Sellers
Unauthorized sellers operating near Koror docks claim to sell Rock Islands permits at reduced prices. These are invalid and will result in denial of entry to protected areas.
Taxi Overcharging
Some unlicensed taxi drivers target tourists with inflated rates, especially near the airport and after dark when options are limited.
Tour Package Misrepresentation
Occasional online booking platforms advertise Palau tours that include Jellyfish Lake or Rock Islands in the price, but these turn out to require an additional $100 permit not mentioned upfront.
Essential Safety Tips
Practical advice for staying safe during your trip.
Be aware of unexploded WWII ordnance in Peleliu and Angaur - stay on marked paths
Cyclone season runs November to April - monitor weather forecasts
Medical facilities are limited - consider travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage
Tap water is not potable in many areas - drink bottled water
E-cigarettes are illegal with $1,000 fine - do not bring them
Watch for dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases - use insect repellent
$100 environmental fee is included in airline tickets to Palau
Register with your country's embassy before arriving — the US Embassy is in Koror (+680 587-2920); nearest embassies for many nationalities are in Manila or Tokyo
Jellyfish Lake and Rock Islands require a $100 permit — purchase only through licensed tour operators; unofficial permit sellers operate near the docks
Strong currents at dive sites like Blue Corner can be deadly — always dive with a certified local guide and use a reef hook in surge conditions
Safety by Traveler Type
Solo Travelers
Palau is excellent for solo travelers with extremely low crime rates and a welcoming diving community. Dive with at least one buddy as per dive safety standards. Inform your hotel of day trip plans especially to outer islands. Carry your hotel address as some taxi drivers have limited English.
Female Travelers
Palau is safe for solo female travelers. Violent crime is very rare and locals are respectful. Take standard precautions at night; use hotel-arranged taxis after dark rather than flagging down unknown vehicles. The international diving community is inclusive and welcoming.
Families
Palau is very family-friendly with low crime, calm lagoon waters suitable for children, and family-oriented resorts. Children 6+ can enjoy Jellyfish Lake, boat tours, and kayaking. Bring comprehensive first aid and any medications as medical facilities are limited. Children's Rock Islands permits are $50 vs $100 for adults.
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex relations are legal in Palau and discrimination based on sexual orientation is uncommon. Public displays of affection (same-sex or otherwise) are generally kept modest in line with Pacific cultural norms. The diving and tourism community is internationally diverse and welcoming. No known issues for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Health & Medical
Stay healthy during your trip.
Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations recommended (MMR, DPT, etc.). Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended for most travelers. Hepatitis B for those with specific exposure risks. Consult travel doctor 4-6 weeks before trip.
Water Safety
Tap water not potable in many areas. Drink bottled or filtered water. Hotels and restaurants typically provide safe drinking water. Avoid ice unless confirmed safe source.
Food Safety
Medical Facilities
Medication Tips
- Bring enough prescription medication for your entire trip plus extra
- Keep medications in original containers with pharmacy labels
- Carry a letter from your doctor explaining your medications
- Some medications may be restricted - research before traveling
- Pack basic medications: pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines
Emergency Contacts
Important numbers to have on hand.
Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Medical Emergency
Hospitals and clinics
Your Embassy
Consular assistance
Tourist Police
Tourist assistance
Before You Go
- Register with your embassy's travel notification program
- Save emergency numbers in your phone
- Note your hotel's address in local language
- Share your itinerary with family/friends
- Know your travel insurance emergency hotline
Travel Confidently in Palau
Get our complete safety guide with emergency card, insurance recommendations, and area-by-area safety ratings.
Download Safety Guide