Traveling Luck for Palau. Palau, Oceania

Palau is located in Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines.

Land in Palau is varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs.

Palauan land covers an area of 458 square kilometers which is slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Palauan flag Palauan national flag (Flag of Palau)

As for the Palauan climate; tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November.

Palauan(s) speak Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census).

Places of note in Palau

Palauan Map Palauan map

Regions of Palau

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.

Country Profile for Palau

The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.

Palauan natural resources include forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals

westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands

Palauan religion is Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other religion 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census).

Natural hazards in Palau include typhoons (June to December).

Travel Advice for Palau

Palau

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Entry Requirements section.  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • There is no British consular representation in Palau.  Consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Manila, the Philippines.

  • Only a handful of British tourists visit Palau each year.  Most visits to Palau are trouble-free.  We are not aware of any British nationals who have required consular assistance in Palau in the past year.

  • The threat from terrorism in Palau is low.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets including places frequented by foreigners.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your travel policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Sea Safety

You are advised to wear appropriate safety equipment before engaging in water sports.  There are over 60 vertical drop-offs in the diving areas and some are for experienced divers only.  Please take local advice on safety at all times when engaging in adventure sports.


LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

There are heavy penalties for all drug offences.

Homosexuality is technically illegal in many Pacific countries and the law is occasionally enforced.  Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend local inhabitants.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visas are not required for British nationals visiting for periods up to 30 days.  Extensions of stay are not automatically granted and cost $50, so on arrival ask for entry to be granted for all the time you believe you will need.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.


HEALTH

Although the hospital in Palau is modern and efficient, you are advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance covering all eventualities, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance, before you travel, particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports.  You should check any exclusions, and that your travel policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s websites at: www.dh.gov.uk.


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see: What We Can Do To Help.
There is no British consular representation in Palau.  Consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Manila, the Philippines (please see contact details below).  If you intend to stay in Palau for an extended period, you should register with the British Embassy in Manila upon arrival.
If you require a new passport, application forms can be downloaded from the Internet.  You should send your completed passport application form by courier to the British Embassy in Manila. You should ensure that payment is made by remittance in Philippine Pesos via Western Union to the British Embassy (you should contact the British Embassy for exact details before submitting your application).  Where possible, you are advised to apply at least two months before your passport is due to expire.  You will be allowed to retain your old passport whilst waiting for the replacement to be issued and returned.
We strongly advise you to keep a photocopy of the4 relevant pages of your passport, to avoid any complications.
In an emergency, please contact the British Embassy in Manila.