Palau
Is Palau safe to visit? Advice, scams and health
Most tourists find Palau safe if they stay in main areas, avoid isolated night trips and keep standard health precautions; skip if you are vulnerable to mosquito‑borne illness or need extensive medical services.
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GuidePalau
Key facts
- Crime levelcheck
- Low overall, petty theft occasional in tourist spots
- Health servicescheck
- Limited outside Koror; emergency 911, basic clinic in Korau
- Common scamscheck
- Overpriced boat tours, fake souvenir “hand‑made” items, unsolicited “guide” offers
- Travel advisory UScheck
- Exercise normal precautions; no travel warning
- Travel advisory UKcheck
- Low risk; stay aware of health and weather alerts
Quick answer
Palau is generally safe for tourists: crime is low, health facilities are basic but adequate for minor issues, and the main scams involve overcharging for tours or souvenirs. Follow local advice, keep valuables secure, and have travel insurance.
Details and practical steps
When you arrive, keep passports and cash in a hotel safe; carry only what you need for day trips. Use reputable operators for boat tours to the Rock Islands – check reviews or book through your hotel. In markets, be aware of sellers offering “hand‑made” crafts that are mass‑produced abroad; agree on price before purchase.
Health: the main clinic is in Koror and can treat minor injuries and illnesses. For serious conditions you may need evacuation to Guam or another regional hub. Mosquito‑borne diseases such as dengue are present seasonally; use repellent and wear long sleeves in the evenings.
Emergency numbers: dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance. The US embassy is in Manila; consular assistance is limited, so carry copies of travel documents.
Additional notes
- Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
- Check the latest US State Department and UK Foreign Office advisories before departure.
- During the rainy season (June‑October) some boat routes may be cancelled; plan flexibility.
FAQ
- Is Palau safe for tourists? – Yes, with normal precautions; crime is low and most visitors have trouble‑free stays.
- What are the most common scams in Palau? – Overpriced boat tours, fake “hand‑made” souvenirs, and unsolicited guide offers that charge high fees.
- What do government travel advisories say about Palau? – The US and UK advise normal safety precautions, no travel bans; monitor health alerts for dengue.
Sources
US Department of State – travel.state.gov (official)
UK Foreign Travel Advice – gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice (official)
Canada Travel Advice – travel.gc.ca (official)
Australia Smartraveller – smartraveller.gov.au (official)
New Zealand Safe Travel – safetravel.govt.nz (official)
Ireland DFA – dfa.ie (official)
Questions people ask
Is Palau safe for tourists?
Yes, most visitors experience low crime and safe conditions; stay in main towns, use reputable tour operators and keep valuables secure.
What are the most common scams in Palau?
Tourists often encounter inflated prices for boat trips, counterfeit “hand‑made” crafts sold as local, and unsolicited guides demanding high fees.
What do government travel advisories say about Palau?
The US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all list Palau as low‑risk, recommending normal safety measures and health precautions.
Do I need travel insurance for Palau?
Yes, especially one that covers medical evacuation, as serious medical care is limited outside Koror.
What health risks should I watch for?
Dengue fever can appear in the rainy season; use insect repellent and avoid standing water. Basic medical facilities are available in Koror.
Verify with the official source
Draft, not field-verified
- officialUS State Department travel advice
- officialUK Foreign Travel Advice
- officialCanada travel advice
- officialAustralia Smartraveller
- officialNew Zealand Safe Travel
- officialIreland DFA travel advice
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialUS State Department travel advice
- officialUK Foreign Travel Advice
- officialCanada travel advice
- officialAustralia Smartraveller
- officialNew Zealand Safe Travel
- officialIreland DFA travel advice
Ask about Palau
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