The Ultimate Guide to Palau: Paradise in the Pacific

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If you’re looking for a trip that mixes epic adventure with a bit of relaxation on the side, Palau is calling your name! This tiny Pacific island nation may not be on everyone's radar, but let me tell you—it absolutely should be.

I spent a week in Palau and I know that I will definitely come back for more one day! I spent my days here flying a small plane over emerald-green islands, snorkeling alongside sharks and turtles, slathering white mud on my face in a turquoise lagoon, and chasing waterfalls through the jungle.

There’s so much to do in this small country, and if you're planning a trip there and wondering where to start, I’ve got you covered!

Below you will find all the things you need to plan your trip to Palau, from how to actually get there, what to do, where to stay and where to eat.

The top things to do in Palau

Let’s jump straight to the fun stuff, namely the top things to do in Palau. If you need more help with practical info about traveling to Palau just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

Fly over the Rock Islands

This was hands down the highlight of my trip. We booked a tour in a small plane and soared above Palau’s famous Rock Islands. Imagine emerald green islands dotting a turquoise ocean, just floating there like a surreal painting. Flying over them felt like something out of a National Geographic special. If you do one splurge-worthy activity in Palau, make it this.

Pro Tip: Book your scenic flight early in your trip because the weather can change quickly, and you’ll want some flexibility to catch a clear day in case they have to cancel.

Book your flight over Palau here

This is the company we used for our flight over Palau and I can highly recommend them.

Flying over Rock Islands on Palau

Snorkel or dive with sharks & turtles

Yes, I swam with sharks, and yes I loved every second of it. Palau’s waters are home to some of the richest marine life on Earth, and even just snorkeling here feels like you’ve dropped into another world. On our tour we saw so many sharks, turtles and colorful fish. I’ve snorkeled in many countries, but this is by far the best one!

Palau is a famous country for divers, but even if you don’t dive you will have so much fun snorkeling here like we did. Whether you dive or snorkel, Palau’s reefs are in pristine condition thanks to strict conservation efforts. I can honestly say it’s some of the best underwater visibility I’ve ever experienced.

This is the snorkel trip I booked and loved

Snorkeling in Palau

No Jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake?

Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau’s most famous attractions. It’s advertised as a marine lake where thousands of harmless golden jellyfish drift around you as you swim. Sadly, during my trip I learned that it’s not so full of jellyfish anymore. Apparently the water has gotten to warm for them so they’ve moved. I was told that they thought the jellyfish would come back at some point, but had no idea when. Even though you can still visit the lake I ended up skipping it since it wasn’t recommended. So make sure to check the recent status when you travel, hopefully they are back.

Ngardmau Waterfall

We rented a car one day and drove to Ngardmau Waterfall. It took us about one hour to hike form the parking lot, but when the falls finally came into view it was definitely worth it! You can swim in the natural pool there or further up along the river. We had it almost to ourselves and it felt too good to be true! You can visit the waterfall on your own if you rent a car, otherwise you can book a guided tour to take you there.

Pro Tip: Wear shoes with grip. The path can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain.

Book a guided tour to Ngardmau Waterfall here

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can book this tour that will take you to the waterfall.

Ngardmau Waterfall on Palau

Boat trip to the Milky Way

Another highlight of my trip to Palau was a boat trip to the Milky Way Lagoon. The lagoon is famous for its natural white mud, which is said to have rejuvenating properties. It also gives the lagoon its distinctive pale turquoise color. I obviously had to try some of the mud, before jumping into the water. Whether the mud actually makes you look younger or not is debatable, however it’s definitely worth the trip for the absolutely stunning scenery! We booked a guided boat tour and had so much fun!

This is the tour of the Milky Way I booked and loved

Insane colors in the Milky Way Lagoon, Palau

Road trip to the Stone Monoliths

On Babeldaob Island you’ll find the Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, a group of mysterious, weather-worn stone pillars whose origins are still debated. Some believe they’re the remains of an ancient structure, others think they were used for ceremonial purposes.

It reminded me of the statues on Easter Island and even though they are not as intact, it was a very interesting place to visit. It’s a bit of a drive, but if you pair it with a trip to Ngardmau Waterfall you have a perfect daytrip. It’s very easy to drive there, but if you don’t want to rent a car you can book a guided tour that will take you there.

Book a guided tour to the Stone Monoliths here

Badrulchau Stone Monoliths on Palau

How to get to Palau

Palau might feel like it’s on the edge of the world, and that’s exactly why it’s so special. Most visitors arrive via Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) on the island of Koror. There are no direct flights from Europe or North America, so you’ll connect through major hubs like Guam, Manila, Taipei, Seoul, or Tokyo.

I spent a couple of days in Taipei first and flew in from there. Let’s just say you want to make sure you have a window seat for this trip. The views as we landed were insane!

Keep in mind that Palau is a very small country and not many flights go here, so make sure to book your flights early, especially during high season (November - April)

What to know about Palau before travelling

Location Palau is tucked away in the western Pacific, about 500 miles east of the Philippines. It’s made up of over 300 islands
Currency They use US Dollars
Language English and Palauan are widely spoken, so communication won’t be a problem.
When to visit November to April is the dry season, which means less rain and more time to explore Palau’s natural beauty. We visited in July, and even though it rained on most of the days we were there we still enjoyed it!

Getting Around in Palau

Once you’re here, getting around is refreshingly simple, but you’ll need to plan a little depending on where you’re staying and what you want to see.

Renting a car on Palau

Renting a car is the best way to explore Palau beyond Koror, especially if you want to visit Babeldaob Island’s waterfalls, beaches, and stone monoliths. Roads are in decent shape, and traffic is almost non-existent which makes driving here super easy. When I visited there were no big rental companies, just a couple small individual ones. Our hotel organized a car for us which got delivered to the hotel and we just parked it there again. Super easy and affordable. You probably won’t need a car for more than a day or two.

Explore Palau with Taxi/Shuttle

There’s actually no public bus system, but taxis and some hotel shuttles are available for getting around Koror. Just know they can be pricey, so for longer stays, a rental car pays off.

Where to eat in Palau

All the big hotels have restaurants with both buffets and al a carte menus, often Asian cuisine. However, I usually like to head out and eat. Since Koror is such a small place there aren’t that many places to choose from.

Our favorite place to eat in Palau quickly became the Drop off Bar & Grill. It's a favorite for divers after a long day under the water. This place serves up great food and even better sunsets. Picture yourself with a cold drink, some fresh seafood, and a perfect view of the sun dipping below the horizon. The vibe is really chill and nice.

Some other tasty spots include Elilai for fine dining with a view, and Carp Restaurant for authentic Palauan and Japanese fusion dishes.

The best places to stay in Palau

Again, being a small island there aren’t an abundance of Hotels to choose from, but absolutely more than enough for you to find something you like. I opted for a bit of luxury and stayed at the Palau Royal Resort and absolutely loved it. Below are some of my other favorite places on Palau.

Palau Royal Resort ($200 per night)

Where I stayed, and highly recommend. Spacious rooms, a private beach, and postcard-perfect ocean views.

Cove Resort Palau ($250 per night)

Another great option right next to where we stayed. Great rooms, nice pool and close to the dive center.

Palau Pacific Resort ($300 per night)

A luxury escape with an infinity pool, spa, and one of the best beaches on the island.

Final Thoughts: Is Palau worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely! Palau blew me away in more ways than I expected. From soaring above the Rock Islands to swimming with sharks, every day was packed with adventure, and yet, the island’s laid-back vibe always reminded me to slow down and enjoy the moment. Palau has something for everyone and I am already looking forward to going back some day!

I hope this guide helps you plan your adventure to Palau. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media if you have any questions about visiting Palau. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid