Palau is an island nation located in the Pacific ocean. Despite its small size and low population number, Palau hosts over 140 thousand tourists each year making the island a tourist orientated destination.

Traveling info

Every visitor traveling to Palau is required to have a valid passport. Entry requirement varies depending on visitors nationality however, these are quite lax. Citizens of several countries enjoy visa-free movement to and from Palau. All others have required a visa however all of them can obtain a visa upon arrival with the exception of citizens of Bangladesh and Myanmar who need to obtain a visa in advance. Foreign visitors may drive in Palau with their domestic driver licenses for 30 days. The International driving permit is recommended. It will aid visitors in renting vehicles and dealing with the local road authorities. After 30 days of staying in Palau, any foreign driver must obtain a Palauan driver license.

Traveling hazards

Many roads in Koror, where the vast majority of the population lives, are in fair condition but have no sidewalks and little or no shoulder on the side of the road. In addition, for the most part, the roadway known as the “Compact Road” that loops around the large island of Babeldaob is in fairly good condition. Although small sections of the road have deteriorated, repairs are expected to be completed later in 2013. Secondary roads connecting villages to the Compact Road vary in quality from good to rough. The national speed limit is 70 km per hour, but drivers routinely ignore this limit in remote areas on good quality roads, and traffic often moves slower in congested areas. Passing slow moving vehicles is illegal, but some drivers occasionally do this. Drunken drivers are a late-night hazard in Palau.

Environmental hazards

Palau’s proximity to Indonesia, as well as Australia, allowed it for more animals to inhabit the area. Unlike most small Pacific islands, Palau has several species of mammals including primates. The only dangerous animals to roam the land in Palau are the saltwater crocodiles. These are the largest reptiles on earth and the most dangerous of all the crocodiles. They can easily kill a person in the water and on land. These animals will wander onto land at night and attack anything they come across. They can be found anywhere around the coast. There are several reports of shark attacks in Palau. Although none took place in the past half a century, such incidents cannot be ruled out.
Although there are few natural hazards occurring in Palau, those that do, namely storms and seasonal cyclones, once they occur, can deal severe damage and casualties.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any diseases or any required vaccinations. There are however several recommended vaccines. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines. Palau has one central hospital, which contains all laboratory and medical imaging equipment, three super dispensaries placed strategically throughout the country, and a number of smaller primary care centers. The majority of primary care is delivered in hospital outpatient departments as opposed to family clinics, which has placed stress on hospital funding. For tertiary care, patients are either referred to as offshore or treated by international visiting specialist teams. In order to mitigate the cost of international referrals, the National Strategic Plan has successfully more than doubled the number of volunteer international visiting specialists.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

Although the crime rate in Palau is relatively low, as a foreign resident or visitor, you might be the target of petty and sometimes violent crime as well as other random acts against individuals and property. Visitors should keep cautious in areas of the congregation such as markets, malls and popular tourists spots as these are where thieves operate the most. Thieves prefer to act stealthily and will rarely confront their victim. There is no risk of terrorism in Palau. Possession of narcotics is illegal and highly punishable.

Summary

Apart from incredible diving spots, Palau offers a variety of water activities such as ocean kayaking. Visitors should also try the local food and participate in numerous festivals which present the incredible Palauan culture at its finest. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.pristineparadisepalau.com/visa-and-passport-requirements/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/palau