PALAU - An Overview

Location and Geographic Description

7° 30' North Latitude, 133° 30' East Longitude

Offical Languages

English and Palauan

Time Zone

When it's Noon Monday in Palau, it is:

Manila 11:00 A.M. Monday

Tokyo 12:00 P.M. Monday

Sydney 1:00 P.M. Monday

Honolulu 5:00 P.M. Sunday

Los Angeles 7:00 P.M. Sunday

Climate

Palau enjoys a pleasantly warm climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82° degrees F. (27° C.). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, and the annual average is 150 inches. The average relative humidity is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare as Palau is located outside the typhoon zone.

Currency & Credit Cards :

The official currency of the Republic is the U.S. Dollar. Visa, JCB, Master Card, and American Express cards are widely accepted at stores and visitor facilities. There are FDIC insured banks and major hotels with limited foreign currency exchange. In addition, Palau has money transfers such as Western Union or through Bank Institution.

Tipping

Tipping is optional, but appreciated.

Immigration, Customs & Health Requirements

VISA and PASSPORT Requirements

All visitors must have a valid passport not less than 6 months from date of expiration and proof of return arrangements.

VISAs are NOT required. 30-days Tourist Visa will be issued upon arrival and may be extended within 7 days in advance with approval of the Chief of Immigration for a fee of US$50.00 before expiration date of the visa. (Note: Maximum of 90 days: 30 days upon arrival plus 2 extensions at US$50.00 fee per extension. After which visitors must exit the country).

Citizens of United States of America, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam, and the Common Wealth of Northern Marianas Islands with valid passports are issued 1 year Visa upon arrival.

For more information about extended stay in Palau, please call the Bureau of Immigration at (680) 488 – 2498 or 2678, Mondays to Fridays at the hours 7:30am – 4:30pm or e-mail inquiries toimm@palaunet.com.

Departure Tax & "Green Fee"

Currently, Departure Tax & Green Fee is US$35.00 per person payable directly at the airport upon departure. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1st, 2012, Departure Tax & Green Fee is US$50.00 per person payable directly at the airport upon departure.

Customs

One bottle of liquor and up to 1 pack of cigarette containing up to twenty (20) cigarettes can be brought into Palau duty-free. Please click here for more information: ROP CUSTOMS TOBACCO IMPORT REGULATION. Importation of controlled substances and weapons are strictly prohibited and any traveler in possession of any controlled substances will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law of the Republic of Palau.

Immunization:

Cholera and Yellow Fever immunizations are required for those arriving from infected areas.

Medical Services

Palau has two private medical clinics and a public hospital, Belau National Hospital, with a modern recompression chamber. Belau National Hospital contact number +680 488 2552/2553

Postal Services

Palau is in Zone 8 of the U.S. Postal System, and U.S. domestic rates apply. International mail is lsightly higher. The post office is located on the main road in Koror, across from the Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) office. Palau's stamps are favored by collectors worldwide. Palau's zip code is 96940, except for the Palau National Capitol in Ngerulmud, Melekeok, which is 96939.

Phone, Internet and Fax Service

International phone calls and faxes can be made to anywhere in the world through Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) office in Koror across from the Post Office and in Airai by the Airport. Major hotels and resorts offer in room direct dialing to overseas. In addition, available in some locak stores you can purchase prepaid "Debusech" International Calling Cards.

Internet:

Internet and E-mail access is widely avaialbe. There are several Internet Cafes in downtown Koror provide Internet and e-mail access. On September 2009 Palau National Communications Corporation introduced the PNCC's Wi-Fi Hotspots. Customers can access a PNCC Wi-Fi Hotspot with a Prepaid Internet Card or a regular PalauNet dial-up subscription (Basic or higher level), using a laptop computer, netbook, ITouch or other device with Wi-Fi capability.

The first PNCC Wi-Fi Hotspots was installed this year at the Palau International Airport for the convenience of Palau’s visitors and at the PNCC office in Koror (including the parking lot and within 200 meters). To date, the following businesses are now hosting Wi-Fi Hotspots: Sam’s Tours, Palm Bay Bistro, Mingles Tototo, Emaimelei, Best Coffee & Donuts, Dil-T Store, Furusato, and Midtown Mobil.

For more information, call PNCC Customer Service at +680 488 9000 or e-mailpnccservice@palaunet.com.

Please visit PNCC website for additional information by clicking on the following link:www.palaunet.com

Media

Eco-Paradise FM, a government-owned radio station on 87.9FM (89.1FM in Babeldaob), and three privately-owned stations on island, WWFM, KRFM and KDFM, offer variety of local Palauan and international music. PNCC Digital TV, operated by Palau National Communications Corporation offers a wide variety of channels including CNN, Fox News, BBC News, ESPN, NHK, shown satellite direct 24 hours a day as well as popular children's programming like DISNEY, NICKELODEON and CARTOON NETWORK.

There are three local newspapers, Island Times, Tia Belau and Palau Horizon. Pacific Daily News is delivered daily from Guam.