Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Most visitors spend their time around Koror, the main commercial hub, and the nearby state of Airai on Babeldaob, where the international airport sits. Both areas see steady tourist traffic and have the country's best access to clinics, hotels and dive operators. Day-to-day crime in these places is low. Petty theft from hotel rooms, parked cars and unattended bags on beaches is the most common problem reported to police. The Rock Islands south of Koror are the country's headline attraction, but official advisory guidance flags them at a higher caution level. The islands are scattered across open water. There is no resident medical service. A diving accident or boat breakdown can mean a multi-hour ride back to Koror before help arrives. Travellers are told to use licensed operators and check that boats carry radios and life jackets. Peleliu, in the south, carries a separate warning. The island was the site of heavy fighting in 1944 and still contains unexploded WWII ordnance in jungle and reef areas. Visitors are told to stay on marked paths, hire known local guides for any hiking or wreck dives. And obey posted warnings around former battle sites.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance reissued its Palau advisory on 7 January 2026. The country sits at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, which is the lowest of four levels. Inside that, the Rock Islands, the smaller outlying islands and the island of Peleliu are listed at Level 2. Exercise Increased Caution, because of limited medical access and unexploded ordnance. The official advisory guidance last updated its Palau page on 10 December 2025. The change related to dual nationals returning to the UK rather than safety on the ground. The official advisory guidance does not warn against travel to any part of Palau and does not single out specific regions. Both governments continue to treat Palau as one of the lower-risk destinations in the Pacific.
What travellers should know
Palau requires every visitor to complete an online entry form with a QR code at least 72 hours before arrival. A Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee is built into the airline ticket on most carriers; travellers should check current rates before departure. Firearms are banned outright and carry significant prison terms. E-cigarettes and vaping products are also banned, with significant fines for individuals. Medical facilities are limited. Belau National Hospital in Koror handles routine cases, but serious injuries or illnesses usually require medical evacuation to Guam, Manila or Taipei. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended by both the official advisories. Typhoons can pass near Palau between June and December, and earthquakes are possible. Divers should check that operators are licensed by the Bureau of Tourism and follow guide instructions in the Rock Islands and around Peleliu's wreck sites.