AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Essentials
- City
- Koror, Republic of Palau
- Population
- Approximately 11,200
- Internet Speed
- Usually 20-50 Mbps with PNCC Fiber; mobile 4G/LTE is stable but capped.
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Banking via Bank of Hawaii and BankPacific.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water or filtered dispensers (approx. $1.50 per gallon) are recommended.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B sockets (US standard).
- SIM Card
- Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) or Palaunet; prepaid SIMs around $15.
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Hawaii (Koror Branch) is most reliable; Revolut/Wise work for ATM withdrawals.
- Accommodation
- Mix of dive resorts, boutique hotels like Palau Central Hotel, and Airbnb apartments.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mixed; major hotels and dive shops accept cards, but local restaurants and markets require cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $80 to $200 per night for central apartments.
- Budget Accommodation
- DW Motel (approx. $75/night) or Antelope Guest House ($60/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Main Street Koror or Malakal Island for proximity to dive centers.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ngermid or Meyuns for quieter residential vibes with decent fiber connectivity.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; Palau Central Hotel Business Center offers the best reliable workspace ($20/day access).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Motto (Main Street) - comfortable seating and stable Wi-Fi (approx. $5 for a latte).
- Networking Events
- Palau Chamber of Commerce monthly mixers at the Palau Royal Resort.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night gatherings at Drop Off Bar & Grill (Malakal).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use local taxi services like BBI Taxi or PNCC Taxi (approx. $5-$10 per ride in Koror).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available at West Car Rental; $35/day for scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) Private Beach - Day pass required ($50 incl. credit).
- Top Regional Airline
- United Airlines (flights to Guam and Manila).
- Top International Airline
- China Airlines (via Taipei) and Air Niugini.
- Highway Access
- Compact Road (circles Babeldaob island) is the primary highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None; Koror does not have a rail system. Main hub is the BBI Shuttle stop.
- Public Transport Passes
- BBI Shuttle Bus ($8 for a weekly pass) runs between major hotels and downtown.
- Regional Travel
- State boats to Peleliu (approx. $15) or Angaur.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Belau National Hospital (Ngerbeched, Koror).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga sessions at Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) Mandara Spa.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Palau National Gym or Westview Fitness (monthly memberships around $50).
- Laundry Services
- Washing/drying available at Palau Laundry Services (approx. $1.50 per pound).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; direct call ordering is standard (e.g., Kramers or Bem Ermii).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fruit Bat Soup or Grilled Red Snapper at Elilai Restaurant.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Taj (Indian cuisine with many veg options) and Tsuru (Japanese).
- Best Dessert Spots
- L'Amarena Gelato Shop (Malakal) - authentic Italian gelato ($6 per cup).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Surangel & Sons Supercenter or WCTC Shopping Center.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited; mostly reliance on Amazon with high shipping costs via DHL/Forwarders.
- Grocery Delivery
- Not widely available; personal shopping service 'Palau Order' is occasionally active.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Malakal area, specifically Drop Off Bar and Canoe House.
- Local Brewery
- Red Rooster Brewery (try the Amber Ale at West Plaza hotels).
- Wine Bars
- Kramers Cafe (Malakal) has an extensive wine list and sunset views.
- Street Food Stalls
- Bem Ermii Burgers (famous burger shack downtown, approx. $7-$10).
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Taj (Indian) and Carp Restaurant (Japanese/Fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Belau National Museum ($10 entry) and Etpison Museum ($10 entry).
- Historical Sites
- WWII relics in Peleliu (accessible via 1-hour boat ride).
- Religious Sites
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Center of Koror).
- Annual Events
- Constitution Day (July 9) and Independence Day (October 1).
- Cultural Districts
- Airai State (traditional Bai/meeting houses).
- Theater Venues
- Ngarachamayong Cultural Center.
- Local Markets
- Night Market (bi-weekly at Ernguul Park) - local crafts and food.
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at the Palau Central Hotel courtyard.
- Street Art
- Murals on the WCTC building and various government walls downtown.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Palau Community College Continuing Education.
- Art Galleries
- Belau Art Gallery (located inside the Etpison Museum).
- Historic Buildings
- The Airai Bai, the oldest traditional meeting house in Palau.
- Local Heritage
- Matrilineal heritage represented by the 'First Child' ceremonies.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ngardmau Waterfall (highest in Palau) on Babeldaob.
- National Parks Nearby
- Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Conservation Area.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Babeldaob Compact Road offers long scenic cycling routes.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Topside Palau (Ngerulmud) for views of the Capitol and coastline.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ngardok Nature Reserve (freshwater lake).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas at Long Island Park (Koror).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Palau and FedEX (managed by CTSI Logistics).
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Tech Palau (located near the WCTC Shopping Center).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Palau National Gym (Ngerbeched).
- Language Classes
- Palauan language basics taught at Palau Community College.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Palau Public Library (near the high school).
- Community Centers
- Koror State Government Cultural Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is done in private social clubs.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is generally illegal in Palau; no casinos.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (Note: Foreigners can only lease land, not own it outright - 50-year leases available).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (Leasehold basis).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (Example: $132,000 for 60m² leasehold).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (Example: $90,000 for 60m² leasehold).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (Example: $160,000 for 80m² leasehold).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (Example: $104,000 for 80m² leasehold).
- Corporate Tax
- 4% Gross Revenue Tax (GRT) - Palau uses a revenue-based system rather than profit-based.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Palau does not traditionally tax dividends).
- Tax System
- Territorial/Income-based; residents pay graduated income tax.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 12% for income over $8,000 annually.
- VAT
- Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST) is 10%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No.
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax, but land lease fees apply.
- Property Transaction Tax
- No standard transaction tax, but legal fees for lease transfers approx. 1-2%.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes; low income tax and no capital gains tax for individuals.
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.