Palau: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Taro, the starchy staple of Palauan cuisine; boiled, baked, or made into taro pudding called brak
• Bat soup, a traditional Palauan delicacy using large fruit bats; considered a luxury and an acquired taste
• Coconut crab, the largest land arthropod on Earth; highly prized meat with a rich, coconut-infused flavor
• Fresh reef fish, Palau's waters are teeming with tropical fish; grilled with lemon and local herbs at most restaurants
• Cassava and sweet potato, common staples served alongside fish or chicken in local homes

Traditions & Festivals

• Independence Day (October 1), Palau gained independence from the US in 1994; celebrated with traditional dances and canoe races
• Jellyfish Lake, swimming among millions of non-stinging golden jellyfish in a landlocked marine lake is one of Earth's most surreal experiences
• Rock Islands, 445 jungle-covered limestone islands and UNESCO World Heritage Site; the spiritual and cultural heartland of Palauan identity
• Traditional money, Palauan udoud (glass and stone beads) are ancient currency of immense cultural value; exchanged at births, marriages, and deaths
• Marine sanctuary dedication, Palau declared a shark sanctuary in 2009 and bans nearly all commercial fishing; conservation is a national identity

Language & Communication

Palauan and English are both official languages. English is widely spoken throughout the country and used in all tourism services.

Palauan is the community language. Japanese is also common among older generations due to Japanese colonial rule before WWII.

"Alii" (ah-lee) is the universal Palauan greeting and saying it earns an instant warm response.

Cultural Etiquette

• All visitors must sign the Palau Pledge on arrival, a commitment to act as a responsible visitor and protect the natural environment; it is stamped in your passport
• Never touch, stand on, or collect coral, Palau's reef habitat is among the healthiest on Earth and absolute protection is a national priority
• Respect bul (fishing bans) placed on areas by chiefs, traditional conservation laws have full community authority
• Palauans are matrilineal, women hold significant land and clan authority; this shapes community social structure