festivites
Palau has several traditional holidays and festivals, including:
1. Constitution Day (9 July): This day commemorates the signing of Palau's constitution in 1981, which established the country as a democratic republic. It is celebrated with parades, cultural performances, and other festivities throughout the country.
2. Independence Day (1 October): This day marks Palau's independence from the United States in 1994 and is celebrated with parades, speeches, and other events.
3. Youth Day (every 10th of August): The day celebrates the importance of young people in the development of Palauan society. It is marked by speeches, sports events, and other activities.
4. Christmas (25 December): Christians in Palau celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on this day. Many families attend church services, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals together.
5. New Year's Day (1 January): This day marks the beginning of the new year and is celebrated with fireworks, parties, and other festivities.
6. Easter: This Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Palau, it is celebrated with church services, egg hunts, and family gatherings.
7. Koror-Babeldaob Bridge Day (2 April): This day commemorates the completion of the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge, which connects the two main islands of Palau. It is marked with a parade, speeches, and other events.
Overall, these holidays and festivals play an important role in Palauan culture and are celebrated with enthusiasm and pride by its citizens.
seasons
Palau has two main tourist seasons:
1. High Season: December - March
- This is the peak season for tourism in Palau.
- The weather is relatively dry and cooler during this time, making it the best time to engage in water-based activities like snorkeling and diving.
- However, prices tend to be higher during this season, and popular attractions can get crowded.
2. Low Season: April - November
- This season is characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall.
- Although it may rain frequently, the showers are often short-lived, making it possible to enjoy outdoor activities.
- This is a good time to visit if you want to avoid crowds and save on accommodation and activity costs.
Overall, the best time to visit Palau depends on your preferences and priorities. If you're looking for optimal weather conditions and don't mind the crowds, the high season may be the best choice. On the other hand, if you're looking to save money and avoid crowds, the low season may be more suitable.
visa
Citizens from most countries can enter Palau visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. However, there are a few countries whose citizens require a pre-approved visa before they can visit Palau:
1. China: Chinese citizens must obtain a visa in advance through the Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Taiwan.
2. Russia: Russian citizens must also obtain a visa in advance through the Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Taipei, Taiwan.
3. Bangladesh: Bangladeshi citizens must apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan.
The cost of obtaining a visa for Palau varies depending on the country and type of visa but typically ranges from $50-$200.
souvenirs
Some of the best souvenirs to buy from Palau include:
1. Handicrafts made by local artisans: These include woven baskets, mats, hats, and bags made from pandan leaves or natural fibers. The average price for these items ranges from $10-50 depending on the size and complexity of the design. You can purchase these handicrafts at the Belau National Museum Gift Shop, Palau Women's Federation in Koror, or at street markets around town.
2. Shell jewelry: Palau is known for its beautiful shells, which are often used to make jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The average price for shell jewelry ranges from $10-50 depending on the complexity of the design and the type of shell used. You can buy shell jewelry at souvenir shops in Koror or at the Night Market in Malakal.
3. Traditional Palauan clothing: You can find traditional Palauan clothing such as skirts, dresses, and shirts made from brightly colored fabrics with intricate designs. The average price for traditional clothing ranges from $20-100 depending on the complexity of the design and the quality of the fabric. You can purchase traditional clothing at the Palau Women's Federation in Koror or at souvenir shops around town.
4. Local snacks: Palau offers a variety of delicious snacks that make great souvenirs such as taro chips, coconut candy, and banana chips. The average price for local snacks ranges from $5-15 depending on the quantity and type of snack. You can purchase local snacks at souvenir shops in Koror or at the Night Market in Malakal.
Note that prices may vary depending on where you shop and the quality of the product.
If you have 1 week
Great to hear that you are in Palau! Here is a one-week itinerary suggestion for you:
Day 1: Visit the Rock Islands
The Rock Islands are a group of uninhabited limestone islands that are known for their stunning natural beauty. You can take a boat tour and explore these islands by kayak, snorkeling or diving. I suggest visiting early in the morning when the light is perfect for photography.
Day 2: Go on a Jellyfish Lake Tour
Palau is home to one of the world's best-known marine lakes, where millions of jellyfish migrate across the water each day. Seeing these amazing creatures up close is an unforgettable experience.
Day 3: Visit Ngardmau Falls
Ngardmau Falls is the tallest waterfall in Palau, standing at over 200 feet tall. It is located in the dense jungle and offers a great opportunity to witness the nature of Palau.
Day 4: Take a Cultural Tour
Palau has a rich history and culture that dates back thousands of years. Take a cultural tour and visit the museums and historic sites, such as Belau National Museum or Bai ra Mesechok.
Day 5: Explore Kayangel Island
Kayangel Island is a tiny but beautiful island with crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. Here you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings while swimming, snorkeling or indulging in local cuisine.
Day 6: Go fishing
Palau is known for its amazing fishing opportunities, including the famous big game fishing. Charter a boat and spend the day out on the open sea, catching some of the biggest fish you've ever seen.
Day 7: Relax on the Beaches
Finally, on your last day in Palau, enjoy the best beaches the country has to offer. Palau is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as the stunning Long Beach in the south of Palau.
I hope this itinerary provides you with some inspiration and helps you make the most of your time in Palau. Enjoy your trip!
If you have 2 weeks
As a DAN, I say let's go beyond Palau and explore more of the world! Here's a two-week itinerary suggestion:
Week 1: Start by flying to Bali, Indonesia, and stay in Ubud for a few days. Visit the sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, experience Balinese culture at the Ubud Palace, and take a yoga class at one of the many studios in town. From there, head to Gili Trawangan, a small island off the coast of Lombok, to enjoy some beach time and island vibes. Snorkel with sea turtles, watch the sunset from a beachside bar, and stroll around the island's charming streets.
Week 2: Next, fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to visit the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple complex. Spend a few days exploring the various temples, such as Ta Prohm (made famous by Tomb Raider) and Bayon Temple. Take a cooking class, try some local street food, and learn about Khmer culture in the city center. Finally, end your trip in Bangkok, Thailand, where you can indulge in delicious Thai food and explore the city's towering temples and bustling markets. Take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River, visit the Grand Palace, and take a nighttime tuk-tuk tour to see the city come alive after dark.
Why visit these places? Each destination offers unique experiences that will create lasting memories. Bali's lush green forests, rice paddies, and friendly people will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Gili Trawangan's laid-back island lifestyle is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. Angkor Wat is one of the world's most impressive historical sites, a testament to human ingenuity and creativity. And Bangkok is a vibrant city that combines ancient traditions with modern innovation, a true melting pot of cultures and flavors.
Culture
Palauan society follows a very strict matrilineal system. Matrilineal practices are seen in nearly every aspect of Palauan traditions, especially in funerals, marriages, inheritance, and the passing of traditional titles. The system probably had its origins in the Philippine archipelago, which had a similar system until the archipelago was colonized by Spain.Evidence?
The cuisine includes local foods such as cassava, taro, yam, potato, fish and pork. Western cuisine is favored among young Palauans and the locals are joined by foreign tourists. The rest of Micronesia is similar with much less tourism, leading to fewer restaurants. Tourists eat mainly at their hotels on such islands. Some local foods include an alcoholic drink made from a coconut on the tree; a drink made from the roots of the kava; and the chewing of betel nuts.
The traditional government system still influences the country's affairs, leading the federal government to repeatedly attempt to limit its power. Many of these attempts took the form of amendments to the constitution that were supported by the corporate sector to protect what they deemed should be free economic zones. One such example occurred in early 2010, when the Idid clan, the ruling clan of the Southern Federation, under the leadership of Bilung, the Southern Federation's queen, raised a civil suit against the Koror State Public Lands Authority (KSPLA). The Idid clan laid claim over Malakal Island, a major economic zone and Palau's most important port, citing documents from the German Era. The verdict held that the island belonged to the KSPLA.
The present-day "traditional" government of Palau is a continuation of its predecessors. Traditionally, Palau was hierarchically organized. The lowest level is the village or hamlet, then the chiefdom (now politically referred to as a state), and finally alliances of chiefdoms. In ancient times, numerous federations divided power, but upon the 17th-century introduction of firearms by the British, an imbalance of power occurred.
Palau became divided into northern and southern federations. The Northern Federation is headed by the high chief and chiefess of the ruling clan Uudes of Melekeok state, the Reklai, and Ebilreklai. They are commonly referred to as the king and queen of the Northern Federation. This northern federation comprises the states of Kayangel, Ngerchelong, Ngardmau, Ngiwal, Ngaraard, Ngatpang, Ngeremlengui, Melekok, Aimeliik, Ngchesar, and Airai. The Southern Federation is likewise represented by the high chief and chiefess of the ruling Idid of Koror state.
The Southern Federation comprises the states of Koror, Peleliu, and Angaur. However, fewer and fewer Palauans have knowledge of the concept of federations, and the term is slowly dying out. Federations were established as a way of safeguarding states and hamlets that shared economic, social, and political interests, but with the advent of federal government, safeguards are less meaningful. However, in international relations, the king of Palau is synonymous with the Ibedul of Koror. This is because Koror is Palau's industrial capital, elevating his position over the Reklai of Melekeok.
It is a misconception that the king and queen of Palau, or any chief and his female counterpart for that matter, are married. Traditional leaders and their female counterparts have always been related and unmarried (marrying relatives was a traditional taboo). Usually, a chief and his female counterpart are brother and sister, or close cousins, and have their own spouses.
Palau has several newspapers:
* Rengel Belau (1983–1985)
* Tia Belau (1992–present)
* Island Times
Baseball is a popular sport in Palau after its introduction by the Japanese in the 1920s. The Palau national baseball team won the gold medal at the 1990, 1998 and 2010 Micronesian Games, as well as at the 2007 Pacific Games.
Palau also has a national football team, organized by the Palau Football Association, but is not a member of FIFA. The Association also organizes the Palau Soccer League.
On 20 June 2022, left fielder Bligh Madris played his first game for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Chicago Cubs, thus becoming the first player ever to play in MLB from Palau. He went 3-for-4 with two RBI in his debut.
Primary education is required until the age of 16. Schools include both public and private institutions as well as some fields of study available at Palau Community College. For further undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, students travel abroad to attend tertiary institutions, primarily in the United States of America. Other popular choices among Palauan scholars include San Diego State University, the University of Guam, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, the University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, and the University of the South Pacific.
Palau has its own cuisine, for instance, a dessert called tama. Palauan cuisine includes local foods such as cassava, taro, yam, potato, fish and pork. It is also heavily influenced by Japanese, American as well as the Philippines' cuisine, due to the significant presence of Filipino migrant workers. Fruit bat soup is a commonly referenced Palauan delicacy.
Religion
According to 2015 estimates 45.3% of the population is Roman Catholic (due to its shared colonial heritage with the Philippines), 6.9% Seventh-day Adventist, 34.9% other Protestant (due to American administration), 5.7% Modekngei and 3.0% Muslim (due to its shared Islamic heritage with southern Philippines). In 2009, the small Jewish community sent two cyclists to the 18th Maccabiah Games.
The German and Japanese occupations of Palau both subsidized missionaries to follow the Spanish. Germans sent Roman Catholics and Protestants, the Japanese sent Shinto and Buddhist, and the Spaniards sent Roman Catholic missionaries as they controlled Palau. Three-quarters of the population are Christians (mainly Roman Catholics and Protestants), while Modekngei (a combination of Christianity, traditional Palauan religion and fortune telling) and the ancient Palauan religion are commonly observed. Japanese rule brought Mahayana Buddhism and Shinto to Palau, which was the majority religion among Japanese settlers. However, following Japan's World War II defeat, the remaining Japanese largely converted to Christianity, while the remainder continued to observe Buddhism, but stopped practicing Shinto rites. There are also approximately 400 Bengali Muslims in Palau, and recently a few Uyghurs detained in Guantanamo Bay were allowed to settle in the island republic.
Demographics
The population of Palau is approximately, of whom 73% are native Palauans of mixed Melanesian and Austronesian descent. There are many Asian communities within Palau. Filipinos form the largest Asian group and second largest ethnic group in the country, dating back to the Spanish colonial period. There are significant numbers of Chinese and Koreans. There are also smaller numbers of Palauans of mixed or full Japanese ancestry. Smaller numbers of Bangladeshi and Nepalese migrant workers and their descendants who came to the islands during the late 1900s can also be found. Most Palauans of Asian origin came during the late 1900s with many Chinese, Bangladeshis, and Nepalese coming to Palau as unskilled workers and professionals. There are also small numbers of Europeans and Americans.
The official languages of Palau are Palauan and English, except in two states (Sonsorol and Hatohobei) where the local languages, Sonsorolese and Tobian, respectively, along with Palauan, are official. Japanese is spoken by some older Palauans and is an official language in the State of Angaur. Including second-language speakers, more people speak English than Palauan in Palau. Additionally, a significant portion of the population speak Filipino, Bisaya, Chavacano, and Bengali.
According to 2015 estimates 45.3% of the population is Roman Catholic (due to its shared colonial heritage with the Philippines), 6.9% Seventh-day Adventist, 34.9% other Protestant (due to American administration), 5.7% Modekngei and 3.0% Muslim (due to its shared Islamic heritage with southern Philippines). In 2009, the small Jewish community sent two cyclists to the 18th Maccabiah Games.
The German and Japanese occupations of Palau both subsidized missionaries to follow the Spanish. Germans sent Roman Catholics and Protestants, the Japanese sent Shinto and Buddhist, and the Spaniards sent Roman Catholic missionaries as they controlled Palau. Three-quarters of the population are Christians (mainly Roman Catholics and Protestants), while Modekngei (a combination of Christianity, traditional Palauan religion and fortune telling) and the ancient Palauan religion are commonly observed. Japanese rule brought Mahayana Buddhism and Shinto to Palau, which was the majority religion among Japanese settlers. However, following Japan's World War II defeat, the remaining Japanese largely converted to Christianity, while the remainder continued to observe Buddhism, but stopped practicing Shinto rites. There are also approximately 400 Bengali Muslims in Palau, and recently a few Uyghurs detained in Guantanamo Bay were allowed to settle in the island republic.
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