Travel health advice for Palau

Most travellers to Palau should make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date and consider additional vaccines such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid according to their health, activities and travel plans. Dengue and Zika are among the mosquito-borne health risks in Palau, so preventing insect bites is also an important part of preparing for your trip.

Palau can provide routine medical care, particularly in Koror. However, treatment for serious conditions is limited and some patients may need medical evacuation. Therefore, arrange comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, evacuation and any activities you plan to undertake, including scuba diving.

Important: Travel health recommendations can change. Check the latest advice from TravelHealthPro and a qualified healthcare professional before travelling.

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Palau travel health advice: quick guide

Health risks vary according to your age, vaccination history, medical conditions, length of stay and planned activities. Nevertheless, the following overview covers the main issues most visitors should consider before travelling to Palau.

What vaccinations do I need for Palau?

There is no single vaccination schedule that suits every visitor to Palau. Instead, a healthcare professional should consider your previous vaccinations, age, medical history, itinerary, accommodation, activities and length of stay.

Ideally, review your travel health needs four to six weeks before departure. However, a last-minute appointment can still provide useful advice if you are travelling sooner.

Routine vaccinations

Make sure you are up to date with routine vaccinations recommended in your home country. These may include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and seasonal influenza. In addition, international travellers should pay particular attention to measles protection because outbreaks continue to occur worldwide.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated food or water. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers aged one year or older going to Palau, while separate recommendations apply to infants aged six to eleven months.

Recommended article: Health Guide to Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood and other body fluids. The CDC recommends vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages visiting Palau. Moreover, vaccination can be particularly relevant if you may need medical treatment, have a new sexual partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or undertake other activities that could expose you to blood or body fluids.

Recommended article: Health guide to Hepatitis B

Typhoid

The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers to Palau, especially people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller communities. Nevertheless, vaccination does not replace good food and water hygiene.

Recommended article: Health guide to Typhoid fever

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Palau according to the CDC. However, travellers who may have occupational or recreational contact with potentially infected animals, or who may have difficulty reaching prompt post-exposure treatment, should discuss pre-exposure vaccination with a healthcare professional.

Moreover, avoid touching or feeding unfamiliar animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice promptly.

Recommended article: Direct Contact Diseases

Palau vaccination requirements for entry

Vaccines recommended for personal protection are different from vaccines required for entry. Therefore, always check both health recommendations and Palau’s current border requirements before travelling.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Palau?

Palau currently does not require yellow fever vaccination for entry according to CDC destination guidance, and the CDC does not recommend the vaccine for travel to Palau itself. However, entry and health rules can change, so verify the latest official requirements before departure.

Does Palau require a COVID-19 vaccination?

Palau no longer applies the former COVID-19 vaccination entry requirement described in older travel information. Nevertheless, respiratory disease guidance can change, and travellers should keep appropriate routine vaccinations up to date according to current medical advice.

For wider immigration and border rules, see the Palau visa and entry requirements guide.

Health risks in Palau

Palau’s tropical environment creates several health considerations that travellers can reduce through sensible precautions. In particular, mosquito bites, contaminated water and intense sun exposure deserve attention.

Is dengue a risk in Palau?

Yes. Dengue is a mosquito-borne health risk in Palau. There is no routine preventive medicine that most travellers take for dengue, so avoiding mosquito bites remains a key precaution.

In addition, symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea and a rash. Therefore, seek medical advice if you become unwell during or after your trip, especially if you develop a fever.

Is Zika a risk in Palau?

The CDC also lists Zika as a mosquito-borne risk for Palau. Most infections cause mild symptoms or no symptoms, but infection during pregnancy can cause serious complications for an unborn baby. Consequently, people who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or travelling with a pregnant partner should check current specialist advice before departure.

Is there malaria in Palau?

Current traveller guidance for Palau does not identify malaria as a destination-specific risk requiring preventive malaria medication. However, mosquito bite prevention still matters because mosquitoes can transmit dengue and Zika.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis can spread through water or soil contaminated with urine from infected animals. As a result, avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated fresh water or floodwater, particularly if you have cuts or broken skin.

Animal bites

Avoid unnecessary contact with wild or unfamiliar animals. Although rabies in dogs is not commonly reported in Palau, any bite or scratch needs prompt attention because access to rabies treatment may be more limited outside larger medical facilities.

Mosquito bite prevention in Palau

Mosquito protection should form part of your daily routine because dengue and Zika occur in Palau. Moreover, the mosquitoes that spread these illnesses can bite during the daytime as well as around dawn and dusk.

• Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin and follow the product instructions.
• Wear loose-fitting long sleeves and long trousers when practical.
• Choose accommodation with air conditioning, screens or other effective mosquito barriers where possible.
• Use a mosquito net if your sleeping area is exposed to insects.
• Reduce standing water around accommodation when possible because mosquitoes can breed in small water containers.

If you develop a fever or other significant symptoms during your trip, seek medical advice rather than assuming you have a minor viral illness.

Food and water safety in Palau

Food and water standards can vary between locations and types of accommodation. Therefore, take additional care when you cannot confirm how food has been prepared or whether water is safe to drink.

• Wash or sanitise your hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Choose food that has been thoroughly cooked and is served hot.
• Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish when hygiene or refrigeration is uncertain.
• Wash or peel fruit and vegetables when necessary.
• Use a reliable source of drinking water if local water quality is uncertain.

In addition, avoid potentially contaminated fresh water and floodwater because of the risk of leptospirosis.

Sun and heat safety in Palau

Palau has a hot tropical climate, and strong UV exposure can quickly cause sunburn or heat-related illness. Consequently, drink enough fluids, take breaks from strenuous activity and seek shade during the hottest part of the day.

Wear a hat, sunglasses and lightweight protective clothing, and use suitable broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin. However, you also need to follow Palau’s environmental rules when choosing sunscreen.

Reef-safe sunscreen rules in Palau

Palau bans reef-toxic sunscreen, and customs officials can confiscate prohibited products. Permitted sunscreens generally use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. Therefore, check the ingredients before packing sunscreen rather than relying only on labels such as “reef friendly”.

For the latest customs requirements, check official Palau information and current FCDO entry advice for Palau.

Scuba diving health and safety in Palau

Palau is one of the Pacific’s best-known scuba-diving destinations, but diving also creates specific medical and insurance considerations. Before booking, check the operator’s credentials, equipment, emergency procedures and arrangements for reaching medical care.

In particular, confirm that boats carry appropriate safety equipment, including oxygen, and ask how the operator would manage a suspected decompression illness or other diving emergency. Palau’s only hyperbaric chamber is at Belau National Hospital in Koror.

Furthermore, check your travel insurance carefully. Some standard policies exclude scuba diving entirely or limit the depth, type of dive or level of certification they cover. Choose a policy that matches your planned activities and includes emergency treatment, evacuation and repatriation where necessary.

If you are learning to dive, make sure you understand the emergency arrangements before entering the water. Also follow recognised guidance on ascent rates, surface intervals, hydration and flying after diving.

Healthcare and hospitals in Palau

Healthcare facilities in Palau can provide routine medical care, but options are more limited than in countries with larger health systems. Belau National Hospital in Koror is the country’s national hospital and can perform operations as well as provide hyperbaric treatment for diving accidents.

In addition, private clinics and community health centres provide basic primary and urgent care. However, serious illnesses or injuries may require medical evacuation to another country.

Doctors and medical centres may expect immediate payment. Therefore, keep access to emergency funds and contact your insurer as soon as possible if you need significant treatment.

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Travel medical insurance for Palau

Comprehensive travel medical insurance is strongly advisable for Palau because serious medical problems may require expensive evacuation. A suitable policy should cover the destinations, activities and medical risks relevant to your trip rather than simply offering the lowest premium.

Check that your policy includes emergency treatment, hospital care, medical evacuation and repatriation. In addition, declare any existing medical conditions as required by the insurer and confirm whether the policy covers scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking or other activities you plan to undertake.

Furthermore, keep your insurer’s emergency assistance details accessible while travelling. If a medical provider refers you for treatment, contact the insurer quickly whenever circumstances allow.

Anothertravel.com has teamed up with SafetyWing to offer travel medical insurance that provides peace of mind by covering any unexpected medical expenses you may face while exploring the country.

Taking medication to Palau

Bring enough prescription medication for your trip, allowing some extra supply for reasonable delays where permitted. Keep medicines in their original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter when appropriate.

Medication rules can differ between countries. Therefore, check whether Palau restricts any medicine you intend to carry, particularly controlled drugs or medicines that contain ingredients regulated differently overseas.

Belau National Hospital has a pharmacy that dispenses basic medicines. However, do not assume that a particular brand, formulation or specialist medicine will be readily available, especially if you need it regularly.

Emergency medical help in Palau

Call 911 if you need an ambulance or other emergency assistance in Palau. If you receive treatment, contact your travel insurer as soon as practical because medical providers may ask for payment and serious cases can involve evacuation.

In addition, save your insurer’s emergency number and details of any important medical conditions in a place you can access without relying solely on an internet connection.

Before you travel to Palau

Good preparation can reduce many of the health risks associated with a tropical island trip. Ideally, complete the following steps before departure:

• Check that your routine vaccinations are up to date.
• Ask a healthcare professional whether you need hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies or other vaccinations.
• Review current dengue, Zika and other destination-specific health advice.
• Arrange comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover.
• Confirm that your insurance covers scuba diving and other planned activities.
• Pack effective insect repellent and Palau-compliant sunscreen.
• Carry enough regular medication and supporting documents where appropriate.
• Save the Palau emergency number, 911.

Finally, check official health and entry advice shortly before travelling because vaccination recommendations, outbreaks and border rules can change. You can also use the Palau travel guide to plan the wider practical details of your trip.

FAQs: About travel health advice for Palau

Sources and further health advice

• CDC Travelers’ Health: Palau
• FCDO Palau travel advice: health
• TravelHealthPro

Recommended article: Staying healthy when travelling abroad

Health information can change. Always check current official advice and speak to an appropriate healthcare professional about your individual circumstances before travelling.