Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  While in Palau, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. 

Many roads in Koror, where the vast majority of the population lives, are in fair condition but have no sidewalks and little or no shoulder on the side of the road.  The roadway known as the “Compact Road” that loops around the large island of Babeldaob is in fairly good condition.  Secondary roads connecting villages to the Compact Road vary in quality from good to rough. 

Drunken drivers are a late-night hazard in Palau.

Traffic Laws:  Palau accepts a driver's license issued by a U.S. state or military authority for up to 30 days.  After 30 days in Palau, you must obtain a Palauan driver’s license. 

The national speed limit is 25 miles per hour, but drivers routinely ignore this limit in remote areas on good-quality roads, and traffic often moves slower in congested areas.  Passing slow-moving vehicles is illegal.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the country’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States  other than to Guam by carriers registered in Palau, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Palau’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.