First time · Koror

First time in KororKoror

Koror is a base, not a destination: the good days are on the water. Sleep here, book your boat and dive days first, use the town for a museum morning and an evening meal, and keep the last 24 hours before a flight free of diving.

Everything here is a short version of the Koror guide. Prices and hours are estimates: check before you rely on them.

The honest verdict

Koror is a small island town linked by bridge to the mainland. The Rock Islands, the dive walls and Jellyfish Lake (when open) are all reached by boat from the Malakal docks, so the trips that go wrong are the ones without a booked boat, a permit or a spare day. Four short clusters cover the town; a taxi or your hotel's shuttle joins them.

From the airport

Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR)

Fastest and cheapest: Pre-booked hotel shuttle or airport taxi to the door · about 30 min · about US$40

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

Airport-to-bed timings →

How long to stay

2 days: One boat day + a museum morning
3 days: Museum morning, Rock Islands boat day, town evening
5 days: Three days here + a second boat or dive day + a Babeldaob car day

Itineraries by length →

Three mistakes to avoid

Follow the Palau Pledge: take nothing, touch no coral, feed no fish.(Survive · red lines)
Diving: strong currents at Blue Corner and German Channel; dive with an established operator and follow the briefing.(Survive · safety)
Ask before photographing people or entering a bai (traditional meeting house).(Survive · red lines)

Scams and safety →

Money and SIM

Budget day: US$80–130 excl. bed
Cash: Cards work at hotels and dive shops. Carry US bills for taxis, small shops and permits; ATMs are in Koror.

Money, SIMs and apps →