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Koror
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Koror, Palau’s island hub, combines Micronesian culture, World War II history, marine adventures, limestone islands and vivid lagoon scenery for curious travellers.

An Island City in Palau

Koror is the principal urban centre of Palau, an independent island country in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region. The city occupies a group of forested islands linked by bridges and causeways, with sheltered bays, mangrove shallows and coral-rich waters shaping everyday life. Although Koror is not Palau’s constitutional capital—that role belongs to Ngerulmud on Babeldaob—it remains the country’s commercial, cultural and tourism hub.
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Marine Landscapes and Island Culture

The city is the usual base for exploring Palau’s celebrated marine environment, from snorkelling sites and dive reefs to the limestone Rock Islands south of Koror. Boats depart for lagoons, beaches and secluded coves, while local operators provide access to sites such as Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk, outside the city itself. On land, the Belau National Museum, Palau National Museum and Etpison Museum introduce the islands’ social history, traditional arts and changing relationship with the sea. Koror’s streets are practical rather than grand, lined with restaurants, small shops, offices and accommodation.

History in the Modern Town

Koror also carries traces of German, Japanese and American administration, particularly in wartime remnants and older civic buildings. Traditional bai meeting houses, with their richly decorated façades and steep roofs, offer insight into Palauan community life, while contemporary cultural institutions preserve oral histories, woven arts and archaeological knowledge. The city’s appeal lies in this close meeting of urban convenience and an ocean environment that remains central to Palauan identity.

When is the best time to visit Koror?

Best: June–August · 29°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January29200
February29170
March29180
April29160
May29140
June (best)29120
July (best)29120
August (best)29120
September29130
October29150
November29170
December29190

Getting to and around Koror

How to get there

Koror is served by Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, located in Airai on Babeldaob rather than on Koror Island itself. International flights connect Palau with selected hubs in East Asia and the western Pacific, though routes and frequencies vary by season and airline. From the airport, visitors generally continue by taxi, pre-arranged transfer or hire car across the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge. There is no railway connection, and long-distance coach services are not a major feature of the islands. Koror is also reached by private boats and liveaboards, but scheduled passenger ferries are not the standard arrival method for international visitors.

Transportation

Koror is compact enough for short local journeys by car, taxi or occasional walk, although heat, humidity, traffic and disconnected waterfront areas can make walking less practical than the map suggests. Public transport is limited compared with larger cities, so visitors commonly use hotel transfers, taxis, rental cars or organised excursions. Hire cars are useful for reaching viewpoints, museums and outlying parts of Babeldaob, while boats are essential for the Rock Islands and most marine activities. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Allow extra time on bridges and island roads, particularly during rain or around busy commercial areas.

Best attractions in Koror

Koror’s principal attractions combine cultural interpretation with access to Palau’s marine environment. The Belau National Museum presents Palauan history, traditional arts and political life, while the Etpison Museum focuses on indigenous culture, artefacts and the region’s wider connections. The Palau National Museum, one of the oldest museums in Micronesia, adds historical context through collections and exhibitions. Around town, visitors encounter bai-style buildings, small galleries, harbour views and remnants of the Japanese administrative era. The real breadth of sightseeing begins offshore: boat excursions from Koror reach the limestone Rock Islands, sheltered lagoons, snorkelling reefs and beaches framed by jungle. Jellyfish Lake, on Eil Malk, is a separate island destination whose conditions can vary and whose access is regulated. Diving around wrecks and coral walls reveals another layer of the country’s history, while a drive across the bridge to Babeldaob opens onto villages, forest and less urbanised landscapes.

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Best landmarks in Koror

Koror’s landmarks reveal the meeting of Palauan tradition, colonial administration and modern national identity. The Belau National Museum occupies a former colonial-era building associated with the town’s administrative past and is itself part of the country’s architectural heritage. Traditional bai meeting houses, recognisable by their steep roofs and carved or painted storyboards, express Palauan systems of community, rank and oral history; examples in Koror and the wider country are cultural buildings rather than decorative replicas. The Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge is a significant modern structure linking Koror with Babeldaob and improving access to the international airport and new capital area. Japanese-period buildings, military traces and wartime sites provide physical reminders of the South Seas Mandate and the Pacific War. The harbour, bridges and surrounding limestone islands complete a landmark setting in which land and sea are inseparable.

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Explore Koror on the map

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Best restaurants in Koror

Koror’s dining scene reflects Palau’s position between Pacific, Asian and American influences, with seafood at its centre. Reef fish, tuna, shellfish and sashimi appear alongside rice, noodles and familiar international dishes, while taro, cassava, sweet potato, coconut and tropical fruit connect meals with island agriculture. Local eateries and family-run restaurants tend to offer a more informal setting than the larger hotels, and menus may include Palauan specialities such as bai-style home cooking or fruit bat soup, a traditional dish that is not universally available and may not suit every visitor. Japanese culinary influence is particularly visible in seafood preparation, while Filipino, Chinese, Korean and American communities have contributed to Koror’s broad choice of restaurants. Markets and small shops provide fruit, snacks and drinks for boat trips, although remote island excursions generally require supplies to be arranged in advance.

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Best bars in Koror

Koror’s evening scene is modest and sociable rather than built around large nightclubs. Hotel lounges, waterfront bars and small local venues provide spaces for beer, cocktails, music and conversation, with activity often concentrated around the main commercial areas. Karaoke and live music appear in some establishments, reflecting the island’s East Asian and Pacific connections, while diving and fishing communities give certain bars an informal after-hours atmosphere. Evening entertainment can also mean watching the sunset, sharing food with friends or joining a cultural performance when one is scheduled. Nightlife is quieter outside Koror, and rural parts of Babeldaob have few late-night options. Visitors should respect local communities, avoid excessive noise near residential areas and arrange transport rather than assuming that taxis or public services will be readily available late at night.

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Best nightclubs in Koror

Koror’s evening scene is modest and sociable rather than built around large nightclubs. Hotel lounges, waterfront bars and small local venues provide spaces for beer, cocktails, music and conversation, with activity often concentrated around the main commercial areas. Karaoke and live music appear in some establishments, reflecting the island’s East Asian and Pacific connections, while diving and fishing communities give certain bars an informal after-hours atmosphere. Evening entertainment can also mean watching the sunset, sharing food with friends or joining a cultural performance when one is scheduled. Nightlife is quieter outside Koror, and rural parts of Babeldaob have few late-night options. Visitors should respect local communities, avoid excessive noise near residential areas and arrange transport rather than assuming that taxis or public services will be readily available late at night.

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Best shops in Koror

Shopping in Koror is concentrated around small local businesses, supermarkets, souvenir outlets, craft displays and hotel-based retail rather than extensive department stores. Visitors can find storyboards inspired by traditional Palauan designs, woven items, locally made jewellery, shell-based crafts and artwork depicting bai, marine life and island landscapes. Authenticity and provenance vary, so asking about materials and origin is worthwhile; coral, shells and wildlife products should not be purchased casually, since marine conservation rules and customs restrictions may apply. Shops also stock snacks, drinks, practical supplies and imported goods for boat excursions. Koror’s retail character reflects its role as Palau’s commercial centre, with a mixture of local craft traditions and products brought from wider Pacific and Asian markets. The most meaningful purchases are often museum-shop or artist-made pieces that explain their cultural context rather than mass-produced souvenirs.

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Koror essentials

Currency and Payment
Palau uses the United States dollar (USD), and prices are generally quoted in dollars. Cards are accepted by many hotels, established restaurants, dive operators and larger businesses, but smaller shops, informal vendors and some remote excursions may require cash. ATMs are available in Koror, though relying on a single machine is unwise before travelling to less populated islands. International visitors should notify their bank of travel plans and keep some smaller notes for taxis, small purchases and incidental expenses. Foreign currency exchange facilities are more limited than in major cities, so arranging dollars before travelling onward from Koror can be useful.
Safety
Koror is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate: secure valuables, avoid leaving belongings visible in vehicles and take care on quiet roads after dark. The more significant practical risks often concern the sea and weather rather than city streets. Use reputable, properly equipped operators for diving and boat trips, follow instructions about currents and life jackets, and take local advice when storms or heavy rain affect conditions. Strong sun, heat, dehydration and coral cuts can quickly spoil an outing. Swimming, snorkelling and diving should be undertaken within personal ability, particularly around reefs, channels and boat traffic.
Emergency Situations
Palau uses 911 for police, fire and medical emergencies. State the location clearly, especially when calling from a hotel, marina, outer island or boat, as addresses can be less precise than in a large mainland city. Medical facilities in Koror provide basic and urgent care, while serious or highly specialised cases may require evacuation, making comprehensive travel insurance important for divers and other adventure travellers. Keep your accommodation details, passport information, insurance contacts and any relevant medical information accessible. For non-urgent assistance, hotel staff, dive centres and local authorities can help identify the appropriate service.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when visiting villages, cultural institutions or religious spaces, and ask permission before photographing people, ceremonies, traditional objects or private property. Treat bai meeting houses and other heritage places as cultural sites rather than scenery to be climbed on or handled. Follow marine rules, do not collect coral or shells, and avoid touching wildlife or standing on reefs. Palauan communities place importance on courtesy and respect for customary authority, so listen to local guides and observe site-specific instructions. Tipping is not a universal obligation, though a modest gratuity may be appreciated for particularly good service; check whether a service charge is already included.
Local Tips
Koror is best understood as a launch point as well as a destination: museums, restaurants and cultural sites are in town, while the most famous lagoons and reefs require organised boat travel. Visit the Belau National Museum or Etpison Museum before heading offshore to place the landscape in its cultural context. Keep plans flexible around tides, rain and sea conditions, and carry water when exploring away from commercial areas. Babeldaob’s roads offer a contrasting experience of forest, villages and open coastline, but it is a separate island reached by bridge, not a neighbourhood of Koror. Local advice is especially valuable for remote beaches and marine sites.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAlii[Ah-lee]
GoodbyeSulang[Soo-lang]
YesEwe[Eh-way]
NoChelid[Cheh-lid]
Please/You're welcomeKmal mesulang[Kuh-mahl meh-soo-lang]
Thank youSulang[Soo-lang]
Excuse me/SorryKmal meral di chad[Kuh-mahl meh-rahl dee chad]
How are you?Kemam a kmal mesisiich?[Keh-mahm ah kuh-mahl meh-see-seech?]
Fine. And you?Sisiich a, oh a kmal mesisiich?[See-see-seech ah, oh ah kuh-mahl meh-see-seech?]
Do you speak English?Ng diak el kmo ngak er tirke el kebliil?[Ng dee-ahk el kmo ngahk ehr teer-kehl ehl keh-blee-ihl?]
I don't understandA di mengetekl[Ah dee men-geht-ehkl]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseAk mo melai a rengul a menu[Ahk moh meh-lai ah rehng-ool ah meh-noo]
I don't eat meatA di chimolbekakl[Ah dee chee-mohl-beh-kahkl]
Cheers!Ungil tutau[Oong-geel too-tow]
I would like to pay, pleaseAk mo meral di tang[Ahk moh meh-rahl dee tahng]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Mei[Meh-ee]
Go away!Mla mekngit[Mah-lah meh-kngeet]
Call the Police!Mengedub[Mehng-geh-doob]
Call a doctor!Mengedeu[Mehng-geh-doo]
I'm lostA diak lebo er a beluu[Ah dee-ahk leh-boh ehr ah beh-loo]
I'm illA di meral mengedub[Ah dee meh-rahl mehng-geh-doob]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ak mo meral di bechil[Ahk moh meh-rahl dee bech-eel]
I'm just lookingA di mechitechad[Ah dee meh-chee-teh-chad]
How much is it?Ongal ta[Ong-ahl tah]
That's too expensiveA rirel a meral mengui[Ah ree-rel ah meh-rahl mehng-wee]
Can you lower the price?Mengui a meral diak[Mehng-wee ah meh-rahl dee-ahk]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kemam a kmal mei?[Keh-mahm ah kuh-mahl meh-ee?]
It's one o'clockKedei er a chim[Keh-deh-ee ehr ah cheem]
Half past (10)A chedam er ngak[Ah cheh-dahm ehr ngahk]
MorningNgalek a blil a sang[Ngah-lehk ah bleel ah sahng]
AfternoonNgalek a blil a uchul a klengar[Ngah-lehk ah bleel ah oo-chool ah klehn-gahr]
EveningNgalek a blil a ngelekel[Ngah-lehk ah bleel ah ngel-eh-kel]
YesterdayA kmal di kudengei[Ah kuh-mahl dee koo-dehn-gay]
TodayA kmal di kmo ngak[Ah kuh-mahl dee kmo ngahk]
TomorrowA kmal di kau[Ah kuh-mahl dee kow]
1Chim[Cheem]
2Ngak[Ngahk]
3Telu[Teh-loo]
4Fa[Fah]
5Leleng[Leh-leng]
6Uor[Wohr]
7Kedei[Keh-deh-ee]
8Kedam[Keh-dahm]
9Kedeu[Keh-doo]
10Kuluk[Koo-look]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Ng diak a/er...[Ng dee-ahk ah/ehr...]
What's the address?Kemam a chemaod?[Keh-mahm ah cheh-mowd?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Mengui a meral di chelid[Mehng-wee ah meh-rahl dee cheh-lid]
When's the next (bus)?Kemam a kmal me kmal diak?[Keh-mahm ah kuh-mahl meh kuh-mahl dee-ahk?]
A ticket (to ....)A bilel el chad er a...[Ah bee-lehl ehl chad ehr ah...]

History of Koror

Palauan Communities Before Colonial Rule

Long before Koror became an administrative and commercial centre, Palauan communities organised life around extended family networks, village territories, fishing, farming and exchange between islands. Traditional meeting houses, known as bai, were important spaces for chiefs and community discussions, while decorated storyboards recorded histories, values and relationships. Koror developed within this established cultural landscape rather than appearing as an entirely new colonial creation. Palau’s island geography encouraged seafaring expertise and close knowledge of reefs, currents and seasonal resources. These traditions remain visible in contemporary cultural institutions and in the continuing significance of clan, village and customary relationships.

Spanish and German Administration

Palau came under Spanish rule during the late nineteenth century, although Spanish administrative control was limited compared with the influence of local communities. In 1899 Spain sold its remaining Caroline Islands possessions to Germany, and Palau became part of German New Guinea. German administration brought new commercial and governmental structures, but it did not erase Palauan authority or social organisation. The period also connected the islands more closely to wider colonial networks in the western Pacific. Koror’s later prominence was encouraged by its strategic position among the islands and its suitability as a centre for administration and trade.

Japanese Rule and Urban Growth

After the First World War, the League of Nations granted Japan a mandate over the former German islands north of the equator, including Palau. Japanese administration expanded infrastructure, commercial activity and migration, and Koror became the administrative capital of the South Seas Mandate. Roads, offices, workshops and other facilities altered the town’s appearance and connected it to regional economic systems. Japanese rule also brought profound social changes and placed Palau within the military strategy of the Pacific. Remnants of this period, together with wartime sites elsewhere in the islands, form an important layer of Koror’s historical landscape.

War in the Pacific

During the Second World War, Palau became a Japanese military area and Koror served as an important base and administrative centre. The wider archipelago was drawn into the Pacific conflict, with military construction, forced labour and displacement affecting island communities. Koror was not the site of the best-known battle in Palau—the major fighting at Peleliu took place elsewhere—but wartime remains throughout the country reflect the period’s strategic importance and human cost. Rusting equipment, damaged structures and submerged wrecks are now encountered by divers and historians, making the war an inescapable part of the islands’ modern heritage.

American Administration and Independence

Following Japan’s defeat, Palau became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States. New political institutions, education systems and infrastructure developed during the post-war decades, while Koror continued to function as the country’s principal urban centre. Palau entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States and became independent in 1994. In 2006, the national capital moved from Koror to Ngerulmud on Babeldaob, but Koror retained its commercial, cultural and tourism importance. The city seen today reflects this layered passage from customary society through colonial administration, war and self-government.

Koror in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Koror, Micronesia

Discover Koror like a local with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease.

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Plan your trip to Koror, Micronesia effortlessly with Evendo. Discover top attractions, landmarks, and local tips all in one free app. Download now!

  • History of Koror and travel essentials
  • Local advice to enhance your visit
  • User-friendly navigation through the app and city
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips to experience Koror like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate app-based travel guide to Koror, Micronesia! Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo will help you uncover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks of this beautiful island. Explore the wonders of Koror with detailed information on attractions like the mesmerizing Rock Islands, the historical Belau National Museum, and the breathtaking Milky Way Lagoon. Dive into the vibrant local culture by visiting famous spots like the Etpison Museum and the Palau Aquarium.

Savor the local cuisine at renowned restaurants such as the Drop Off Bar & Grill and Elilai Restaurant & Bar. Discover the best hotels, shops, bars, and nightclubs to make your stay unforgettable. Evendo provides you with rich images, detailed descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details for every location, making trip planning a breeze.

With Evendo, you can easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and unique experiences directly through the app. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for things to do and places to visit—Evendo has everything you need in one place. Enjoy features like the history of Koror, travel essentials, easy navigation, and the 'Near me' feature to find attractions around you. Plus, curated local tips ensure you experience Koror like a local.

The best part? Evendo is completely free to use, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. And with coverage of over 7,000 destinations worldwide, you'll have the world in your pocket. Download Evendo now and start your adventure!

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