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Koror Town
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Koror, Palau’s lively island hub, combines lagoon views, Palauan culture, WWII history, seafood and gateways to the Rock Islands and diving adventures.

Island Capital and Ocean Setting

Koror Town is Palau’s compact commercial and cultural centre, spread across a group of hilly islands linked by causeways and bridges in the western Pacific. Although Ngerulmud became Palau’s national capital in 2006, Koror remains the country’s principal gateway, business hub and base for exploring the surrounding lagoon. Roads, shops, restaurants, schools and government offices cluster around the town, while mangroves, sheltered waterways and forested slopes remain close at hand.
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Palauan Heritage

The town offers several ways to understand Palau’s distinctive culture, from the Belau National Museum and Etpison Museum to traditional bai meeting houses and displays of tools, carvings and navigational knowledge. Koror’s history also reflects Spanish, German, Japanese and American influence, visible in museum collections, wartime remnants and the layered civic character of the islands. Palauan customs remain central to daily life, particularly the importance of family, community and respect for elders.

Lagoon Adventures

Koror is best known internationally as the departure point for boat trips into the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site of limestone islets, turquoise channels, hidden beaches and marine lakes. Diving, snorkelling, kayaking and wildlife excursions reveal an environment shaped as much by water as by land. Within town, evenings are relatively peaceful, with waterfront dining, local markets and informal social life rather than a large-city entertainment scene.

When is the best time to visit Koror Town?

Best: June–August · 30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January29250
February29250
March29200
April29200
May29200
June (best)30150
July (best)30150
August (best)30150
September30150
October29200
November29250
December29250

Getting to and around Koror Town

How to get there

International visitors normally arrive at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, Palau’s principal airport in Airai on Babeldaob island, then travel south across the Japan–Palau Friendship Bridge to Koror. The airport is not within Koror itself, but the bridge provides the main road connection and airport transfers are commonly arranged through accommodation providers, taxis or tour companies. Palau is reached by air from selected hubs in East Asia and the western Pacific, although routes and schedules can change. There is no international passenger railway, and long-distance public coaches are not a normal way for visitors to reach Koror. Cruise and yacht arrivals are possible, but arrangements depend on the vessel and port procedures.

Transportation

Koror is small enough for short journeys by car, taxi or organised transfer, but it is not consistently pedestrian-friendly beyond central areas and the main roads can be busy. Hire cars are widely useful for independent exploration, provided visitors drive carefully and check insurance and licensing arrangements. Taxis are available, though they are not always hailed as casually as in larger cities, so arranging a pick-up is sensible. Tour boats and operators provide transport to the Rock Islands and other marine sites. Public bus provision is limited compared with a major urban destination, and travel across Babeldaob or to outlying islands requires a car, taxi, tour transfer or private boat.

Best attractions in Koror Town

Koror’s attractions combine cultural interpretation, maritime scenery and traces of a complex twentieth-century past. The Belau National Museum introduces Palau’s history, art and traditional society, while the Etpison Museum presents further perspectives on local culture, natural history and political change. Traditional bai structures offer an architectural window into community life and chiefly traditions, although access and interpretation vary by site. The town’s roads and causeways lead towards mangrove-lined channels, small beaches and viewpoints over the lagoon, where the changing light gives the urban centre a distinctly oceanic setting. Guided excursions depart for the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, with opportunities for kayaking, snorkelling, diving and visiting marine lakes; these World Heritage landscapes lie outside Koror but are central to the town’s visitor experience. Wartime relics, memorials and museum displays add another layer, connecting present-day Palau with Japanese administration and the Pacific War.

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Best landmarks in Koror Town

Koror’s landmarks reflect Palau’s traditional social structure, colonial history and emergence as a modern republic. Traditional bai meeting houses, with their decorated façades and steeply pitched forms, are significant communal buildings associated with chiefly authority, oral history and village identity. The Belau National Museum occupies an important cultural role by preserving objects and narratives that explain Palauan society beyond its resort image. The Etpison Museum adds another substantial cultural landmark, with collections and interpretation covering local heritage and the natural environment. The Japan–Palau Friendship Bridge is a modern piece of infrastructure linking Koror with Babeldaob and the airport, while nearby causeways reveal how engineering has reshaped movement between islands. Wartime structures and memorial sites around the wider archipelago provide a sobering architectural and historical counterpoint to Koror’s commercial centre.

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Explore Koror Town on the map

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Best restaurants in Koror Town

Koror has Palau’s broadest concentration of restaurants, with dining shaped by island produce, fishing traditions and the country’s links with Micronesia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States. Fresh fish and seafood feature prominently, alongside rice, taro, cassava, sweet potato, coconut, tropical fruit and locally grown greens. Visitors may encounter dishes and ingredients associated with Palauan home cooking, including taro-based foods, grilled fish and soups enriched with coconut, while casual eateries also serve Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and American-influenced meals. Restaurants are concentrated around central Koror, hotel areas and waterfront districts, with a range extending from informal cafés and bakeries to more polished dining rooms. Local markets and small food businesses provide a more everyday view of island flavours than resort menus, although availability of particular produce depends on season and supply.

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Best bars in Koror Town

Koror’s evening scene is modest and sociable rather than centred on large nightclubs. Hotel bars, waterfront restaurants and independent venues provide places for a quiet drink, conversation and views across the lagoon, while karaoke and informal live entertainment reflect the town’s regional influences. Some establishments attract visitors returning from diving or boat trips, creating a relaxed after-hours atmosphere, but nightlife is distributed rather than concentrated in a single entertainment quarter. Evening cultural performances and talks connected with Palauan traditions may also be available through hotels or organised programmes, though they should not be assumed to run every night. Visitors should respect local community standards, arrange transport after dark where pavements and lighting are limited, and avoid treating residential waterfront areas as party districts.

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Best nightclubs in Koror Town

Koror’s evening scene is modest and sociable rather than centred on large nightclubs. Hotel bars, waterfront restaurants and independent venues provide places for a quiet drink, conversation and views across the lagoon, while karaoke and informal live entertainment reflect the town’s regional influences. Some establishments attract visitors returning from diving or boat trips, creating a relaxed after-hours atmosphere, but nightlife is distributed rather than concentrated in a single entertainment quarter. Evening cultural performances and talks connected with Palauan traditions may also be available through hotels or organised programmes, though they should not be assumed to run every night. Visitors should respect local community standards, arrange transport after dark where pavements and lighting are limited, and avoid treating residential waterfront areas as party districts.

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Best shops in Koror Town

Shopping in Koror is practical, locally oriented and closely connected with tourism. Central commercial areas contain supermarkets, general shops, pharmacies, souvenir retailers and stores serving the diving and marine-travel economy, while WCTC Shopping Center and other established retail premises provide everyday goods and imported products. Visitors can look for Palauan storyboards, carvings, woven items, jewellery and locally themed artwork, but should ask about provenance and avoid products made from protected wildlife or unlawfully collected marine material. Small markets and specialist food shops offer a glimpse of imported staples alongside island produce, although Koror is not a major fashion or luxury-shopping destination. Crafts are especially meaningful when purchased through reputable cultural institutions or local makers, where the imagery and materials can be explained rather than treated as anonymous souvenirs.

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Koror Town essentials

Currency and Payment
The United States dollar (USD) is Palau’s official currency, and US coins and notes are used throughout Koror. Hotels, established restaurants, larger shops and many tour operators commonly accept major payment cards, while smaller businesses, local stalls and remote operators may prefer cash. ATMs are available in Koror, but international visitors should not assume that every machine will accept every overseas card or that cash will be easy to obtain outside the town. Carrying a modest supply of dollars is practical for taxis, small purchases and incidental expenses. Card issuers may apply foreign transaction fees, so checking arrangements before departure is worthwhile.
Safety
Koror is generally navigable for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate. Keep passports, cameras and other valuables secure, particularly in vehicles, busy commercial areas and places where bags are left unattended. Roads may be narrow, poorly lit or wet after tropical rain, so take care when walking after dark and use an arranged taxi or transfer where appropriate. In the water, follow the instructions of boat and dive personnel, respect currents and weather warnings, and never approach marine wildlife carelessly. Remote beaches, trails and wartime sites should be visited with suitable guidance, since heat, rough terrain and unexploded ordnance can present risks.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 in Palau for emergency assistance, including police, fire and medical services, and state clearly that you are in Koror or identify the relevant island and landmark. For non-urgent medical concerns, accommodation staff or a tour operator can help contact local clinics or the Belau National Hospital in Koror. Healthcare resources are more limited than in major international cities, while serious cases may require evacuation, so comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is prudent. Keep your passport, insurance details and emergency contacts accessible, and remember that mobile coverage and response times may be less predictable on remote islands or at sea.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when visiting villages, cultural institutions or places connected with traditional life, and ask before photographing people, ceremonies or private property. Show respect for elders and local authority, follow posted conservation rules and never remove coral, shells, archaeological objects or wartime artefacts. On boats and dive trips, listen carefully to local instructions and avoid touching reefs or marine animals. Tipping is not a universal obligation in the same way as in the United States, but a discretionary amount may be appreciated for good service when customary in a particular setting. Do not assume that quiet beaches or islands are unowned or open for unrestricted access.
Local Tips
Koror’s central districts are useful for combining museums, shops and meals, while the waterfront and causeway roads provide changing views of mangroves, channels and neighbouring islands. The best cultural understanding comes from allowing time for a museum visit rather than treating the town solely as a launch point for boat excursions. Weather can alter sea conditions quickly, so keeping a flexible day in the itinerary is sensible. Ask permission before entering traditional meeting-house areas, and learn a few place names and local customs from guides rather than relying only on resort information. Excursions into the Rock Islands are regional outings from Koror, not attractions within the town itself.
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]
GoodbyeKo mechar[koh meh-char]
YesOmelech[oh-meh-lech]
NoCheldecheduch[chel-deh-cheh-dook]
Please/You're welcomeChedam/Meiakl[cheh-dam/may-ah-kel]
Thank youOlengull[oh-leng-ool]
Excuse me/SorryKmal mesaul[kem-mal meh-sow-ool]
How are you?Kmal meral diak?[kem-mal meh-ral dyak?]
Fine. And you?Diak. Ak kmal meral di?[dyak. ahk kem-mal meh-ral dee?]
Do you speak English?Ungil tutau ra rechad er a Belau?[oong-geel too-tow ra reh-chad er ah bel-ow?]
I don't understandA di meral diak[ah dee meh-ral dyak]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseA ruchad e kmal melai er a menu[ah roo-chad eh kem-mal meh-lai er ah meh-noo]
I don't eat meatA di meral melekoi er a rechad[ah dee meh-ral meh-leh-koy er ah reh-chad]
Cheers!Chimol beluu![chee-mol beh-loo]
I would like to pay, pleaseA ruchad e kmal melim a rengud[ah roo-chad eh kem-mal meh-leem ah rehng-ood]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Ungil tutau![oong-geel too-tow]
Go away!Meral sebechel[meh-ral seb-eh-chel]
Call the Police!Ungil tutau ra beluu[oong-geel too-tow ra beh-loo]
Call a doctor!Ungil tutau ra chad er a doktor[oong-geel too-tow ra chad er ah dok-tor]
I'm lostA di meral diluches[ah dee meh-ral dee-loo-chess]
I'm illA di meral bekesii[ah dee meh-ral beh-keh-see]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...A ruchad e kmal mecherar...[ah roo-chad eh kem-mal meh-cheh-rahr]
I'm just lookingA di meral mei[ah dee meh-ral may]
How much is it?Kmal mlo mengeder er kid[kem-mal mlo men-ged-er er keed]
That's too expensiveA ngar er ngii a klumam[ah ngar er nghee a kloo-mam]
Can you lower the price?Mla mo diak lekau?[mah mo dyak leh-kow]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kmal meral kmal bekeu er kid[kem-mal meh-ral kem-mal beh-kew er keed]
It's one o'clockEr kid a rael a mei[er keed ah rye-al ah may]
Half past (10)Diu el kiekmal (10)[dee-oo el keek-mal (10)]
MorningBelau el kiekmal[beh-lau el keek-mal]
AfternoonBelau el chad[beh-lau el chad]
EveningBelau el klobak[beh-lau el kloh-bahk]
YesterdayKmal meral melechet[kem-mal meh-ral mel-eh-chet]
TodayKmal meral diak[kem-mal meh-ral dyak]
TomorrowKmal meral ngar er kid[kem-mal meh-ral ngar er keed]
1Mei[may]
2Dior[dee-or]
3Telu[teh-loo]
4Epat[eh-paht]
5Lima[lee-mah]
6Enem[eh-nem]
7Kedem[keh-dem]
8Delapan[deh-lah-pahn]
9Sembilan[sem-bee-lahn]
10Sepuluh[sep-oo-loo]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Meral kmal kau a/the...?[meh-ral kem-mal kow a/the...?]
What's the address?Kmal meral kmal bekeu er ngara chad?[kem-mal meh-ral kem-mal beh-kew er ngah-rah chad?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Meral mo diak lekar er a map?[meh-ral mo dyak leh-kar er ah map?]
When's the next (bus)?Kmal meral kmal bekeu er ngarngii?[kem-mal meh-ral kem-mal beh-kew er ngar-nghee?]
A ticket (to ....)Kau er kid (er ....)[kow er keed (er ....)]

History of Koror Town

Traditional Palauan Communities

Long before the emergence of modern Koror, the islands of Palau were organised through traditional communities linked by kinship, chiefly authority, trade and maritime travel. Koror was one of several important settlements in the archipelago, whose people developed detailed knowledge of reefs, currents, forests and seasonal resources. The bai, a ceremonial meeting house used by men’s associations and village leaders, remains one of the clearest architectural expressions of this social order. Palauan society also preserved history through oral traditions, chants, carved imagery and communal ceremonies. These traditions continue to shape cultural identity in Koror, even as the town has become the country’s most urbanised settlement.

Spanish and German Rule

Spanish influence reached Palau through Catholic missions and the wider administration of the Caroline Islands, although colonial control remained limited for much of the nineteenth century. In 1899, Spain sold its remaining Pacific possessions to Germany, and Palau became part of German New Guinea. German officials introduced a more formal colonial administration and commercial interests, particularly around resources and trade, but most island life continued to be governed by local communities and traditional leaders. The period was comparatively brief, yet it forms part of the layered colonial history later represented in Palauan museums and historical interpretation.

Japanese Administration and Koror

Japan occupied Palau during the First World War and received a League of Nations mandate over the islands in 1920. Under Japanese administration, Koror developed into the administrative centre of the region, with roads, public buildings, schools and commercial facilities introduced on a larger scale. Japanese migration also altered the population and economy, while Palauan communities experienced new forms of labour, education and political control. Remnants of this period remain in Koror and across the islands, though many structures were damaged or destroyed during the Second World War. The Japanese era was therefore important in creating the urban foundations of modern Koror, but it was also part of a colonial system that subordinated local authority.

War in the Western Pacific

Palau became strategically significant during the Second World War, when Japanese forces fortified islands across the archipelago and Koror served as an administrative and military centre. The Battle of Peleliu in 1944 brought intense fighting to southern Palau, while air raids and military activity affected communities elsewhere. Koror itself was not the scene of the best-known ground battle, but wartime roads, bunkers, airfield remains and scattered military relics form part of the wider historical landscape. Visitors exploring Palau’s wartime heritage should understand that these sites are places of loss as well as archaeological interest, and that unexploded ordnance remains a concern in some areas.

Trusteeship and Political Change

After the war, Palau became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States. Koror remained the principal administrative and economic centre, gaining roads, public services and closer connections with the American Pacific. Political discussions during the trusteeship focused on self-government, security and the future relationship with the United States. Palau adopted its constitution in 1981 and entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States before becoming an independent republic on 1 October 1994. These developments transformed Koror into the capital of a new nation and strengthened its role as the country’s main population and service centre.

From Capital to Commercial Centre

Koror was Palau’s national capital until government functions moved to Ngerulmud in Melekeok State in 2006. The relocation changed the constitutional geography of the country but did not displace Koror’s practical importance. Most visitors still arrive through the airport on Babeldaob and travel to Koror for accommodation, transport, restaurants, museums and marine excursions. The town’s present identity combines modern administration and tourism with enduring Palauan customs, family networks and connections to the sea. Its development also reflects the environmental pressures facing small island communities, including the need to balance tourism, conservation and everyday urban growth.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Koror Town, Palau

Discover Koror Town with Evendo, the 100% free travel guide app covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book your trip effortlessly.

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Experience the best of Koror Town with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. Free, comprehensive, and easy to use, Evendo helps you explore top attractions, restaurants, and more.

  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Welcome to Koror Town, Palau - a tropical paradise brimming with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. With Evendo, your trip to Koror Town just got a whole lot easier. This 100% free app-based travel guide provides all the information you need to make the most of your visit. From famous landmarks like the Belau National Museum and the iconic Rock Islands, to top-rated restaurants such as The Taj and Kramer's Café, Evendo has you covered.

Imagine strolling through the bustling streets of Koror Town, easily navigating to hidden gems and must-see attractions with the app's intuitive map feature. Discover the best shops, bars, and nightclubs, or plan a day filled with exciting tours and activities, all from the convenience of your phone. With detailed descriptions, local tips, images, and contact details, Evendo ensures you won't miss a thing.

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Whether you're a history buff intrigued by the story of Koror Town, or a foodie eager to sample local cuisine, Evendo offers curated local tips to enhance your experience. And with global coverage of over 7,000 destinations, Evendo isn’t just your guide to Koror Town – it's your passport to the world.

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