Buzz
Palau, situated in the Pacific Ocean, remains a hidden gem for many Vietnamese travelers, yet it holds a prestigious position among the 'Top 10 Must-Visit Islands in the World'. With unique attractions like Jellyfish Lake in Eil Malk and the limestone islets of Rock Island, Palau beckons adventurers to uncover its pristine beauty. Let's delve into essential tips for exploring this captivating archipelago.
Venturing to Palau is still relatively undiscovered territory for Vietnamese tourists
INTRODUCTION TO PALAU ISLAND
Paula, officially known as the Republic of Palau, lies in the Pacific Ocean, over 800km east of the Philippines. The Palau archipelago comprises 250 islands with a total area of 446m2, inhabited by around 20,000 people, primarily residing on 10 main islands, mainly immigrants from the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. The main languages spoken here are English and Palauan, with the currency being the US dollar.
Anyone who has watched the Korean drama 'Legend of the Blue Sea' starring Lee Min Ho surely cannot forget the breathtaking scenes of the cool blue sea in the early episodes. The filming location was none other than the Palau archipelago, further solidifying Palau's status as one of the top ten must-visit islands in the world.
Palau boasts natural beauty that ranks among the 'Top 10 Must-Visit Islands in the World'.
Currently, Palau offers a 30-day visa-free policy for travelers from all around the world. If you wish to extend your stay beyond 30 days, you'll need to apply for an extension with a fee of $50 per person, granting an additional two weeks.
Ideal Time to Explore Paula
With its tropical climate, Palau enjoys warm sunshine with an average temperature of 27°C. Rainfall increases from July to October, with minimal cyclone activity in the Pacific region. Apart from this period, you can visit Palau during other months, enjoying the refreshing climate ideal for your vacation.
Palau's warm weather year-round is perfect for various water activities.
Getting Around in Palau
From Vietnam to Palau
There are now direct flights from Vietnam to Palau, landing at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport. You can check with airlines such as Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines... with flights operating 2 to 3 times per week, with a flight duration of approximately 4 hours.
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport
Getting Around Palau
From Roman Tmetuchl International Airport to the capital Ngerulmud in Melekeok State is approximately 25km, while the closest populous island Koror is only 6km away. You can pre-arrange transportation with your hotel. Additionally, you can rent a car if you have an international driving license.
Taxis are also available if you prefer not to rent a car. You can request a price list for each destination and keep the driver's phone number to book taxis during your stay in Palau.
An exciting way to explore Palau is by helicopter, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of its small enchanting islands.
Experience the thrill of helicopter rides to explore the Palau archipelago.
Accommodations in Palau
DW Motel
Located on Koror Island, approximately 1km from the city center, this is an ideal lodging option for tourists. You can easily access famous attractions like Koror Prison, Dolphins Pacific... Room rates here start from $70 USD per day.
Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa
This is a luxurious hotel in Palau featuring its own sandy beach and golden sunshine, along with a water park offering various exciting activities. Rest assured, you'll enjoy the finest services during your stay. Room rates start from $134 USD per day.
Palau Royal Resort by Nikko Hotels
A hotel with sky-high prices but won't disappoint, boasting upscale interiors, impeccable service, and incredibly friendly and cheerful staff. Rental prices start from $220 USD per day.
Palau offers numerous hotels and resorts with stunning sea views.
Exploring Attractions in Palau
Rock Island
Rock Island is a cluster of 300 limestone islands covering an average area of 47km2, with elevations over 200m above sea level. Featuring coral reefs rising above the water's surface and mushroom-shaped islands eroded by tides, Rock Islands are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To explore this area, visitors can go canoeing, kayaking, or hire a helicopter for an aerial view of the entire island group.
Rock Island comprises 300 small islands and coral reefs rising above the sea surface.
Long Beach
Long Beach is located on the southern part of Palau Island, forming a crescent shape. During low tide, it reveals a long stretch of beach connecting to another island, creating a pathway for beach strolls. What's unique is a glowing halo that appears around this beach, only for 2 hours each day before disappearing.
The pathway connecting the two islands emerges during low tide.
Jellyfish Lake
Jellyfish Lake on Eil Mul Island is home to millions of jellyfish. This unique lake has existed for over 12,000 years, with a coral cave system connecting it to the sea, yet strangely, the jellyfish never leave the lake. These jellyfish are golden-yellow in color, lacking the characteristic spots and having shorter tentacles than other species.
Unique Jellyfish Lake in Koror
Marine Research Center
Located on Koror Island, there is a marine research center and coral reefs. Dubbed as the 'Underwater Paradise', it's no surprise that Palau boasts coral reefs resembling rose blossoms and vibrant coral strips. Here, educational tours about marine life offer visitors the chance to witness rare sea creatures up close and explore the wonders beneath the ocean floor.
The 'Underwater Paradise' in Koror
Big Drop Off
When in Palau, you cannot miss a scenic spot in Melekeok, known as the 'God's Aquarium'. This is the most famous attraction in Palau, visited by tourists for snorkeling to admire coral reefs and various fish species.
Underwater Diving to Explore Ocean Creatures
Milky Way
Indulge in natural spa therapy with mineral mud baths, highly beneficial for your health. The mud here, with its milky white color formed over time, contains a plethora of minerals and nutrients beneficial for your skin.
Enjoy a Mineral Mud Bath at Milky Way
DELICIOUS CUISINES IN PALAU
Being an island nation, Palau undoubtedly relies heavily on seafood as the main ingredient for delicious cuisines. Besides seafood, there are still many dishes that reflect the rich local culture and are highly recommended for tourists to try.
Seboseb
Seboseb is made from simple ingredients like cornstarch, milk, sugar... creating a delicious dessert with a fragrant taste. Diners can also add tropical fruits such as mangoes, bananas, apples, and pineapples to enhance the flavor.
The simple yet delicious Seboseb dessert
Taro Rosti
This is a cake made from taro, with a touch of onions, salt, pepper, and cooking oil, shaped into flat round cakes, then fried until crispy. This dish satisfies the palate of every diner, and you can also sprinkle some cheese on top and bake in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Taro Rosti Cake
Fruit Bat Soup
Fruit Bat Soup may sound gruesome, but it's actually a specialty dish of this island region. The soup is made from a fruit-eating bat, with the skin removed, meat extracted, and cooked with fresh ginger, spring onions, spices, and finally coconut water. This dish is quite expensive and not every restaurant serves it.
The exotic Fruit Bat Soup in Palau isn't for the faint-hearted.
Tinola
This dish originates from the Philippines, introduced to Palau a few decades ago but has since become a staple for islanders. The main ingredients include chicken, green papaya, sliced ginger, and it's prepared in various ways.
Tinola Chicken Soup
Above are some travel experiences in Palau – The Legend of the Blue Sea, hoping to help you have a perfect trip with lots of experiences. You should also consider exploring travel experiences in Australia and travel experiences in New Zealand, who knows you might combine them in your Pacific exploration journey.
Posted by: Phuong Dung Doan
Keywords: Travel Experiences in Palau – The Legend of the Blue Sea
