🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Small public hospital (Belau National Hospital) in Koror. Limited specialist services. Compact of Free Association with the US provides some healthcare connections. Serious cases evacuated to Manila or Guam.

Quality: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

Belau National Hospital provides basic emergency and inpatient care. Limited diagnostics and no advanced specialist services. Visiting medical teams from Taiwan, Japan, and the US periodically supplement local capacity. Serious conditions require evacuation to Manila, Guam, or Hawaii.

💡 Medical Tourism

Palau is not a medical tourism destination. Palauans needing specialist care travel to Manila, Guam, Hawaii, or Taiwan under various assistance programs.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Belau National Hospital 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Koror

📞 +680-488-2552

Only hospital in Palau. Basic emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services. Limited diagnostics. Has a recompression chamber for diving emergencies. English is an official language.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: limited

Hours: Hospital pharmacy open during business hours. One or two private pharmacies in Koror with limited hours.

Prescription rules: Prescription system exists but options are very limited. US prescriptions recognized due to Compact of Free Association. Bring your own supply of all medications.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol
  • ibuprofen
  • antihistamines
  • oral rehydration salts
  • antacids
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellent

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need headache medicine: I need headache medicine
  • I have a stomachache: I have a stomachache
  • I have allergies: I have allergies
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Where is the nearest pharmacy?
  • I need a doctor: I need a doctor

💡 Tips

Very limited pharmacy options. Hospital pharmacy is the most reliable source. Bring ALL medications you will need. Stock is unpredictable. Staff speak English.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Belau National Hospital Pharmacy — Hospital pharmacy. Koror
  • Palau Pharmacy — Private pharmacy. Koror town

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Tylenol
    Available at hospital pharmacy. US brands used.
  • ibuprofen → Advil / Motrin
    Available but stock may be limited.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
    Bring your own supply to be safe.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter for all prescription medications. English documentation is standard. Keep in original packaging. Bring a complete supply plus extra — resupply is not guaranteed.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Illegal in Palau. Strict enforcement.
  • ⚠️ Controlled substances — Carry a doctor's letter and original prescription. Keep in original packaging.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Basic dental services at Belau National Hospital. Very limited private options.

Typical cost range: $30-100 USD for basic procedures

Dental care is basic. No cosmetic dentistry. Bring dental emergency supplies for remote island trips.

🦷 Dental emergency?

Go to Belau National Hospital dental clinic. Limited hours — weekdays only. For serious issues, evacuation may be needed.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $35-60/week

💡 Tip

Medical evacuation insurance is ESSENTIAL. Evacuation to Manila or Guam can cost $20,000-60,000+. Ensure coverage includes diving injuries (decompression sickness) and water sports — diving is the primary tourist activity.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Belau National Hospital requires payment at time of service. Cash (USD) is preferred. Some credit cards accepted. Obtain itemized receipts for insurance claims. Documentation may be basic.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $30-80
  • ER visit (no admission): $80-250
  • Overnight hospital stay: $100-300
  • Ambulance call-out: $50-150

Palau uses the US dollar. Costs are moderate. Payment expected at time of service. Diving-related treatments (recompression) can be very expensive.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Manila is the closest major medical hub (3-hour flight). Guam has a US military hospital and is a common evacuation point. Limited flight schedules may cause delays. Diving injuries can be treated locally at the recompression chamber.

Primary destination: Manila, Philippines

Secondary destination: Guam (US territory) or Honolulu, Hawaii

Typical cost band: $20,000-60,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Routine vaccinations

No special vaccinations required for most travelers. Dengue fever risk exists — use insect repellent. No malaria in Palau. Ensure tetanus is up to date for coral cuts.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

✅ Tap water is safe to drink

Tap water in Koror is treated and generally safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available. On remote islands, use bottled water.

Food Safety Tips

Food at hotels and established restaurants is safe. Fresh seafood is excellent. Be cautious with reef fish from unverified sources (ciguatera risk). Wash produce with safe water.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: No dedicated crisis line. Contact Belau National Hospital: +680-488-2552

International crisis support: Crisis Text Line: text HELLO to 741741 (US-based)

English-speaking therapists: Very limited. One or two counselors available through the hospital.

Mental health services are extremely limited. Arrange telehealth before traveling if you need ongoing support.

♿ Accessibility

Accessibility infrastructure is very limited throughout Palau.

Hospital accessibility: Belau National Hospital has basic wheelchair access.

Accessible transport: No public transport system. Taxis available. Boats to Rock Islands are not wheelchair accessible.

💡 Accessibility tips

Diving operators may accommodate some disabilities — inquire in advance. Resorts vary widely in accessibility. Contact accommodations before booking.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No mask mandates.

Testing availability: Limited testing available at Belau National Hospital.

Bring rapid tests if concerned. Standard precautions apply.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 911 (police, fire, ambulance)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.