Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Palau
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $85-215 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Palau
Accommodation
$30-80 per night
Basic guesthouses, budget lodges, shared facilities, fan-cooled rooms
Food & Dining
$25-50 per day
Local eateries, simple meals, some self-catering with groceries from local stores
Transportation
$10-25 per day
Shared shuttles, walking, occasional taxi for necessary trips
Activities
$20-60 per day
Free snorkeling spots, hiking trails, occasional budget diving or boat tour
Currency: USD - US Dollar (widely accepted, official currency alongside Palauan dollar which is pegged 1:1 to USD)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Palau
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Book accommodation well in advance for typically 20-40% savings during peak season
Eat at local family-run restaurants instead of resort dining for 50-70% cost reduction
Join group diving tours rather than private charters to save 40-60% on underwater activities
Shop for groceries at local stores and prepare some meals yourself for 60-80% food savings
Use shared transportation and group shuttles instead of private taxis for 50-70% transport savings
Book multi-day activity packages which typically offer 15-25% discounts over individual bookings
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Booking accommodation last-minute during peak season, resulting in 50-100% higher costs than advance bookings
Eating exclusively at resort restaurants instead of exploring local dining, typically costing 100-200% more
Taking private tours for everything instead of joining group activities, often 2-3x more expensive