Things to Do in Babeldaob

Palau's largest island has the world's smallest capital city—and that is just the beginning of what makes it strange. Babeldaob stretches across jungle-covered hills dotted with ancient stone monoliths that archaeologists can't explain. Traditional culture feels authentic here. You can drive paved roads to trailheads leading to waterfalls where you won't see another soul for hours, but this accessibility doesn't diminish the genuine remoteness you'll find once you start hiking. Most people come to Palau expecting excellent diving. The landscape surprises them. You'll wind through African-style grasslands, then plunge into cathedral forests where canopy blocks most sunlight. Traditional villages like Ngarchelong and Airai maintain an unhurried pace, and locals are curious about visitors since tourism remains light compared to Koror.

Babeldaob has limited dining options compared to Koror. This matters for trip planning. You'll find small local stores and occasionally family-run restaurants in larger villages, but they operate on unpredictable schedules. The few restaurants serve excellent fresh fish and traditional dishes like taro and breadfruit preparations—pack lunch from Koror or arrange meals through village tourism for genuinely memorable home-cooked local food.

December through April brings comfortable hiking conditions. Less humidity, minimal rainfall. Waterfalls are more impressive during the wet season (May-November), creating a trade-off you'll need to consider. Temperatures stay consistent in the low 80s°F year-round, but wet season afternoon thunderstorms make jungle hiking unpleasant.