Packing Guidance for Palau

In general, most items you will need are available in country and locally acquired items are often the best at helping you integrate into your community. However, locally available items may not be the brands, quality, prices, or sizes you are used to. Bringing some key items from home might make your transition to service more comfortable.

This guidance has been compiled by Peace Corps staff and Volunteers and is based on their experience. Use this information as an informal guide as you make your own packing list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect packing list!

This packing guidance is designed to help you think through different categories of items and consider what you might want to bring, considering work expectations, cultural considerations, and your own personal preferences.

Palau has a warm and humid climate year-round with typical temperatures between 27–31 °C (80–88 °F). Humidity averages around 82%, and conditions can feel hot even in early morning and evening.

Rain can occur in any month, but showers are more frequent from July through October. February–April is relatively drier. Palau sits outside the main typhoon zone, though tropical depressions may still bring periods of heavy rainfall. Breathable, quick-drying clothing and rain protection are useful.

Peace Corps/Palau provides the following items:

• Standard Peace Corps medical kit
• Language learning materials
• Training materials and handouts
• Safety and security briefings and equipment as appropriate
• Settling-in allowance often used to purchase a fan, linens, and basic household goods

Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take:

• Pets
• Weapons
• Explosives
• Radio transmitters (shortwave radios are permitted)
• Drones
• Automobiles or motorcycles
• Flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers
• Valuables such as precious jewelry or family heirlooms

Drugs

Do not bring any drug that has not been authorized by the Peace Corps for medical purposes without prior consultation with Office of Health Services Pre-Service. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Illicit drugs, including marijuana and related products such as CBD and herbal substances such as kratom, are prohibited during Peace Corps service, even if they are legal in your home of residence. If you use, possess, or distribute illicit drugs, you will be administratively separated from service.

Additional guidance for Peace Corps/Palau:

Palau prohibits import, sale, and use of reef-toxic sunscreens. Only mineral sunscreens that list zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients are allowed.

Vaping is also illegal in Palau so vapes are prohibited. Read more about the comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes here.

Work clothing

Teachers typically wear modest, clean, and pressed attire. Collared shirts, button downs, blouses, skirts, and khaki-style pants are appropriate. T-shirts, tight clothing, mini-skirts, spaghetti straps, tank tops, and slippers are not acceptable in schools.

Laundry and care

Clothes are generally washed by hand or in basic machines and dried outside. High humidity and frequent rain mean longer drying times. Quick-drying fabrics are helpful.

Not all homes will have washing machines. Laundromats may be available in certain areas but close proximity to homes is not guaranteed.

Leisure and recreational clothing

Modest swimwear such as rash guards and board shorts are appropriate for water activities and sun protection. At home and in public spaces, modest, comfortable clothing is preferred. Other items to consider:

• Hats
• Swimming googles/snorkel
• Light rain jacket
• Sunglasses
• Dry bag

• Closed-toe shoes and dressy sandals for school/work are acceptable.
• Sturdy sandals or walking shoes for daily use.
• Water/reef shoes for reef and rocky areas.

You should bring a 3-month supply of any prescription and/or over the counter medications you use that are authorized/approved by the Peace Corps.

Prior to service, Peace Corps supplies all Volunteers with a medical kit containing basic over-the-counter medications as well as multivitamins.

The medical unit will replenish prescriptions after the initial 3-month training.

If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs (of the current prescription) with you. Contact lens use will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional guidance: Medical Care During Service

Additional guidance for Peace Corps/Palau:

• Bring reef-safe mineral sunscreen. Sunscreen (locally made and imported) is sold here but may not be your preference.
• Preferred insect repellent
• Preferred menstrual products
• Bottled or rainwater preferred for drinking unless boiled

• Laptops (highly recommended)
• Smartphone (highly recommended)
• Kindle/E-reader
• Earbuds/headphones
• External drive/USB thumb drive
• A small power bank is helpful for charging phones/computers on-the-go and during outages.
• Wi-Fi at home is not guaranteed; most rely on 3G/4G data.
• Local SIM cards are available in-country.
• E-SIMs provided by PNCC are available. More information here: https://www.pnccpalau.com/esim
• A small surge protector is helpful.
• Palau uses type A/B plugs with 120V/60Hz
• Electricity is generally reliable but brief outages occur.

• Headlamp for areas with limited lighting
• Reusable water bottle
• Compact gifts for host families
• Minimal craft or school supplies for clubs or camps
• Underwater camera
• Games for teaching/for fun
• Books