While researching a trip to Palau, a tiny island nation on Micronesia’s western edge, you can find endless information about its famed mushroom-shaped Rock Islands and spectacular diving sites, including over 50 World War II wrecks.
But what you discover when you get there is a destination eager to highlight something else: its rich culture on solid land.
The remote archipelago’s efforts to encourage activities like village tours and traditional handicraft workshops appears to be helping tourism rebound from pandemic-era lows.
Visitor numbers have surged from about 5,000 in 2021 to more than 50,000 in 2024, according to the country’s visitors authority. Chinese tourists lead the recovery despite recent diplomatic tensions.
“We’ve been known for our crystal clear water, but there’s more to see,” says Sean Tekriu, who welcomes visitors to Palau’s Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, one of the many land-based attractions touted by tourism officials. “We want to showcase our culture, our heritage and our lifestyle.”