Info Palau SIM Card

[Brampie]

Posting here some useful info (Correct as of October 2024, YMMV) about SIM cards in Palau, most of the information I was able to find on the internet, including on the official websites of the providers was outdated/incorrect.

Palau has 2 mobile companies, PNCC (Palau National Communications Corporation) and PT Waves (Palau Telecoms)
Airport desks are currently closed so there is no way of getting your SIM card there, the airport has a free wifi but the quality isn't great.

PNCC

Visitors 上網 | Palau National Communications Corporation

www.pnccpalau.com

Despite having a long list of resellers of SIM cards on their website, I've tried 2 of them (Globus and Palasia Hotel) and they no longer sell SIM cards, the only place to get it might be the PNCC office which is only open Monday-Friday from 08:00 - 16:00 and you will need to bring your passport with you.
You can buy a SIM for 10.60$ which has 10$ loaded onto it, from there you can get one of the following data bundles:
4GB for 8 days - 8.75$
6GB for 15 days - 16.75$
10GB for 30 days - 26.75$

You can only buy top ups in 5$ increments so you will most likely end up with some unused money on it, the card expires in 90 days, it seems possible to also buy top ups online (haven't tried it)

PTWaves

Markit-Up

ptwaves.com

I originally couldn't find any mention of them online, however it appears that many small stores sell their SIM cards therefore it's easy to get one outside of PNCC office very limited working hours

You can buy a sim for 12$ which has 10$ loaded onto it, from there you need to have internet connectivity to choose a data package via a small website (you can also do it from the SIM itself, they charge 4.95$ per GB without a package), they have a long list of options to choose from so if you have enough money on the card you can click 'Buy' and activate it

The SIM never expires so can be useful if you plan on coming back to Palau although it appears you can only buy top ups at local stores

 

[Nic2750]

Just adding to this in case it's useful (source: I live in Palau and use both PNCC and PT Waves for different purposes):

• PNCC has wider coverage, so if you're planning to go outside Koror/Babeldaob, you're better off with PNCC than with PT Waves.
• Some of the smaller shops sell PNCC airtime in sub-$5 increments by transferring it directly to your phone from their phone while you're in the shop. Eg. for a $26.50 bundle, buy a $25 voucher, then $1.50 by direct transfer to your phone. Yes, you'll have to give them your phone number.
• PT Waves' unlimited 4G internet for $30 is worth considering, as the wifi in most public places is awful. On the other hand, PT Waves' unlimited phone plan will only phone other PT Waves phones, which is awkward given that PNCC is more widely used.
• The PNCC SIM card doesn't expire as long as you top it up before the expiry date. Every top-up extends the expiry date.
• If you're staying in Palau for an extended time or travelling in a group, you can get a significant discount by buying phone credit/airtime in bulk.

Hope that helps.

 

[swimmerplot]

If you prefer the convenience of an eSIM (no physical SIM card, activation code and instructions via e-mail after purchase) and are okay with the mark up, I had success with Gigago in Palau last year: Palau eSIM - Prepaid data plan for traverlers - Gigago.

 

[davinajmyers]

Any other experience with eSIM providers on Palau? I've used Airolo successfully all over but not available on Palau. I see the above reference to Gigago though I also see some pretty divergent reviews on that provider in general. Other options from what i can tell are GoMoWorld, Global Yo, Yoho Mobile but I've never used any of these. Thanks!

 

[SteveCapnK]

Any comments on coverage while out in the Rock Islands?
I.e. Is it worth gettting a plan (PNCC or eSIM) for the area where a liveaboard will be at night?

 

[Brampie]

Any comments on coverage while out in the Rock Islands?
I.e. Is it worth gettting a plan (PNCC or eSIM) for the area where a liveaboard will be at night?

PNCC is your best bet on a live aboard, although many areas will have only 3G and a spotty signal but it generally worked ok most of the time
PT Waves SIM was pretty useless and rarely had a signal.

 

[SteveCapnK]

I ended up getting a Yoho Mobile eSIM, and it’s been good enough so far.
(2-3 bars of 3G connection out at the German Channel mooring. Writing this as we head to Pelilu

I found that Gigago and other eSIM providers were no longer selling eSIM for Palau. YMMV