The first time you step off the boat in Koror, the salt-and-pandanus air hits like a welcome: warm, slightly sweet, threaded with the mineral tang of reefs and the distant smoke of grilled fish.

Sunlight slides over the jade-blue lagoons of the Rock Islands, and everywhere you look there are limestone cliffs, mangrove roots and palms whose leaves become the raw materials for local craft, pandanus fronds rustle as women weave on shaded porches while shell necklaces clink in the breeze.

Markets in Palau are intimate and sensory: the Koror Public Market hums with calls for fresh tuna and paper-thin taro chips, while the Belau National Museum stores quiet fragments of oral history and carved motifs that show up again on postcards and prints.

From handcrafted pandanus mats to delicate mother-of-pearl jewelry inspired by the Rock Islands, these keepsakes are the best Palau souvenirs to carry a memory of the lagoon home. Here’s what to buy in Palau to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Woven Pandanus Mats (Besik / Reng)

Why pick this up:
Pandanus weaving is a living craft in Palau, and a hand-stitched mat carries the scent of sun-dried leaves and island gatherings. These mats are both decorative and practical—used for sleeping, ceremonial gift-giving, and village feasts.

What to look for:
Seek tight, even plaiting and natural dyes—toe-woven patterns that reflect traditional motifs from Koror or Babeldaob. Thicker, double-layered mats last longer and often come from known weaving families.

Price bracket (2025):
$30–$180

Where to find it:
Koror Public Market, artisan stalls near the Belau National Museum, and weekend maker markets in Malakal.

2. Mother-of-Pearl & Shell Jewelry

Why pick this up:
Shell and mother-of-pearl pieces echo the shimmering water around the Rock Islands and make wearable keepsakes of Palau’s reefs. Local artisans carve and polish shells into necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are distinctly island-made.

What to look for:
Polished nacre with minimal glue, hand-drilled holes, and simple hand-knotting indicate genuine craftsmanship; avoid overly uniform, machine-cut pieces. Look for species names or artisan tags when possible.

Price bracket (2025):
$12–$60

Where to find it:
Koror waterfront stalls, Belau National Museum gift shop, and souvenir stands near dive shops.

3. Coconut Shell Bowls & Utensils

Why pick this up:
Coconut craft turns a familiar island fruit into warm, usable art—bowls, spoons and serving sets are polished to a dark, lustrous finish that feels good in the hand. They’re both eco-friendly and emblematic of Palau’s “nothing goes to waste” tradition.

What to look for:
Smooth interiors, natural varnish or beeswax finish, and signs of hand-carving rather than laser work. Sets with woven pandanus coasters make nice gifts.

Price bracket (2025):
$8–$45

Where to find it:
Koror Public Market, craft stalls on Japan Boulevard, and small shops in the Koror waterfront area.

4. Sea Glass Jewelry & Ornaments

Why pick this up:
Pieces made from tumbled sea glass catch the lagoon light like small, softened gems—each shard tells a story of ocean currents and reefside life. Local artisans wrap glass in wire or set it in native wood for unique pendants.

What to look for:
Smooth, frosted surfaces and varied colors (aquamarine, bottle green, cobalt). Ask if pieces were responsibly collected and locally made rather than mass-imported.

Price bracket (2025):
$15–$70

Where to find it:
Handmade stalls near dive shops, Koror night markets, and boutique galleries around the Belau National Museum.

5. Hand-Carved Wooden Canoe Models & Carvings

Why pick this up:
Miniature canoes and carved surf or fish motifs honor Palau’s seafaring past and make striking shelf pieces. Carvings often reflect village iconography and local stories.

What to look for:
Solid native hardwoods, evidence of hand-tool marks, and natural patina; avoid pieces labeled “imported” or showing machine precision. Larger carvings from known carvers command higher prices.

Price bracket (2025):
$25–$250

Where to find it:
Belau National Museum, artisan workshops in Koror, and gallery spaces near the Palau International Coral Reef Center.

6. Dried Island Snacks (Taro & Breadfruit Chips, Banana Chips)

Why pick this up:
Crunchy, sun-dried snacks make perfect travel-friendly treats and highlight staple island ingredients like taro and breadfruit. Locally made chips are often lightly salted or tossed with coconut flakes.

What to look for:
Small-batch packaging with an ingredient list and a best-before date—avoid overly oily, mass-produced bags. Ask vendors at Koror Market for freshness.

Price bracket (2025):
$3–$10

Where to find it:
Koror Public Market stalls, airport kiosks, and roadside vendors near tourist piers.

7. Local Hot Sauces & Spice Blends

Why pick this up:
Palauan-style hot sauces—made from island chilies, citrus and coconut—add tropical heat to home cooking and are a culinary shortcut to local flavor. They’re a compact, portable memento of Palauan kitchens.

What to look for:
Glass bottles with ingredient lists and refrigeration instructions; artisanal batches will often be labeled with the maker’s name or village. Choose sealed bottles for travel safety.

Price bracket (2025):
$6–$25

Where to find it:
Koror Public Market, small grocers along Japan Boulevard, and Belau National Museum gift shelves.

8. Rock Islands Photography & Prints

Why pick this up:
A well-composed print of the Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake or a sunset over Ngerchuang is an easy way to bring Palau’s iconic landscapes home. Photographers on Koror capture perspectives you won’t find in guidebooks.

What to look for:
Archival-quality prints or signed limited editions; check paper quality and framing options for safe transport. Postcards and small prints are budget-friendly alternatives.

Price bracket (2025):
$5–$120

Where to find it:
Belau National Museum shop, galleries in Koror, and pop-up stalls near popular dive-boat piers.

9. Painted Wooden Plaques & “Bai” Motif Crafts

Why pick this up:
Small plaques painted with bai (men’s meeting house) motifs, clan symbols, or local legends are colorful reminders of Palauan social life and storytelling. These pieces often recreate traditional patterns seen in museum collections.

What to look for:
Hand-painted detail and natural pigments rather than printed decals; provenance notes linking motifs to specific islands or clans add cultural depth. Lightweight plaques are easier to pack.

Price bracket (2025):
$12–$60

Where to find it:
Belau National Museum, artisan stalls in Koror, and cultural centers on Babeldaob.

10. Belau National Museum Reproductions & Ethnographic Crafts

Why pick this up:
Reproductions and small ethnographic items from the Belau National Museum connect you to Palau’s history and oral traditions—perfect for anyone who values context with their keepsake. Museum reproductions are curated and often help support preservation.

What to look for:
Clear labeling that indicates the item is a museum reproduction or ethically sourced; look for accompanying notes or booklets that explain the object’s cultural significance. Quality prints and replicas tend to cost more but carry provenance.

Price bracket (2025):
$8–$90

Where to find it:
Belau National Museum gift shop, cultural exhibitions, and museum-affiliated stalls in Koror.

Tip: When buying fragile shells, glass or framed prints, pack them between clothing and ask vendors for extra wrapping to protect your purchases on the flight home. ✈️

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Palauan shopping is rooted in village exchange and family networks rather than tourist-focused malls. Koror Public Market is the heart of everyday commerce, early mornings are for fish and produce, while later in the day artisans bring finished goods.

Ceremonial exchanges and gift-giving remain important, so many crafts are made with cultural uses in mind (mats and woven items for feasts, carved objects for display).

Famous local spots include the Belau National Museum in Koror, the Koror Public Market along the waterfront, and the small craft stalls near Malakal and the main dive piers.

Weekend markets and occasional maker fairs bring together weavers from Babeldaob and carvers from surrounding hamlets, and artisans often sell directly from home workshops, bargaining is practiced politely in market stalls but museum shops and galleries use fixed pricing.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for natural materials (pandanus leaves, coconut shell, locally sourced shells and native hardwoods) and signs of handwork, irregular stitching in mats, hand-tool marks on wooden carvings, and hand-tied knots on jewelry.

Ask where the material came from; genuine pieces often have a backstory naming the island, village or artisan. Beware of perfect uniformity and glossy plastic finishes, these usually indicate imports made elsewhere.

For food items, check ingredient lists and production dates; small-batch, hand-labeled jars are likelier to be local. Avoid canned or sealed items without proper labeling if you’re unsure about customs.

When in doubt, buy from the Belau National Museum or stalls recommended by dive crews and local guides who can vouch for authenticity.

Where to Shop in Palau

• Koror Public Market (the central market for fish, produce and small crafts)
• Belau National Museum gift shop and cultural exhibitions (Koror)
• Koror waterfront craft stalls and galleries near Malakal Harbor
• Dive-boat pier stalls and souvenir stands around the Rock Islands departure points
• Palau International Airport gift shops (good for last-minute, curated items)
• Weekend artisan markets and occasional cultural fairs on Babeldaob and in native villages

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Palau expensive?
A: Prices vary—market stalls and roadside vendors offer budget-friendly snacks and jewelry, while museum pieces and large woven mats can cost more; expect mid-range prices overall due to small-batch production.

Q: Is bargaining common in Palau?
A: Polite bargaining is acceptable at open-air market stalls and with independent artisans, but galleries, museum shops and airport stores usually have fixed prices.

Q: How can I tell if an item is locally made?
A: Ask the seller about materials and origin, look for handwork (tool marks, uneven weave), and prefer purchases from known cultural centers like the Belau National Museum or vendors recommended by local guides.

Explore Palau’s markets, meet the makers, and bring home a story with every purchase of Palau souvenirs.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!