Program Update & Reminders

Since most travelers are arriving early, we are considering a gear distribution opportunity in the late afternoon on March 8 to facilitate a quicker departure in the morning on March 9. We will communicate the time and plans if we move forward with this opportunity.

If you have not already, be sure to check your passport to make sure it is valid for six months after your return date to the U.S. and that it has one completely blank visa page for the main program and extra space for the Yap extension (not including the amendment pages at the back of the passport).
Review the information regarding the Palau Entry Form, which must be completed by one traveler per family group no more than 72 hours before arrival.
U.S. citizens traveling abroad may wish to enroll with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency. You can find out more on the State Department website.

Get necessary immunizations and prophylaxes (refer to the health and medical page of this microsite).
We ask you to be mindful of your activities in the time leading up to your trip and to do your best to join the trip healthy. Masking while in transit (on your flights and in airports) can go a long way toward helping you start the trip healthy. We want a safe and enjoyable trip for all, and we appreciate your help in making this effort.
There is an inherent risk of becoming ill when traveling with a group. We strongly encourage all participants to be up to date on their seasonal vaccinations, including influenza, Covid-19, and pneumonia (per your doctor’s recommendation). Travelers who exhibit cold or flu-like symptoms, including those who test positive for Covid-19, will not be required to isolate from the group and will be subject only to local health protocols. However, they will be asked to wear a mask and advised to practice social distancing/isolate if their symptoms are particularly severe. If another guest exhibits symptoms of upper respiratory illness, you may opt to wear a mask or distance yourself as needed.
Safe drinking water is provided at our hotel in Palau and in large jugs on the snorkel and dive boats. Keeping with our effort to eliminate single-use bottles on all Travel/Study programs, we ask you to bring a refillable water bottle and/or hydration pack to refill and use throughout the day.

Notify your credit card company that you will soon be traveling, so that any significant charges you make will not be questioned or put on hold.
Meal arrangements for group travel typically involve fixed menus that may not be changeable once the trip begins. If you need to adjust any dietary requests you provided previously, please inform us as soon as possible so we can check if accommodations can be made.

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