Babeldaob is one of the islands making up Palau.
Understand
Map of Babeldaob
Babeldaob is the biggest island of Palau, and has a population of about 6,000. The village of Melekeok on the island has served as Palau's capital city since 2006, despite its small population of about 250 people. It is the smallest national capital in the world by population.
Get in
- 1 Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR IATA) (in the south of the island). The main gateway to Palau.
From Koror you can cross over the Koror-Babeldaob bridge by car, bus or taxi.
Get around
Driving is the best option for getting around this sparsely populated area. The roads here tend to be in very good condition and the traffic very light.
See
Melekeok
Palau's capitol building
- 1 Palau's capitol complex. Melekeok is home to Palau's capitol complex, which is a 30- to 45-minute drive from downtown Koror. The picturesque capitol grounds include the judicial, legislative and executive buildings for the national government. The capitol complex remains controversial to many locals, given its expansive size and cost relative to the country's tiny population.
- Did el Bad er a Beriber. Ancient Dock's stone bridge.
- 2 Ngermecheluch Site.
- Lomech er Ngii el mora (Ngeremecheluch). Ancient stone path.
Elsewhere
- 3 Odalmelech. Ngermelech Gods carved from stone.
- Meteu el Klechem (Ngermelech Village).;
- 4 Bai el Melekeong/Euang el Chades (Ngerang). Melekeok's Bai and its platform of four.
Do
Buy
As of March 2011 there is no place in the capital area to eat or buy food, drinks or anything else.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa (southern end of Babeldaob), ☏ 680-587-3530. The hotel has three of the largest things of Palau—the largest storyboard full of Palau history, the largest water park with two water slides, and the largest olympic-sized swimming pool. Standard rooms, honeymoon suites, and newly-renovated ocean view suites are available.