I live on the Big Island and have visited Palau three times.
1. Palau is hot and humid. There are NO golf courses. You will be
drenched in perspiration if you go biking...which you never see people
doing. The roads are narrow so if you can find a bike it would be
dangerous. If you enjoy diving, then Palau is superior. Others can sit
by a pool...try the Palau Pacific Resort. You have to be careful about
drinking the tap water....there are occasional dengue outbreaks so keep
the DEET handy.
From the US, flights to Palau are not inexpensive. Continental is the
only carrier....US -> Honolulu -> Guam -> Palau...not a short haul.
2. You cannot make generalizations re Hawaii because each island is so
different. Sure, you can have a Miamilike stay in
Waikiki...shop....mingle with the throngs...a large Chinatown. On the
Big Island, you can bike, hike in mts., swim and snorkel along the Kona
Coast, shop Sat. AM at the fun local Hilo Farmer's Market, visit the
Volcano. Hilo is more like old Hawaii...not as many tourists because of
the limited beach access on this side of the island.
Kauai has the Alakea Swamp for hiking and tons of isolated beaches..a
few golf options. Maui is a glorified Waikiki...Kula is nice...there
are good beaches....just too many tourists for my liking.
US based tourists will be able to access Hawaii much easier than Guam,
Saipan or Palau....the opposite for those based in Asia.
Saipan and Guam cannot compare to Palau and Hawaii. They are
inexpensive destinations for Asian travelers, so the hotel food is
usually fine, there are golf courses but the islands are hot and
humid...and, since they have so many typhoons, the vegetation has been
wiped out...not the paradise jungle feel of Palau or Hawaii.
Come to Hawaii!
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