Etpison Museum
Etpison Museum
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This museum contains paintings and antique maps of Old Palau.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
112 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
44
Average
14
Poor
6
Terrible
2
LonnaDa
Asheville, NC463 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
When I arrived in Palau my cell phone didn't work. I'm glad I downloaded Google Maps before I arrived in Palau so I could get around in my rental car.
A Tropical Storm was near Palau and brought alot of rain and high winds. My tours were canceled because of the Tropical Storm so I looked for other things to do. I passes the Etpison Museum when I first arrived to Koror so I checked it out.
I really enjoyed learning about Palauans and the history of the Republic of Palau. I found the first childbirth ritual to be the most interesting fact about Palauans.
This Museum doesn't let you take pictures and they do have a gift shop upstairs.
A Tropical Storm was near Palau and brought alot of rain and high winds. My tours were canceled because of the Tropical Storm so I looked for other things to do. I passes the Etpison Museum when I first arrived to Koror so I checked it out.
I really enjoyed learning about Palauans and the history of the Republic of Palau. I found the first childbirth ritual to be the most interesting fact about Palauans.
This Museum doesn't let you take pictures and they do have a gift shop upstairs.
Written October 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kooikermom
Mission Viejo, CA1,468 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
This was another small but very interesting museum. It cost another $10, and again, we felt the entry fee was fair. There’s a section on foreign influences that is fairly limited given the number of countries that previously controlled Palau and the impacts they had on the country. Surprisingly to us, there was not recent history info about what the U.S. did after WW II. Seemed to be a major shortfall, but the rest of the museum was terrific. This museum focused on cultural practices, architecture and boat building, whereas the Balau National Museum focused more on history with some overlap. The Etpison had an extensive and impressive exhibit of historical storyboards of different styles. These storyboards are the modern way for Palauans to retain and convey their legends which in prior times were painted on building. Many of those buildings have fallen into disrepair, so the storyboards maintain a valuable cultural legacy.
BTW, I have no idea why a bai is pictured on the Trip Advisor page for this museum, there's none at the Etpison, but there IS one at the National Museum.
BTW, I have no idea why a bai is pictured on the Trip Advisor page for this museum, there's none at the Etpison, but there IS one at the National Museum.
Written April 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M50001
Brussels, Belgium36 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great museum and the best souvenir shop on the island! Definitely worth a visit. The entrance fee of 10$ is ok but given the size of the museum could be lower.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RMP1978
Dakar, Senegal87 contributions
Dec 2019
I stopped in here on my first day in Palau prior to diving. I think it's a worthwhile stop to get a sense of the local culture, architecture and marine life. It's $10 to get in which is a little steep for the size of the place, but it is also well laid out and you can ask any questions to the friendly lady at the front.
Written December 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KwajDog
Las Vegas, NV61 contributions
Oct 2019
A good overview of the history of Palau, good exhibits, laid out as a timeline. A good bit of WWII coverage as well as pre-contact. The upper floor is basilica as shop with some ship models in one corner. If you are a diver who needs a surface day before flying, this is a great stop.
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken S
Kent, CT59 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
We got to the museum late in the afternoon so we had to do a quick tour. First floor has a lot of displays about local culture and customs.Interesting stuff and a lot to look at. Basement is about a half floor, not nearly as involved, but a few boats and displays. Top floor is all souvenir shop, and frankly, probably the best in Palau for quality and variety. Like the museum, Probably an 90 min to 2 hour experience. Worth it and I recommend it.
Written August 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
product-of-canada
Toronto, Canada2,492 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
The reviews led me to believe the gift shop is more impressive than the museum, so I only visited the former. You can go straight up to the gift shop on the second floor without paying admission.
I can say that the gift shop is indeed impressive. I spent a fair amount of time admiring everything. They even have a giant whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling.
The purpose of my visit was to shop for a story board. Others indicated this is a good place to purchase one. However, during my visit the selection was minimal and the prices high. I really only wanted a medium or small-sized story board, and most of the ones here were large and quite expensive. While I didn't purchase my storyboard from here, I did enjoy my visit to the gift shop and the staff were so nice.
For those looking for a good selection of story boards, I would suggest going to the Prisoner's Gift Shop at the Koror prison. And you can negotiate the price. I purchased a story board for $80 that had a sticker price of $175. Even more fun, they bring in the prisoner who carved the story board to negotiate the price with you in person.
I can say that the gift shop is indeed impressive. I spent a fair amount of time admiring everything. They even have a giant whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling.
The purpose of my visit was to shop for a story board. Others indicated this is a good place to purchase one. However, during my visit the selection was minimal and the prices high. I really only wanted a medium or small-sized story board, and most of the ones here were large and quite expensive. While I didn't purchase my storyboard from here, I did enjoy my visit to the gift shop and the staff were so nice.
For those looking for a good selection of story boards, I would suggest going to the Prisoner's Gift Shop at the Koror prison. And you can negotiate the price. I purchased a story board for $80 that had a sticker price of $175. Even more fun, they bring in the prisoner who carved the story board to negotiate the price with you in person.
Written September 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mareperez
Guam, Mariana Islands33 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
The architectural design of the Etpison Museum was impressive. A small fee for a short tour. Not much to see and displays lacked full description, if any. Few artifacts, some poster size pictures and some models. Great model of an Abai on display. A good 30 minute tour. Nice ballisters on the stairway leading up to the second floor which only had a gift shop. Spent more time in the gift shop. More to look at there. Not too many ancient displays available and definitely not handicap accessible.
Written August 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charley441
San Francisco, CA20 contributions
Jan 2020
Small local museum. I think this was well worth a short stop for some history of Palau. Displays are really nicely put together.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barnabáš N
Gabcikovo, Slovakia68 contributions
Nov 2019
you see here the history of the ancient inhabitants of Palau what is very very diferent from todays life afterall the influences during the past more than hundred zear
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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