Attractions in Yap (traditional culture)
Land of Stone Money and gentle giants 🪙🦈
Showing 11 attractions · Sorted by importance
Bechiyal Cultural Village
📍 Maap
🏘 Town / VillageA historic living museum where visitors experience traditional Yapese architecture, stone money, and ancient customs in a lush jungle setting.
Yap Living History Museum
📍 Colonia
🏘 Town / VillageAn outdoor cultural center in the capital showcasing traditional building techniques, stone money, and local artisanal crafts.
Rull Stone Money Bank
📍 Colonia
🏰 CastleOne of the largest collections of ancient limestone currency, where massive stone discs are displayed along a historic stone path.
Yap Island Scenic Loop
📍 Colonia
🚗 Road TripApprox 40km paved touring circuit (3-5 hours) connecting the islands of Yap, Gagil-Tamil, and Maap via bridges. The route features the world-famous Stone Money banks in Balabat and Gagil, traditional Faluw (men's houses), World War II Japanese Zero aircraft wreckage near the old airport, and sweeping views of the Philippine Sea and Chamorro Bay.
Yap State Manta Ray Sanctuary
📍 Colonia
🌲 NatureThe world's first sanctuary for manta rays, this vast marine protected area offers families world-class snorkeling and diving with resident manta rays in their natural habitat.
Balabat Stone Money Bank
📍 Rull
🏘 Town / VillageA historic site featuring one of the most impressive collections of prehistoric limestone disks along a traditional stone-paved path.
Kaday Cultural Village
📍 Weloy
🏘 Town / VillageAn immersive cultural site offering families the chance to see traditional weaving, dancing, and agricultural practices along ancient stone-paved paths.
Malway Trail
📍 Fanif
🥾 Hiking & Cycling3km moderate hike in the Fanif Municipality featuring a well-preserved ancient stone path. Typical duration is 1.5 hours with moderate elevation gain. The route showcases diverse tropical flora, giant banyan trees, and traditional stone money discs. Bike rentals: Yap Pacific Dive Resort (yappacific.com).
Mangyol Stone Money Bank
📍 Gagil
🏰 CastleA significant historical site showcasing 71 giant Rai stone discs arranged in a unique cross-shaped layout, set along traditional stone-paved walkways. On UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list, it is one of the largest and most important stone money collections in Yap.