Is Visiting Jeju Island Safe?

Jeju Island, a volcanic island off the coast of South Korea, is a natural wonderland celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and unique cultural heritage. As of Dec 04, 2023, there are no travel advisories or warnings for South Korea, so exercise normal precautions. Visitors can travel to Jeju Island by plane or ferry, with several airlines including Korean Air offering flights to both Seoul and Busan. High winds in Jeju often make it difficult to take the heat outside.

Jeju Island is a popular retreat with miles of golden beaches, winding coastal trails, and Jeju Waterworld. There are many beautiful hikes, views, and food options available, but it might be hard for those who can’t take the heat. It’s essential to get a car and bike to explore the island, as the risk is very low for most travelers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for Jeju before traveling.

The island has relatively pleasant road conditions, making it safe for visitors to drive around the island. Jeju is visa-free, and you shouldn’t have any problems flying between the two cities. The shoulder seasons, either spring or autumn, offer decent weather and few crowds with lower prices. It’s likely that the tragedy has led to new laws for better safety standards on ferries to Jeju Island.

To book ferry tickets, visit the country information page for additional information on travel to South Korea.

What to know before going to Jeju?

Jeju Island, known as the ‘Hawaii of Korea’, is a popular holiday destination in South Korea. The volcanic island, located off the southernmost part of the country, offers exotic scenery surrounded by palm trees and volcanic rock structures. The UNESCO-listed lava caves and naturally occurring sea cliffs provide magnificent views. The island has been featured in many films and music videos, making it an ideal destination for a trip.

To immerse yourself in the local culture, rent a car for a scenic drive along the coast. There’s less traffic than in Korea’s major cities, making it the perfect place to cruise along famous driving routes. From the airport, you can drive west to see the wind farm or east to find a unique rock structure driveway along the sealine. If lucky, you may even spot dolphins diving through the waves while you’re at the wheel.

In summary, Jeju Island is a popular holiday destination in South Korea, known for its exotic scenery, UNESCO-listed lava caves, and natural sea cliffs.

Can i travel to Jeju now?

Jeju Island in the Philippines is accessible via direct flights for up to 30 days, but tourism outside the island is not permitted. Manila does not have direct flights to Jeju Island, so travelers can use nearby airports like Singapore Changi, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Macau, and Hanoi. Filipinos can visit South Korea without a visa through Jeolla, located in the southwest region, with Muan International Airport as the entry point. To travel comfortably, a visa is required, but the application process is relatively easy and free of charge.

Do they speak English in Jeju Island?

South Korea’s official language is Standard Korean, with Jeju Island residents being bilingual in both Standard Korean and Jeju. Jeju is reserved for home and a few local markets, and all schools on Jeju Island are required to teach Standard Korean. Many Jeju Islanders migrate to mainland Korea for various reasons, contributing to the decline of the Jejueo language.

The distinctive phonological, syntactic, and lexical features of the Jeju Island language, known as Jejueo or Jeju dialect, compared to Standard Korean, pose obstacles to effective communication. Phonological differences, such as pitch accent and vowel distinctions, may lead to misunderstandings or difficulties in comprehension between Jeju natives and Standard Korean speakers. Syntactic variances, word order flexibility, and particle usage inconsistencies between Standard Korean and Jejueo also make communication more difficult.

As of 2018, fluent speakers in Jeju Island were all over seventy years of age, while passive competence was found in some people in their forties and fifties. Younger Islanders speak Korean with Jeju substrate influence, found in residual elements of the Jeju verbal paradigm and select vocabulary. The language is more vigorous in Osaka, where fluent speakers may be born as late as the 1960s.

Which month is best to visit Jeju Island?

Jeju Island offers lower prices during the shoulder seasons of spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), with mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices compared to summer. Winter (December-February) is considered the off-peak season, with lower prices and fewer crowds, but colder and windier weather. The island also hosts exciting events during these seasons. Book your flight from Manila to Jeju Island through Traveloka to enjoy the Jeju Island season.

Why is Jeju Island famous?

Jeju, Korea, is a World Natural Heritage Site, Global Geopark, and Biosphere Reserve, encompassing Korea’s highest peak, a semi-tropical national park, a wild coastline, and the world’s longest underground lava tube. The island is known for its unique cuisine, particularly the seafood caught by its famous female deep-sea divers, all aged 60 and over. The island’s beaches offer stunning coral seascapes, while inland, narrow lanes with traditional cottages and fertile volcanic soils support palm trees, mandarin groves, pineapples, and exotic dragon fruit. The southern coast is the most developed for tourism, while the more remote areas offer untouched land, including volcanic craters, towering waterfalls, and sunrise views from volcanic craters.

How many days in Jeju is enough?

The Jeju Island 6-day itinerary offers a variety of popular attractions, including the Western Jeju wonders and Dinosaur theme park. If you plan to stay longer, the remaining days can be spent revisiting your favorite spots or embarking on themed journeys around the island.

How do Koreans view Americans?

The Moon Jae-in government attempted to end GSOMIA, a 2016 Japan-South Korea military exchange agreement, during the 2019 Japan-South Korea trade dispute. This led to negative reactions from American analysts and politicians, who believed the decision would worsen North Korean security threats. However, GSOMIA was eventually maintained. Some left-leaning South Koreans, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, have described the US as a violation of South Korean sovereignty and the deliberate ignoring of Japan’s former colonization of Korea.

Anti-American sentiment in South Korea is generally associated with the liberal or progressive movement, but anti-Chinese sentiment has increased significantly since the 2010s, leading to a significant decrease in anti-American sentiment among South Korean liberals. The growth of anti-American sentiment in both Japan and South Korea must be seen not just as a response to American policies and actions but as reflecting deeper domestic trends and developments within these Asian countries. Anti-Americanism also represents the collective venting of accumulated grievances that have lain hidden for decades.

When to avoid Jeju?

Jeju Island experiences average temperatures ranging from 5°C in January to 30°C in August, with the most rainfall occurring from June through September. The best times to visit are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), as they are milder and less rainy. Summer (June-August) is hot and humid, attracting tourists and causing higher accommodation costs. Winter (December-February) is mild but can be cold, windy, and snowy, especially on Mount Hallasan.

Winter is less crowded and offers better deals on accommodation. Jeju Island weather is mild, with moderate rainfall and high humidity throughout the year. For more detailed weather information, use Weatherspark and consider personal weather preferences when planning your visit.

Is it safe for Americans to travel to South Korea?

Violent crime is rare in Korea, but it is important to be vigilant. Exercise caution in crowded areas, travel in groups, and use legitimate taxis or public transportation. Victims should call 112 for emergency assistance or report crimes to local authorities. The U. S. Embassy can help find medical care, report crimes, and provide assistance in finding accommodations and flight arrangements. They can also explain Korean judicial procedures, provide emergency loans for repatriation, and replace lost or stolen passports.

Can Americans visit Jeju?

Foreign visitors to Korea must have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before visiting. For visa-free entry, K-ETA is required. Starting July 1, 2020, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) issues a Confirmation of Visa Issuance instead of a visa label as an entry permit. For accurate visa information, visit the Korea Visa Portal website or contact your local Korean Embassy. Rules and regulations vary depending on the country’s origin.

What can you not bring into South Korea?

Korean travelers are prohibited from bringing animal or plant products into the country, including meats, dairy, eggs, fresh fruits, and seeds. In-flight meals containing these items cannot be removed upon arrival and should not be sent via the postal service. If mistakenly carried, items must be declared at the quarantine office, and failure to do so could result in a fine of up to 10 million won. The Korean government also advises avoiding visits to livestock-related areas.