South Korea Travel Tips

The 2018 Winter Olympics focused the eyes of the world on South Korea. Not only were we awed by the winter sports facilities but we also were introduced to some of the lifestyles of the people of South Korea. It has a culture that can be traced back further than the cultures of the eastern worlds. In fact, many of the artifacts that westerners associate with ancient China are in fact exports from ancient Korea or made by artist originally from Korea.

South Korea is a country that has an elegant mix of modern life and ancient history. Indeed, some of South Korea’s ancient gates, which were part of the Seoul Fortress and now standing among the skyscrapers and homes of millions of people. Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. The gate was built in 1396. Heunginjimun Gate also called Dongdaemun Gate is another of the 8 gates on the outer wall of what was the Seoul Fortress. The original gate was also built in 1396, but it was rebuilt in 1869.

 

In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to South Korea:

Where to stay?

South Korea is a destination that deserves multiple stops within the country. Of course, Seoul should be on everyone’s wish list. The city’s cultural and modern life blend is not matched anywhere else in the world. The13th-century architectural marvels stand proudly along modern skyscrapers. Each of the country’s major cities offers something of their own experience.

In the winter, head to some of the world-class ski destinations in the central area of the country.

Jeju should also be on the list for those wanting a different island experience. Also, it’s the prime summertime destination to try scuba diving in South Korea!

Activities and excursions in South Korea

South Korea is an amazing country with a very rich history. There are a few things that you really should visit when you visit.

• Ancient Seoul: You need to set aside a whole day to explore the historical buildings that date back to the 1390s. If you love history and old cultures, it is better to get aside two or three days.

• Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum, which is on the palace’s grounds, is worthy of an entire day. There are a number of different cultural presentations daily. One of the most popular is the changing of the guards. The buildings and grounds are stunning, especially in the springtime when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Also, you will see many Korean women walking around wearing a Hanbok, which a traditional dress. To a growing number of Korean women, a photograph taken in Gyeongbokgung Palace while wearing a Habok has become a treasured item. The Hanbok is made up of the jacket, pants, and the skirt, all with designs that are pieces of arts themselves. Plus, if you want to blend in and try the traditional outfit, you can rent a complete dress for less than $20 for a half day.

• You might also want to consider a tour of Unhyeongung palace. Small groups of up to 10 people are taken on a walking tour of this former royal residence. The 3,300 won entry fee, includes a Hanbok rental for the duration of the tour.

• Korean Folk Village near Suwong at Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. Located just a short distance from Seoul, the folk village is an immersion into Korean life during the Joseon dynasty. If you are a Korean television lover, you may find some of your favorite shows being taped here.

• Panmunjeom is located at the site of the former village of Neolmun-RI, near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in Jinseo-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Panmunjeom. As the venue for the Military Armistice Conference held in October 1951, the name was changed to the current Panmunjeom. It is more widely known as the Joint Security Area (JSA), where blue and white huts are administrated by the United Nations Military and North Korean military respectively. Only organized tours can visit this area.

• Temple stay: Experience life of a Buddhist monk with a temple stay. You can choose from a day tour to a multiple-day stay.

• Seoul nightlife: Indeed, the nightlife in Seoul has been described as the best in Asia.

Best time to visit South Korea

South Korea has four seasons. As the Winter Olympics showed us, the winter, especially in the mountain areas, can be bitter cold. The summers can be uncomfortably hot. The spring season is generally mild and shows the countryside at its best. Fall is also quite nice, the autumn foliage can be incredible. Jeju does not get the bitter cold winters nor the extreme heat.

Health and Safety

South Korea has a very advanced health care system. Citizens pay into a health care insurance plan which in turn provides low-cost health care. Patient cost is at a level where everyone can afford emergency treatment, but just high enough to keep people running to the hospital for common colds and upset stomachs.

The level of care is very high, however, it can be rushed with the doctors spending little time with each patient. While there are a number of English speaking doctors, not everyone does. There is a medical hotline number that can help provide translations if the need arises.

Many of the leading hospitals offer international clinics that are staff with English speaking staff as well as staff speaking Japanese and Chinese. Please note that few of the hospitals will accept international health insurance as payments. Instead, they will require payment at the time of service. It is best before you start your travel you verify if your insurance provider has agreements in place with a hospital system in South Korea.

The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and safety of patient care around the world. It is the most prestigious global accreditation agency. South Korea has 27 medical facilities that are JCI accredited.

If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to South Korea, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Where is South Korea located in the world?

Modern-day Korea is divided into two countries, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The two countries share the Korean Peninsula of Asia. The border between North and South Korea is closed so you need to arrive by air or sea. Korea is west of Japan across the Sea of Japan. The west coast of Korea faces the Yellow Sea.

How to get to South Korea?

South Korea is well served by many international and domestic airlines. The country has 25 airports of which 8 are international airports. Incheon International Airport (ICN) located outside of Seoul is the busiest and best connected of the international airports and have the most long-haul flights.

The Jeju International Airport is the country’s second busiest airport. It has a total of 29 direct routes (13 domestic and 16 international), a total of 19 airlines serve these routes. Only 3 of the airlines are solely domestic. The international connections are regional, flights of 4 hours or less.

 

Do I need a visa for South Korea?

South Korea’s visa requirements can be grouped into a few categories based on nationality. Indeed, there are nationals who will need a visa, some who can have the visa requirement waived and some that will be able to enter South Korea without a visa. Additionally, tourist flying directly to Jeju International Airport or Jeju International Passenger Terminal have different rules.

Visa-Free Entry:

Citizens of the following countries are allowed visa-free entry for 30 days unless otherwise noted:

Asia:

Japan (90 Days), Hong Kong (90 Days), Macao (90 Days), Taiwan (90 Days), Kuwait (90 Days), Brunei, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain

North America:

United States (90 Days), Canada (6 Months)

South America

Argentina, Honduras, Paraguay, Ecuador (90 Days), Guyana

Europe:

Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Cyprus, Albania, Croatia (90 Days), Slovenia (90 Days), Vatican, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia (90 Days), Montenegro

Oceania:

Australia (90 Days), Guam, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tuvalu,

Africa:

TongaRepublic of South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Swaziland, Egypt

Visa Waiver:

South Korea has visa waiver agreements with 105 different countries. Mozambique was added to the original 104 countries shown on the list in 2017. The agreements are by country and they do vary by type of passport and length of time.

Countries that are members of the EU generally have a 90 day, or 3 months, authorized entry.

Visa Required:

Nationalities not listed in the above list will have to apply for a visa before traveling.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

Across the Korean Strait from mainland Korea is the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The province has 63 islands including Jeju island itself which is the largest of all of Korea’s 3,000 plus islands. Jeju has long been a tourist destination both for domestic and international guest. The creation of the self-governing has allowed them to create different visa and property ownership rules. Tourist, excepted as noted below, that arrive directly from outside of the country to either the international airport or seaport can enter visa-free. Visitors from all countries except Ghana, Nigeria, Libya, Macedonia, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Palestine, are allowed a 30-day entry without a visa.

As a general rule, passports will need at least 6 month remaining when entering the country.

Getting Around

The last forty years have seen South Korea change from a developing nation with drastic differences between urban and rural life to an industrialized nation. One key aspect of the transformation was the development of the mass transit system.

A network of airports serve all parts of the country. A high-speed rail system between Seoul and Busan run nearly the length of the country and connects these two cities in a time similar to that of an airplane. Less if you consider the check-in times. Other train lines connect other city groups.

The six largest cities all have metro systems with subways and modern buses. While long-distance bus lines criss-cross the country.

Korea is a destination that can not be described in mere words.  The people have a deep cultural respect. The history of Korea has shown it to always be the underdog, and while it’s greatest achievements have often been stolen by others, they hold on to their accomplishments. You should make Korea a place for your bucket list.

South Korea Photos

Scuba diving

You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: South Korea Diving