Jeju Island -the Hawaii of Korea- is a must-visit destination. It is best known for its volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, indigenous culture, and varied weather. Even for budget travelers, this is an amazing choice, as they can explore the island’s unique culture by using local buses and relish traditional food. Travelers can enjoy the illuminating waterfalls, indoor spas, and long hikes to witness beautiful sunrises. From being aware of the different ways of communication, as people mostly know little English, to appreciating and respecting Jeju’s cultural festivals. Here are some more things to know before you plan a visit to Jeju Island.
5 Things to Know before Visiting Jeju Island
1. Getting Around the Island
This Island is truly a paradise for nature lovers, as you get to experience breathtaking Sunrise from the Seongsan Ilchulbong, Daepo Jusangjeoli cliff, high tides splashing the hexagonal pillars at the Daepo Jusangjeoli cliff, and an illuminating waterfall at Cheonjiyeon Falls. To explore such interesting destinations, you need to travel across all four corners of the island. If you know how to drive, we recommend renting a car as it gives you the flexibility to explore remote beaches and other places at your own pace. And if you are traveling on a budget, we recommend using public transport, which offers longer routes and lets you relax while you enjoy your vacation.
2. Weather Fluctuations
Jeju Island is well known for its highly variable and fluctuating weather. It can be described as a place where you can experience spring, summer, winter, and fall all in a single day. Jeju Experiences microclimates, which means that if you enjoy sitting in a cafe on the south side of the island and you plan to go hiking in the east, you may encounter heavy downpour there. So, we advise checking the real-time weather forecast and having indoor alternatives to enjoy, like museums or indoor seawater spas.
Pro Tip: Avoid visiting from late June through August, as it’s the rainy season; you won’t be able to explore the outdoors much.
3. Communication Reality
Many hospitality workers can communicate in basic English, but locals primarily speak Korean or Jeju. So, getting around and shopping can seem difficult. You can either make the effort to learn some standard Korean words or sentences, or use the local translation apps to communicate with the locals and even read signboards. Even while ordering in restaurants, most menus are not in English, but some might have pictures next to the meals so you can point at them and order; otherwise, you’ll have to take a risk and order whatever the neighbor table is having
4. Itinerary Overload
The most common mistake almost every tourist makes when visiting Jeju is trying to explore too many destinations on the very first day. For a fantastic experience, create an itinerary of 4-5 days to explore all the tourist spots without feeling rushed. You can kickstart your adventure by hiking the famous trails or relaxing at Hamdeok Beach.
In this way, you can enjoy your time on the island without feeling exhausted. If you are interested in exploring folk village life, visit the Jjeu Folk Village and try traditional folk games.
5. Unique Culture
Jeju Island has a unique culture that deserves basic respect. You can observe the iconic Haenyeo older women free divers, who harvest seafood without oxygen tanks, near Seongsan Ilchulbong, and taste authentic Jeju black pork and hairtail fish. If you visit in April- May, you can enjoy the Canola flower festival. Jeju has a traditional fishing culture, and at the Iho Tewoo Festival, tourists can also participate in traditional fishing. By attending these festivals and events, you get a deeper understanding of the island’s matriarchal history, sea diving cultures, and ancient rituals.
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Bottom Line
From observing Haenyeo older women free divers, who represent a matriarchal society, to following a well-planned itinerary, Jeju Island is an amazing destination for a fun vacation. Most travelers make a few mistakes when visiting a different place. Thinking that everyone knows English is a grave oversight, but you can easily tackle it by using translation apps. Even while attending the festivals, travelers need to show basic respect and enthusiastically participate in the activities. We have listed a few common errors to help ensure you don’t make the same ones when you visit Jeju Island, and instead have a wonderful time there.