Basics

Entry

Citizens of most countries (including all EU countries, The US, Canada, and New Zealand) do not need a visa as a tourist for stays of 6 months or less. Australians can only stay for 90 days. Citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom can extend their stay for an extra 90 days once they have arrived.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Taiwan.

When bringing medications into Taiwan, you should bring a prescription from a hospital, clinic or doctor stating that the medicines are for the use of the individual. The amount brought in must be consistent with the amount on the prescription.

For official information visit boca.gov.tw or your home government travel bureau.

Getting Around

More detail is to come in this section, but you can read about general advice regarding Getting Around When You Get There

Accommodation

Taiwan has a wide variety of hostels and you should never have any problem finding one.

The average price of a hostel is 400-680 TWD (£8-£14) a night.

All hostels in Taiwan will provide linen and bathroom facilities. Usually there will be internet facilities as well as a common area and laundry services.

Read more about Accommodation When You Get There and Living in Hostels

Food And Health

Restaurants are cheap and cooking facilities in hostels are rare.

Food hygiene and safety is improving, but isn’t up to Western standards. Foods such as red meat and seafood are often served raw, if you aren’t used to eating these foods uncooked at home, it is best to avoid them. Use your instincts; if the place looks dirty, don’t eat there; if your food isn’t piping hot, don’t eat it.

Water is not safe to drink – always buy bottled or boil.

Taiwan has adequate health and dental facilities to handle routine, emergency and outpatient treatment. Hospitals operate on a ’pay as you use’ basis. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Always contact your GP around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Visit here for Recommended Vaccinations and read here for more about Travelling Health In General

Weather & Time To Go

Summers are hot and humid, and winters are relatively cold (as low as 8°C). The tropical cyclone season in Taiwan normally runs from May to November, which mainly affects the east coast. Spring is arguably the best time to visit.

Communications

Internet and wifi is widespread and accessible in most hostels and hotels. International calling cards are also cheaply available.

Dangers And Considerations

A lot of countries do not recognise Taiwan as a state and have no diplomatic relations, so consular services may be limited.

Crime levels are low, but small-scale petty crime does exist. You should maintain at least the same level of vigilance as you would at home, and take sensible precautions.

If you are found guilty of smuggling, trafficking, possession or use of illegal narcotics you can expect to receive a severe jail sentence or, in some cases, the death penalty.

There is a risk of road blockages and landslides following typhoons.

Dangers constantly change. Always check with your foreign office (British Foreign Office webpage) or travel advice bureau for the latest information regarding your destinations safety.

Read more about Safety And Security here

Respecting Culture

Some Taiwanese can be very superstitious. A couple of things you should be aware of are; whistling at night is said to be an “invitation to ghosts”, and writing someone’s names in red and the number 4 have connotations of death.

Respect customs when visiting religious sites.

Political discussion is best avoided.

Take off your shoes before entering homes and hostels.