Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bijarim Forest (Nutmeg trees); Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest.
- National Parks Nearby
- Hallasan National Park - South Korea's highest peak.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Jeju Olle Trail (26 routes circling the island); Fantasy Bicycle Path (234km).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sarabong Park (Sunset views over Jeju City harbor).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Hado-ri Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; designated camping areas like Gwakji Beach Camping Ground.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Korea Post (everywhere); GS25/CU convenience store delivery.
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung Service Center (Nohyeong-dong); Apple authorized service (Ubase Jeju).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jeju Table Tennis Club (Nohyeong-dong).
- Language Classes
- Jeju Global Center (Korean classes for foreigners).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Jeju Halla Library (Modern, quiet, free Wi-Fi).
- Community Centers
- Jeju Foreigner Support Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs (PC Rooms) are everywhere; approx. 1,500 KRW/hour.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino; landing Casino (Foreigners only).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 33 m² = 165,000,000 KRW)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,500,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 33 m² = 115,500,000 KRW)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,800,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 240,000,000 KRW)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,200,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 160,000,000 KRW)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,500,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 440,000,000 KRW)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,800,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 304,000,000 KRW)
- Corporate Tax
- 9% to 24% depending on income brackets.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% (plus 1.4% local income tax) for residents.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% for income over 1 billion KRW.
- VAT
- 10% (usually included in displayed prices).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applied to prevent tax avoidance in low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Yes, progressive rates between 0.1% to 0.4%.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Acquisition tax ranges from 1% to 4% depending on property value and type.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Korea recently launched a Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa (F-1-D) allowing stays up to 2 years for those earning over 85M KRW/year.
Essentials
- City
- Jeju City, Jeju-do, South Korea
- Population
- Approximately 500,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 250 Mbps; widespread 5G and public Wi-Fi (Jeju Free Wi-Fi)
- Currency & Banking
- South Korean Won (KRW). 1,000 KRW ≈ 0.75 USD. ATMs are everywhere, especially at GS25 or CU convenience stores.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Samdasoo source), though most locals use purifiers or bottled water.
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+. Pickup at Jeju International Airport (CJU) for approx. 35,000 KRW for 30 days unlimited data.
- Banking for Expats
- Shinhan Bank and Hana Bank offer the best English support; Wise and Revolut work for withdrawals but not for local bank transfers.
- Accommodation
- High-end hotels in Yeon-dong, Guesthouses in the Old City, and long-term pensions (Minbak) along the coast.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and mobile payments (Samsung Pay/Apple Pay) are used for 99% of transactions.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and 'Living for a month in Jeju' (Jeju-and-me platform). Prices range from 800,000 to 1,500,000 KRW per month.
- Budget Accommodation
- You & I Guesthouse (approx. 25,000 KRW/night), Bed Radio Dongmun (approx. 35,000 KRW/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Yeon-dong (New Jeju) for shopping and nightlife, or Hamdeok for beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Jeju City Hall area for local vibes and cafes, or Aewol for scenic coastal work spots.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- O-Peace (Aewol/Jocheon) - 25,000 KRW/day; Banana Office near the airport - 20,000 KRW/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- A'整体 (A'bout Coffee) - specifically designed for workers with plugs at every seat; Terarosa Coffee (Seogwipo branch).
- Networking Events
- Jeju Creative Economy & Innovation Center (JCC) hosts regular startup and tech meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Jeju Island Social group on Facebook; weekly meetups at Magpie Brewing Co.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- KakaoT (Essential, integrates with international cards now).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tamra (Electric bikes) available via app; Jeju Bike rental near the airport (approx. 15,000 KRW/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Hamdeok Beach (30 mins from city center) or Iho Tewoo Beach (10 mins from airport).
- Top Regional Airline
- Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Busan.
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air, Asiana Airlines.
- Highway Access
- Route 1132 (Iljudong-ro) circles the entire island; Route 1131 (516 Road) crosses Mt. Hallasan.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Jeju City Bus Terminal (No trains on the island).
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Money Card (3,000 KRW base card) - 1,200 KRW per bus ride with free transfers.
- Regional Travel
- Intercity Express Buses (Red buses) connect Jeju City to Seogwipo in 60 minutes.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Jeju National University Hospital (International Healthcare Center available).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Jeju 901 (Vegan cafe & Yoga studio in Nohyeong-dong).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Mind휘트니스 (Mind Fitness) multiple locations, approx. 100,000 KRW/month.
- Laundry Services
- Coin Wash 24 (found in every neighborhood, approx. 4,000 KRW per load).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin) or Coupang Eats (requires local phone number/ARC).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Heuk-dwaeji (Black Pork BBQ) at Donsadon; Mom-guk (Sargassum soup).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Andony Vegan (Jeju City); Loving Hut (Seogwipo).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Umu (Custard pudding made from seaweed) in Hallim; Osulloc Tea Museum (Green tea desserts).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Dongmun Market (Evening food stalls are cheap and varied).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (offers 'Rocket Delivery' even to the island for a small surcharge).
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly or E-Mart SSG Delivery.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Street of Youth' near Jeju City Hall (Daehak-ro).
- Local Brewery
- Magpie Brewing Co. (Taproom in Tapdong); Jeju Beer Company (Hallim).
- Wine Bars
- Soon-asht (순아커피) - historic vibe; Myun-Sool (면술) in the Old City.
- Street Food Stalls
- Dongmun Night Market (8 PM - midnight) - try the abalone kimbap.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bagdad Café (Indian in City Hall); Donato's (Pizza in Hyeopjae).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak); Hallasan National Park.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Arario Museum Tapdong Cinema; Bunker de Lumières (Immersive media art).
- Historical Sites
- Jeju Gwandeokjeong Pavilion; Samseonghyeol (birthplace of Jeju people).
- Religious Sites
- Gwaneumsa Temple (at the foot of Hallasan); Yakcheonsa Temple.
- Annual Events
- Jeju Fire Festival (March); Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Tapdong-ro (Arts and culture hub near the ocean).
- Theater Venues
- Jeju Art Center; NANTA Show Jeju Theatre.
- Local Markets
- Jeju Five-Day Market (dates ending in 2 and 7).
- Music Scene
- Led Zeppelins (Live music bar in Shin-Jeju).
- Street Art
- Dodu-dong Rainbow Coastal Road (Murals and colorful tetrapods).
- Cooking Classes
- Totem Ore (Traditional Jeju tea and food workshops).
- Art Galleries
- Jeju Museum of Art; Kim Tschang-yeul Museum of Art.
- Historic Buildings
- Jeju Mokgwana (Former government office).
- Local Heritage
- Haenyeo (Female divers) culture - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.