Seogwipo City Guide

South Korea

Seogwipo City Guide

Jeju

Seogwipo sits on Jeju Island's southern coast with waterfalls, volcanic spots, and calm weather. It's popular for nature lovers and those wanting a chilled island vibe. English is common mainly in tourist spots.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Local food highlights Black Pork BBQ, fresh seafood, and Hallabong tangerines. International options exist, mostly Korean food dominates. Vegan/vegetarian choices growing. Some late-night street food available.

Local Dishes:
Black Pork BBQ, Hairtail Fish, Abalone, Hallabong Tangerines
International Cuisine:
Western, Chinese, Japanese
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
5

Nightlife is laid-back with local pubs and some live music. The Olle Market area livens up evenings a bit.

Coffee Culture
Excellent
9

Strong coffee scene with many specialty cafes that blend with nature. Third-wave coffee shops are common.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not common and can be awkward. Service charges are usually included.

Top Attractions
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Nature
Popular scenic waterfall in the city.
Jeongbang Waterfall
Nature
Waterfall flowing directly into the ocean.
Oedolgae Rock
Nature
Iconic sea stack rock formation.
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
Culture
Traditional market with local foods and goods.
Seogwipo Submarine
Activity
Underwater sightseeing experience.
SIM Cards

Buy SIMs at Jeju Airport, convenience stores, or provider shops (KT, SK Telecom). Passport needed for activation. eSIMs available online.

Available at:
KT
SK Telecom
LG U+
Recommended Apps
KakaoTalk(Communication)
KakaoMap(Navigation)
Papago(Translation)
Kakao T(Transportation)
Shuttle(Food Delivery)
Coupang(Shopping)
MangoPlate(Food)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
9

Very clean streets and good waste management, especially in tourist areas.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Convenience stores run 24/7; few pharmacies or clinics open all night. Late-night food available in the city.

Groceries
E-Mart
Lotte Mart
Homeplus

International groceries are in big supermarkets; local markets offer fresh produce and seafood. Supermarkets open around 10 AM to 10 PM. Bargaining only in traditional markets.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Credit and debit cards work almost everywhere. Cash is handy for small vendors and local markets.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find in banks, convenience stores, and subway stations. Look for Global ATMs at KB Kookmin, Shinhan, or Woori Banks. Check your bank's fees for international use.

Schools
International

International schools are mainly near Jeju City or Global Education City, about an hour away. English is the main language at these schools.

Available Schools:
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Branksome Hall Asia
Korea International School Jeju

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
3
Available Spaces:
Some cafes with co-working vibe
Certain cafes offer good Wi-Fi and seating to work.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Local cafes around Olle Market
Good Wi-Fi and comfy seats.
Cafes near Seogwipo City center
Quiet atmosphere with power outlets.
Alternatives:
Seogwipo Public Library
Quiet space with free Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable quiet spots during off-hours.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

Small nomad community with meetups mostly online. Some cafes are good for work but limited dedicated co-working spaces.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Abundant parks and coastal paths with shaded trails, ideal for walking and running.

Running
Excellent
8

Olle trails and coastal paths are scenic and safe for running, though spring air may bring yellow dust.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms, including public sports center and hotel gyms, are available.

Available Gyms:
Seogwipo City Public Sports Center
Various private fitness clubs
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts at sports centers and clubs; bookings often needed.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel courts are uncommon in Seogwipo.

Yoga
Good
7

Several yoga studios offer varied classes; some may have English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Schools teach Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Judo. Drop-in policies vary, English instruction is limited.

Skiing
Poor
0

No ski resorts on Jeju Island due to climate.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing are common at coastal areas, especially Jungmun, best in warmer months.

Surfing
Good
7

Jungmun Saekdal Beach offers surf spots for beginners and advanced surfers. Wetsuits needed outside summer seasons.

Diving
Excellent
8

Diving available near nearby islands with good water visibility and rich marine life. Shops offer gear and courses.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Seogwipo has hospitals and clinics; some offer English services. Major regional hospital is in Jeju City. Pharmacies sell OTC meds and have normal hours.

Hospitals:
Seogwipo Medical Center
Jeju National University Hospital
Pharmacies:
Seogwipo Pharmacy
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink but many locals prefer bottled or filtered water.

Common Scams
Overpriced goods in tourist areas, Unsolicited offers from street vendors

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Playgrounds, kid-friendly cafes, and baby supplies are common. Attractions suit families, like Jeju Folk Village and Seogwipo Submarine.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

LGBTQ+ acceptance is moderate; dedicated venues are rare and discretion is advised.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet policies vary; veterinary services and some pet parks exist. Pet-friendly places are increasing but not widespread.

Communities
Jeju Expats (Expat)
Jeju Island Digital Nomads (Nomad)
Jeju Island Information (Local Info)

Quick Facts

Population
183,858
Power Reliability
Excellent
10/10

Power supply is steady with almost no outages.

Beach Access
Available

Seogwipo has beaches like Jungmun Saekdal, popular for surfing, and Hwasun Golden Sand Beach.

Mountains
Available

Near Hallasan Mountain with multiple hiking trails. Some require reservations for summit hikes.

Languages
Korean(100%)
English(25%)
Emergency
119
Medical and Fire
112
Police
1330
Tourist Hotline

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
2
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Yellow dust (Hwangsa)
March, April, May
Spring yellow dust from China can impact air quality.
Typhoons
July, August, September
Typhoons bring heavy rain and strong winds in summer and early autumn.
Heat and Humidity
July, August
Summers can be hot and humid.

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