South Korea Travel Vaccines and Advice
South Korea, unlike its northern neighbour, is experiencing a remarkable boom in its tourist industry. Tourists are most attracted by its ancestral-rooted lifestyle, cultural dynamism, and wild natural landscapes. In the capital of Seoul, you will find royal palaces, romantic gardens, and calm waters. The city’s lively pace of life is scattered with the noises of horns and tradesman. For a more relaxing experience, a gentle hike through the mountains of Seorak proves a serene experience. To become better acquainted with the Buddhist culture, you can perhaps experience a “temple stay” in a Buddhist monastery. As one of the main attractions of South Korea, the maritime city of Busan is known for beaches, mountains, and temples.
Recommended travel vaccinations for South Korea
| Vaccine | Disease Transmission |
|---|---|
| Traveler’s diarrhea | Contaminated water/food |
| Typhoid | |
| Hepatitis A | |
| Hepatitis B | Contaminated body fluids (blood, sex, razors, needles, etc.) |
| Rabies | Infected Animals |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito bites |
| Influenza | Airborne Droplets |
Recommended Medication for Travelling to South Korea
| Medication | Additional Information |
|---|---|
| Azithromycin or Suprax | Antibiotic in case of traveler’s diarrhea |
Current Weather in South Korea
Medical Care in South Korea
In stark contrast to its northern neighbor, South Korea proves an exception in many ways, especially with regards to health. Private hospitals offering care in line with American standards represent the bulk of the health care system, particularly in larger cities. The facilities and equipment offered at these institutions are of good quality. Visitors should use Samsung Medical Centre or Severance Hospital – one of the leading medical organisations in the country. In rural areas, the standard of health services is average.
South Korea is home to many pharmacies which are well-stocked with drugs from Europe and the United States.
For an emergency call, dial 119.
Is South Korea Safe for Travel?
| Safety and Security | Descriptive |
|---|---|
| Crime | Low risk |
| Women’s safety | Risk present |
| Demonstrations | Risk of violence |
| Road safety | High risk of accident |
| Public transportation | Taxi drivers do not always speak English; Make sure to have your adress written in Korean |
| Civil emergency exercises | Happen repeatedly on the 15th of each month |
| Tensions on the Korea peninsula | Risk present |
| Risk level | Normal security precautions |
Do I Need a Visa to Visit South Korea?
Prior to travel, make sure you check with your transportation company about any passport requirements. This is important as in some cases their regulations on passport validity may be more strict than those of the destination country.
Only a passport is required to enter South Korea for trips under 180 days. Your passport must be valid beyond the date of departure.
Please click here for more information.
Embassy of Canada to South Korea information
When travelling to another country, it is important to know where the Canadian embassy is located in the event of:
- A legal problem
- A lost passport
- The need to report a crime
It is advisable to make a copy of your original passport in case you lose it.
Canadian Embassy to South Korea (SEOUL)
Street Address:
21 Jeongdong-gil (Jeong-dong), Jung-gu,
Seoul (04518), Republic of Korea
Tel.: +82 2 3783 6000
Fax: +82 2 3783 6112
Email: [email protected]
Canadian Consulate to South Korea (BUSAN)
Street Address:
c/o Dongsung Chemical Corporation, 99 Sinsan-ro (472 Shinpyung-dong),
Saha-gu, Busan, 49421, Republic of Korea
Tel.: +82 51 204 5581
Fax: +82 51 204 5580
Email: [email protected]