Ultimate Guide to Visit Taiwan

Why Visit Taiwan?

For me, Taiwan was a destination I briefly visited while traveling to Southeast Asia. Even though it was a short trip, this country left a big impression. I learned so much about the history and culture of this place, and I would love to revisit it one day soon.

The country itself is rather small, but within it contains an immensely rich culture and spiritual heritage, delicious cuisine, world-renowned beaches, hot springs, and scenery. And believe it or not, Taiwan was rated as one of the top living destinations for ex-pats and digital nomads by Forbes in 2016.

From eating my way through Taipei’s night markets to mistakenly finding myself at the iconic Lantern Festival, Taiwan does not disappoint.

Best Time to Visit Taiwan:

The best time to travel to Taiwan is during the September to November months. Weather-wise, this time of year offers cool and dry temperatures throughout the island.

From June to October, you’ll experience Taiwan’s typhoon season. While it’s the island’s summertime, you may be met by storms and heavy rain. If you’re traveling to Taipei, the city is generally safe as it is developed to withstand typhoons and other weather conditions. Keep in mind, however, that these storms may still impact your travel plans.

If you’re seeking budget-friendly hotels and excursions, then it’s best to travel to Taiwan during the low tourist seasons between December to March. During this time, you’ll see great discounts all over the country. If you’re visiting Taiwan in February, make sure to visit during the country’s most popular event, the Lantern Festival.

Important Things to Know:

Language: The language mainly spoken in Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, but you’ll also hear other languages like Japanese, and some English (especially as more ex-pats live on the island).

Taiwan also has its local languages of Hokkien and Hakka which are quite prevalent as well.

Despite English not being common outside of Taipei, traveling around is still doable. Taiwanese people are extremely helpful and friendly to foreigners.

Currency: The national currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan dollar. The U.S. dollar goes far in Taiwan, making this country a very affordable destination.

Credit Cards & ATMs: The most commonly accepted credit cards in Taiwan are Visa and Mastercard. You may see some establishments accepting American Express. Discover cards are rarely accepted in Taiwan, so I would avoid traveling with this credit card.

ATMs are widely available throughout the country and most operate on a 24-hour basis. You may run into ATMs that only accept Taiwanese cards, but you’ll find that most will accept foreign debit cards easily.

Electricity & Plugs: Taiwan has the same electrical standard as the United States and Canada. The power plugs and sockets are Type A and B. The standard voltage is 110V and the frequency is 60 Hz. If you’re coming from the U.S. or Canada, you can use your electrical appliances in Taiwan without using a voltage converter.

Safety: Taiwan is an extremely safe country for all travelers, even solo female travelers. Violent crimes against tourists are a rare occurrence. In larger metropolitan areas like Taipei, petty theft is a possibility so be aware of your personal belongings.

Health Information:

Vaccinations & Medications: Before visiting Taiwan, be sure you’re up to date on all routine vaccinations like Varicella, Tdap, influenza, and MMR. In addition, you should talk to your doctor about getting the Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Covid-19 vaccine before traveling to Taiwan. Also, consider bringing this list of essential travel medications.

Water: The tap water in Taipei is safe to drink as the water quality is held to the same standard as more developed countries. Looking for a great refillable water bottle for travel? Check out my recommendations here.

Bugs: Taiwan has suffered from mosquito outbreaks causing Dengue Fever for travelers in the past. It’s important to take the necessary precautions in preventing mosquito bites.