Packing list for Taiwan, travel insurance for Taiwan, and taking your belongings

What to take with you to Taiwan: short

Featured items:

• Documents: passport valid for at least 6 months and an online and/or offline copy.
• Money: be sure to bring some New Taiwan Dollar cash for markets, street vendors and the countryside. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted at major businesses.
• Care: strong, coral-friendly sunscreen or sunscreen and lip balm, unless you want one of the many local versions that whiten your skin and aftersun.
• Outdoor and practical: raincoat and backpack rain cover. A hat or travel cap for the sun and a good pair of sunglasses are also essential.
• Clothing: light clothing for the humid, hot summer, layers for the mountains. Taiwanese winters are cold, so warm clothes with long sleeves, a sweater and a jacket. Hat and gloves are also a must, although you can buy some really cool ones there.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes and flip-flops when you are in Taiwan during the summer. The big hikes require walking shoes with good grip.
• Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers, hand sanitizer and ORS (dehydration is a thing). Mosquito repellent.
• Technique and equipment: world plug with type A & B.

What are some other options for packing as well?

• Reusable water bottle with filter.
• Quick-drying travel towel.
• Swimwear and snorkel set.
• International driving permit, when you want to rent a car or scooter.
• Deodorant, because they also often have "whitening agents" in the ingredients list locally.
• Umbrella.
• Tissues for the public toilets.
• If you are staying in rural areas for a long time in the summer, take a mosquito net with you.

Are there mosquitoes in Taiwan?

• Mosquitoes are mainly present in the warmer and humid areas of Taiwan, so almost everywhere.
• During the rainy season (May–October) the mosquito alert is extra high in Taiwan, especially in the summer months and around typhoon seasons.
• Dengue is the biggest concern, with regular outbreaks in Taiwan.
• There is also a risk of Japanese encephalitis, especially in rural areas.

Are there sandflies in Taiwan?

• Sand flies are not so much of a problem in Taiwan, but the “little black mosquitoes” are.
• You mainly find them in the countryside (although you hardly see them) and they can cause extremely annoying itching.
• Fortunately, mosquito repellent also helps against these biting flies.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Taiwan?

• DEET products are available at major chains such as Watsons, Cosmed, and some 7-Eleven or FamilyMart stores. These are usually formulas with around 10-15% DEET and are not always effective.
• Specialist outdoor stores sometimes have products with higher concentrations of DEET (20-30%) or picaridin.
• When you want to be sure of a strong spray, or have your own preferred product, it is best to prepare ahead of your arrival to Taiwan.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Taiwan, or take it with you to Taiwan?

• Cannabis is very illegal, it is considered a type 2 narcotic and there are severe penalties for possessing, using, selling or growing cannabis!
• Taiwan is very conservative and the law regarding cannabis is strictly enforced.
• Medical cannabis is also strictly regulated and taking it to Taiwan - you better not try that.