Vamos a Jeju!

The Vamos a Jeju Podcast!
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Vamos a Jeju is your hub to help DIY travelers discover the rich culture, serene peace, and natural beauty of Korea's Jeju Island. It's all the magnificent vistas that Hawaii has to offer, but set in an entirely different and exciting culture, all at a fraction of the price. Come join us and unlock: the intrepid sea women who dive for seafood sans breathing aids;the ancient stories still spun by the island's shamanistic practices;the majestic landscape of fire and stone carved by magma;the breathtaking majesty of the island's hidden places. Welcome to our island home!

  1. Plan Your Jeju Trip With This Free Planner!

    3d ago ·  Bonus

    Plan Your Jeju Trip With This Free Planner!

    Ed and Sora announce a free trip planner app they built to help DIY travelers organize Jeju itineraries. The app features 50+ activities, from popular Instagram spots to slow traveler experiences, with KakaoMap links for each destination. Ed confesses the real reason he built it: his entire family is going to Jeju for Christmas and he needed a way to get everyone on the same page. Sora tries to get Ed to build one for New York too. He declines. Key TakeawaysWhat the Trip Planner does:50+ activities to browse and add to a wishlistOrganize activities across 1-5 day itineraries with time slotsWarns you if activities are in opposite regions (east vs. west) to avoid wasting time driving around HallasanFlags seasonal activities (cherry blossoms in April, tangerine picking Nov-Jan) if they don't match your travel monthSends your completed itinerary to your email with KakaoMap links and additional info for each activityHelps visualize where activities are clustered so you can decide where to book hotelsWhat the Trip Planner does NOT do:Not a booking serviceNot based on crowd-sourced reviews; activities are curated based on Ed and Sora's personal experienceDoes not include every possible option in a category (e.g., not every green tea farm in Jeju, just the ones they've been to)Who it's for:DIY travelers who need to research and plan independentlyTour participants who want to compare what tour companies offer against what they actually want to doAccess: vamosajeju.com/tripNext StepsTry the Trip Planner at vamosajeju.com/tripSubscribe to our YouTube channel @vamosajeju

    13 min
  2. Ep 16: Local 5 Day Markets | Hidden Jeju

    6d ago

    Ep 16: Local 5 Day Markets | Hidden Jeju

    Ed champions the five-day markets (오일장) as the antidote to touristy Dongmun and Olle markets — fresh produce, fair prices, no crowds, and an authentic window into local Jeju life. Sora explains how these rotating markets date back to the Goryeo dynasty, with vendors traveling between villages on a 5-day cycle (dates ending in 2 and 7, or 3 and 8, etc.). Their favorites: Sehwa (near Haenyeo Museum, statue commemorating anti-Japanese resistance)Seongsan (shooting location for Our Blues)Hallim (famous gimbap lady with a waiting list) Seogwipo (lots of food options). Check dates before you go — they're only open one day then gone for four. TakeawaysFive-day markets (오일장): Rotate on fixed dates (e.g., 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, 27th of each month)Much more authentic than touristy Dongmun/Olle markets — fresh produce, local vendors, fair pricesVendors are mostly grandmas/grandpas; arrive early (6-7am), leave by 3-4pm regardless of official hoursSehwa Market: Near Haenyeo Museum, statue commemorating anti-Japanese resistance — combine with museum visitHallim Market: Sora's favorite; famous gimbap lady (book first, stroll for an hour, then pick up)Seogwipo Market: Watch grandmas bargaining in Jeju dialect; sit and eat while observing local lifeGoseong Market: Near Seongsan, small, K-drama "Our Blues" filming location Must-try foods: 빈떡 (bintteok, Jeju-only buckwheat crepes)꽈배기 (kkwabaegi, twisted donuts)호떡 (hotteok)떡볶이 (tteokbokki)순대 (sundae, blood sausage — not ice cream!)뻥튀기 (ppong-twigi, puffed rice discs)짜장면 (jajangmyeon) Handy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)Review of previous phrases for market use: 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?) — How much is this?이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) — Please give me this감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) — Thank you맛있어요 (mashisseoyo) — It's delicious안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) — Goodbye (to someone staying) Sora's tip: Get straight to the point, but always say 감사합니다, 안녕히 계세요 when leaving. Next StepsFive-day market guide: vamosajeju.com/market14-part DIY Jeju email series: vamosajeju.com/startFollow: @vamosajeju on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

    26 min
  3. Ep 15: Cherry Blossoms and More! | Hidden Jeju

    May 18

    Ep 15: Cherry Blossoms and More! | Hidden Jeju

    Ed and Sora cover cherry blossom season in Jeju, a great alternative to fighting crowds in Japan. Jeju has its own endemic species — the King Cherry Blossom (왕벚꽃) — discovered in the early 1900s and native only to Jeju. They share five spots: Jeonnongro Street (tunnel effect, murals as consolation prize)Noksan-ro (canola flowers + windmills + cherry blossoms triple threat)Jeju National University campus (local picnic vibe, cheap restaurants nearby)Samseong-hyeol (traditional architecture, paid entry ~4,000 won)Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (open until 10pm for night viewing). Cherry blossoms bloom late March to mid-April but can end abruptly with rain.TakeawaysJeju's King Cherry Blossom (왕벚꽃) is endemic to Jeju — different species from Japan and mainland KoreaSeason: Late March to early-April; can end abruptly with rain/windCanola flowers (yellow): February to April/May — longer season, good consolation prizeJeonnongro Street: Near Jeju City, cherry blossom tunnel effect, 100+ murals, cafes — 3-4 hour visitGasiri Noksan-ro: Southeast, 1 hour from city, triple combo of cherry blossoms + canola flowers + windmills; need rental car; nearby: Folk Village, Snoopy GardenJeju National University: Local picnic spot, cheap restaurants nearby; consolation: Gwaneumsa Temple (Attorney Woo filming location), Crash Landing on You forest sceneSamseong-hyeol: Downtown Jeju near City Hall, traditional architecture, ~4,000 won entry; nearby: Noodle Street (국수거리) for gogi guksuCheonjiyeon Waterfall: Seogwipo, open until 10pm for night cherry blossom viewing, ~2,000 won entryHandy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)벚꽃 (beotkkot) = cherry blossom Describing beauty: 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) — pretty (for flowers, women, things)잘생겼다 (jalsaenggyeotta) — handsome (for men only)멋있다 (meositta) — cool/impressive (for mountains, scenery, men)Next StepsSign up for the 14-part email series at vamosajeju.com/startFollow: @vamosajeju on Instagram, TikTok, FacebookVisit vamosajeju.com for articles, videos, and resources

    24 min
  4. Ep 14: Green Tea on the Green Island | Hidden Jeju

    May 11

    Ep 14: Green Tea on the Green Island | Hidden Jeju

    Ed and Sora kick off the "Hidden Jeju" series with green tea. Despite being coffee people (Sora quotes the Korean phrase 얼죽아 — "I'd freeze to death before giving up iced Americano"), they've grown to appreciate Jeju's tea culture. Jeju's volcanic soil, clean filtered water, and humid climate make it ideal for tea cultivation, now rivaling Japan's famous Uji region. They discuss the difference between green tea (brewed leaves) and matcha (ground whole leaf), and recommend several tea plantations: Osulloc (biggest, but crowded — go early)Seogwi Dawon (small, 80-year-old grandma serves tea, no tour groups)Orteas (reservation-only tea ceremony)Onulun (lava cave underneath, green tea foot bath).TakeawaysJeju tea rivals Japan's Uji region; volcanic soil, filtered water, and humid climate are ideal for cultivation말차 (malcha) = matcha in Korean; 녹차 (nokcha) = green teaMatcha = ground whole leaf (more caffeine, more nutrients); green tea = brewed extractHarvest season: April-June; early harvest (April) is smoother and more expensive; June harvest is strongerOsulloc Tea Museum: Biggest, free entry, beautiful fields — but crowded (tour buses, food court vibe); go early morningSeogwi Dawon: Small, tranquil, 80-year-old grandma owner, 5,000 won entry includes 2 teas, views of Hallasan peak, no large tour groupsOrteas: Reservation-only, Airbnb experience, 4-tea ceremony (green, black, hojicha, matcha) — no random touristsOnulun Green Tea House: Lava cave underneath tea fields, green tea foot bath (~$10)Aewol area: Matcha bingsu, matcha ice cream, croiffle  Handy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)마실래요 (mashillaeyo) = Would you like to drink? / I would like to drink 뭐 마실래요? (mwo mashillaeyo?) — What would you like to drink?말차 마실래요 (malcha mashillaeyo) — I'd like to drink matcha녹차 마실래요 (nokcha mashillaeyo) — I'd like to drink green tea Tea vocabulary: 녹차 (nokcha) — green tea말차 (malcha) — matcha홍차 (hongcha) — black tea생강차 (saenggang-cha) — ginger tea유자차 (yuja-cha) — citron tea한라봉차 (hallabong-cha) — Hallabong tangerine teaNext StepsGreen tea blog post: vamosajeju.com/tea14-part DIY Jeju email series: vamosajeju.com/startFollow: @vamosajeju on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

    24 min
  5. Ep 13: Should You Rent a Car on Jeju? | DIY Jeju

    May 4

    Ep 13: Should You Rent a Car on Jeju? | DIY Jeju

    Ed opens with his "criminal history" — killing a rental car in Japan by putting diesel in a gasoline engine. Lesson learned: green pump = diesel, yellow pump = gasoline (same in Korea). This leads into a nuanced discussion of whether DIY travelers should rent a car. The verdict: rent if you have 3-5 days and want flexibility or off-the-beaten-path destinations (west coast, tangerine farms, green tea fields); skip if you're a novice driver, staying only in Jeju City, or have just 2 days. They cover the rental process, GPS language settings, self-service gas stations, parking, and the dreaded 30 km/h school zone speed traps that can rack up 120,000 won ($90) fines. TakeawaysGreen pump = diesel, yellow pump = gasoline (same across Korea and Japan)Rent a car if: 3-5 days, want flexibility, visiting off-the-beaten-path places (west coast, tangerine farms, green tea fields, Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road)Skip the car if: novice driver, staying only in Jeju City, just 2 days, uncomfortable with night driving (no lights on mid-mountain roads, hairpin turns)Need international driver's license; not all companies rent to foreigners — check for English websiteLotte Rent-a-Car and SK Rent-a-Car work with foreigners; price includes collision damage waiver and roadside assistanceAt airport: follow signs to rental car shuttle bus → office → complete paperwork → get carAsk staff to change GPS language to English before leaving the lotSelf-service gas stations (셀프) are slightly cheaper; kiosks often have EnglishParking free outside Jeju City and Seogwipo; paid parking auto-calculated via transponder and billed to rental companySpeed traps everywhere near schools: 30 km/h zones for children, 50 km/h for elderly areasSpeeding ticket = 120,000 won (~$90) per violation — can rack up multiple fines in one driveTickets billed to your credit card through rental company even after you leave KoreaNo freeways on Jeju; Hallasan blocks direct routes — trips take longer than expected Handy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)Gas station phrases — attendant is called 사장님 (sajangnim) 가득요 (gadeugyo) — Fill it up (or just say "full")5만원요 (oman-won-yo) — 50,000 won worth카드 (kadeu) — Card현금 (hyeongeum) — Cash Note: 카드 (card) and 가득 (full) sound similar — pronunciation matters! Next StepsSign up for the 14-part email series at vamosajeju.com/startFollow: @vamosajeju on Instagram, TikTok, FacebookVisit vamosajeju.com for articles, videos, and resources

    24 min
  6. Ep 12: Getting Around Jeju on Buses and Taxis| DIY Jeju

    Apr 27

    Ep 12: Getting Around Jeju on Buses and Taxis| DIY Jeju

    Ed and Sora tackle public transportation for DIY travelers. Sora admits she doesn't take buses because she's "very Korean" and impatient — buses to small villages come only once per hour. Ed shares a story about Chinese tourists stranded in Seongsan after 10pm when buses stopped running. They cover bus colors (red = express, blue = regular, green = village), the T-Money card system, transfer rules, and the new option for tourists to use contactless payments on Jeju buses. For taxis, Uber now works in Korea but summons real taxis due to the strong taxi union. TakeawaysBuses stop early (9-9:30pm) in tourist areas; check Jeju bus website for schedules, not just map appsBus colors: Red = express (~$3), Blue = regular (~$1), Green = village (infrequent)T-Money card works everywhere; tap out for free transfers (40 min window, up to 2 more buses)Buy T-Money at convenience stores (3,000-4,000 won); most buses don't accept cashTourists can now use contactless Visa/MasterCard and Apple Pay on Jeju buses (not mainland Korea)Large luggage: use airport limousine bus or taxi; some blue buses have luggage baysUber calls real taxis in Korea (same app, same payment method from home)Red taxi light = empty, green = occupied (counterintuitive!)Have your destination address in Korean on your phone for taxi driversKakao Map recommended over Naver Map for restaurant reviews (fewer fakes)Handy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)가요 (gayo) = Go / Going — raise intonation to make it a question 공항 가요? (gonghang gayo?) — Does this go to the airport?성산일출봉 가요? (Seongsan Ilchulbong gayo?) — Does this go to Seongsan?안 가요 (an gayo) — No, it doesn't go돼요 (dwaeyo) = Is it possible? 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) — Can I pay by card?Next Steps1.    Read the blogpost on taking buses on Jeju at vamosajeju.com/bus. Sign up for the 14-part email series at vamosajeju.com/start 2.    Visit vamosajeju.com for articles, videos, and resources

    27 min
  7. Ep 11: Where to Stay in Jeju | DIY Jeju

    Apr 20

    Ep 11: Where to Stay in Jeju | DIY Jeju

    From $25 cockroach motels to five-star Hyatts, this episode covers the full spectrum of Jeju accommodations. Ed and Soraya break down where to stay (Jeju City for convenience, Seogwipo for tranquility, beach towns or mid-mountain for authenticity) and the types of lodging available: hostels, motels/hotels, pensions, minbak (민박, traditional room rentals), hotels, temple stays, yoga/wellness retreats, and camping cars. Ed gives a primer on Korean "wet bathrooms"—where the entire bathroom is designed to get wet when you shower. The episode includes practical advice on choosing locations based on trip length and whether you're willing to pack/unpack daily. TakeawaysWhere to Stay — By Region •      Jeju City (North): Busiest area, airport, cruise port, everything you need. Best for short trips (3-4 days). •      Seogwipo City (South): Second-largest city, more tranquil, beautiful beaches nearby. •      Beach towns / Mid-mountain: For authentic Jeju experience. East and west coasts, or forest areas near Hallasan. •      With a rental car: Circle the island—one night each in north, east, south, west. •      Jeju City has two areas: Old Town (older buildings, less crowded, nice atmosphere) and New Jeju (high-rises, more restaurants/cafes/shops, like Seoul).   Types of Accommodation •      Hostel: ~$20/night for a bed •      Motel (모텔): ~$25-40/night, budget option, often no parking. Also called "love hotels" (러브호텔)—used for privacy/one-night stays. •      Pension (펜션): Like Airbnb with nice views (beach/forest), includes kitchen for cooking. •      Minbak (민박): Room in a local's home. Look for signs on houses. •      Hotels: Range from ~$40-50 to luxury. •      Temple stay: Sleep in a Buddhist temple. •      Yoga/wellness retreats: ~$150/night, includes yoga classes, meditation, tea time. •      Camping car (RV): $100-200/day (plus gas). Limited regulation—can park near ocean in most places.   Korean "Wet Bathroom" Survival Guide •      Entire bathroom gets wet when you shower—no glass partition or curtain •      Outlets have flip covers; toilet paper has partial cover •      Bathroom slippers required •      Single faucet switches between sink and shower—remember to switch back or get surprise-soaked •      Only small hand towels provided—bring your own large towel if needed   Handy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)어디에요? (eodieyo?) — "Where is ___?" •      Structure: [noun] + 어디에요?   Examples: •      스타벅스 어디에요? (Starbucks eodieyo?) = "Where is Starbucks?" •      화장실 어디에요? (hwajangsil eodieyo?) = "Where is the bathroom?"   Next Steps1.    Sign up for the 14-part email series at vamosajeju.com/start 2.    Visit vamosajeju.com for articles, videos, and resources

    22 min
  8. Ep 10: Budgeting For Your Jeju Trip | DIY Jeju

    Apr 13

    Ep 10: Budgeting For Your Jeju Trip | DIY Jeju

    How much does a trip to Jeju actually cost? This episode breaks down every budget category and covers practical flight tips for visitors. TakeawaysFlights (Seoul/Busan → Jeju) •        Price range: $15-70 one-way •        Cheapest: Mid-week, early morning or late evening flights •        Baggage: Mainline carriers allow 20kg checked baggage, but only 15kg for LCCs. All allow 10kg carry-on •        Visitors: No mobile boarding pass, need to check in at airport •        Power banks: Must be declared and tagged •        Liquids: Allowed on domestic flights. Lodging •        Hostel: ~$20 •        Motel (Private room): ~$30 •        3-star hotel: $80-100 •        Airbnb: Prices vary   Transportation •        Rental car: $100/day including insurance and roadside assistance •        Bus: ~$1 per ride •        Airport buses: ~$4 (goes to Jeju City, Seogwipo, Seongsan) •        Taxi: Within Jeju City is ~$10, to Seogwipo: ~$50 •        Tip: Use Uber app for real taxis Food & Drinks •        Convenience store meal: $3-4 •        Full restaurant meal: ~$7 (10,000 won) •        McDonald's combo: ~$7 •        Coffee (McDonalds/Mega/Compose): $1-2 •        Coffee (fancy cafe): $7-8 •        High-end/Michelin: $100+ per person Admission Fees •        Free: National museums, oreums (hiking), Hallasan (requires registration), Arboretum •        Government attractions: Usually under $5 •        Private attractions: Up to ~$10 •        Tangerine picking: ~$7 (10,000 won) Handy Korean with Sora Ssaem (쌤)Sino-Korean Numbers (for prices)   Basic numbers: •        1 = 일 (il), 2 = 이 (i), 3 = 삼 (sam), 4 = 사 (sa), 5 = 오 (o) •        100 = 백 (baek), 1,000 = 천 (cheon), 10,000 = 만 (man)   Key concept: Korean groups digits by 4 zeros (만 = 10,000), not 3 zeros like English   Examples: •        4,000원 = 사천원 (sacheon-won) •        50,000원 = 오만원 (oman-won) — think "five ten-thousands" not "fifty thousand"  Next Steps1.     Sign up for the 14-part email series at vamosajeju.com/start 2.     Visit vamosajeju.com for articles, videos, and resources

    26 min
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About

Vamos a Jeju is your hub to help DIY travelers discover the rich culture, serene peace, and natural beauty of Korea's Jeju Island. It's all the magnificent vistas that Hawaii has to offer, but set in an entirely different and exciting culture, all at a fraction of the price. Come join us and unlock: the intrepid sea women who dive for seafood sans breathing aids;the ancient stories still spun by the island's shamanistic practices;the majestic landscape of fire and stone carved by magma;the breathtaking majesty of the island's hidden places. Welcome to our island home!

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    The Vamos a Jeju Podcast!
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  • Episodes
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    © 2026 The Vamos a Jeju Podcast!
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