Your stay — Backpacker's Home
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Seogwipo.
The Property — Backpacker's Home
Backpacker’s Home is a no-frills, social hostel near Seogwipo’s central market, with communal kitchens and common areas that encourage guest mingling. The lobby smells of instant coffee and hiking boots, and walls are plastered with bus timetables and dive-centre flyers. It suits solo travellers and young groups who want budget beds, meet other backpackers, and spend their days exploring Hallasan or the Olle trails rather than lounging in a hotel. The USP is location: a five-minute walk to the Jeongbang Waterfall and a short bus ride to the southern coast’s best swimming spots.
Chronicles of Seogwipo
Seogwipo was a small fishing village until Jeju’s tourism boom began in the 1960s, spurred by the island’s designation as a special autonomous province in 2006. The city’s architectural landscape is low-rise and functional, dominated by concrete blocks from the 1970s-1990s and recent glass-fronted resorts along the harbour. Culturally, Seogwipo is the counterweight to Jeju City’s neon bustle: it’s slower, more agricultural, and known for its haenyeo (female free-divers) and tangerine orchards. Contemporary identity hinges on the Jeju Olle Trail, which funnels walkers through the city’s coastal cliffs and volcanic craters, and on a thriving café scene that repurposes old stone houses. The city remains proudly local, with signs often appearing only in Korean and Chinese, reflecting its importance as a domestic and now international tourism hub.
Best Time to Visit
Full Seogwipo guide →Best months
April to June and September to October: mild temperatures (15-25°C), low humidity, fewer typhoon risks, and fewer crowds than midsummer.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays drive families from mainland Korea and China; hotel prices double or triple; the summer monsoon brings heavy rain and high humidity, but beaches are packed. The Seogwipo Chilseonnyeo Festival (July) and Seogwipo Port Festival (August) add to the crowds.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer lower humidity and good hiking weather; hotel rates drop 30-50% from July peaks. Late September to early November has crisp autumn air and tangerine harvest events.
Weather & packing
Jeju’s weather is notoriously fickle—sunshine can switch to a sudden downpour within minutes, especially in the southern coast’s microclimate. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a dry-bag for your phone and passport; leave the umbrella, as the wind will snap it.
Live City Briefing — Seogwipo
- The Seogwipo City Tourism Authority launched a free shuttle bus in March 2026 connecting the central market with the Seogwipo Port Terminal and the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall area, running every 20 minutes until October.
- A new pedestrian bridge over the Saekdalcheon Stream opened in late 2025, linking the Jungmun resort complex to the beach trail, reducing walk times from 25 to 10 minutes.
- Due to ongoing coastal erosion, the trail section between Jeongbang Waterfall and Seogwipo Harbour has been partially rerouted inland; download the updated Olle Trail map from the visitors’ centre before setting out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Backpacker's Home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (towards the rear of the building). These upper floors avoid ground-level street noise and the rear aspect is quieter than the front, which faces Seogwipo's traffic. The 4th floor is the highest and typically has less footfall overhead.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (room numbers starting with 1) and any room facing the front entrance or main street. Ground level picks up reception noise, lobby chatter, and early morning check-out clatter. Front-facing rooms suffer from constant traffic rumble from Seogwipo's ring road, especially during peak hours (7am-9am, 5pm-7pm).
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on the 4th floor overlook the neighbouring residential area and Mount Halla's lower slopes on clear days. Front-facing rooms give a view of the main road and commercial buildings — not worth the noise trade-off.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors — furthest from street level and lift activity. The 2nd floor can be acceptable but is more exposed to lobby noise if the hotel has an open atrium design.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Seogwipo's main ring road is the dominant sound. Reports of occasional late-night traffic from delivery trucks. The hotel has no soundproofed windows (common for 3-star in this price bracket). Earplugs recommended for light sleepers. Lift dings on every floor may penetrate thin walls.
Insider tips
1. Park in the hotel's free off-street lot at the rear — it's safer and quieter than the front-side parking. 2. Check in after 3pm to request a rear-facing room when the desk can still allocate; morning arrivals often get whatever's left. If you're driving, note that Seogwipo's narrow streets make the hotel entrance easy to miss — look for the yellow sign about 50m after the GS25 convenience store.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Backpacker's Home
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 10 Mbps, no login required
No lift – stairs only to all floors
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building is a converted 1990s boarding house
Check-in 15:00–22:00; early bag drop from 10:00 free; late check-out until 12:00 costs 5,000 KRW, after 12:00 charged half day rate
Free storage before check-in and after check-out during reception hours (08:00–22:00)
Step-free access only via a single stair at entrance; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; no adapted bathroom
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Seogwipo Public Parking lot (50 m away) at 1,000 KRW for 2 hours, then 500 KRW per additional hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit; a refundable card hold of 10,000 KRW for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: 서귀포성당 (322 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 구룡사 (415 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 황룡사 (583 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 극락사 (771 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
제석공원 — 535 m · ~7 min walk
이중섭미술관 — 341 m · ~4 min walk
서귀포관광극장 — 279 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 199 m · ~2 min walk
늘푸른약국 — 194 m · ~2 min walk
CU 서귀포태평로점 — 189 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South Korean Won, KRW
Use ATMs at convenience stores or banks for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange counters which give poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but have some cash for small street stalls and markets.
Tipping is not customary in Korea; do not tip in restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular americano at a local cafe costs around 4,500 KRW; instant coffee from convenience stores is about 1,000 KRW.
A bowl of bibimbap or a set meal at a local restaurant costs about 8,000-10,000 KRW.
A main dish like pork belly or a stew at a budget eatery runs around 12,000-15,000 KRW.
Seogwipo's daily Olle Market has stalls for tteokbokki, hotteok, and fish cakes — meals for 5,000-8,000 KRW.
Emart Everyday and GS25 are common budget chains in Seogwipo for groceries.
For affordable clothing, try the Seogwipo traditional market area or chain stores like SPAO on main streets.
A single bus ride costs 1,200 KRW with a T-money card; from Jeju Airport, take the 600 express bus (about 10,000 KRW) or the cheaper red bus (5,500 KRW) to Seogwipo.
Buy a T-money card for discounted bus fares; eat at local markets rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; visit free natural sights like Cheonjiyeon Falls walking trail.
Good to know — Seogwipo
Type C/F · 220V
safe
$1 ≈ ₩1478.63 · KRW
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Seogwipo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Backpacker's Home
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 199 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · 늘푸른약국 — 194 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Seogwipo Jungang Rotary → Seogwipo Daily Market / Local attractions
💡 These loops cover most Seogwipo sights. Tap with T-money card; buses have next-stop displays in English. Avoid rush hour (08:00-09:00, 18:00-19:00) when packed.
Seogwipo Bus Terminal → Jeju City Bus Terminal
💡 Buy ticket at counter or use cash. Express buses (red) are faster than blue. The terminal is a 15-min walk or short bus ride from the homestay. Useful for day trips to Jeju City attractions.
Jeju International Airport → Gojeonghwa halmang Homestay, Seogwipo
💡 Use the airport taxi queue, not ride-hail apps. Drivers may not know the homestay name—show Naver map pin for Gojeonghwa halmangminbak (고정화할망민박) in Korean.
Jeju International Airport → Seogwipo Jungang Rotary (walk 5 mins to homestay)
💡 Get off at Jungang Rotary stop. The homestay is a short walk east on Ilju-ro. Sit on the left for sea views past Oedolgae.
About Seogwipo
Wikipedia ↗
Seogwipo (Korean: 서귀포; Korean pronunciation: [sʌ.ɡwi.pʰo]) is a resort city and the second of the two cities on Jeju Island, covering the southern half of the Jeju Province in South Korea. Settled on a rocky volcanic coastline, it has a population of 180,909 as of 2024. It has a UNESCO World Heritag...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Backpacker's Home?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (towards the rear of the building). These upper floors avoid ground-level street noise and the rear aspect is quieter than the front, which faces Seogwipo's traffic. The 4th floor is the highest and typically has less footfall overhead.
Which rooms should I avoid at Backpacker's Home?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (room numbers starting with 1) and any room facing the front entrance or main street. Ground level picks up reception noise, lobby chatter, and early morning check-out clatter. Front-facing rooms suffer from constant traffic rumble from Seogwipo's ring road, especially during peak hours (7am-9am, 5pm-7pm).
Is Backpacker's Home noisy?
Street noise from Seogwipo's main ring road is the dominant sound. Reports of occasional late-night traffic from delivery trucks. The hotel has no soundproofed windows (common for 3-star in this price bracket). Earplugs recommended for light sleepers. Lift dings on every floor may penetrate thin walls.
Which rooms have the best views at Backpacker's Home?
Rear-facing rooms on the 4th floor overlook the neighbouring residential area and Mount Halla's lower slopes on clear days. Front-facing rooms give a view of the main road and commercial buildings — not worth the noise trade-off.
What are insider tips for staying at Backpacker's Home?
1. Park in the hotel's free off-street lot at the rear — it's safer and quieter than the front-side parking. 2. Check in after 3pm to request a rear-facing room when the desk can still allocate; morning arrivals often get whatever's left. If you're driving, note that Seogwipo's narrow streets make the hotel entrance easy to miss — look for the yellow sign about 50m after the GS25 convenience store.
What time is check-in at Backpacker's Home?
Check-in at Backpacker's Home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Backpacker's Home have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 10 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Backpacker's Home?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Backpacker's Home?
A bowl of bibimbap or a set meal at a local restaurant costs about 8,000-10,000 KRW.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Backpacker's Home?
A single bus ride costs 1,200 KRW with a T-money card; from Jeju Airport, take the 600 express bus (about 10,000 KRW) or the cheaper red bus (5,500 KRW) to Seogwipo.
When is the best time to visit Seogwipo?
April to June and September to October: mild temperatures (15-25°C), low humidity, fewer typhoon risks, and fewer crowds than midsummer.
Top Attractions in Seogwipo
💡 Try the abalone porridge at a side alley stall; it's filling and under 10,000 won.
💡 Pop into the Lee Jung Seop Gallery (free entry) to see his original wartime paintings.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the hill near the south end for sunset over the coast.
💡 Walk to the far tip for a clear view of the Songak-san crater; no shade, so take a hat.
💡 Go early morning to avoid crowds and catch the light hitting the lower falls.