How Safe is Taiwan?

The simple answer is: Very safe. Taiwan is one of the safest destinations in the world for Western tourists. Taiwanese people hold no political or religious grudges against North Americans, Europeans, or people from Hong Kong or Singapore. Standards of hygiene are decent: Unless you’ve an unusually delicate stomach, you’ll be able to enjoy the street food and you can brush your teeth with tap water. (That said, the majority of local people drink either bottled mineral water or tap water that’s been boiled — and we recommend you do the same.)

Taiwanese society is affluent; adjusted for purchasing power, in 2025 the country’s per capita GDP ranked in the world’s top 15. What’s more, wealth disparities aren’t extreme, so crimes of desperation are rare. Nonetheless it pays to take precautions against pickpockets when in a crowd (at a festival, say), and to exercise caution when crossing roads. Roads throughout Taiwan are well maintained and usually clearly-signposted in English as well as Chinese, but it’s usually better to hire an experienced local driver-guide if you plan to spend a lot of time in the mountains.

Beyond the island’s major attractions, non-Asian tourists are still relatively rare, so local people are always helpful and welcoming. Unlike some other places in Asia, foreign visitors are seen as honored guests. Price gouging is almost unknown, and if you leave something valuable in a restaurant or a taxi, there’s an excellent chance you’ll get it back.

Tour Enquiries

For more information on tours of Taiwan and our services please feel free to contact us by email: contact@lifeoftaiwan.com