Health
Taiwan has very good healthcare services and facilities with state of the art medical equipment in many hospitals and clinics. Doctors are well trained and many have studied in the United States and speak English. Doctors and hospitals in Taiwan expect immediate cash payment for health services, although some private clinics may accept credit cards.
It is recommended that travelers to Taiwan purchase travel health insurance before the trip.
Medical (as well as fire) emergency phone number in Taiwan is 119.
Tap water in Taiwan should not be used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice without boiling or sterilizing first. Note that there are water fountains available in the cities that have necessary water filters already incorporated and water from them can be used for drinking. In the city of Kaohsiung, due to possible chemical contamination, tap water should not be used for drinking, even after boiling.
Milk sold in Taiwan is normally not pasteurized and should be boiled before drinking. Note that some dairy products may be made with unpasteurised milk.
Meat, fish and vegetables should be cooked and fruits peeled before consumption.
Safety
The overall violent crime rate in Taiwan is low and the country is considered very safe for tourists. Pickpocketing is a known problem, particularly in crowded areas such as night markets or festivals. Incidents of purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles have also been reported.
Travelers should use common sense precautions and keep a photocopy of their passport, other identification and credit cards in a safe place. Women are advised not to travel alone in taxis late at night.
Travelers should also avoid high crime areas, namely areas where massage parlors, barbershops, and nightclubs operate as covers for prostitution and are often run by criminals.
Police emergency phone number in Taiwan is 110.
Travelers should be aware of Taiwan's natural hazards. Typhoons are common during the summer months and early fall, especially on the East Coast. Heavy rainfalls brought by typhoons may cause landslides or falling rocks in the mountains.
Taiwan is also located in the earthquake zone. Earthquakes occur pretty often, although most of them are weak and don't cause damages.
