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Corea del Norte: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

  • General entry remains restricted; limited tourism is not a general reopening. Confirm authorisation before booking.
  • The UK advises against all but essential travel; arbitrary detention and limited consular access are serious risks.
  • Expect guided travel and cash payments; international cards and mobile payments cannot be relied on.

Entrada y visados

Entry is restricted and requires advance authorisation. British tourists need a visa and normally travel on an organised tour. Chinese ordinary-passport holders also need a visa or authorised sightseeing document in advance. Confirm current nationality, route and entry restrictions with the relevant embassy and authorised operator.

Validez del pasaporte: UK guidance: valid for the stay; confirm stricter nationality and transit requirements with the embassy.

En la frontera pueden pedir

  • Follow your authorised guide and the approved itinerary.
  • Register any foreign mobile phone at the border.

Aduana

  • Declare foreign currency. Importing or exporting North Korean won is illegal.
  • Religious, political or other media considered subversive may be confiscated and lead to detention.

Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, cs.mfa.gov.cn ↗, gov.uk ↗

Dinero

Se usa sobre todo efectivo. Las tarjetas se aceptan poco.

Apple Pay — no funciona · Google Pay — no funciona

Cajeros: There are no ATMs. Do not plan on obtaining cash after arrival.

  • Foreign visitors normally pay in euros, US dollars or Chinese yuan rather than won.
  • Bring enough permitted cash and confirm currency and denominations with your operator.

Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, travel.gc.ca ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

  • Political criticism and unsanctioned religious activity can lead to detention.
  • Do not photograph officials, guarded buildings or restricted sites without permission.

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

  • Movement is severely restricted; travel outside Pyongyang requires permission.
  • Your guide determines the permitted itinerary.

Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Cultura y ropa

Religión: Promoting other religions or beliefs can incur severe penalties.

Ropa: Ask your authorised operator about dress requirements for each visit.

Etiqueta

  • Treat images of current and former leaders with care.
  • Ask your guide before taking photographs.

Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗

Clima

Cold winters and summer rains. Flooding is a major risk in July–August; typhoons can affect travel in August–September.

Mes a mes
  • enero: Jan: severe winter cold
  • febrero: Feb: severe winter cold
  • marzo: Mar: check route-specific forecast
  • abril: Apr: check route-specific forecast
  • mayo: May: check route-specific forecast
  • junio: Jun: rainy season can begin late in month
  • julio: Jul: rainy season; flooding risk
  • agosto: Aug: heavy rain and typhoon risk
  • septiembre: Sep: typhoon risk
  • octubre: Oct: check route-specific forecast
  • noviembre: Nov: check route-specific forecast
  • diciembre: Dec: severe winter cold

Mejor temporada: Check whether travel is permitted before considering seasonal conditions.

Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: travel.state.gov ↗, travel.gc.ca ↗

Qué llevar

  • Approved travel documents and operator contacts
  • Permitted cash arranged before departure
  • Prescription medicines in original packaging

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

  • Religious or political material not cleared with your operator
  • GPS equipment without checking customs restrictions

Práctico

Enchufes: Confirm socket type and appliance voltage with your authorised operator.

Agua: Drink only bottled or boiled water; avoid ice.

Circulación: por la derecha

Móvil y eSIM: International SIM cards do not connect to local networks. Confirm any permitted communications arrangements before departure.

Salud: Health facilities are poor; serious illness or injury may require difficult evacuation.

Seguro: Confirm evacuation arrangements and cover despite government travel warnings.

Revisado el 30 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, cs.mfa.gov.cn ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.