Good to Know
Good to know about Sanya
Short and to the point — everything worth knowing before your trip to Hainan.
Visa
Travellers from 59 countries enjoy visa-free entry to Hainan for up to 30 days for tourism and leisure. You need a passport valid for at least six months and a return ticket; entry is by direct flight. The period is counted from 00:00 the day after arrival. We will help check your documents in advance.
Best season
The ideal time is November to April: warm, dry and sunny, a comfortable +24…+29 °C by day, with a sea pleasant for swimming. Summer (June–October) is hot and humid, the rainy season, with possible downpours and typhoons. In winter, Sanya is one of the few truly beach-ready places in Asia.
Flights
You arrive at Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX), within the city. The resort bays are close: Dadonghai is 20–25 minutes, Sanya Bay 15–20, Yalong 25–30 and Haitang 40–45 minutes by car. We meet you at the exit and drive you to your hotel.
Money
The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY, ¥). Cash is handy for markets and small purchases, but in China payment by phone is everywhere — WeChat Pay and Alipay, to which a foreign card can be linked. It is best to prepare yuan and a payment wallet in advance.
Connectivity and internet
Wi-Fi is available in hotels, cafés and shopping centres. For internet on the move, an eSIM bought in advance is the most convenient. Note the "Chinese firewall": some Western services may not open on the local internet without a VPN. We will advise on what to set up before departure.
Language and welcome
English is spoken only to a limited extent in Sanya, but in Dadonghai there are many signs and menus in Russian. With us, language is no obstacle: we meet you, check you in, accompany you and resolve any issue in your language at every stage of the trip.
Climate month by month
November to February is the most comfortable period: +24…+27 °C, little rain, low humidity. March to April warms to +28…+30 °C and stays dry. May to October is hot and humid, the rains arrive and typhoons are possible. The water is warm all year round — around +24…+29 °C.
Sanya beaches
Yalong Bay is the benchmark: soft white sand, clear water, a gentle entry, quiet and top-tier hotels. Dadonghai is the most convenient city beach, with everything close by. Sanya Bay is a long "coconut" waterfront with superb sunsets. Haitang is the new, spacious district by the duty-free and Atlantis.
Getting around the island
Within the districts it is easy to walk and take taxis. The most reliable option is the Didi app (similar to Uber): the price is fixed in advance, with no haggling. In ordinary taxis, ask for the meter. High-speed trains run between the island’s cities. We can take on all transfers for you.
Food and dining
Hainanese cuisine is light and fresh: seafood, Wenchang chicken, tropical fruit, rice and soups. In Dadonghai there are many restaurants with menus in your language. Spicy dishes can usually be made "milder". We will recommend trusted spots — from seafood to European cuisine.
Hainan duty-free
Hainan is a special duty-free zone. You can shop duty-free up to 100,000 ¥ per person per year (from age 18), with no limit on the number of purchases; goods are collected on departure from the island. The largest complex is by Haitang Bay: hundreds of global brands. Bring your passport and boarding pass.
What to bring
The sun is strong all year round — SPF cream, a hat and sunglasses are essential. Light clothing, a swimsuit, comfortable shoes are useful, and a light layer for the evening (the air conditioning is powerful). Bring a first-aid kit and a plug adapter (type A/I, 220 V). It is best to prepare yuan and a payment wallet at home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Sanya?+
No — travellers from 59 countries enjoy visa-free entry to Hainan for up to 30 days for tourism and leisure. You need a passport (valid for at least 6 months), a return ticket and a direct flight to the island. We will help check everything in advance.
When is the best time to go?+
The best season is November to April: warm, dry, sunny, +24…+29 °C and a pleasant sea. Summer is hot and humid, with rains and possible typhoons. If you want perfect weather, choose the winter and spring months.
Which bay should I choose to stay in?+
Yalong — for a calm, premium escape on the finest beaches. Dadonghai — if you want everything close by and in your language. Sanya Bay — a balance of price and location, with a long waterfront. Haitang — the new district by the duty-free and Atlantis. We will help you choose for your trip.
How long is the flight and how do I reach the hotel?+
Direct flights arrive at Sanya Phoenix Airport (SYX), within the city. The bays are 15 to 45 minutes away by car. We meet you at the exit with a sign, help with your luggage and drive you to the hotel with no changes.
What money should I bring and how do I pay?+
The currency is the Chinese yuan. Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay in advance — a foreign card can be linked to them — and bring some cash in yuan. In China, people pay by phone almost everywhere. We will advise where it is convenient to exchange currency.
Will there be internet and connectivity?+
Wi-Fi is available in hotels, cafés and shopping centres. For mobile internet, an eSIM bought before the trip is more convenient. Note that some Western services may not open on the local internet without a VPN — we will advise on what to set up in advance.
What language is spoken? Will there be support in my language?+
English is spoken only to a limited extent in Sanya, while Russian is common in Dadonghai (signs, menus, staff). With us, language is no obstacle at all: welcome, check-in and resolving any issue — in your language, 24/7.
What is there to see and do in Sanya?+
Beaches and the sea, Nanshan Park with the giant Guanyin statue, the "Edge of the Earth" cultural park, the tropical Wuzhizhou Island, hot springs, the Atlantis water park and aquarium, duty-free shopping and seafood. We will build a programme around your pace and interests.
Is Sanya safe?+
Yes — Sanya is a calm, comfortable resort with low crime and familiar tourist infrastructure. Sensible care with your valuables and the sun is all it takes. And our 24/7 support is close by for any question.
Is Sanya suitable for a holiday with children?+
It is excellent: a gentle entry into the sea, soft sand, warm water, the Atlantis water park and aquarium, and kids’ clubs at the hotels. We will choose a hotel with the right facilities, arrange a convenient transfer and help with everything on the ground.
Will you cater for dietary needs — halal, vegetarian, allergies?+
Yes. Sanya has halal and vegetarian venues, and hotels are accommodating with diets and allergies. Let us know your needs in advance — we will choose restaurants and a hotel with a suitable menu.
What excursions can you arrange?+
Any: island sightseeing, nature parks and islands, sea cruises, hot springs, food and duty-free shopping tours. We travel with support in your language and a comfortable transfer — and will build the route around your dates.
Can I combine a holiday with treatment?+
Yes. Alongside the holiday, we have a dedicated Mango Health stream: diagnostics, wellness and treatment at clinics in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Zone through MedBridge, with full support in your language.
How does Hainan duty-free work?+
You can shop duty-free up to 100,000 ¥ per person per year (from age 18), with no limit on the number of purchases; goods are collected on departure from the island. The largest complex is by Haitang Bay. Bring your passport and boarding pass — we will explain how to make a purchase.
What is the best way to get around the city?+
Within the districts, walking and taxis are convenient. The most reliable option is the Didi app: the price is fixed in advance, with no haggling. In an ordinary taxi, ask for the meter. High-speed trains run between the island’s cities. We can take on transfers and outings entirely.
Do I need insurance?+
We strongly recommend taking out travel medical insurance — it is peace of mind for the whole holiday. We will help you weigh the options and point out what to look for specifically for a trip to Hainan.
What about the transfer and welcome on arrival?+
We meet you at the airport exit with a sign, help with your luggage and drive you to the hotel in a vehicle sized to your group. The return transfer for your flight is on us too. No hunting for a taxi or haggling in an unfamiliar language.
How do payment, cancellation and refunds work?+
The terms depend on the hotel and rate you choose — each has its own booking and cancellation rules. We talk everything through in advance and set it down in writing, so there are no surprises. Where possible, we will find options with flexible cancellation terms.