Know The Legal Drinking Ages Of The Most Popular Vacay Destinations Before You Book
There are so many things to enjoy when you travel. You can spend your days sightseeing or relaxing, you can visit popular tourist destinations or veer off the beaten path. And of course, no vacation is complete without trying some of the local cuisine.
But regardless if you're exploring a city's nightlife or lounging by the beach, odds are you probably want to have a drink in hand. Some vacay spots are even famous for their drinking culture; you can partake in South Korea's famous soju drinking games, join a British pub crawl, or sip on an iconic Brazilian caipirinha.
The legal minimum drinking age in the United States is 21 years old, but every country has their own unique liquor laws. Some travel destinations even have different requirements based on what city you're in or where you order a drink. So if you're a young traveler and want to take full advantage of what foreign cities have to offer, it's important to double check if you're allowed to order an alcoholic beverage in the first place.
That's where we come in. We've rounded up 41 of the most popular vacation destinations around the world and their specific drinking ages, so you know the law of the land once you step foot on foreign soil. But of course, no matter where you go, make sure to drink responsibly.
Want some international cocktail inspo to bring the vacation home? Check out our favorite cocktails recipes from around the world.
Antigua and Barbuda
The minimum drinking age at bars and restaurants in Antigua and Barbuda is 16, but there is no age limit for alcohol purchased at a liquor store.
Argentina
You need to be at least 18 years old to drink alcohol in Argentina, including their beloved Fernet and Coke.
Australia
Under 18? Sorry, you can't drink alcohol in Australia.
Bahamas
You need to be at least 18 years old to sip on a Bahama Mama.
Bermuda
The legal drinking age in Bermuda is 18, but stores can't sell alcohol on Sundays and many bars are closed on that day too.
Brazil
To drink legally in Brazil, you need to be at least 18 years old.
British Virgin Islands
You need to be at least 18 to drink in the British Virgin Islands.
Canada
The drinking age in Canada depends on the province you're visiting. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec all have a minimum drinking age of 18. Everywhere else, it's 19.
Cayman Islands
Whether this a stop on an international cruise or your final vacation destination, you should remember that you need to be at least 18 to drink in the Cayman Islands.
China
Good news, y'all: there are no age-based alcohol restrictions in China.
Colombia
You need to be 18 years old to drink in Colombia.
Costa Rica
The minimum drinking age in Costa Rica is 18 years old.
Dominican Republic
You have to be at least 18 to order alcohol in the Dominican Republic.
Egypt
The minimum drinking age in Egypt is the same as it is in the U.S.: 21 years old.
France
The minimum drinking age is 18 in France.
Germany
The legal age to order any hard liquor in Germany is 18, but you can be as young as 16 to enjoy beer and wine. Prost!
Ghana
You need to be at least 18 years old to enjoy alcohol in Ghana.
Greece
Same goes for Greece: you need to be at least 18.
Hong Kong
You need to be at least 18 to drink in Hong Kong.
India
The drinking laws in India vary significantly based on where you're visiting, and can range from a minimum age of 18 to an outright ban on alcohol.
In Delhi, the drinking age recently decreased from 25 to 21. In the popular tourist destination of Goa, it's 18. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure to consult the state's laws.
Israel
If you want to enjoy a beverage in Israel, you need to be at least 18.
Italy
If you want to have a White Lotus-style wine tasting (without the weird couple dynamics, obvi), you need to be 18.
Jamaica
If you're 18 or over, you can drink in Jamaica.
Japan
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old.
Maldives
Alcohol is banned in most parts of the Maldives, but you can enjoy them at resorts with liquor licenses and floating bars. The minimum age varies based on what business you're visiting, but it's generally pretty lax.
Mexico
The drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old.
Morocco
You need to be at least 16 to order alcohol in Morocco, but drinking in public is forbidden. It's not commonly sold in many bars and restaurants, but if you can find spots that do, the drinks are typically on the pricier side.
New Zealand
The legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18.
Philippines
To drink in the Philippines, you need to be at least 18.
Portugal
The minimum drinking age in Portugal is 18.
Puerto Rico
The drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 years old.
South Africa
You need to be at least 18 to drink alcohol in South Africa.
South Korea
The minimum drinking age in South Korea is 19. And you can drink in public—you can often find street vendors selling booze from carts in major cities.
Spain
The drinking age in Spain is 18.
Taiwan
The drinking age in Taiwan is 18.
Thailand
You need to be at least 20 years old to enjoy alcohol in Thailand.
Turkey
The minimum drinking age here is 18.
Turks and Caicos
You need to be at least 18 to drink alcohol in the Turks and Caicos Islands
United Arab Emirates
The liquor laws in the United Arab Emirates can get complicated. Each emirate operates under their own rules.
Sharjah is entirely alcohol-free. Visitors to other emirates previously needed to get a temporary license to drink, but now you can buy alcohol at licensed bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. And you need to be at least 21 years old and only consume the liquor in legally-approved areas.
United Kingdom
Want to do a pub crawl through London? You need to be at least 18.
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands may be a United States Territory, but you only need to be 18 to buy alcohol.
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