- Angkor Wat Sunrise by Bicycle
- India – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
- Myanmar – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
- Vietnamese Food – 17 Must-Try Food and Drinks in Vietnam
- The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Ho Chi Minh City On a Budget
- Vietnam – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
- Southeast Asia – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
- 29 Reasons Why You Must Travel Southeast Asia
- How to Stay Safe in Southeast Asia
- Responsible Travel in Southeast Asia
- 20 Common Scams in Thailand And How To Avoid Them
- Ijen Volcano Blue Fire Hike in Indonesia
- Etiquette in Southeast Asia
- Orangutan Trek in Bukit Lawang (And What It’s Like To Get Chased By One)
- 14 Free and Cheap Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City
- Indonesia – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
- Laws in Singapore You Must Know Before You Go
- Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur
- The Ultimate Travel Guide for Singapore on a Budget
- 19 Fun And Free Things To Do In Singapore
- The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Kuala Lumpur On A Budget
- 14 Fun And Free Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
- The 3 Most Beautiful Must-See Temples in Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysia – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
Southeast Asia is the ultimate travel destination. It’s packed with culture, stunning landscape and temples, delicious food, friendly people, and it’s very safe and easy to travel. Southeast Asia has some of the most beautiful beaches, waterfalls and sunsets in the world, as well as volcanoes, jungles, unique animals, lively nightlife and some of the best scuba diving in the world. And it’s the ultimate budget traveler’s destination because it’s very affordable to travel. Southeast Asia really is the full package.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Southeast Asia is one of the most carefree places you can travel. It’s impossible to not have the time of your life and be happy when you travel Southeast Asia.
It’s also one of the easiest places to travel for your first ever trip. And it’s great for solo travel because it’s so easy to meet other travelers, so you’ll likely never be alone (unless you want to be). However, know that Southeast Asia definitely draws a younger crowd, particularly in Thailand. The most popular backpacker trail is Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. As well as Bali in Indonesia.
Be aware that things change very quickly in Southeast Asia because it’s a very popular tourist destination, so development has exploded, along with inflation. For example, a lot of things in Thailand are 3x the price compared to when I was first there in 2012. Also know that the super touristy island and beach destinations in Southeast Asia are the most expensive.
NOTE – Brunei and Singapore are the exceptions to many of these facts about Southeast Asia. Brunei is different because it’s a very small and dry country (meaning alcohol is illegal) that practices Sharia Law and many people don’t know it exists, so it’s not a popular tourist destination. And Singapore is different because it’s a very westernized, modern and affluent city state, thus it’s more expensive.
MY EXPERIENCE
As a solo female traveler, I’ve traveled Southeast Asia for 5.5 months over 4 different trips. I’ve explored Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Borneo, Brunei, Singapore and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Southeast Asia is one of my favorite regions in the world. If you can make it work with the time off and travel funds, I recommend exploring Southeast Asia for at least 6 months, even upwards to a year (I wish I did this). For perspective, you could easily spend a few months each in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam etc and still not see everything. A gap year, sabbatical, digital nomadding or just quitting your job and traveling are all possibilities.
BEFORE YOU GO
RESEARCH WHICH VISAS YOU REQUIRE IN ADVANCE
Most nationalities:
- Do not need a visa for Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei. But there will be a limit on how long you can stay, which can be extended.
- Need an easy visa on arrival for Cambodia and Laos.
- Need to apply for visas in advance for Vietnam and Myanmar.
PROOF OF EXIT
Many Southeast Asian countries do not require a proof of exit because so many travelers country hop by land.
However, Indonesia is an archipelago so it shares very few land borders with neighbouring countries (Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia on Borneo, which are all very off the beaten path areas), and I did not have proof of exit when I traveled to Indonesia. I only had proof of my flight home from Bangkok in a few weeks, but this was not enough. They needed proof of my exit from Indonesia and they wouldn’t allow me to clear customs until I booked a flight out of Indonesia. This is the first and only time this happened to me.
This could potentially happen in the Philippines as well because it’s also an archipelago and it does not share land borders with any countries.
This can all depend on how the person stamping your passport feels that day. Since the Indonesia incident, I use Best Onward Ticket where you can rent a flight ticket for $12US for proof of onward travel. And since using this, I’ve never had to prove my onward travel, so I think of it as insurance.
TAKE DUKORAL
It’s an over-the-counter oral vaccine that protects you from traveler’s diarrhea for 3 months. This means you can enjoy street food, at discretion, without ruining your trip. However, Dukoral cannot protect you against parasites, which have very different symptoms. I had parasites in India and Sri Lanka, but it’s a lot more chill than it sounds and they’re easily treated with antibiotics.
GET TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is an absolute must for all international travel. It offers a lot more than just medical protection- it covers you if your flight gets cancelled, a family member becomes ill or passes away and you have to return home, or if something gets stolen or breaks. And if you do get seriously ill or injured, it can save you thousands of dollars. Travel insurance isn’t cheap, but it’s also not that expensive, considering what it can do for you if you get in trouble.
I use and recommend World Nomads for travel insurance. They’re an affordable and reputable company and you can buy and renew an insurance policy quickly and easily online. As a Canadian, I find their policies cover a lot more than the other insurance companies in Canada and at a cheaper rate.
RESEARCH HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
Many countries have a lot of holidays you’ve never heard of and they take their holidays seriously. Be aware of Songkran in Thailand, Chinese New Year in Malaysia and Singapore, Tet in Vietnam, and important Islamic holidays in Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia
I’ve experienced Tet in Vietnam, Sinulog in Cebu in the Philippines, and Chinese New Year in Malaysia and Singapore. I was aware of Tet in Vietnam, but I wasn’t aware it would cause such a headache while traveling. Not only do prices of accommodation and transportation soar during holidays, but sights are extra crowded and many places are closed (sometimes for weeks).
Also, accommodation during Christmas and New Years Eve will be more expensive and necessary to book in advance.
DON’T BOOK TOO MUCH IN ADVANCE
Unless it’s during a very busy holiday, leave room for flexibility and winging it. Also hold off on booking most day tours and sightseeing trips until you’re there because they’re much cheaper once you’re there.
GETTING IN
Most people start their Southeast Asia trip in Bangkok because flights are super cheap, it’s a major hub, and it’s a popular and easy place to start. Other major hubs are Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
I started my first Southeast Asia trip in Siem Reap, the small but popular town in Cambodia that’s famous for Angkor Wat. So you can start your trip wherever you want.
WHEN TO GO AND WEATHER
Whenever you go to Southeast Asia, you can expect very hot and very humid weather.
Southeast Asia has dry seasons and wet seasons. But you can still expect very high heat and humidity, and even rain, in the dry season. The wet and dry seasons vary by country and sometimes even within the larger countries.
Typically, November to February is the dry and “cool” season in Southeast Asia, which is considered the most ideal time to visit. However, you can still expect very hot and humid weather in many places even in the cool season.
March and April are also dry, but increasingly hot and humid.
The wet season in Southeast Asia is typically May-October.
However, Indonesia’s seasons are the exception to the rules above as its dry season is April to October, and their wet season is November to March. And I can say from experience that traveling Indonesia during the wet season in February was so disappointing and I nearly left early because the rain was so out of control.
If you start your trip in Bangkok, you can expect shocking and suffocating heat and humidity day and night in the congested, landlocked and crowded city.
COMMUNICATION
MOST LOCALS YOU ENCOUNTER AS A TOURIST SPEAK ENOUGH ENGLISH
A lack of English is very rarely a problem. There is less English in Myanmar, but it’s manageable.
LEARN A FEW PHRASES IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE
A simple “hello” and “thank you” in the local language goes a long way.
GET A LOCAL SIM CARD
They’re dirt cheap, you’re connected almost everywhere and you don’t have to rely on the sometimes crappy or obsolete wi-fi. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave.
WIFI CAN BE REALLY GOOD… OR REALLY BAD
Overall, the wifi is pretty good in Southeast Asia, with the exception of the Philippines, Myanmar and places in the jungles.
THE COUNTRIES, THE PEOPLE, THE CULTURES
They’re incredibly warm, welcoming and friendly. Especially in Myanmar, which is next level friendly.
VISIT THE LOCAL MARKETS
They’re so full of life, culture, tradition, color and delicious, authentic food.
THE RELIGIONS VARY GREATLY
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos are Buddhist.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei are Islamic.
Vietnam is officially an atheist state, however most Vietnamese are not atheists. Many believe in Tam Giao, which is a combination of the 3 religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Bali in Indonesia practices Balinese Hinduism.
The Philippines are Catholic.
Singapore is a mix of religions because Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures. In order of popularity, Singaporeans practice Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism and Hinduism.
When the average person thinks about traveling to Southeast Asia, they immediately think of Thailand (or Bali). Thailand is the #1 destination in Southeast Asia and, sadly, many parts of it became overrun by tourism years ago. I traveled Thailand in 2012 and it was already so far gone and it has only worsened since.
Thailand attracts an insane amount of sex tourists and 18 year old partiers, so Thai tourism caters to these scenes because they’re money makers. However, the culture this creates is so disrespectful to Thai people and their beautiful country and culture. Because of this, a lot of Thai people are sick of our shit and I don’t blame them. Be aware of all this and manage your expectations for Thailand.
Manage your expectations for other tourist hot spots too, like Bali, Angkor Wat and Halong Bay. They’re absolutely crawling with tourists.
VISIT MORE THAN JUST THE OBVIOUS PLACES
Do your research and try to get off the beaten path.
YOU’LL SEE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WATERFALLS IN THE WORLD
Most of the waterfalls are in lush settings with turquoise water. The most beautiful waterfalls are in Indonesia and the Philippines.
COMMUNISM IS A THING IN LAOS AND VIETNAM
They are 2 of the last 5 remaining communist countries in the world.
SOUTHEAST ASIA IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LEARN HOW TO SCUBA DIVE
Koh Tao in Thailand is one of the best and cheapest places to learn how to scuba dive. The Perhentian Islands in Malaysia, Komodo in Indonesia, and Malapascua Island in the Philippines are also great places to learn how to scuba dive (or just scuba dive or snorkel). And Sipadan in Malaysian Borneo has some of the best scuba diving in the world. If it’s high season, you may need to book your dives in advance.
THE ANIMALS ARE UNIQUE
Southeast Asia has its fair share of elephants, but it also has a ton of unique animals like the orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra (Indonesia), komodo dragons in Komodo (east Indonesia), river dolphins in Cambodia and Laos, and whale sharks and Malayan sun bears throughout Southeast Asia.
You’ll also find all kinds of silly monkeys and apes like the miniature tarsiers in the Philippines, proboscis monkeys in Borneo, gibbons and macaques all over Southeast Asia.
And if you’re very lucky, you can see the very rare and severely endangered rhinos (in Indonesia) and tigers (throughout Southeast Asia).
THE HOSTELS ARE AMAZING
If you’re a backpacker or budget traveler in Southeast Asia, the hostels are the best. And they’re an unbelievable value at $5-7US/night for a dorm room. At the best hostels, this price often includes breakfast, tons of free and fun activities, events, a bar, parties and sometimes a pool. Having a great time and meeting fun people is guaranteed.
Southeast Asia is a great place to buy clothes, textiles, decor and art, etc. You can buy cheap hiking gear which is super crazy expensive to buy at home, if you’re from a western country. But is it actually all fake? Because a lot of it is made in these countries…
THE NIGHTLIFE IS A LOT OF FUN
Aside from Myanmar and Brunei, where there isn’t really any nightlife. And unless you’re visiting super upscale places, the bars and clubs aren’t pretentious and there’s no dress code, which is so refreshing.
SKIN WHITENING (BLEACHING) PRODUCTS ARE COMMONLY USED
Asia idolizes fair skin, thanks to white colonialism. It’s really sad and it’s definitely not good for your skin. Be aware of this if you need to buy skincare products in Southeast Asia.
Prostitution is often necessary to make ends meet and it is considered a basic human need. But sex tourism can be really gross and creepy. More on that later…
THAILAND IS THE LAND OF LADY BOYS
Which is a huge attraction for many sex tourists. Why are there so many lady boys in Thailand? Thailand is very open and accepting with the LGBT community. In addition, gender reassignment surgery is very accessible and affordable.
Aside from Singapore, which is more westernized because it’s a former British colony. Squat toilets aren’t everywhere, but they can’t be avoided in certain places, especially in rural areas (and on bus routes.
BYOTP (BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER)
Most public toilets don’t supply toilet paper (they use a “bum gun” or a bucket of water instead), so it’s a good idea to carry a little with you. They often don’t supply soap either, so also carry hand sanitizer. But you can’t flush the toilet paper because the pipes can’t handle it, so there is usually a garbage where you can dispose of it.
GET USED TO A LOT OF GARBAGE AND A LACK OF RECYCLING
It’s easy to forget that the education and dealing with garbage responsibly, recycling and caring for the environment are expensive.
ETIQUETTE
This includes handshakes or accidentally brushing up against a monk on the street or in a tuktuk. And this is especially true if you’re a woman because they need to avoid temptations.
YOU MUST REMOVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE ENTERING A HOME OR TEMPLE
As well as some hostels and guesthouses. Shoes are considered very dirty and they carry bacteria, like E. coli. This can sometimes be inconvenient because the floors inside sometimes feel dirtier than your shoes… and sometimes your shoes go missing or a dog eats them (I’ve had both happen a few times). For this reason, I recommend carrying your shoes inside with you. It’s helpful to wear shoes or sandals that are easy to slip off and on.
FEET ARE NOT A VIBE
Feet are considered very dirty. Never show the soles of your feet to anyone while you’re sitting. While sitting on the floor at a temple, make sure your feet aren’t pointed at the religious statues or their images. And never step over someone.
The left hand is typically used in the washroom and therefore considered unclean. Use your right hand for paying and eating.
The teachings and images of Buddha are sacred and holy, so they’re not meant to be decorative or ornamental on the body. In the arrivals at the Bangkok international airport, it explicitly says this is deeply disrespectful so you must cover your Buddha clothing and Buddha tattoos. Sri Lanka, another Buddhist country, has even deported tourists for their Buddha tattoos.
Southeast Asians, especially in Buddhist cultures, place a high value on harmonious social interactions. Avoid getting visibly angry, raising your voice or getting into an argument as it will cause you and the other person embarrassment. Keep your cool and smile during interactions.
Southeast Asian cultures are quite conservative, so hugging and kissing in public is extremely taboo.
TIPPING
There wasn’t a strong tipping culture in Southeast Asia, but western travelers have changed the cultural expectations in some countries. If you’re staying at nice hotels, tipping your porter is appreciated. At basic restaurants, tipping is not expected, but leaving your change behind is always welcome. If it’s a nice restaurant, you should tip 10% (if there isn’t a service charge included). Tour guides will gladly appreciate a tip, especially in Thailand and the Philippines. If you get a Thai massage in Thailand, you should tip 10%. And if you’re happy with your spa treatment in other Southeast Asian countries, a tip is always appreciated.
See Etiquette in Southeast Asia for more tips.
WHAT TO WEAR
SOUTHEAST ASIA IS CONSERVATIVE
When you think of Southeast Asia, you likely think of beaches and bikinis, but most Southeast Asian cultures are actually quite conservative. Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos are very conservative cultures. And Brunei and most of Indonesia and Malaysia are extremely conservative due to the Islamic culture. It’s not mandatory to cover up (unless you’re in a religious place), but you’ll feel more comfortable and it’s more respectful if you do. Thailand is the least conservative in the touristy areas, due to the volume of tourism over the years, but you must dress modestly in the temples.
YOU MUST DRESS MODESTLY AT TEMPLES
Men and women must have their shoulders and knees covered while visiting temples. At the popular temples, you can often borrow or rent a covering. You can also buy a cheap, lightweight scarf in Southeast Asia.
MOST OF SOUTHEAST ASIA IS VERY HOT AND HUMID
Which means you’ll be sweaty pretty much all the time. So this can make dressing modestly difficult. Try to wear looser, breathable clothing.
See How to Deal With Heat and Humidity While Traveling
DON’T WALK AROUND IN A BIKINI OR WITHOUT A SHIRT
Unless you’re at the beach.
PARTYING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA IS VERY CASUAL
Unless you’re going to some swanky places, you can forget about a dress code and lineup. You can wear shorts, tank top, sandals and no makeup (for the girls) and fit right in. It’s very freeing.
WHAT TO PACK
- rain jacket
- sneakers
- flip flops
- 2-3 swimsuits
- hat
- shorts
- tank tops and t shirts
- sweater/light jacket
- one pair of pants/leggings (you will end up in colder areas and overnight buses can get really cold)
- a nice outfit for going to upscale restaurants and rooftop bars
- a modest outfit or two for temples (which covers knees, shoulders and chest)
- sunscreen (it’s not cheaper when you get there)
- 1 hiking/workout outfit
- a few pairs of socks (you’ll likely live in sandals)
- 10+ pairs of underwear
Also see 11 Essentials To Pack For a Trip
Leave the jeans at home. It’s way too hot and humid. And make sure you leave room for souvenirs. It’s next to impossible to avoid buying some clothes and fun things in Southeast Asia.
FOR THE LADIES
- 1-2 dresses
- cute sandals
WHAT TO NOT PACK
- blow dryer
- hair straightener
- high heels
- the majority of your makeup
MONEY AND COSTS
If you’re a budget traveler, you can easily travel on $20-30US/day, if you avoid expensive tours. Meals are $1-3US, hostel dorm rooms are $3-7US/night and scooter rentals are $3-5US/day. And beer is dirt cheap.
EVERY COUNTRY HAS ITS OWN CURRENCY
Sorry, no Euro-like system here.
EXPECT TO PAY CASH FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING
BUT PAYING WITH CASH ALSO HAS ITS CHALLENGES
No one ever has change and no one wants to accept bills that have a small tear in them (but it’s totally fine if they give you a ripped bill as change, of course, so be sure to politely decline).
DO NOT ACCEPT DAMAGED OR TORN BILLS
They’re pawned off on foreigners and they’re very difficult to spend later.
BARGAINING IS LIFE
Never pay the asking price. Southeast Asia operates on bargaining. Get an idea of how much things should cost and bargain fairly. A few extra coins is nothing to you, but everything to a vendor. Make sure you “save face” during bargaining transactions.
YOU CAN GET MEDICATION AT PHARMACIES, WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION, FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE OF WHAT IT WOULD COST IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY
Have a bladder infection or a parasite? You can get antibiotics for a few dollars or less. Eczema? You can get Betaderm. An 8-24+ hour overnight bus? You can get sleeping pills (don’t judge me. I unfortunately do not possess the superpower to sleep well in moving vessels, especially while sitting upright). However, make sure you know exact names of medications you need or you could be given something that may not be considered safe in your country. Do your research.
BRING US DOLLARS
US dollars are used for visas on arrival and you need emergency backup cash in the event that your cards don’t work (Euros work for this too). If you’re traveling to Myanmar, you’ll need to bring a lot of US dollars because it’s their preferred currency.
EXCHANGE LEFTOVER CURRENCY BEFORE LEAVING THAT COUNTRY
Some of the currencies in Southeast Asia are weak and can be difficult to exchange once you leave that country. This is particularly true for Laos and Myanmar.
GETTING AROUND
GET USED TO CAR HORNS
And inhaling exhaust fumes and sometimes dust. In Southeast Asia, horns are used to warn someone you’re coming, unlike in most western countries where the horn is considered offensive and used far less.
MOTORBIKES
Motorcycles are everywhere. You will regularly see a family of 5 on one motorcycle. It’s hard to explore Southeast Asia without driving or riding on the back of a motorbike at some point.
However, I have never met a Southeast Asian helmet that fits properly. They’re always very loose.
One of the best places to learn how to drive a scooter is in Pai in Thailand because it’s a chill, small town. But they drive on the left.
TUK TUKS
The quintessential Southeast Asian method of transport. A tuktuk is basically a carriage attached to the back of a motorcycle.
USE THE GRAB APP WITHIN CITIES
It’s the Asian form of Uber and you can choose a car or motorbike to pick you up. Get the app here and download and set it up before you leave for your trip. It’s safe, easy and reliable because you don’t have to haggle on a price and the driver can’t get lost.
LEARNING HOW TO CROSS THE STREET IS A RITE OF PASSAGE
Forget Halong Bay and Angkor Wat, the most impressive sight in Southeast Asia is watching pedestrians cross the chaotic city streets as hundreds of motorbikes speed toward and around them in every direction. Pedestrians do not have the right of way. If you’re a fresh off the boat traveler and you see a pedestrian cross a busy street in these big cities, it legitimately looks like that person is committing suicide because traffic is constantly coming at them from all directions and there aren’t any traffic lights or crosswalks.
The trick is to walk into the traffic at a steady pace because the drivers are very experienced, so you have to trust that they’ll drive around you. If you freak out and stop, that’s when accidents can happen. You can follow locals across the street until you feel comfortable crossing on your own.
BETWEEN CITIES AND COUNTRIES
CHEAP FLIGHTS
Air Asia is like the RyanAir of Asia, except it’s not shitty. There are loads of other low cost airlines as well.
LONG BUS RIDES
There are definitely some longer travel routes, so you may find yourself on an overnight bus.
BOAT
I would be very surprised if you could avoid a boat trip on your Southeast Asia adventure. Especially if you’re island hopping.
THE FOOD
When you travel Southeast Asia, you will taste some of the best food in the world. You can expect lots of rice, noodle dishes, flavorful spices and sauces, fresh tropical fruit and much more.
EAT THE STREET FOOD
Forget the fear mongering and what you’ve heard about avoiding street food. The best and most authentic food in Southeast Asia is street food and it would be a hate crime to avoid it. This also includes the fresh fruit and fruit juice. You’ll be fine. But also, take Dukoral before your travels.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to eat well in Southeast Asia. Some of the best and most authentic food is the street food and the food from very modest hole-in-the-wall restaurants for $1-2US per meal. The night markets have the best street food.
And you must try it all. Southeast Asia has all the freshest and ripest mango, watermelon and pineapple you could ever want. But it also has a ton of fruits you’ve likely never heard of like jackfruit (my fave!), dragon fruit, durian, mangosteen, longan, rambutan and many more.
Borneo has the best and most unique fruit in Southeast Asia. Some people go there purely for the fruit. You’ll find chempedak and tarap, which are close relatives of jackfruit (and two of my favorites), as well as many different kinds of durian and much more. See here for more unique Bornean fruits.
EXPECT SMALL PORTIONS
And even smaller portions of meat. If you have a really big appetite, you may need to get 2 meals at a time. Or just eat more often, like I did.
You will probably eat less and sweat a lot so you’ll likely lose weight. However, if you’re drinking/partying in excess every day, you could gain weight.
SPICY FOOD
Thailand and Malaysia especially don’t mess around with spice. Their idea of hot is on a whole other level than a westerner’s idea of hot, so keep this in mind if you willingly order something spicy.
Southeast Asia has a very worn backpacker trail so it won’t be difficult to find vegetarian and vegan food.
USE A FORK AND SPOON TO EAT
Push your food onto the spoon with the fork. Knives are rarely used.
ABOUT DOG MEAT
I’ve never seen dog on a menu and to my knowledge, I have not eaten dog. I was told that dog is actually very expensive, so it’s very unlikely that it would be fed to you without your knowledge. For the most part, Asians know how Westerners feel about eating dog, so they’re not keen on sharing this aspect of their culture.
SAFETY
USE YOUR COMMON SENSE
A lot of crime and accidents happen due to letting your guard down (pickpocketing) or being a little too carefree on vacation and letting go of your common sense. There are far fewer rules in Southeast Asia, which has major pros and cons. For example, just because something doesn’t have a sign saying that it’s dangerous or unsafe to enter or climb, does NOT mean that it’s safe.
BE CAREFUL WITH ROPE SWINGS AND CLIFF JUMPING
Especially if you’ve been drinking. You can really hurt yourself if you land poorly from a high jump.
BEWARE OF YOUR PHONE, CAMERA AND PURSE AROUND PASSING MOTORCYCLISTS
Drive-by snatchings can happen. Carry a purse with a cross-body strap to keep your purse in front of you and guard your things from pickpockets. This also goes for exploring busy places like markets and busy tourist hot spots.
BE AWARE OF POPULAR SCAMS
Always research the popular scams before you arrive in a new country so you know how to identify and avoid them. There are a lot of scams in Bangkok because this is where a lot of people start their first Southeast Asia adventure. See 20 Popular Scams to Avoid in Thailand.
- DO NOT GIVE TO BEGGING CHILDREN – As hard as it is sometimes, giving to begging children promotes a begging culture and it keeps them out of school. A lot of kids are pimped out so there are a lot of scams involved with begging children because they know children are hard to say “no” to. If you would like to help out, it’s better to do so through a local non-profit.
- THE MILK SCAM – A kid holding a baby in front of a store will ask you to buy them milk and food from the store. As soon as you buy it for them and leave, they return it and split the profit with the store. This scam is common in Siem Reap in Cambodia (which is often referred to as Scambodia).
- UNETHICAL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS – Some promote exploitation of humans or animals. And they’re expensive. More on this later…
- GEM SCAMS – Some gems are very good fakes and some scammers will try to lure you into a “get rich quick” scam that will certainly not leave you rich. This is common in Bangkok.
- FAKE BEGGING MONKS – Real monks never beg for money.
- “THAT ATTRACTION/YOUR ACCOMMODATION IS CLOSED” – Some tuktuk drivers tell you this so they can take you elsewhere, where they earn commission. Always decline.
BE CAREFUL WITH MOTORBIKE RENTALS
There are a few different scams to be aware of when renting a motorbike.
One of the most popular scams is renting a scooter with an existing scratch or defect, then being forced to pay for the damages later.
A more severe scenario involves someone following you from the rental shop, then stealing your motorbike with a spare key. You’ll be responsible for the cost of replacing the bike. This is very rare, but it can happen. It happened to my friend in Sri Lanka and they made him pay £800 to replace because they had his passport hostage. However, also know that scooters in Southeast Asia cost a few hundred dollars maximum to buy.
In order to avoid all this, only rent motorbikes from legitimate businesses. Check the bike closely for scratches and problems before signing anything. Use your phone to photograph existing damage before you leave the office.
Most rental places only allow you to rent a bike if you leave your passport.
For the 100th time, Southeast Asia is extremely hot and humid so you will sweat A LOT, so you need to stay hydrated. Consider packing or buying electrolytes and drinking fresh coconut water to help replenish your electrolytes. This is especially vital if you’re drinking and partying.
Wear sunscreen. The sun is very strong. It protects from sunburn, skin cancer and wrinkles. Crispy red skin is not a good look and it’s terrible for your health.
For more tips, see How to Deal With Heat and Humidity While Traveling
Many Southeast Asian countries have the death penalty for drug trafficking, like Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. Even if you’re not touching drugs, make sure you watch your bags at airports, boats and buses.
You will inevitably see many travelers covered in serious, massive scabbing and skin loss due to motorbike accidents. But motorbikes are the preferred method of transport in Southeast Asia, so it’s difficult to avoid riding one. Anyone can rent and drive a scooter in Southeast Asia, so be very careful. And obviously don’t drink and drive.
Sure, monkeys are cute, but they can be sinister and vicious as hell, as well as carry rabies and steal your belongings (including your bag and phone). So keep this in mind when you think they’re cute and want to pet, feed and take selfies with them. Do not eat around monkeys as they can become aggressive and they will steal your food.
Don’t get too drunk or high, especially as a solo female traveler. You need to be aware of your surroundings and you cannot expect others to look after yourself. For more tips on how to stay safe at Full Moon parties, see How To Not Die At A Full Moon Party.
For more tips on staying safe and healthy in Southeast Asia, see How To Stay Safe in Southeast Asia
FEMALE TRAVELERS
SOUTHEAST ASIA IS VERY SAFE FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS
As a solo female traveler who has traveled to Southeast Asia 4x, I can confidently say that it’s a very safe place for solo female travelers.
GIVE UP OR CUT WAY BACK ON THE MAKEUP
It’s going to melt right off with all the sweat and I promise you’ll stop caring about makeup when you’re having the time of your life.
EMBRACE YOUR WAVY/CURLY HAIR
If your hair is wavy or curly, do not bother straightening it. There’s no point in Southeast Asia’s humidity. I promise you won’t want to fuss with the heat of a blowdryer or flatiron in hot and humid weather. Accept and embrace your wavy/curly hair. It’s beautiful, it has personality, and it doesn’t need to be perfect, which is really freeing. Pack a frizz control/curl defining cream, scrunch it into wet hair after the shower, and go. It air dries super fast in the heat.
Travel actually made me embrace, appreciate and love my wavy hair. It’s so quick and easy to style so I waste a lot less of my life getting ready, which is a massive win. However, there is only so much frizz you can combat in humidity, so manage your expectations for that. But the trade off is the amazing volume.
LGBTQA TRAVELERS
RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL TOURISM
Elephants are not meant to ridden. In order to train an elephant to give people rides, their trainers have to break their spirit (i.e. beat them). Also do thorough research if you want to visit an elephant “sanctuary” because it’s often just a word used to market the organization as ethical, but really the elephants are being ridden, chained up and beaten.
This is where you can take pictures of yourself petting and hugging tigers. The draw of getting up close to a tiger in a safe environment is easily understood, however, the tigers are treated very poorly and they’re drugged in order to maintain a safe environment.
RESEARCH BEFORE SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS
These endangered gentle giants have become a popular tourist attraction over the past few years. But if you want to swim with whale sharks, you need to research the ethics of the tour companies because some feed the whale sharks to guarantee sightings. Feeding them disrupts their natural migration routes, which is very damaging in the long run. You also must ensure the tours do not allow feeding or touching of the whale sharks and that there aren’t too many people crammed into the tour.
Donsol in the Philippines is one of the few places to dive with whale sharks ethically. Avoid Oslob in the Phillippines because it’s extremely unethical. I was interested in diving with the whale sharks when I was in Oslob, until I learned about the horribly unethical practices.
Thailand is the world’s brothel. But you’ll find prostitution in many other Southeast Asian countries as well. Prostitution is tolerated in Thailand because it’s considered a basic human need and a way to make ends meet.
If you hire a prostitute, make sure they’re actually a legal adult (child prostitution is a really big problem) and treat them with the dignity and respect that they are worthy of and deserve. Chances are they don’t want to be prostitutes, but they don’t have a choice if they want to feed their families. Or they may be victims of human trafficking.
It’s a disgusting and disturbing show of young women doing tricks with their vaginas, like shooting out darts and ping pong balls etc.
Many of the young women at the ping pong shows are from rural towns in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and they’re there to make enough money to support their families. And I’m sure some of the women are involved in human trafficking.
DO NOT VISIT LITTLE ANGELS ORPHANAGE IN CAMBODIA
Or any other orphanages. Children are NOT a tourist attraction. The constant coming and going of people in and out of the children’s lives is severely damaging to their mental health. This is a big problem in Cambodia where thousands of children live in fake orphanages, even though the majority of the children have living parents, because they can make money from tourists. These orphanages make the conditions worse than they need to be so the tourists pity the children and therefore donate more money. And the children are treated very poorly behind the scenes. If you visit one of these “orphanages”, you’re unknowingly supporting human trafficking.
VOLUNTEERING
Research the organization very carefully because unfortunately, a lot of volunteer organizations are unethical and exploitative. And some organizations are actually some of the biggest travel scams of all because so many of them charge foreigners a ton of money, but the reality is that the actual cause sees very little of this money. You should NOT have to pay to volunteer. And if you do have to pay, at the very most, it should be a very small amount for food and accommodation.
Some examples of volunteer organizations to avoid are building schools or houses, visiting orphanages, and many elephant programs.
The sad reality is that many of these voluntourism companies have made a very lucrative business out of commercializing poverty, so they don’t actually want to help these communities in the long term because they will lose their business. Ultimately, a lot of voluntourism is actually colonialism disguised in the white savior complex.
For more information on voluntourism, see What To Know Before You Volunteer.
Now you’re all set to go and travel Southeast Asia and have the time of your life!
MORE ON TRAVEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
What to Expect While Traveling in Developing Countries
Vietnam – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Myanmar – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
Indonesia – Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
The Ultimate Guide To Singapore on a Budget
How To Stay Safe in Southeast Asia
20 Popular Scams to Avoid in Thailand
