As a new traveler, backpacking Southeast Asia is a must for you. Southeast Asia is not only budget-friendly but also very safe and easy for accommodation.
Almost every country in Southeast Asia has remarkable places to pay a visit. From beautiful forests to marvelous sea beaches, there are so many places you can see if you plan to backpack in Southeast Asia.
If you are having a hard time choosing the right destination for backpacking Southeast Asia, this guide A budget-friendly guide to backpacking Southeast Asia will help you. From this article, you will know about destinations, accommodation, food, and the culture of different Southeast Asian countries.
What is covered in this article?
1. Kantiang: Backpacker’s Paradise
Kantiang Bay is a dream beach in Thailand. It is situated on the island Koh Lanta. The 1 km beach of white sand and blue water attracts several backpackers every year.
You will find many inexpensive resorts and bungalows near the beach. If you want to see the panoramic view of the island right from your window, you can book your stay in Top View Resort. The bungalows and resorts near the beaches in Thailand cost around $4 per night.
Thailand’s food is backpacker-friendly. You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all under $5. The street food in Thailand costs $0.65. If you ever plan to visit Thailand, try the Pad Thai. You will find this delicious dish in the Cliff Sunset Restaurant near Kantiang Bay.
2. Bali
If you haven’t heard of this place yet, I guess you are a bit outdated. No worries, I’ll update you in no time.
If you have a low budget, you can pay a visit to Bali. The accommodation and food are very cheap. You can book a hotel room for $25-60 per night. You will also get free Wifi and complimentary breakfast in all of these hotels. You can also book your accommodation on Airbnb.
The street food in Bali costs less than $1. However, imported foods are quite expensive. So, if you have a tight budget go for the local foods.
In Bali, you can visit Seminyak Beach, Kelingking Beach, Mount Agung, Ubud’s Monkey Forest, etc. You can also do many exciting things like trekking, hiking, kayaking, etc.
3. Boracay
One of the most beautiful places in the Philippines is Boracay beach. It is extremely popular because of the white sand. Most people visit the beach during sunsets. Backpacking in Boracay is safe even for female solo travelers. Near the beach, you will find many beautiful resorts and restaurants.
Accommodation in Boracay is cheap. You can book a room in a 3-star hotel for $50-$60 per night. 4-star hotels cost around $70 per night, and 5-star hotels cost below $200 per night.
The 3.5 km long beach is divided into 3 stations. Station 1 consists of many luxurious hotels and resorts. Station 2 is full of mid-range hotels and a market. Station 3 is more greenish than the other 2 stations. So for backpackers, station 3 is most suitable.
You can have a delicious meal in Boracay for under 100 pesos(1.97 dollars). Restaurants in Station 2 are quite affordable than the other ones. These restaurants also have beautiful interiors.
4. Bai Truong
The largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is a great travel destination for new backpackers. There are many beaches available on this island. Bai Truong is the most popular among them. This beach is mostly known as Long Beach. It is named so as it is the longest beach on the entire Phu Quoc island.
People prefer to visit Bai Truong because of its smooth sandy beach and the beautiful water. The water near the beach is not so deep, so it is safe for you to swim.
There are some budget hotels in Phu Quoc for backpackers. You will need to spend only $25-@35 per day in Vietnam for both accommodation and food. You will find many good and cheap restaurants near Long Beach.
5. Ream Beach
Ream beach has recently gained popularity because of its calm and serene environment. You won’t find many tourists there, which is why you would enjoy a good time with yourself. The clean water and natural setting of this beach attract backpackers for a short trip.
Ream beach is situated in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Sihanoukville is a coastal city consisting of beaches, natural parks, and a beautiful waterfall. This place is known as Kampong Som to the local people. Apart from Ream Beach, there are many other beautiful beaches available in Sihanoukville- Victory Beach, Koh Rong, Koh Russei, etc.
Sihanoukville has cheap hostel rates, which are as low as $5. You will also find cheap hotels with many additional benefits like free Wifi. This place has a diversified cuisine starting from $3.
Apart from Sihanoukville, there are many other beautiful places that you can visit in Cambodia. It is a safe country to travel to for new backpackers. According to my travel experience, there are 6 great places to visit in Cambodia that you must try.
6. Kuang Si Waterfall
You might be quite bored after reading about so many beaches. And as obvious, you might be wanting to visit something different than beaches and the sea. So, here it is.
The mesmerizing Kuang Si Waterfall is situated 29km south of Luang Prabang, Laos. Its turquoise water falls from a height of 50 meters. It is also safe to swim in the pools.
Near this beautiful waterfall, you will find a restaurant, footbridge, and a local market. Once you reach the center of the town Luang Prabang, you will need 30-40 minutes to reach the waterfall. There are many kinds of transportation available like a minivan, boat, scooter, tuk-tuk, etc. You can choose any of these transportation based on your budget. You can manage a trip in Laos for $30-$50 per day. For an entire day, the food cost will be around $10.
7. Ngapali
Myanmar is a favorite for tourists because of its paradise beaches. Among these beaches, the most famous one is Ngapali. It is situated in Rakhine, Myanmar. The white sand, tall palm trees, and green mountains provide a beautiful touch to the beach. Backpacking in Myanmar can cost around $25 per day if you don’t mind eating local food.
8. Pantai Cenang
Pantai Cenang, the most visited beach in all of Malaysia, is situated in Langkawi island. The white sand and diverse restaurants and cafes nearby attract thousands of tourists every year. Here, you can try out many exciting water sports. This beach is also great for sunbathing.
There are some hostels, dorms, and cottages near the beach. Accommodation in Malaysian hotels and hostels would cost around $10 per night. A good meal in Malaysia would cost $1.
9. Lazarus Island Beach
Lazarus Island Beach is the serenest beach in all of Singapore. The white sand and blue lagoon water are worth seeing. Sitting by this beach will fill your heart with calmness. Backpacking in Singapore is more expensive than in other Southeast Asian countries. The total accommodation and food would cost around $60 in Singapore.
Till now, you might have already chosen your location to backpack in Southeast Asia. So, let me tell you a bit about the budget.
Backpacking Southeast Asia: Budget
According to research by Goats On The Road, the estimated per-person travel cost to Southeast Asia is $35-$40. But the cost will differ based on the country that you are visiting.
You might ask, what is the cheapest country for backpacking Southeast Asia? Well, from my experience, countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines are cheaper than the other ones. If you are a new traveler, I would suggest you visit one of these three countries.
However, if you have enough budget, then Singapore might be the right choice for you. It is the most expensive country to visit in Southeast Asia. For a single person, the per-day cost in Singapore will be around $50-$60. In a nutshell, having a budget of $2500-$3000 will be enough for traveling Southeast Asia for a month.
Backpacking Southeast Asia: During Covid
Visiting any country during this pandemic has some rules and regulations that you must follow. Almost every country of Southeast Asia has some travel restrictions. If you are planning to visit any of these countries, you must know about the travel restrictions first.
No matter whenever you plan on backpacking Southeast Asia, never forget to insure your trip. No matter how safe these countries are, you never know when you might come across some accident. Also, if you love trying out adventures, travel insurance can be of great help. Having travel insurance is a must in many countries. If you know nothing about travel insurance, you can read How to Buy The Best Travel Insurance: A Beginner’s Guide. You can also read the Top 5 things you must know before buying a travel insurance.
That was everything you needed to know before backpacking to Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian countries have gripping destinations to freshen your mind. A report by Statista shows that around139 million international tourists travel to Southeast Asia.
No matter whether you are a new traveler or old, Southeast Asian countries are extremely safe for you. Even if you are a female solo traveler, you will have a great time traveling to any of these countries. However, you need to be a bit cautious about scammers. Apart from that, these countries provide a budget-friendly and amazing travel experience.
So, how was your backpacking experience in Southeast Asia? If you have visited any of these countries, let me know about your experience in the comment section below.
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