When you first decide to backpack SE Asia, it is entirely overwhelming. Should you plan an itinerary? Wing it? Book flights ahead or risk the price increase by booking last minute? And besides all that, there’s the most important question of all: Where should I go? Because there are so many places to visit in Southeast Asia.
SE Asia is one of the most affordable places to travel. It’s a backpackers paradise. The travel is easy and the people are friendly. Not only that, it has some of the most beautiful places in the world to see. Between the lush landscape, flowing waterfalls and gorgeous island escapes, it’s hard to beat Southeast Asia.
After backpacking SE Asia for 3 months (and returning again for another month two years later), I came across some destinations that are definitely can’t-miss places to visit in Southeast Asia.
El Nido, The Philippines
El Nido isn’t the easiest place to get to in the Philippines. It requires a flight from Manila to Puerto Princessa and then a 5-6 hour bus ride on rough roads. But this is a location you don’t want to miss. It has constantly been deemed one of the most beautiful in the world.
The boat tours take you to gorgeous lagoons with karst cliffs, white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The town is small and it’s easy to rent a scooter to get out into the lush countryside to find hidden beaches.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Travel Guide to The Philippines
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
In the hills of Bali, Indonesia is where you’ll find Ubud, a quiet town with cute restaurants and shops. The surrounding rice terraces provide a relaxing atmosphere and you’ll find many jungle resorts and yoga retreats here.
You’ll also find Monkey Forest, a sanctuary for monkeys that will climb right up your body if you have any food. You can escape the town on scooter to explore the rice terraces or check out the nearby Balinese temples. You can explore endlessly here and find some of Bali’s hidden gems.
Bali has a lot of great beach areas to explore, temples and even a sunrise volcano hike at Mount Batur. But Ubud is a quieter location that’s less busy than some of the other areas. As a solo traveler, it’s an easy place to explore and safety in Bali isn’t a big concern. You’ll also find that a ton of expats are living there.
Singapore
While Singapore is a more expensive city and not necessarily in a backpacker’s budget…you shouldn’t let that deter you from going! There are plenty of things to see and do that won’t break your budget. Head to the Hawker Center for the world’s cheapest Michelin Star meal of chicken and rice, then take a walk around Merlion Park or get a drink at Clark Quay.
Singapore also has a great nightlife scene and you can head to several rooftop bars to get a view of the city. But my favorite thing to do in Singapore is walk among the super trees at Gardens by the Bay. Day or not, they are impressive to see!
READ MORE: The weekenders guide to Singapore
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
It can be pretty difficult to figure out where to visit in Thailand since there are so many great places. Koh Phi Phi in Thailand is a backpacker’s paradise, especially if you like the social scene. This small island only has foot traffic, but for having no cars, this place is busy. There are shops, stalls, restaurants and bars on every street. You can catch entertainment on the beach every night and their neon parties are quite popular.
One of the biggest draws of the island are the stunningly gorgeous boat tours, including one that goes to Maya Bay, the famous location from the movie The Beach. It will also include a stop at Monkey Beach, but leave your belongings on the boat–they aren’t shy!
READ MORE: Guide to Thailand’s islands!
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is easily my favorite city in Vietnam and a must-see on your backpacking tour. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam. Hoi An is an ancient town with colorful buildings, temples and canals throughout the city. One thing that Hoi An is known for is its custom tailoring. The streets are lined with tailoring shops and the turn around is only a few days, depending on what you have made.
One of the most charming parts of Hoi An is how it comes alive at night. Head to the water and the street markets where you’ll find colorful lanterns lit up everywhere. They also sell them if you want to bring some home. If you’re shipping some tailored clothes home, ask them if you can add some lanterns to the box! I brought home about 12 ha.
Boracay, The Philippines
I wouldn’t say Boracay is a typical backpacker location because it’s rumored to be a bit more expensive then other options. However, this island is gorgeous, backpacker friendly and an amazing place to spend a week.
White Beach is where most of the action is. It has a sandy boardwalk with hotels and restaurants going up and down the white sand beach. The beaches are beautiful here and it’s not hard to find some affordable places to stay and eat that are right off the beach!
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap is a fun town to explore and of course, the gateway to Angkor Wat. It is surrounded by ruins that you can venture out to by bicycle or tuk-tuk. The temple complexes can take a few days to thoroughly see. In between temple hopping, there are markets to shop at and fun bars to hang out at during the evening.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is like no other city you will see. There are golden temples, street markets, rooftop restaurants and the infamous Khao San Road, where the music is loud and the drinks are flowing. Bangkok isn’t for everyone but it’s definitely a city you need to experience once.
The city is huge and there is a lot to see and do, plus, it is one of the most inexpensive cities to explore. There are several main temples here to see before you venture on to other cities in Thailand.
I could honestly return to Southeast Asia over and over. It’s one of my favorite areas in the world. The countries are vibrant and full of culture. The landscape is so beautiful that I could take endless pictures. No matter how long I spend there, there is always something new to explore and see. These places to visit in Southeast Asia are ones I would definitely return to. They are some of my absolute favorites!
Want some more inspiration? Check out the Ultimate Southeast Asia Bucketlist!
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