Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
18
Southeast Asia
Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, In-
donesia
Southeast Asia is so affordable that the typical travel trail is way less than $50 USD per day. I'm al-
ways shocked when people tell me they've spent more than that in this region. Yes, if you stay at big-
name hotels, fly a lot, eat the same food as back home, and shop, you can spend a lot of money. But this is a re-
gion where the average yearly salary in some countries is less than $1,000 USD. In Thailand, one of the most
developed countries in the region, the average annual salary is $3,700 USD. Live like a local, save lots of
money.
As in Europe, costs in Southeast Asia aren't monolithic. Singapore, a highly developed shipping and fin-
ancial center, is vastly more expensive than rural countries like Cambodia or Laos. Rural Thailand is a frac-
tion of the cost of popular tourist and resort islands like Ko Samui. There are huge swings in prices in Thai-
land in part because there are vast disparities in wealth throughout the region. That said, the relatively inex-
pensive nature of the majority of the region (outside the major cities and developed tourist centers) makes it
a lot more uniform in prices than other regions of the world. I can get a meal for a dollar anywhere in the
region.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Guesthouses and Hostels
In Southeast Asia, you can get basic single rooms with a fan and shared bathrooms for as little as $1 USD
per night or stay in luxury five-star beach resorts for thousands of dollars per night in Bali. Thailand, Malay-
sia, and Singapore are the most expensive countries, with Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia being the
cheapest.
Simple guesthouses throughout Southeast Asia generally cost $10 USD per night for a basic room, fan
(sometimes air-conditioning), and hot water. If you want something nicer that includes a more comfortable
bed and a TV, expect to pay $15-20 USD per night. If you want something cheaper and more basic, you can
often find rooms for as little as $4 USD per night, especially in rural areas. You won't get five-star luxury
here—the beds are probably uncomfortable, the water pressure low, and the rooms small, but if you are on a
budget, they'll provide a good night's sleep in a clean environment. Unlike other regions of the world, there
are no large brands or chains in Southeast Asia. Most guesthouses are small, family-run establishments.
Additionally, hostels as described throughout the topic don't really exist in Southeast Asia, though that is
slowly changing, and hostels are becoming more and more popular for the flashpacker crowd. In more ex-
pensive cities in Asia, you can find traditional hostels—dorm rooms, communal kitchen, shared bathrooms,
