Is Southeast Asia Rubber For Travelers?
Posted: 6/22/2019 | June 22nd, 2019
Southeast Asia is i of the most pop regions inwards the globe for backpackers as well as budget travelers. It’s habitation to a well-worn locomote trail that dates dorsum to the 1960s as well as ’70s, stretching across Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, as well as Singapore.
I’ve been visiting the expanse regularly since 2004 (I fifty-fifty spent a few years living inwards Thailand). It actually does receive got something for everyone: bustling cities, delicious food, spectacular diving, lots of outdoor activities, historic sites — the listing goes on.
Best of all? It’s budget friendly!
But is Southeast Asia safe?
That’s a inquiry I larn asked often, peculiarly yesteryear solo travelers (or their worried families).
Generally speaking, Southeast Asia is incredibly safe. In fact, it’s i of the safest regions inwards the world.
You aren’t going to actually human face upwardly whatever physical danger, as well as it’s rare to fifty-fifty larn robbed or mugged. People are nice, respectful, as well as friendly.
That said, here’s everything y'all demand to know to remain condom inwards Southeast Asia!
Table of Contents
- 11 Ways to Stay Safe inwards Southeast Asia
- 5 Common Scams inwards Southeast Asia
- Is the nutrient condom inwards Southeast Asia?
- Can You Drink the Tap Water inwards Southeast Asia?
- Are Taxis Safe inwards Southeast Asia?
- Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Travelers?
- Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
- Should You Visit Southeast Asia?
11 Ways to Stay Safe inwards Southeast Asia
Staying condom inwards Southeast Asia doesn’t accept a lot of work. Southeast Asia is an incredibly condom house to backpack as well as locomote – fifty-fifty if you’re traveling solo, as well as fifty-fifty every bit a solo woman mortal traveler. Violent attacks are rare. There are some mutual scams around, similar the motorbike scam where vendors sweat to accuse y'all for impairment to their bike, but for the most part, this is a condom house to travel. People are prissy as well as helpful as well as you’re unlikely to go into trouble. The people who produce tend to hold out involved with drinking or drugs or sec tourism. Stay away from that materials as well as you’ll hold out fine. That said, hither are eleven ways to ensure zero is going to give on your trip:
1. Watch for purse-snatchers – Purse-snatching is rare, but it does happen. To avoid the most mutual types of theft, don’t have on your purse or purse over precisely i shoulder — instead, have on it across the front end of your body. Also, many purse-snatchers volition hold out on a scooter, hence accept particular caution when walking amongst traffic.
2. Be extra careful inwards traffic – Most injuries inwards Southeast Asia are caused yesteryear vehicles. Be peculiarly careful walking inwards hectic cities similar Hanoi or if y'all are driving (especially scooters).
3. Don’t produce drugs – Drugs similar marijuana are easily accessible inwards Southeast Asia (especially inwards political party locations, similar the Full Luna Party). But they are illegal! Fines are heavy — as well as if y'all larn caught, await to pass fourth dimension inwards jail or pay a hefty bribe. Save yourself the hassle as well as don’t produce whatever drugs spell you’re inwards the region.
4. Wear a helmet – If you’re renting or riding a scooter or motorbike, hold out certain to have on a helmet. Also have on proper have on as well as footwear. I’ve seen a lot of route rash during my fourth dimension inwards Southeast Asia!
5. Look out for bedbugs – Unfortunately, bedbugs are a reality inwards Southeast Asia. Though rare, y'all volition probable encounter them at some betoken if you’re traveling around the percentage for whatever length of time. Always banking concern fit your accommodation inwards advance. If it looks dirty, only motion on. Also, never pose your backpack on your bed. That way, if the bed is contaminated, at to the lowest degree your backpack won’t also hold out contaminated.
6. Bring a lock – While theft inwards dorm rooms is rare, y'all don’t desire to accept whatever chances. Hostels almost e'er receive got lockers available. Bring a lock hence y'all tin shipping away store your possessions safely spell you’re out as well as about.
7. Hide your valuables – When you’re out exploring, continue your wallet as well as valuables hidden inwards your backpack (or leave of absence them loved upwardly inwards your accommodation). Carry some cash inwards your pockets, but continue your cards as well as other valuables out of reach. Most theft is opportunistic, hence if you’re vigilant, you’ll receive got zero to worry about!
8. Don’t political party solo – Make certain if you’re out partying that y'all produce it with friends or people y'all tin shipping away trust. Don’t larn hence drunkard that y'all can’t larn habitation safely. (If you’re taking business office inwards the Full Luna Party inwards Thailand, y'all tin shipping away notice specific security tips inwards this weblog post.)
9. Keep your passport – Never give away your passport every bit a deposit when booking things similar accommodation or rentals. Always construct certain y'all larn it back, or else y'all mightiness non reckon it again. (And hold out certain to continue a digital scan of your passport inwards your electronic mail inbox precisely inwards case.)
10. Stay away from animals – Stray dogs (as good every bit monkeys) oft demeanour diseases, such every bit rabies (which tin shipping away hold out fatal). To avoid getting bitten, don’t pet stray dogs or wild monkeys.
11. Buy locomote insurance – While Southeast Asia is by as well as large safe, unexpected incidents tin shipping away notwithstanding occur. Cover yourself yesteryear buying travel insurance. It has the potential to relieve y'all thousands of dollars spell also giving y'all peace of mind. I never leave of absence habitation without it!
5 Common Scams inwards Southeast Asia
While Southeast Asia is by as well as large quite safe, in that location are notwithstanding a few mutual travel scams. Here are iv of the most mutual scams — as well as how y'all tin shipping away avoid getting fooled yesteryear them!
1. The Taxi/Tuk-tuk Overcharge
This is i of the most mutual locomote scams out in that location — you’ll encounter it all across Southeast Asia. Either the driver volition enjoin y'all the taxi meter is broken as well as sweat to accuse y'all a high rate, or you’ll reckon the cost on the meter skyrocket faster than Superman!
For tuk-tuks, you’ll demand to negotiate inwards advance, because drivers volition quote a toll much higher than what the ride should cost. To avoid existence ripped off, you’ll starting fourth dimension demand to know how much your ride should cost. The best way to figure this out is to inquire your hostel or hotel staff for a quote hence y'all receive got a frame of reference (or google it, if you’re precisely arriving).
If the driver tries to negotiate the charge per unit of measurement with you, offering them the right rate. If they refuse, precisely leave of absence as well as notice someone who volition pose the meter on. (Then, if the meter seems to hold out going upwardly every bit good quickly, receive got them push clitoris over as well as larn out.)
Many tourism boards permit y'all study bad cab drivers, hence hold out certain to e'er construct a mental Federal Reserve annotation of their ID number when y'all construct it the cab.
2. Motorbike Scam
Southeast Asia is a nifty house to rent a scooter or motorbike as well as larn off the beaten path. But in that location is a mutual scam you’ll desire to hold out aware of.
Here’s how it goes: You’ll rent a wheel as well as and hence when y'all convey it back, the possessor volition demand additional payment or expensive repairs because in that location is some “damage” y'all didn’t know about. Sometimes the possessor volition shipping someone to mess with the wheel or steal it hence y'all receive got to pay.
To avoid this, accept photos of the wheel starting fourth dimension to document whatever previous damage. Go around it with the possessor hence they know what y'all are taking pictures of.
Once y'all rent it, purpose your ain lock as well as continue the wheel out of sight as well as off top dog streets when y'all commons it.
Also, e'er construct certain y'all buy locomote insurance hence y'all tin shipping away construct a claim if in that location is an issue.
3. Your Attraction is Closed for Lunch
I admit, I receive got fallen for this i before. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 friendly local volition approach y'all as well as inform y'all that the attraction y'all desire to catch (often a temple) is closed for whatever number of reasons (religious ceremony, holiday, etc.).
They’ll as well as hence sweat to guide y'all to a different attraction (or oft a shop), where you’re heavily pressured to purchase something or pay a high admission price.
To avoid this scam, hold out certain to inquire your accommodation staff earlier y'all leave of absence to confirm that the attraction is open. Then notice the top dog entrance or ticket counter as well as reckon for yourself. Opening as well as closing times are almost e'er available online too, hence y'all tin shipping away oft facial expression them upwardly precisely to hold out safe.
Generally speaking, most attractions inwards Southeast Asia don’t closed for lunch. They either closed for the twenty-four hours or non at all.
4. The Drug Deal Gone Bad
This scam is mutual anywhere in that location is a political party inwards Southeast Asia. You’ll hold out inwards a pop tourist expanse (usually a political party place) as well as someone volition offering y'all drugs.
If y'all tell yes, earlier y'all know it, a existent cop is volition hold out on the scene! They’ll insist that they are going to arrest y'all unless y'all tin shipping away pay a hefty fine right in that location (i.e., a bribe).
Caught red-handed, you’ll in all likelihood pay the bribe rather than larn to jail. Simply put: Don’t purchase drugs inwards other countries!
5. The Taxi Scam
Only purpose taxis that purpose a meter. If the meter is rigged or they turn down to purpose it, precisely go out as well as notice a novel taxi (more on this below!).
Is the Food Safe inwards Southeast Asia?
If the nutrient weren’t condom here, I’d probable never come upwardly back. Street nutrient is almost e'er condom (it’s of import to the cultures of the locals). In fact, it’s commonly to a greater extent than condom than restaurants, because the performance is hence uncomplicated as well as the turnover hence fast.
When looking for somewhere to eat, notice a house with a crowd, every bit good every bit i with children — if parents recall it’s condom for the kids, as well as hence it’s condom for you! Anywhere with a lot of people (specifically locals) is a practiced indicator that the nutrient is both practiced as well as safe.
Be certain to launder your hands earlier eating (hand sanitizer is practiced for that), every bit you’ll probable receive got been out as well as well-nigh all twenty-four hours as well as may receive got picked upwardly all sorts of germs.
Can You Drink the Tap Water inwards Southeast Asia?
The tap H2O inwards Southeast Asia volition vary from solid ground to country, but every bit a full general dominion I would non recommend y'all drinkable the H2O unless y'all receive got a H2O purifier similar the Lifestraw or Steripen.
Are Taxis Safe inwards Southeast Asia?
Taxis inwards Southeast Asia are condom — but they also receive got a reputation for overcharging (see above) or taking longer routes to dive upwardly the fare.
Always construct certain your driver is using the meter (and that the meter is non moving overly quickly). If y'all encounter a problem, only go out as well as notice a novel taxi.
A improve alternative is Grab or Uber (depending on where y'all are). You’ll hold out able to reckon your driver, rails your ride, as well as construct complaints if y'all receive got a problem. It’s the best way to larn around, when available.
Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Travelers?
Southeast Asia is i of the best places inwards the globe for solo travelers. There are tons visiting the percentage each as well as every year, many of them traveling solo for the starting fourth dimension time (it’s nifty for both novel as well as veteran travelers alike).
With a petty mutual sense, a solo traveler won’t receive got to worry much well-nigh security here. There is a well-worn backpacker trail, hence you’ll never hold out far from other travelers. That agency it’s tardily to reckon people inwards representative y'all create upwardly one's heed you’d rather locomote inwards a grouping for some (or all) of your trip.
Is Southeast Asia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Female travelers receive got additional security concerns they demand to hold out aware of. That existence said, Southeast Asia is notwithstanding i of the best (and most safe) regions for solo woman mortal travel.
By next the tips above, every bit good every bit the same precautions you’d accept at habitation (such every bit non wandering lone at nighttime intoxicated, keeping an pump on your drinkable spell at the bar, etc.), a solo woman mortal traveler volition hold out able to receive got an amazing catch to Southeast Asia without worrying every bit good much well-nigh her safety.
And every bit mentioned above, with hence many solo travelers — including many women — inwards the region, it’s tardily to notice others to pass fourth dimension with inwards representative you’re feeling insecure or unsafe.
Should You Visit Southeast Asia?
So, is Southeast Asia safe?
Absolutely!
It’s super unlikely that anything volition happen. And fifty-fifty less hence if y'all follow the advice listed above.
Be certain to larn locomote insurance precisely inwards representative something goes wrong. The yesteryear is non prologue as well as y'all e'er desire to play it safe. Travel insurance was in that location when I lost my bag, broke my camera, as well as popped an eardrum spell diving inwards Thailand. I never expected those things to give as well as was glad I had insurance! You tin shipping away purpose the widget below to facial expression upwardly the locomote insurance policy that is right for y'all (or just click hither to larn to their website directly):
Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a inexpensive flying yesteryear using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my ii favorite search engines because they search websites as well as airlines around the globe, hence y'all e'er know no stone is existence left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You tin shipping away mass your hostel with Hostelworld every bit they receive got the largest inventory. If y'all desire to remain somewher eother than a hotel, purpose Booking.com, every bit they consistently supply the cheapest rates for guesthouses as well as inexpensive hotels. I purpose them all the time. Some suggested places to remain inwards the percentage are:
- Golden Mountain Hostel (Bangkok) – This is a novel hostel with dorm beds built into the wall for added privacy. Each room sleeps 8 people as well as the décor is super beautiful as well as good idea out. The mattresses are soft too!
- Sla Boutique Hostel (Phnom Penh) – This is a nicer hostel that’s good designed as well as nifty for coming together like-minded travelers. The staff are super helpful as well as it’s located close lots of bars, attractions, as well as restaurants (but the hostel itself is pretty quiet).
- Coral Hostel (Singapore) – With all twenty-four hours breakfast, fast Wi-Fi, as well as AC, this is a nifty selection for the budget-savvy traveler. Everything is novel as well as clean, as well as they also receive got female-only dorms.
- Kememai Hostel (Ubud) – This hostel is pocket-size as well as cheap, but the staff are friendly as well as it has everything y'all demand for a comfy budget stay.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance volition protect y'all against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection inwards representative anything goes wrong. I never larn on a trip without it, every bit I’ve had to purpose it many times inwards the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for 10 years. My favorite companies that offering the best service as well as value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the best companies to relieve coin with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to purpose when y'all travel! I listing all the ones I purpose — as well as I recall they volition assist y'all too!
Looking for to a greater extent than data on visiting Southeast Asia?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Southeast Asia with to a greater extent than tips on what to reckon as well as do, costs, ways to save, as well as much, much more!
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