Where to Go in Southeast Asia

Tat Kuang Si Waterfall is a good day trip from Luang Prabang, Laos!

Southeast Asia is the perfect travel destination – it’s cheap, safe and beautiful. Plus, it’s always flip-flop weather!

There’s no place I love more than Asia. I’ve spent years managing photo trips for a travel company in Southeast Asia and live in Chiang Mai every winter. From jungle treks to ancient ruins, keep reading for my favorite places to visit and things to do in Southeast Asia.

Built in 1560, Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Laos.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is one of my favorite cities in the world and a traveler’s dream. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by lush mountains and sliced in half by the mighty Mekong River. The former French colony opened for tourism in 1989 making it one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets.

The former royal capital is known for well-preserved golden temples and the daily morning procession of monks who walk the streets collecting alms from locals. The town center is lined with delicious French restaurants, cafes and bakeries like JOMA, Popolo, Bamboo Garden, Family Bakery Restaurant and Le Banneton Café & French Bakery.

Don’t miss the local street market one block over – fresh crepes, fish and local stir-fries are available every morning for cheap. Be sure to hike the impressive Tat Kuang Si Waterfall and take a boat trip down the Mekong to visit the Buddha-filled Pak Ou Caves. (Price tours with local agencies and Klook to find the best options.)

IMPORTANT TIP: If you go to the monk alms ceremony, be respectful of the monks! Take photos from a distance and not directly in their faces.  Dress conservatively, and do not stand higher than the monks. (You’ll notice most locals are seated.) Avoid giving the monks food because there’s been a huge issue with on-site street vendors selling foreigners old food that makes the monks sick. Let only the locals give food.

Where to Stay in Luang Prabang

I like Meunna Boutique Hotel ($70 USD/night) because it’s a quiet location with a pool that’s walkable to any spot in the city. It’s hard to find a room with a good desk for working so that’s also why I love this post.

Cheaper options include the rooms at Maison Barn Laos for $39/night or the $8/night dorms at La Casa Hostel.

For a fancier waterfront spot, I like the Belle Rive Boutique Hotel ($117/night). Its riverside restaurant is my favorite sunset spot.

How to get to Luang Prabang

The easiest way is to fly—I recommend either Bangkok Airways or Vietnam Airways. There’s a new high-speed train that makes the journey from the capital of Vientiane in less than 2.5 hours. Tickets sell out fast days in advance, so ask your accommodation for help. Check out my Instagram story about my experience! You can take boats downstream from the upper Mekong but a new dam built above Luang Prabang means you’ll be take by van for the last few kilometers. The roads are windy so avoid buses if you can.

When to go to Luang Prabang

I prefer the rainy season which lasts roughly from April to October, which usually means brief showers daily. It’s much lusher. March is the hottest month. November to January are the coolest months and most crowded. The bamboo bridges are up this time of year, which is fun. I either go in August or January.

Two angles of the giant Buddha statue at Wat Si Chum in Sukhothai Historical Park.

Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand

My favorite place in Thailand is Sukhothai Historical Park, the site of the 13th- and 14th-century capital of Siam. Within the old city walls of the UNESCO World Heritage site, there are 21 sets of gorgeous ruins and another 70 in a five-kilometer radius, which are best visited by bike or motorbike. (I always rent a bike by the park entrance for less than $1 USD.)

The size of the park makes it easy to escape the crowds. The ruins are more centralized and much less crowded than Ayutthaya, whose sites are spread across the town and surrounded by pushy street vendors.

My favorite ruins are Wat Si Chum featuring a famous giant Buddha statue above; Wat Mahathat, the largest ruin and former royal palace, and the Khmer style temple, Wat Si Sawai, that is reminiscent of Angkor Wat.

For a very local experience, visit the nearby site of Si Satchanalai, which is part of the same UNESCO designation. (Sukhothai was the political head of the first kingdom of Thailand while Si Satchanalai was the spiritual headquarters.) For details on how to visit, check out my Instagram highlight on Si Satchanalai. 

Where to Stay in Sukhothai

On my last visit, I stayed at TR Guesthouse ($14 USD/night for a private room) and really liked it. Free breakfast is included. 

How to get to Sukhothai

The park is a few hours north of Bangkok and the perfect stop enroute to Chiang Mai. Catch a bus from Bangkok’s northern bus station, Mo Chit. The closet train station is Phitsanulok, an hour away. The park is 12 km from the new town of Sukhothai and easily accessible by tuk tuk or a songthaew (pickup truck style bus). The entrance fee for foreigners is 100 Baht ($2.80 USD) for each zone or 350 Baht ($10 USD) for all five zones.

When to go to Sukhothai

Avoid March and April when it’s steaming hot. The dry season, from November to February, has best weather while June to October is monsoon season. I prefer the rainy season when the trees are a vibrant green and the puddles make for great photos.

A bird’s eye view of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is one of those places like Machu Picchu that you must visit once in your life. The scenery is postcard-perfect: limestone pillars and tiny islands scattered through the Gulf of Tonkin’s emerald waters. It is the number one attraction in Vietnam.

The best way to experience the bay is to do a multiple-day cruise on a houseboat to explore the islands, swim and eat year weight in fresh seafood! There are short boat trips and overnight cruises for every budget. I recommend spending a night or two on a houseboat!

How to Get to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Boats depart from the less-appealing port town of Halong City. It’s four hours north of Hanoi by car or bus. Klook offers budget-friendly transfers and tours.

When to go to Ha Long Bay

Avoid February to April when it’s cool and drizzly. Peak season is June to mid-August, which also corresponds with tropical storm season. November is best for blue skies and calm seas. (I’ve been in July and January.)

Singapore’s famous Merlion, a half-lion and half-fish statue guards Marina Bay.

Singapore

Singapore is the New York City of Southeast Asia, filled with sleek skyscrapers, world-class museums and culinary delights.

The only way to fully understand Singapore’s kaleidoscope of cultures (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western) is to explore the museums, including The National Museum of Singapore and the Peranakan Museum. Other highlights include the famous Supertree Grove of vertical gardens at the Gardens by the Bay and the view from the rooftop bar of Marina Bay Sands Resort.

Despite its sleek and sophisticated exterior, the heart of the city is the countless food stalls that serve up tasty treats like traditional kaya (coconut jam) toast and Hainanese chicken rice.

For more, read my detailed Singapore guide!

Where to Stay in Singapore

I really love the location of 30 Bencoolen because it’s only a 20–30-minute walk to Chinatown or downtown.

If you’re looking to splurge or cash in points for a luxury stay, then the most iconic hotels are Raffles Singapore, Fullerton Bay Hotel and Marina Bay Sands.

How to get to Singapore

You can fly to Singapore from just about anywhere. Changi Airport is the nicest airport in the world. (Trust me, you WANT a layover in Singapore.) It’s easily accessible by bus from Peninsular Malaysia and by ferry from parts of Indonesia.

When to go to Singapore

Monsoon season lasts from November to January. June to September is when the rain clears off and temperatures spike a bit. Overall, it’s usually 81-87 °F year-round.

Left: The colorful Buddhist temple of Kek Lok Si; Right: George Town’s famous street art.

George Town, Malaysia

Like Singapore, George Town (the capital of the island state of Penang) is a mixture of three cultures and various types of architecture, ranging from Chinese shophouses to British colonial buildings.

It’s also the street art capital of Southeast Asia. Pick up a map from your hotel or the tourism association to guide you through the labyrinth of 3D artwork and murals like the one decorating the shop where Penang native and famous shoemaker Jimmy Choo first apprenticed.

Be sure to eat the crispy chicken with plum sauce for dinner at Tek Sen! Other highlights include the house museums including the famous Blue Mansion.

How to get to George Town, Malaysia

It’s easily accessible by plane from across Southeast Asia. There is a train service from Kuala Lumpur (KL) and buses from all over Malaysia. (I took the bus from KL many times, which was comfy and nice.)

When to go to George Town, Malaysia

The weather doesn’t fluctuate much here. Holidays like Chinese New Year will be crowded. November and December are when temperatures drop a little.

Thomas’s leaf monkeys (left) and Sumatran orangutan (right) in Gunung Leuser National Park on Sumatra, Indonesia.

Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia

The Indonesian Island of Sumatra parallels peninsular Malaysia and Singapore and is known for the diversity of its tropical forests. One of the highlights is Gunung Leuser National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve that’s home to the critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and endemic Thomas’s leaf monkey. The main hub for visiting the park is the town of Bukit Lawang where orangutan treks can be arranged with guides. (I have been to all seven continents, and this is arguably one of the coolest experiences of my life.)

When to go to Sumatra

Fruit is more plentiful in the rainy season (November to March) making it easier to see the orangutans. I visited in August with no rain and great orangutan sightings.

How to get to Sumatra

Medan is the closest major city with an airport. From there, you can bus or drive. Transfers can also be arranged via Klook.

Where to stay in Bukit Lawang

I stayed at Rindu Alam Hotel, which had convenient access to the jungle trails to Gunung Leuser National Park. It’s a no-frills hotel with large, air-conditioned rooms. The location and food were fantastic!

A sunrise view from the top of Baphuon temple in Angkor Thom in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world, is Cambodia’s claim to fame—it adorns everything from the currency to the national flag. While the most famous temples in the Angkor Archeological Site are Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple) and Bayon, there are dozens of other temples built by the same god-kings nearby that are worth exploring.

I visit Angkor every year for work and my personal favorites are Preah Kahn, Baphuon and Pre Rup. (Banteay Kdei is a less-crowded alternative to Ta Prohm.) To make the most of your visit, consider buying at three- or five-day pass.

Venture further for fewer crowds at the Roluos temple group (short tuk-tuk ride east of Siem Reap) or drive northeast to the tiered-pyramid of Koh Ker and the unrestored jungle temple of Beng Mealea. To fully escape the crowds, check out the story I wrote for National Geographic for other remote temple complexes.

The charming tourist town of Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor temples. It’s a fun town with great food options like Wild, Sambo Khmer & Thai Restaurant, New Leaf Eatery, Mamma Shop Italian and Fellini. The best craft beer spot in town is Embargo Craft Beer.

Gelato Lab has the best ice cream.

How to get to Siem Reap

Siem Reap is accessible by plane from most major cities in Southeast Asia. (I always fly from Bangkok, Singapore or Ho Chi Minh.) It’s a six-hour drive or bus ride from Phnom Penh.

When to go to Angkor Wat

The rainy season is from May to October. (I personally prefer the end of the rainy season when everything is lush and green.) The weather is cooler (but still hot) from November to February, but all the rice fields and trees are brown.

Where to stay in Siem Reap

The Hari Residence Hotel ($55-60 USD/night) is one of my favorites—rooftop pool and free breakfast.

For more budget-friendly options, consider the highly-rated The Urban ($22 USD/night) or Boutique Indochine d’Angkor ($22 USD/night on Booking.com). Hostels, like Lub d Cambodia Siem Reap and Bokre Angkor Hostel range from $4-14 USD a night.

If you’re looking to splurge on a fancy resort, then I recommend Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor or Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Resort. (This is where I stay for work.)

Miniature tuk tuks at a market in Bangkok.

Southeast Asia FAQ

Do you need travel medical insurance for Southeast Asia?

Yes, travel medical insurance is one of the most important things to purchase for any trip abroad, especially  Southeast Asia. It covers all the things that could go wrong from injuries to travel delays so that you don’t have to worry and can focus on traveling!

I use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance, which offers $0 deductible travel medical insurance coverage for over 180 countries for people aged 69 and under when traveling outside their home country. The best part is that it only costs a few dollars a day! If you get sick or injured abroad, you can visit any hospital or doctor. Other benefits of Nomad Insurance include coverage for lost checked luggage, travel delays over 12 hours, motor accidents (if properly licensed, wearing all safety equipment and not intoxicated) and injuries from sports or leisure activities. You can even add adventure sports, electronics theft and U.S. coverage (for non-residents) to your policy.

If you’re abroad for 90 days, you can get 30 days of home-country coverage. (For the U.S. residents, it’s 15 days.) Plus, every single part of the process from purchasing a policy to filing a claim is easy, which is why SafetyWing has been the best travel medical insurance policy for me.

For more details about my experience using SafetyWing in Southeast Asia, read my SafetyWing Review.

Where’s the best place to buy a SIM card for Southeast Asia?

If you are traveling to multiple countries in Southeast Asia on a short trip, then consider one of their Asia Regional eSIM cards. (Both the country-specific and regional eSIMs have worked wonderfully for me and even have a mobile hotspot option that’s critical for me because I’m always working remotely.)  Keep in mind it’s always cheaper to buy a country-specific eSIM than a regional one.

Be sure to join the free Airalo Loyalty Program to earn 5% cash back for every purchase, which can be redeemed on future purchases. For more about eSIM cards, read my Airalo Review and guide to pros and cons of eSIM cards.