Travel tips for while you’re backpacking Southeast Asia and Australia, or some travel inspiration if you’re sat at a desk wishing you were here. Written by backpackers living or traveling around this side of the world. We’ve got travel advice for Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This Kampot travel guide starts with a warning: you’ll probably stay longer than planned. Kampot, Cambodia, is one of those towns where you book two nights and accidentally stay for two weeks. Slow river mornings, cheap sunset beers by the water, and long scooter rides past salt fields and pepper farms have a way of pulling travelers in longer than expected. But the slower pace makes many first-time visitors underestimate how different traveling here can feel. Between border crossings, cash-only businesses, sudden tropical downpours, and long stretches of dark roads outside town, there are a few things worth knowing before you arrive. Visas and Border Crossings: Don’t Mess This Up Getting into Cambodia is pretty straightforward, but you still need to know the drill before you reach the border. Most nationalities need a visa. You can either apply for an eVisa online before your trip or get a visa on arrival at major airports and most land borders. Tourist visas usually cost around 120,000 KHR ($30 USD) and typically give travelers 30 days in the country. You’ll usually need: If you forget the photo, border officials will often scan your passport photo for an extra fee. It’s not a disaster, but it can slow things down when you’re already stuck sweating in a long immigration queue. Thirty days feels like more than enough until Cambodia slows you down in the best way possible. Somewhere between the slow mornings and riverside nights, travelers start figuring out how to stretch the trip a little further. The Vietnam Border Warning Most Travelers Learn Too Late Crossing into Vietnam from Kampot through the Ha Tien land border? Sort out your Vietnam eVisa before leaving Cambodia. This border crossing does not offer visa-on-arrival services. A lot of travelers leave it until the last minute, assume they can sort it out at the border, then end up stuck on the Cambodian side with nowhere to go. Traveler Tip: Download offline copies of your passport, visa documents, and travel confirmations before heading to the border. Southeast Asian border crossings turn chaotic fast, especially once mobile data cuts out at checkpoints. Money: The Two-Currency Hustle Cambodia officially uses the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but daily life in Kampot runs on a messy mix of Riel and US Dollars. One minute you’re paying 12,000 KHR ($3 USD) for a beer, the next you’re handing over a $10 bill and getting change back in crumpled Riel notes and small USD bills The exchange rate usually sits around 4,000 to 4,100 KHR to $1 USD, though most travelers stop doing the math after a few days and just learn to carry both currencies everywhere. Bring Clean USD Bills Cambodia takes USD seriously. Torn corners, pen marks, heavy creases, or faded bills can get rejected without warning. Nothing kills the mood faster than trying to pay for dinner and realizing nobody wants the last cash bill sitting in your wallet. Small Bills Rule Small US bills still circulate in Cambodia, but Riel now shows up far more often for everyday purchases and loose change. You’ll still want smaller USD notes for things like tuk-tuks, cafés, and quick food stops around Kampot, but don’t expect to get all your change back in Dollars. After a few days, most travelers end up carrying a mix of USD bills and crumpled Riel notes shoved somewhere in their wallet. ATMs in Kampot You’ll find plenty of ATMs around central Kampot, especially near the riverside, markets, and main tourist streets. Most machines charge around 16,000 to 20,000 KHR ($4 to $5 USD) every time you withdraw money. Those…
Group Trips: All Planned, No Surprises Group trips offer a set itinerary, with accommodation and transport sorted out for you. You follow a schedule, see the main sights, and move along with the group. It’s straightforward, but it comes with limits. Pros of Group Trips Stress-Free Planning Everything’s pre-arranged. How to get from A to B won’t be a worry for you. The tour company handles it. Good for New Travelers First time backpacking? A group trip can be less intimidating. With everything taken care of, you’ll have a guide and a built-in group of travelers to hang with. Instant Friends Making friends is a breeze! You’ll be with the same group throughout the entire trip, sharing experiences from start to finish. Cons of Group Trips Stuck to a Schedule You don’t have much say in the itinerary. Early mornings, set time limits, and no flexibility if you want to stay longer somewhere awesome. Tourist Traps Group trips often focus on popular spots, which can mean missing out on the more authentic, local experiences that independent travel allows. More Expensive All-inclusive tours come with a price tag. You’ll pay upfront for convenience, and there’s usually little wiggle room to control your spending. Mad Pass: Total Freedom, Your Way With the Mad Pass, you’re in control. Unlimited stays at Mad Monkey Hostels for 30, 60, or 90 days. No fixed schedules, no rushing, just your own adventure, on your own terms. Imagine having one pass with unlimited access to Mad Monkey Hostels in six countries Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Pros of the Mad Pass Full Flexibility There’s no set route. Want to spend a week in Gili T or a quick getaway in Hanoi? You have full control. Move as fast or as slow as you want. Unlimited Stays Stay at any Mad Monkey Hostel across Southeast Asia. One payment, no worries about booking new places. Just show up. Meet New People Everywhere Mad Monkey Hostels are social hubs. Every new location means fresh faces, new friends, and epic hostel events like pub crawls and pool parties. Budget-Friendly The Mad Pass saves you cash. Pay once and your accommodation is covered for up to 90 days. That leaves more budget for street food, adventures, and fun. Real Local Experiences Because you’re not locked into a set plan, you can explore beyond the tourist trail. Follow local tips from fellow travelers and hostel staff, and dive into the culture. Cons of the Mad Pass No Fixed Routine Some people thrive on structure, and the Mad Pass doesn’t come with a daily plan. If you prefer having a strict itinerary with everything mapped out, the freedom of the Mad Pass might feel a little overwhelming at first. So, What’s the Verdict? If you want someone else to plan your trip and like the idea of traveling with the same group, a group tour might work for you. But if you want total freedom, flexibility, and the chance to meet new people everywhere you go, the Mad Pass is hands down the better option. With unlimited stays, the freedom to travel at your own pace, and a budget that works for real backpackers, the Mad Pass offers the adventure you’re really looking for. When it comes to group trips vs Mad Pass, there’s no contest—grab a Mad Pass and start your ultimate Southeast Asia adventure. Need planning tips? Check out our itinerary blogs to make your Southeast Asia adventure planning a breeze. Itinerary in Cambodia for 30 Days: Ultimate Guide for Backpackers 30 Days Itinerary in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide for Backpackers 60 Days Itinerary in…
The Clean Water Project: Impact Across the Loop Access to clean water remains a top priority. This year, we achieved a major milestone in Northern Vietnam: Supporting Students & Education: Building Brighter Futures Education is the cornerstone of sustainable change. In 2025, our properties focused on everything from infrastructure to nutrition and sports: Protecting the Environment: Preserving Our Paradise We are committed to ensuring that the natural beauty of our destinations is preserved for future generations: Community Support Initiatives: The Spirit of Giving Back When our communities face challenges, the Mad Monkey family steps up with heart and action: Sustainability Milestones: Climbing the Staircase We are focused on minimizing our footprint and leading the way in responsible hospitality: As we close the chapter on 2025, we are proud to share that we collectively raised over $14,300 for various charities and organizations. While this figure represents our shared commitment to giving back, the true measure of our efforts lies beyond monetary value. It’s in the countless smiles, strengthened communities, and opportunities we’ve helped create in the places we call home. Together, we’ve shown that meaningful change is possible when we combine purpose with passion. We look forward to continuing this incredible journey in the years to come See the full 2025 Community Impact Report Here
Know What You Can Spend Each Day Before you even leave, figure out roughly how much you can spend daily. Include food, rooms, transport, and some fun money for nights out or tours. You don’t need to track every cent, but having a loose number keeps you from blowing your budget on day three. There are great apps for this stuff, but honestly? Notes on your phone works fine if you actually check it. Stay in Hostels That Save You Money The right hostel can save you way more than a “cheap hotel.” Look for free breakfast, group dinners, or social nights that don’t cost much. Find a social hostel that fits your vibe — you get cheap meals, happy hour deals, and free events. You’ll spend less and still meet people every night. Check out more hostel hacks every traveler needs to know. Eat Like a Local Street food is your wallet’s best friend. Markets and local joints are where you’ll find the best meals anyway. In Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, you can eat well for just a few dollars. Pro tip: follow the locals or the longest queue, it usually means the food’s legit. Walk More, Ride Smart You don’t have to pay for a Grab every time. Walk when you can — it’s free and the best way to actually see a city. For longer trips, use buses or trains. They’re slower, sure, but they keep your budget happy. Mix Paid Tours with Free Adventures You don’t need to spend every day doing something big. Do the paid tour you’ve been eyeing, then balance it with a chill beach day or local market wander. Some hostels post free or cheap activities on their boards. Just ask the staff what’s happening. They usually know the best deals in town. Keep a Backup Fund Stuff happens. Flights get canceled, cards stop working, phones fall in pools. Have a little money set aside that you don’t touch unless it’s a real emergency. Keep a small bit of cash hidden too, just in case. Stay Smart About ATMs and Fees Watch the ATM fees. Try to take out more money less often instead of a bunch of small withdrawals. Look for some travel cards that can save you a few bucks each time. And always use ATMs at banks, not random street corners. Final Thoughts Traveling solo on a budget doesn’t mean saying no to fun. It’s just about being smart with where your money goes. Save on the boring stuff so you can splurge on the memories that matter — the island tours, the night markets, the sunsets that turn into stories. Because traveling alone isn’t about how much you spend — it’s about how well you spend it. Pin Now. Read Later.
