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.
Mad Monkey Hostels is rolling out the biggest upgrade yet to its destination-based membership program, Mad Loyalty, giving members the ability to see and claim their perks the moment they book, no separate step required. What is Mad Loyalty? Mad Monkey first launched its revamped Mad Loyalty program this month as a way to reward its most dedicated travelers. Mad Loyalty is designed as a destination-based membership rather than a traditional points-based system, which aims to encourage guests to explore multiple locations within the Mad Monkey network, sort of like a passport for the brand’s expansive footprint. As Mad Monkey describes the program, it is built for “people who love paying less than everyone else.” Members unlock escalating discounts and exclusive perks as they stay at different properties, connecting them to the broader Mad Monkey community while enjoying the benefits of direct booking. Who is Mad Monkey? Mad Monkey is known for affordable accommodations, highly social environments, and community-driven impact. Basically, it’s a brand for young, fast-moving travelers visiting major cities and remote destinations alike. The company opened its first hostel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2011 with an attention-grabbing focus on social responsibility and community events. The company currently counts over 20 hostels in 7 countries, including locations in Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Australia. Among the experiences Mad Monkey offers, locations range from vibrant city centers and remote island retreats to adventure-focused outposts. The chain has plans to continue expanding its footprint, offering even more destinations for Mad Loyalty members to explore. How does the new instant-claim feature work? Mad Loyalty has been fully live across the network for months, with travelers able to sign up for free directly through Mad Monkey and unlock benefits immediately. Now, the program is getting its most member-friendly update since launch: real-time perk eligibility built directly into the booking flow. Previously, members had to already know which perks they’d earned and separately apply them. Under the new system, as soon as a logged-in member selects their dates and room on the booking page, Mad Monkey automatically checks their Mad Loyalty tier against that stay and surfaces any perk they qualify for, whether that’s a free-night stay, a discount, or another benefit tied to their level. Members simply toggle the perk on and it’s applied straight to the total, before they ever reach checkout. That means no promo codes to track down, no digging through account pages, and no missed perks. If a member is eligible, the booking page shows it to them in the moment, and claiming it takes one tap. Mad Monkey has structured the program into four distinct tiers based on the number of properties visited. Creating an account instantly unlocks the Member level and initial perks. Booking a stay at one property elevates the guest to the Mad level. Exploring further and booking three different properties unlocks the Madder level. Finally, guests who book stays at five distinct properties reach the top-tier Maddest level, which grants the most significant discounts and exclusive benefits. Unlike traditional hostel loyalty programs that require thousands of points for a single reward, Mad Loyalty members level up simply by traveling to new destinations. This destination-based progression encourages guests to experience the diverse cultural offerings and signature weekly events across the Mad Monkey portfolio. Existing guests who have previously booked directly will have their past stays recognized, potentially fast-tracking their path to higher tiers. Bottom line Mad Loyalty remains Mad Monkey’s signature rewards program, and its newest update makes it easier than ever to actually use. Guests can sign up for free…
Let’s be honest. Finding decent second-hand shops near Mad Monkey hostels is sometimes the difference between a fresh night-out fit and wearing the same sweaty shirt for the third day straight. Maybe your clean shirt has vanished into the dorm void. Maybe your beach shorts did not survive the last boat trip. Maybe tonight is looking like absolute scenes, and your outfit still says “14-hour bus ride.” Good news, you do not need to panic-buy some overpriced mall top or become the 400th person wearing elephant pants. There are plenty of second-hand shops near Mad Monkey hostels, from vintage gems to chaotic little rack-digging side quests. All of them are better than blowing your beer budget on fast fashion. Quick Answer: Best Thrift Finds Near Mad Monkey Hostels The best second-hand shops near Mad Monkey hostels include vintage spots around Khao San Road in Bangkok, Go2hand in Hoi An, Vinnies Coogee in Sydney, thrift finds around Kampot, and What’s Good Store in Uluwatu. If your backpack is starting to smell like bad decisions, these are the places to hunt for fresh garms without destroying the night-out fund. Destination Second-hand spot What is it good for What is it good for Bangkok, Thailand Vintage spots around Khao San Road Vintage bits before a Khao San night out The Khao San area is packed with backpackers, markets, and small vintage finds, so it is an easy place to hunt for a last-minute fit before the chaos starts. Hoi An, Vietnam Go2hand Pre-loved clothes between beach days and lantern walks A handy second-hand stop when you need a fresh fit without doing the full tailor-shop saga. Coogee Beach, Australia Vinnies Coogee Op-shop basics, books, accessories and random gold Op-shop basics, books, accessories, and random gold Kampot, Cambodia Thrift spots around Kampot Op-shop basics, books, accessories, and random gold Hidden gem rummaging and proper backpacker treasure hunting Uluwatu, Indonesia What’s Good Store Curated thrift, denim, coffee, and matcha A good stop if you want cleaner thrift pieces and a coffee before heading back into the Uluwatu madness. You are not trying to build a capsule wardrobe. You just need something clean, cheap, and decent enough for tonight. Why Thrifting Works When You’re Backpacking Backpacking is sweaty. That is not a complaint; it is just the deal. You are dragging your bag through heat, beach sand, night buses, dorm rooms, scooter dust, and the occasional bucket-fuelled disaster. At some point, your clothes will give up before you do. That is where second-hand shopping comes in. It is cheap, useful, and makes your travel wardrobe less boring. You can find a clean tee, a beach cover-up, a jacket, a party shirt, a spare pair of shorts, or something so ridiculous it becomes your personality for the next week. Bangkok, Thailand: DUM DUM Vintage Near Khao San Road If you are staying around Khao San Road, you already know the vibe. Street food, tattoo shops, buckets, backpackers making very confident decisions, and enough noise to keep your jet lag confused. DUM DUM Vintage is a handy little stop around the Khao San Road area if you want to rummage for a fresh fit before the night properly kicks off. Price Range: ฿150–฿800+ ($4–22+ USD) depending on the findLocation: Khao San Road Area, Bangkok – VIEW MAPOpening Hours: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM Best Finds Before a Khao San Night Out Go here when you want something with more personality than a panic-bought singlet. Think denim, graphic tees, jackets, shirts, and the kind of piece someone at the hostel bar will ask about later. Do the normal backpacker…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mad Monkey Hostels, a leader in social and sustainable youth accommodation across Southeast Asia and Australia, has partnered with KrapMaps. KrapMaps is an innovative crowdsourced platform for waste management. This collaboration begins with pilot programs in two key destinations: Uluwatu, Indonesia, and Chiang Mai, Thailand. This initiative tackles a critical issue: waste management in popular tourist areas. It empowers travelers with a practical, community-driven solution. The KrapMaps app helps users find and map public waste disposal points, including recycling facilities. This promotes responsible waste practices and helps create cleaner local environments. “At Mad Monkey, our commitment goes beyond great social experiences. We also foster positive community and environmental impact,” stated Lexie Hadley, Head of Marketing at Mad Monkey. “Our partnership with KrapMaps aligns perfectly with our values. It turns environmental responsibility from a passive idea into an active, engaging experience for our guests. This directly helps preserve the vibrant places where we operate. Ultimately, our community becomes part of the solution, ensuring these cherished locations remain sustainable long-term.” Strategic Imperative: Empowering Responsible Travel Tourism brings economic benefits, but it often creates significant waste challenges. KrapMaps offers a scalable, tech-driven solution. It uses collective action. By gamifying the process of finding waste disposal locations, the platform encourages active participation from backpackers. This turns a common frustration into a constructive contribution. Pilot Program: Uluwatu, Indonesia and Chiang Mai, Thailand The pilot programs are currently operational at Mad Monkey Uluwatu and Mad Monkey Chiang Mai. Guests are actively encouraged to download the KrapMaps application and contribute to the mapping efforts within their local surroundings. This engagement is incentivized through a gamified system where top contributors at Mad Monkey properties can earn exclusive rewards, including complimentary stays and recognition on the global KrapMaps leaderboard. “We are immensely pleased to collaborate with Mad Monkey, a brand that deeply understands and champions community engagement,” commented Harley Treagust, Founder & CEO at KrapMaps. “Our shared vision is to cultivate a global network of environmentally conscious travelers who are proactive in preserving the beauty of their visited destinations. Launching this initiative in Uluwatu and Chiang Mai with Mad Monkey provides an ideal foundation for broader adoption and impact.” About Mad Monkey Hostels Mad Monkey is a leading hostel operator in Southeast Asia, known for experience-driven stays that blend affordable accommodation with community, adventure, and unforgettable social energy. With locations across Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Australia, Mad Monkey is more than a place to stay – it’s a place to belong. About KrapMaps KrapMaps is a pioneering sustainable travel application developed by and for backpackers. As the world’s first crowdsourced platform for locating waste disposal points, KrapMaps leverages gamification and community participation to empower travelers in reducing their environmental footprint and promoting cleaner travel habits.
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.
