Southeast Asia & Australia Travel Blog
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.
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Mad Monkey Hostels to Open a Riverside Base for Social Travel in Kampot, Cambodia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KAMPOT, CAMBODIA, OCTOBER 2026 — Mad Monkey Hostels will open its newest Cambodian property, Mad Monkey Kampot, on 1 November 2026, bringing its social approach to travel to one of the country’s most atmospheric riverside destinations. Set on Riverside Road, Mad Monkey Kampot is designed as a base for travellers who want to experience Kampot beyond a checklist of sights. The property offers direct access to the river, sunset views and a social setting where guests can connect before and after exploring the province’s waterways, countryside and food culture. The launch adds a new stop to Mad Monkey’s growing Southeast Asian network, pairing a place to stay with a hand-picked lineup of local adventures. Guests can kayak through the Green Cathedral mangroves, visit a pepper farm, and join the Firefly River Boat Tour as the landscape changes from daylight to evening. The experiences are designed to connect travellers with Kampot’s wild landscapes and farming roots while giving them an easy way to explore beyond the town centre. Back at the hostel, the fun keeps going after dark with nightly Mad Monkey events like Karaoke Night, Bar Olympics and Pub Quiz. Everything’s built for joining in, not watching from the sidelines, so solo travellers and small groups have an easy way to meet people during their stay. And when the night winds down, a comfy bed is waiting, whether you’re bunking in a dorm with new mates or keeping it low-key in a private room. “Mad Monkey Kampot is a place to slow down without switching off,” said Johan Oosthuizen, General Manager. “You can spend the day on the water, learning about Kampot pepper or looking for fireflies along the river, then return to a space where there is always a shared table, a conversation or an event happening. We wanted the property to feel connected to Kampot from the moment guests arrive — relaxed, social and ready for exploration.” Mad Monkey Kampot comes with a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, gym, ice bath and jacuzzi. Add the riverside setting and the activity lineup, and the hostel covers both sides of Kampot: slow days outdoors and a lively, welcoming place to come back to at night. The opening comes as more travellers look for destinations that combine connection, local discovery and flexibility. Rather than treating the hostel as a stopover, Mad Monkey Kampot positions it as a launchpad for exploring the wider region — from mangrove waterways and pepper farms to the river at night — while keeping the social centre of the trip close at hand. Mad Monkey Kampot is now accepting bookings for stays from 1 November 2026. For more information and reservations, visit madmonkeyhostels.com/destination/kampot 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.
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Budget Travel
Mad Monkey Southeast Asia Trip Planning: How Long, How Much and Which Route First
TL;DR: How Long Should You Spend in Southeast Asia? A week can be enough for a focused adventure. Two weeks gives you more room to connect destinations. What matters is how much of that time you want to spend exploring rather than getting from one place to the next. Seven days in northern Vietnam, for example, gives you time to explore Hanoi before heading into the mountains of the Ha Giang Loop. In Indonesia, a shorter itinerary centred on Gili Trawangan and Lombok puts island time and surfing at the heart of the trip. With 12 to 14 days, you can build in more variety. Vietnam’s longer route connects northern highlights with Ninh Binh and Hoi An, while Cambodia’s itinerary combines Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the coast. Time available Route What to expect 7 days Hanoi and the Ha Giang Loop Mountain roads, village stays and northern Vietnam 7 days Gili Trawangan and Kuta Lombok Island life, snorkeling and surf 12 days, as advertised Indonesia Island Hopping Bali and surrounding islands, including Nusa Lembongan, Gili Trawangan and Lombok 14 days Hanoi to Hoi An Northern and central Vietnam 14 days Phnom Penh to Koh Sdach via Siem Reap and Koh Rong City culture, temples and island time Traveler tip: Every extra destination costs you time, even if it looks close on the map. Build your route around the places you care about most, then leave enough room to enjoy them. How Much Does a Southeast Asia Trip Cost? Your budget depends on how you travel. Booking transport and accommodation independently gives you control over individual expenses, but it also means researching connections and arranging each stay yourself. A planned group itinerary brings several of those costs together, making it easier to understand what you’re paying for before you leave. Here’s a rough idea of what you could spend, depending on the route and how long you want to travel: Itinerary Duration Price in USD Daily Cost in USD Vietnam: Hanoi to Ha Giang 7 days $310 $44 Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Koh Sdach 14 days $650 $46 Indonesia Island Hopping 12 days $700 $58 Vietnam: Hanoi to Hoi An 14 days $850 $61 Indonesia: Gili Trawangan and Lombok 7 days $450 $64 *Prices are per person, in USD, and may vary by departure date. Daily costs are estimates based on the starting price and trip length. Check the booking page for current prices. Can You Book an All-Inclusive Trip Around Southeast Asia? Absolutely! All-in group trips in Southeast Asia bundle accommodation, transport, selected meals and activities into one package, with the price set before you travel. Mad Monkey offers ALL IN trips in Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, ranging from 7 to 14 days. Routes include the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam, a journey through Cambodia from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and the islands, and an Indonesia trip covering Gili Trawangan and Lombok. Our ALL IN packages bring the main travel arrangements together, including: Explore our Mad Monkey ALL IN trips to compare routes, inclusions and current starting prices. Which Southeast Asia Route Should You Take First? Start with the kind of experience you want, then choose the destination that fits. Mountain roads, ancient temples and island coastlines offer very different ways to spend two weeks. Vietnam: From Hanoi’s Street Food to the Ha Giang Loop Start in Hanoi with street-side phở and late-night cafés, then head north to the Ha Giang Loop, where the roads wind through limestone mountains and small villages. With more time, you can continue south to Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh and Hoi…
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Sustainable Travel
Mad Monkey Hostels and KrapMaps Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Sustainable Youth Tourism in Southeast Asia
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.
Solo Travel
Mad Monkey Manila: Solo Female Travel Safety Guide in Manila 2026
TL;DR Is Manila Safe for Solo Female Travelers? Manila is a destination solo female travelers can explore, with a little more planning needed for getting around than for deciding where to eat or spend the afternoon. In Makati’s Poblacion, cafes, Filipino restaurants, and bars sit along streets around Don Pedro and Ebro, giving the neighborhood a social feel, especially in the evening. A few blocks away, the pace can change, and crossing Metro Manila often takes longer than the distance on a map suggests. For many travelers, the adjustment is less about avoiding the city and more about getting used to its rhythm: busy roads, unpredictable traffic, and neighborhoods with very different atmospheres. Poblacion offers places to meet other travelers and explore local food, while a ride-hailing app can make journeys between neighborhoods easier to navigate. Mad Monkey Tip: Manila traffic can change your plans quickly. Keep your accommodation address saved offline and check your return route before heading out, especially if you have an early flight the next morning. Where Should Solo Female Travelers Stay in Manila? For solo female travelers who want to explore Makati on foot, Poblacion puts cafes, Filipino restaurants, and evening hangouts within the same neighborhood. Don Pedro Street and the surrounding lanes are part of the area’s social scene, with a mix of places to eat, meet fellow travelers, and spend an evening out. Mad Monkey Manila is right in Poblacion at 5665 Don Pedro Street, corner Alfonso Street. You can choose between shared dorms and private rooms, with Mad Cafe and the rooftop bar and restaurant on-site when you’d rather stay close to home. It’s also easy to explore the surrounding neighborhood on foot during the day. One thing to keep in mind: Poblacion is a nightlife district, so evenings can get noisy. If you’re a light sleeper or catching an early flight, ask the team about room location before booking. How Should Solo Female Travelers Get Around Manila? Metro Manila has several ways to get around, from ride-hailing apps for door-to-door trips to trains, buses, and jeepneys for everyday journeys. Your total travel cost will depend on distance, traffic, and the time of day. Grab and Taxis Grab is convenient for airport transfers, travelling between neighborhoods, or returning to your accommodation at night. Short city rides often cost around ₱100–₱300 ($1.60–$4.80 USD), while a ride from NAIA to Makati may cost roughly ₱300–₱600 ($4.75–$9.50 USD), depending on the terminal, traffic, and demand. Check the fare in the app before booking. MRT and LRT The MRT-3 and LRT lines connect major parts of Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Manila, Pasay, and areas around Makati. Following the 2026 fare discounts, a one-way MRT-3 journey costs approximately ₱6–₱14 ($0.10–$0.22 USD), depending on the stations. LRT fares vary by line and distance, so check the fare matrix before travelling. Trains can be crowded during rush hour, and designated women-only carriages are available on applicable services. Jeepneys and Buses Jeepneys are useful for shorter local journeys, while buses serve routes along major roads and between key areas. As of late September 2026, minimum fares start at ₱14 ($0.22 USD) for traditional jeepneys and ₱17 ($0.27 USD) for modern jeepneys. Ordinary city bus fares start at around ₱15 ($0.24 USD), while air-conditioned buses start at ₱18 ($0.29 USD). Longer journeys cost more. If you’re unfamiliar with a route, confirm the destination and where to get off before boarding. Carry small cash for fares and keep your belongings close to crowded vehicles. Walking Around Makati Many cafes, restaurants, and bars around Poblacion are within walking distance of Mad Monkey…
