I constantly receive requests from travellers who are planning a trip to Southeast Asia for the first time, to tell them which are the best places to visit and what to do there. If you are also asking yourself that same question, read on.
The first thing I always say is that it is absolutely personal. It will depend on your tastes, on what you look for in a trip, on the time you have, on the previous experiences you have and even on your available time. So today I will give you a few clues to help you choose, because although I believe that each country is unique and offers wonderful places and landscapes, it is also true that each country can be more focused on one or the other traveller profile.
Thailand
Thailand is possibly the most touristic country in Southeast Asia. But if so many millions of humans choose it, it has to be for a good reason. I always recommend this country as a first foray into that area of the world. Why? Well, because it seems like a very easy country to travel on your own, with an excellent tourist infrastructure and quality and also with very affordable prices. At the same time it’s also a perfect destination for a family trip. If you rent a villa in Thailand you’ll have plenty of space for the whole family to get to know this beautiful country. It has an ideal mix of nature, culture, temples, cuisine and beaches. And its capital Bangkok, is one of the big cities of Asia, which I think you have to visit at least once in your life. I’ve been around a dozen times in Thailand and I never tire of going back. It is also the first country in Asia that I stepped on, so I have a special affection for it and I feel at home. If you are looking for a good mix of everything, I believe that Thailand is your country. And with approximately 15 days you can get a good idea of all the most representative of the country.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a huge country that deserves many trips. In my case I focused on Bali, Sulawesi, Lombok and the Gili Islands. It has more than 17,000 islands! So I am afraid that you will have to choose if you decide to go to this country depending on what you are looking for and the days you have. When I visited I stayed in one of the Bali retreats which was very pleasant and at a very decent price. The country offers an incredible mix of cultures, ethnicities, religions and landscapes. When I was there I went with my partner and I have to say it was a very romantic experience. We spent a lot of time relaxing by the pool of our villa. But do not focus only on Bali, which although it is beautiful and has some spectacular temples, is the most touristy in the country. Combine it if you can with other islands. In Sulawesi you will discover an exciting culture, that of the Toraja people. In Sumatra or Kalimantan you will see leafy jungles and orangutans. In Java, temples and volcanoes. In Komodo the dragons with the same name. You can dive in Flores, the Gili Islands or Lombok. It is a cheap country with better or worse infrastructure depending on the island. Because of its diversity it is a very complete country, but you need a few lives to see it all.
Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the countries that stole my heart. It has no great tourist attractions, beyond the temples of Angkor, but the greatness of this country are its people, especially if you go into the rural area. Even if you go just to see the temples of Angkor, it’s worth it, do not kid yourself. They are absolutely incredible. But I always recommend not staying with just that. Many people visit Cambodia, only as an extension of other countries such as Vietnam or Thailand. But the best and most endearing thing about Cambodia is outside of Siem Reap, the most touristic city in Cambodia. Cambodians are still recovering from the damage caused by the Khmer Rouge, but they are some of the most hospitable people in Southeast Asia. If you want to combine rural areas, with some beaches to the south and the spectacular temples of Angkor, I recommend it. Its capital is also very interesting and you will learn more about the recent and hard past of this town. And you can also experience the great Mekong.
Conclusion
As you can probably tell, it’s really difficult to pick just one as they all have something amazing about them. If we compare prices, we’d say there are many affordable options both for activities and accommodation in Thailand and Indonesia. If it’s your first time traveling to South Asia we believe Thailand to be the favourable option. If you’re looking for a deeper experience and don’t mind visiting several islands then Indonesia is your destination. Finally, we’d recommend Cambodia if you history and culture are what you appreciate the most.
