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 Nusa Lembongan: Uluwatu to Nusa Lembongan Island-Hopping Guide (2026)
TL;DR Uluwatu has cliff-top surf breaks, sunset terraces, and winding roads across Bali’s southwestern peninsula. Across the Badung Strait, the Nusa Islands offer a different rhythm: fishing boats off Jungutbatu, seaweed farms along the shoreline, and turquoise channels separating small stretches of coastline. Getting there takes a road transfer and a short boat ride. But Nusa Lembongan is more than a change of scenery. It opens the door to Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida, and potentially the Gili Islands beyond. Stay at Mad Monkey Nusa Lembongan, explore the neighbouring islands, and turn a Bali detour into a proper island-hopping stretch of your Indonesia trip. How to Plan an Island-Hopping Trip from Uluwatu to Nusa Lembongan? Uluwatu has its cliffside sunsets, surf breaks, and cafés perched above the Indian Ocean. Nusa Lembongan trades that buzz for fishing boats, seaweed farms, and turquoise water that practically begs you to slow down. Getting between them takes a little planning, but once you reach Lembongan, two neighbouring islands are within reach. Think of it as your starting point for a few days of exploring, swimming, and finding your own favourite stretch of coast. From Uluwatu’s Surf Breaks to Sanur Harbour First, swap the coastal roads of Uluwatu for the drive to Sanur Harbour. It usually takes 50–80 minutes, depending on traffic, and a Grab, Gojek, or private taxi costs around IDR 220,000–350,000 IDR ($14–22 USD). Sanur is where your island-hopping adventure begins. With fast boats heading to Nusa Lembongan throughout the day, it’s worth arriving early to check in and get ready for the crossing. Book your boat and transfer ahead, particularly during busy periods, and you’ll have one less thing to organise before reaching the islands. Cross the Badung Strait by Fast Boat The fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan takes around 30–45 minutes, with one-way tickets typically costing 200,000–300,000 IDR ($13–19 USD) per person. Compare schedules on 12Go or book directly with a boat operator, and check the baggage allowance before you pack your entire life into one backpack. Mad Monkey Tip: Check where your boat will drop you off. Nusa Lembongan has different arrival points, including Jungutbatu Beach and Mushroom Bay, so confirming your landing spot makes getting to Mad Monkey Nusa Lembongan much easier. Exploring Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida Two islands in one day? Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan make it possible. Cross the Yellow Bridge between them, explore the coastline around Jungutbatu Beach, and pause at a Ceningan café when the ocean views call for a longer lunch. Give Nusa Penida its own day. Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, and Crystal Bay are among its best-known stops, but winding roads and travel times can eat into your schedule. Pick a few places that interest you and leave room to enjoy them properly. From Uluwatu, expect around 2–3 hours of travel to Nusa Lembongan, including the drive to Sanur Harbour and the boat crossing. Reserve your ticket in advance, check where your boat docks, and you’ll have one less thing to figure out on arrival. What to Explore on Your First Day of Island Hopping from Uluwatu to Nusa Lembongan Once you’ve dropped your bags, it’s time to see what’s beyond the beach outside your door. Nusa Lembongan is small enough to explore by scooter, with rentals typically costing IDR 80,000–150,000 IDR ($5–9 USD) per day. Not keen on navigating unfamiliar island roads? Ask your accommodation about hiring a local driver instead. Start with Nusa Lembongan’s Coastal Highlights Start at Jungutbatu Beach, where fishing boats bob offshore, and cafés overlook the water. Grab a coffee, watch the morning…
Mad Monkey Vietnam: How to Volunteer While Travelling in Vietnam (2026)
Backpacking Budget Southeast Asia vs Europe (2026)
Mad Monkey Hostels to Open a Riverside Base for Social Travel in Kampot, Cambodia
Mad Monkey Laos: How to Get from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang by Slow Boat (2026)
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…
Mad Monkey’s Solo Traveler’s Guide to Social Hostels in Europe 2026
Best Second-Hand Shops Near Mad Monkey Hostels: Thrift, Vintage & Backpacker Garms
Group Trips vs. Mad Pass: The Best Way to Explore Southeast Asia
Top Affordable Activities in Manila for Young Adventurers
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…
