I desperately wish I’d packed an umbrellas as let another SEA downpour had me soaked while scootering around Laos.
I think it was starting to hit that rainy season here was not the casual bits of rain I was used to in my home state.
These were serious, prolonged downpours that definitely made catching any type of waterfall, beach or viewpoint time hard. And it wasn’t until I visited again a few years later that I saw how serious my mistake was. It was like seeing the region for the very first time.
I LOVE Southeast Asia and have visited more than 5 times since my first drenched escapade in 2018, and have definitely made more along the way.
From trying to jam in WAY too much in way too little time, to not booking ahead during global and local holidays, and sooo much more, I feel like I learn something new every time I touch down in SEA.
Many have become stories I still laugh about, but I seriously want you to avoid them for a much smoother intro to one of my favorite places in the world!
The Mistakes I Made Before I Even Left
Tbh these aren’t even ALL the mistakes I’ve made throughout the years, but these are the easiest ones to avoid. Let’s get into each one:
Coming in the wrong season
Photo: Samantha Shea
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- What I did: My very first trip to Southeast Asia was in my second-to-last year of college during summer break … AKA rainy season. I still had a great time, but quickly learned why WINTER is when you visit most of the region ….
- What it cost me: I think I got one purely sunny beach day, constantly had to deal with downpours, and just genuinely did not get the dreamy weather and clear water views I’d expected from all the photos.
- What I’d do instead: A few years later I came back in December / January and it was truly like being there for the first time, and something I’ve repeated in years since. Traveling in off/rainy seasons is okay for some countries where weather is more mild, but I absolutely do NOT recommend it for SEA unless you’re popping in at the very beginning of it.
Trying to visit a ton of countries in a short time
- What I did: My first trip saw me trying to country count with 5 countries in two months, which I quickly learned was WAY too much.
- What it cost me: I specifically skipped the Thailand-Laos slow boat to “save time” and now, 8 years since that trip, it’s gotten way more crowded and commercialized. I also felt super rushed and like I wasn’t able to truly savor every spot.
- What I’d do instead: I focus on slow travel whenever possible and always opt for land border crossings instead of flights for more flexibility
Money mistakes and the times I got ripped off
Choosing the wrong exchange option
Photo: Christina
- What happened: Whew did this one get me several times while on different trips in a region! Basically, all ATMs and many card readers will give you the option to either pay in local currency at a given (bad) exchange rate or pay in your currency with your bank’s rate. I chose the former, and it is NEVER the better option.
- How I realized I had messed up: When I checked the true exchange rate later on!
- How much it cost: Anywhere from $10-$30+ depending on the total amount. It’s a good way to lose money whilst you’re travelling without even realising it!
- The simple rule I follow now: I ALWAYS choose to pay in USD with my bank’s exchange rate and it hasn’t let me down!
Not getting a Charles Schwab debit card sooner
- What happened: One thing that sucks about Southeast Asia’s ATMs is they charge HEFTY fees. Like we’re talking $7-$10 with relatively low cash limits. My first trip in 2018 saw me lose hundreds of dollars literally…
- How I realized I had messed up: Once I checked my statement and calculated it all back home!
- How much it cost: Quite literally $300+ … that would have gotten me quite a bit on the road!
- The simple rule I follow now: Immediately after that trip, I got a Charles Schwab debit card, which I still use religiously to this day. Not only do they refund ALL ATM fees at the end of each month, but they also don’t charge foreign transaction fees (ideal for booking flights) and have truly incredible customer service. In February 2026 while traveling in Indonesia and Thailand, I had a fraud charge on my card, and they had a new one shipped out to me in
literally 3 days!
Not bringing $100 bills to exchange
- What happened: I learned on the road that exchange centers almost always prefer $100 bills, and some may only take new ones! I found the fifties possible to exchange but not much lower than that.
- How I realized I had messed up: When I popped into my first cash exchange spot and was informed about the rate differences. I also had no idea that small bills like $10, $5 and $1 are rarely accepted.
- How much it cost: At least $100 over the years for sure!
- The simple rule I follow now: I always try to have new $100 bills when possible, and never bring small change!
Assuming ATMs and cards will work everywhere
- What happened: This is an ongoing mistake I continue to make and truly want to help you do better. While it’s easy to get comfy with the wide availability of ATMs in many parts of Southeast Asia, this is not the case for the entire region. Islands are particularly places to be prepared, as even if they do have an ATM, I’ve had many unfortunate moments throughout the region where they were broken or out of cash.
- How I realized I had messed up: When I had to use a restaurant’s card machine to get cash at a 15% up charge … ouch.
- How much it cost: I think it ended up being around $30, but I’ve also been forced to pay remote hotels via transfer apps that added $10 to the total .. not a vibe when you’re trying to broke backpack.
- The simple rule I follow now: I’ve been trying and somewhat succeeding in aiming to take out more cash than I think I’ll need whenever I’m leaving civilization.
Going to an overpriced, touristy night market in Bangkok instead of one of the many local ones
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- What happened: When I visited Bangkok in December 2023 after five years, I decided to try a much-hyped night market called Jodd Fairs. While I did have a few unique eats there, I found it way too pricey and filled with tourists.
- How I realized I had messed up: The moment we started calculating prices, they were 2-3x local spots.
- How much it cost: Maybe $20-$30, but it was more of a vibe killer since it wasn’t giving authentic Thai vibes at all.
- The simple rule I follow now: ALWAYS seek out local-only night markets and street food stalls far away from tourist areas (there are SO many to choose from), especially in Bangkok! I’ve absolutely loved Black Market and Train Night Market.
Taking a taxi after landing instead of the metro
- What happened: Southeast Asia has some incredible above- and underground metro stations, and they’re not JUST about saving money but a ton of time stuck in traffic. I stupidly decided to book a Grab instead upon my first arrival …
- How I realized I had messed up: When I realized how much the fare difference truly was. Whewww.
- How much it cost: There was about a $20 difference!
- The simple rule I follow now: Unless there’s a seriously good reason for a ride share, I always use metros when an airport has the option.
Booking flights too last minute
- What happened: This is unfortunately a repeat mistake that I never learn, because I am a CLASSIC type B traveler who hates planning in advance. Most recently, in December 2025, I booked flights to Sulawesi, my most recent SEA escapade, less than a week before taking them. And it was right before New Year’s too, which meant rates were extra high.
- How I realized I had messed up: I knew we were going to Sulawesi at this time for awhile, but when I saw the price while browsing from my Koh Kood bungalow, I knew I’d waited too long. And because I was pressed to get to a specific spot for my husband’s birthday, it was all about sucking it up and booking it.
- How much it cost: It was nearly $600 for two tickets one way, on a route that took 4 hours total…. we definitely could have saved at least $100 each if I’d just booked earlier and followed some other simple rules for getting cheap flights.
- The simple rule I follow now: To be fully transparent, I’m definitely still learning this lesson as I HATE planning trips in advance, but I’m aiming to book pricey routes at least 1 month in advance.
Transport mistakes that made easy days hard
Always booking the cheapest option
Photo: @themanwiththetinyguitar
- What happened: In the early days of my Southeast Asia escapades, I was trying to be as dirtbag as possible. Cheapest buses, cheapest, dingiest hotels, ONLY street food…
- How I realized I had messed up: When I eventually got BURNT OUT! I still travel on a very low budget but now that I work online, I value a nicer, cleaner space to come back to after a day of exploring.
- How much it cost: My sanity!
- The simple rule I follow now: I mix it up: homestays, camping, basic guesthouses and cute boutique hotels are all on my radar.
Underestimating how exhausting transport days can be
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- What happened: I used to think a “travel day” meant I’d still have plenty of time and energy to explore once I arrived. In reality, transport days in Southeast Asia mean early AF alarms, multiple buses, ferries, sometimes border crossings, and hours of waiting in the heat.
- How I realized I had messed up: I was RUSHING through places I’d been excited to visit because I wanted to do too much, too soon. A few times I was literally just counting down the hours until I could get into bed. This is ESPECIALLY true post red-eye flights, buses or trains!
- How much it cost: It’s a fast ticket to burnout
- The simple rule I follow now: I treat transport days as do nothing days. If I arrive early and still have energy, maybe I’ll head to a beach, bar or restaurant, nothing strenuous!
Not taking a full set of pictures before riding a scooter
- What happened: One time in Pai, Thailand, I rented a scooter WITHOUT photographing existing scratches, dents, or cracked panels. I’d soon realize why that’s a major mistake…
- How I realized I had messed up: When the rental tried to claim some scratches that were deff not from me.
- How much it cost: I managed to talk my way out of it with a bit of photo editing, but it could have cost me $300, which is like 10 DAYS on the road!
- The simple rule I follow now: I always take a ton of picks and videos before even turning on the bike, ideally in front of the owner so they get I’m in the loop
Culture mistakes and assuming Southeast Asia is one place
Assuming every SEA country is the same
- What happened: It’s so easy to lump Southeast Asia into one big bucket, but every single country has its own culture, customs, prices, transport systems, and unique vibe. In the early days, I made the mistake of assuming what worked in one place would work everywhere else.
- How I realized I had messed up: Whether it was expecting Grab to exist everywhere, assuming I could pay by card, or thinking border crossings would all be equally straightforward, I quickly realized that the region was way more diverse than I’d initially thought
- How much it cost: Usually just wasted time and unnecessary stress, but sometimes I ended up paying more than I needed to because I hadn’t done a little research beforehand.
- The simple rule I follow now: Before traveling to a new country, even if it’s right next door, I dive into basics and essentials. Like how 7/11 does not in fact exist everywhere!
Forgetting temple dress code
- What happened: You HAVE to be covering your shoulders and knees to enter Buddhist temples as a woman, and in many, you need an entire skirt!
- How I realized I had messed up: The moment I arrived and was forced to rent one that had been worn by others…
- The simple rule I follow now: I always have a sarong/shawl with me when heading to any type of temple, no matter how lowkey
Bargaining too hard
- What happened: A little bit of haggling is a part of life in Southeast Asia, but I deff was trying to be TOO broke in my early travel days and didn’t realize how rude that comes off
- How I realized I had messed up: When I really began to understand the currency conversions and common living conditions in Asia
- The simple rule I follow now: I do some research to see what the standard price SHOULD be, and aim for that without coming off as disrespectful to locals
Food, health, and burnout mistakes
Letting Western food eat my budget
- What happened: At the beginning of my Southeast Asia travels, I was a street food and hole in the wall only girl. Until I moved to a very remote mountain region where we have one singular high-quality restaurant and virtually no cheese …. Now every time I land in Bangkok or another SEA city, I’m ravenous for my lifelong faves.
- How I realized I had messed up: The only problem is BKK prices are bordering on American ones for sushi, pizza and other comfort foods.You can easily blow an entire day’s budget on one meal with the amount of incredible cafes and restaurants there, and trust me they’re NOT as cheap as other aspects of travel in Southeast Asia.
- The simple rule I follow now: I try to keep local food in focus (a lesson I’m STILL learning lol) and Western dishes as a treat!
Forgetting high-quality mosquito repellent
- What happened: Mosquitoes are deff something to be concerned about in the region, especially if you’re traveling during any part of rainy season. I quickly started getting eaten up every time night would roll around.
- How I realized I had messed up: I personally found the all-natural options at 7/11s did NOT cut it for me after many bites, and wished I’d gotten some DEET from the US.
- The simple rule I follow now: Thankfully all was good, but since then I’ve always grabbed a few bottles online before my trip!
Underestimating the heat and humidity
- What happened: Yes, I’d heard all about it, but the heat in SEA is still a SHOCK, especially in Indonesia, which may be the most humid place I’ve ever been! You can get around it a bit by avoiding rainy season, but even in the peak of dry season you can find temperatures steadily in the 90s on any given day.
- How I realized I had messed up: I personally found the all-natural options at 7/11s did NOT cut it for me after many bites, and wished I’d gotten some DEET from the US. My biggest heat-related mistake to date was underestimating how insanely hot March is throughout the region. While you most likely won’t see even a drop of rain, temps regularly surpassed 105 degrees when I was backpacking around Myanmar during the month and whew …
- The simple rule I follow now: I try to avoid seasons of extreme heat whenever possible! And I encourage that you DO NOT plan your Southeast Asia trip for March if you can help it. It’s either still raining in many places (like Bali) or a pre-monsoon boiling inferno farther north.
Choosing an empty street food stall
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- What happened: The mistake happened on my first SEA escapade, and had me down BAD after eating a banh mi from a small, random stall in Luang Prabang, Laos.
- The simple rule I follow now: Okay not every empty stall is a mistake, but sticking to busy vendors packed with locals is a rule that hasn’t failed me since I started following it.
The Mistake I’d Still Make Again
Okay, don’t get me wrong I LOVE street food, but after moving to a hella’ remote area for years now without much restaurant choice, I love a good foodie splurge every time I’m in Bangkok or another SEA-in city with good western food.
Photo: Samantha Shea
It’s often still cheaper than back home, and trust meee when I tell you that burnout can be almost cured by some of your “from home” comfort foods.
Also, the variety is CRAZY. Bangkok (my fave city, as a certified city hater) has so many incredible cuisines! I will never advocate for balling out on local food at a fancy restaurant because street carts will beat them all by miles, but sushi, pizza and tacos? WORTH IT!
What I’d Tell First-Time Me
Southeast Asia is one of the most incredible places in the world to travel (I’ve been back 5 times at this point)… but it’s also where I made some of my dumbest backpacker mistakes.
And looking back, it’s so obvious that theyall happened because I either wanted to rush or didn’t spend five minutes doing a little research first.
If I could go back and give 2018 me just one piece of advice, it’d be this: slow TF down. Because at the end of the day, that’s the mistake I still regret even after many subsequently chiller trips.
You WILL still make mistakes, I definitely still do. But hopefully, you’ll be a bit more keyed into the little things that can make SEA stressful and have a much chiller trip!
