As a backpacker in Southeast Asia, you should plan on packing light. Leave that second pair of jeans behind because, for the most part, the basics will do. With a packing capacity limited to a single backpack, space is at a premium. You won’t have room for much extravagance. However, there are a few items that will make your trip much more enjoyable.
Here are 7 things we strongly recommend finding space for:
Snorkel Mask
During your time exploring the oceans in Southeast Asia, you will almost certainly use a snorkel mask. Most tours offer mask rentals, but we suggest you bring your own. Purchasing and packing a well-fitting mask will save you a lot of trouble down the road. Take it from us, you don’t want to spend even a second of your time swimming with a whale shark or a school of manta rays fiddling with your mask.
Relying on mask rentals also limits your ability to snorkel or enjoy a reef on your own. While we were in Moalboal, Cebu, there was an extraordinary bait ball of sardines just offshore. Without our own masks, we would have been stuck overpaying for a rental set, or being forced to join a crowded tour.
Note: If you end up in Asia without your own mask, you can usually find quality options to purchase at a local dive shop. Often times, these are similarly priced to what they would be back home, so we still recommend you pack one ahead of time.
Combination Lock
This is an item that you will definitely want to have before you realize you need it. Most hostels in Southeast Asia provide lockers to store your backpack, but usually don’t provide locks to secure said lockers. If locks are provided, they often come at an additional cost.
Therefore, we recommend you bring your own combination lock. We prefer combination locks to keyed options because they eliminate the risk of losing your key while out and about. There are plenty of horror stories of travelers losing their keys and access to their backpack in the process. So bring that combination lock, and enjoy the piece of mind having your pack secure during your adventures.
Smaller Daypack
Unless you want to lug your big backpack everywhere you go, you should plan to bring a smaller daypack with you as well. Ideally, this daypack will be able to securely fit your most valuable items that you should never be separated from:
- Passport
- Spare cash
- Camera/Phone
Obviously, you’ll want to put other things in your pack as well, so make sure you have enough room for basic items that you will want with you while away from the hostel. Alternatively, many backpackers opt for a fanny pack to hold their most essential items, with a standard daypack being used only for longer excursions.
Certain daypacks that are specifically designed for traveling come equipped with anti-theft capabilities. While not essential, these designs are worth considering if you have a little extra money to spend.
Unlocked Cellphone
The term “unlocked cellphone” refers to any phone that is not restricted to a single carrier company (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). It’s important to have an unlocked phone because you will need to switch between phone carriers in each country that you visit during you trip.
In each country, you will be able to purchase a local SIM card to use during your stay. This is a great way to access a cheap data plan that serves as insurance against getting lost or stranded in an area without WIFI. However, if your phone doesn’t accept alternative SIM cards, you could be out of luck.
So, how do you know if your phone is unlocked?
If you purchased a phone directly through a cell phone carrier on a monthly payment plan, it will usually remain locked until you pay off the phone. The easiest way to check if your phone is unlocked, is to swap the SIM card with another from a different carrier.
Example: If you have a Verizon phone, find a friend who uses T-Mobile and insert their SIM card into your phone. If you can use your phone with the new SIM card, your phone is unlocked.
International Plug Adapter
Some areas in Southeast Asia use different outlet styles than your standard United States plug. In Indonesia, specifically, there are almost no options for a United States style plug. Luckily, this is an easy problem to fix with an international plug adapter. We recommend buying an all-in-one adapter that fits outlet styles from all over the world. These are fairly common and can be bought for ~$20 on Amazon.
Pictured are the adapters that we brought with us on our trip. If you don’t have an international plug adapter that fits a variety of outlets, be sure to at least bring a Type C converter.
GoPro Camera (or alternative)
When choosing a camera to bring on your trip, there are a few factors to consider. As a backpacker, you will need to decide how much room in your pack you want to dedicate to camera gear. A camera with waterproof capabilities is also a big bonus in Southeast Asia. Therefore, we recommend a GoPro as the perfect balance between compact, waterproof and high camera quality.
During our trip, we had a GoPro and a larger Sony a6300 camera. While we got great photos with the a6300, we got far more use out of the GoPro. Due to its convenience, we took the GoPro almost everywhere we went. Alternatively, the a6300 took up far more space and was not water resistant, so it got left behind far more often.
If you can manage two camera’s, go for it. Just be prepared to dedicate most of you daypack as a camera bag, and make sure a GoPro is at least part of your arsenal.
Tip: If you plan to do any scuba diving during your trip, make sure to buy a dive house for your GoPro. With a standard case at scuba depths, the water pressure will compress the buttons, causing the camera to malfunction.
Travel Journal
A travel journal is a great way to remember your trip. Every backpacker uses their journal differently, but the basic premise is to write regularly about your experiences. How often you write is up to you. Anna journaled approximately once a week during our trip. We also made friends who journaled almost every night. Just make it your own and enjoy journaling as a way to relax during downtime.
You’ll be happy you did it when you have the memories years after your trip.
