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Solo travelers are taking the world by storm this year, and who can blame them?
The feeling of taking off on a long-awaited trip on your own is one that can’t be matched.
While traveling with others is always nice, there is something to be said about traveling on your own, without anybody to coordinate with or answer to.
One region that has always been popular with travelers from all backgrounds is Southeast Asia, and for good reason. This area of the world holds some epic beaches, mystical monuments, and dizzying cities.
Southeast Asia, in general, is great for solo travelers, and most places are set up well for tourism, making navigation and meeting others easy and seamless. That being said, there are many places throughout Southeast Asia that have become overrun with travelers, thus losing their authentic feel.
Luckily, for every overcrowded place, there are more underrated options to explore with less crowds and less hassle. The list of islands to visit in this area is nearly infinite, but not all fit the bill for solo travelers for various reasons.
While issues such as safety, ease of communication and getting around, friendliness towards visitors, and security are issues that affect all travelers, they are especially important to those who travel alone.
The islands mentioned below tick all the boxes for solo travel and also meet the needs of digital nomads as well. Infrastructure, a growing community of remote workers, good wifi, and other issues that digital nomads need are all covered in these places.
Here Are 4 Underrated Southeast Asian Islands That Are Perfect For Solo Travelers:
Phú Quốc
This Vietnamese island is the country’s largest and is home to around 180,000 people. Phú Quốc is a cheap and quick flight from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. One of the biggest selling points for this fun-filled island is that Americans do not need a visa to visit, but they must arrive by air from an international destination. Plans to travel to mainland Vietnam will require a visa, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Phú Quốc has loads of things to do, and all can be enjoyed just as much on your own. The endless restaurants, bars, shopping, cafes, and everything else you could want are all ways to pass the time if you get sick of enjoying the miles of beaches, swimming, and snorkeling in the sea, or cable car riding, kayaking, biking, and basically anything else you can think of.
The crime rate on the island is very low, and aside from normal precautions, most travelers should feel at ease walking around at night.
@ells.view Phu Quoc- Things to do🇻🇳☀️ #phuquoc #phuquocisland #travelguide #grandworldphuquoc #starfishbeachphuquoc #pearlfarmphuquoc #pearlfarm #peppercornfarms #oscenbeachclub #ocsenphuquoc #beachclubvietnam #beachclubphuquoc #phuquocbeach #starfishbeach #phuquocthingstodo #whattodophuquoc #visitingphuquoc #phuquoctrip #phuquocholiday #phuquocsunset #southeastasiatravel #traveltiktok #traveltok #travelandlifestyle #travelvlogger #travelvlog #seasiatravel #vietnambackpacking #vietnambackpackers #thailandbackpacking #thailandtravel #thailandbackpacker #fyp #foryou ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay
Koh Lanta
Only a speed boat ride away from the Thai hotspots of Krabi and Phuket, you can find Thailand’s underrated-yet not too off the grid-island of Koh Lanta. The long, narrow island sits pretty in the Strait of Malacca, not far from the famous Phi Phi Islands, and is surrounded by stunning coastlines and calm seas.
Koh Lanta’s old town is comprised of stilted houses nearly piled on top of each other, located on the east coast of the island, and is a great place to soak up some local flavor.
Koh Lanta is an overall safe and tourist-friendly island, and travelers seldom run into problems here if they follow normal solo traveler protocol. This island is a great one to explore via scooter, so make sure you wear a helmet and bring your ID with you because the police do enforce the rules here.
@ashleyvtravels Thank you! ✨🌎🫶🏼 #fulltimetravel #thailandtraveltips #travelwithme #ashleyvtravels #budgettravel #kohlanta ♬ See The World – Gomez
Langkawi
Malaysia is having a moment, both with travelers and with digital nomads, and for good reason. The country is easy to navigate, safe, cheap, stunning, and full of friendly people. The Malay island of Langkawi is a great option for those looking to kick back a bit and either lounge in a hammock or work from a cafe on the beach.
Actually an archipelago comprised of 99 islands off the west coast of Malaysia, Langkawi lies in the peaceful Andaman Sea and offers limestone cliffs, powder sand beaches, and endless activities and accommodations for travelers.
Don’t forget to check out the sky bridge and the cable car, and explore the interior farmlands for a glimpse of old-world Malaysian life.
@montanadarby Day in the life – Langkawi! Come with me to cross the famous Langkawi Skybridge! Currently staying at the @mercurelangkawipc #langkawi #travelling #backpacking #solotravel ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Lantau Island
When you think of the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong, most people picture the skyscrapers surrounding Victoria Harbor, and while that is very much the center of this city, there is so much more to see here.
When they are done shopping and partying in the lively central area, travelers in the know head over to Lantau Island for some nature. You can arrive by ferry or metro, as one side of Lantau holds the airport, as well as Hong Kong Disneyland.
If it’s uniqueness you seek, head to the other side of Lantau and take the ferry to the small town of Mui Wo to get a taste of what old Hong Kong was like. Busses connect this island, meaning you don’t have to try and navigate the hilly terrain (and the hundreds of water buffalo that wander freely). You cannot miss visiting the Big Buddha or taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for epic views of the whole area.
A day spent wandering the traditional Tai O fishing village is a must-do, and for beaches, head to the somewhat hidden Lower Cheung Sha area for restaurants and swimming.
@travelguidedgirl #placesthatdontfeelreal #hongkongtravel #lantauisland #lantau #travelaesthetic #travellife ♬ original sound – lauren
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com