When to travel Where - Daily Edition (Southeast Asia)
Please see our original when to travel where blog for more information on where to go.
But once you are at a destination, there are two things to consider:
Tourist traffic
Heat of the day
Tourist traffic
The easiest way to break this down is situational:
If it is a known sunrise or sunset spot spot, just avoid it. There are so many tourists there that it detracts from the magic and majesty of being in the iconic spot. By arriving a little late or a little early, you will have the tourist spot to yourself, like how it was 20 years ago
If it is a standard tour, ask your driver to do it in reverse order.
If you are in an area with a lot of bars, it is best to start your day as early as possible. As the party animals are winding their night down, you can make the most of your morning beating the flow of traffic out of your location and be at your destination before most. And as you make your way back to your hotel after lunch, you will generally have the pool to yourself as everyone else had just started their days.
If it is a known “day trip” destination, I advise that you make it a 2-day/1 night or 3 days/2-night experience instead. As all the selfie seekers are racing for their photos between 10 am -3 pm, you can once again relax by the pool. Head out for an early morning or evening excursion before all the crowds and after they have left. i.e., Nusa Penida or Komodo/Rinca Island beach hopping or a lot of the popular dive destinations
Tropical heat and humidity
For those who do not live in the tropics, especially those escaping winter, the heat and humidity will knock you down. It takes a couple of days for some and weeks for others to get used to, and the last thing you want is heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Avoid 1-3 pm sun, it is the most brutal around Southeast Asia. This is the perfect time to head back to your hotel to relax by the pool or find a nice, shady, breezy place for lunch. If you are driving from point A to point B, it is a great time to make use of the AC in the cars for a quick nap.
If you have not read it elsewhere, bring some electrolytes for your water, or grab a coconut when you can. Whatever you normally drink at home, add 1L per day minimum to your day. And although it seems counterintuitive, wear long sleeves and protect as much skin from direct sunlight, it might feel suffocating, but it is actually helping you. A thin white/light-colored, breathable cotton oversized long-sleeve shirt is always a must-pack item for me.
As advised by the Australian Cancer Council, " Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.” And when in doubt, wear as much or more sunscreen as the locals around you.
