I would like to do some extensive scuba diving and understand I will need lots of $$ for that. Hostel/Guesthouse living is fine for me.
Other - Asia Pacific - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You could make a rough estimate by referring to your Lonely Planet-type guidebooks, which you've surely purchased or checked out at the library, which list various accommodations by quality and price, so you have some idea. Likely they'll even give you prices for activities such as scuba diving, and list specific companies. Then you'll have your budget and can decide if three months is even doable. And if once you get out there, you'll be sure to bring a credit card for emergencies, and if you find you've gone over budget you can bail out and go home.
2 :
everything in Cambodia is not so expensive, here you can find a hotel rate at 150$ per month, food you can spend 200$ per month, suppose it cost 400$ in cambodia and Laos per month but Thailand is more expensive then this
3 :
Without the scuba diving and if you don't mind living in simple hostels and eating economically, you can get by on $20 - $30 US a day in each of these countries. It depends a lot on where you stay and how much travelling (ie moving from one place to another every few days) you do, as trains/buses etc are cheap but can eat up the cash. Realistically you will get bored of staying in crappy guesthouses and eating the same food all the time, so budget for treating yourself too. You're not travelling to suffer. Thailand is more expensive than Laos and Cambodia for sure, but not much. I wrote an article recently outlining all the different costs you might want to consider for backpacking in Thailand - you can use it as a rule of thumb for Cambodia and Laos too http://travelhappy.info/thailand/how-much-money-do-i-need-for-thailand/ Make sure you bring a VISA credit card that will work in overseas ATMs just in case you need emergency cash. Then just enjoy yourself. Re scuba diving - don't bother diving in Cambodia at Sihanoukville - it's really shitty. Save your money for Thailand. (There is no diving in Laos as it's land locked). Best places to dive in Thailand are the Similan Islands on the west coast - you will need to go on a liveaboard to get out there, spend 4 days diving, costs around $550 US for everything (gear, boat, food etc) - check www.phuket-diving-safaris.com for an example and more info. You can also go day diving from Phuket or Koh Phi Phi to Hin Daeng / Hin Muang and Koh Haa and Koh Bida Nok - these are three of the best sites in Southern Thailand You can also go to Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand - diving is not so great but still pretty good - big party fun on Koh Tao too. Day dives will cost you around $80 for 2 dives each day in Phuket , less if you block book several days diving. On Koh Tao it's cheaper - around $60 for 2 dives as the dive sites are nearer to the mainland. A Divemaster course is a good idea if you want to do lots of diving and not pay so much. Email me if you want more info Have fun!
Read more discussions :
