Last update: February 7th, 2026

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Are you searching for inspiration for your next travel in Southeast Asia? At the same time are you sick of always hearing of the same countries and you would like to explore and adventure a bit more? Here a few ideas for you on three beautiful and underrated countries in one of the most fascinating part of the world!

1. Philippines 

When you will visit Philippines you will right away realize that you landed in paradise. This country is formed by an archipelagos of more than 7,000 islands, many of which are still undiscovered by international tourism and crowds. Philippines offers the incredible atmosphere that you would expect from a Southeast Asian country and much more: tropical vegetation, tuc-tuc everywhere, kind and helping people, unique beaches and turquoise water. Being formed by islands, almost everywhere you will go will be near or on the sea.

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We recommend to spend some days in Manila after arrival or before leaving, as it is an incredibly interesting, eclectic and chaotic Asian metropolis, definitely worth it for a few days. Then you should directly fly to the tropical paradise that you are expecting. Starting off from Palawan we recommend to stay in El Nido for a week or so, where you will arrive in the perfect destination for island-hoppers. In Palawan also Puerto Princesa is worth a visit for its incredible natural reserve and subterranean river.

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Afterwards we advise to fly to Cebu, where you should stay around Oslob and go swim with the whale sharks on your first day. Finally, you should take the boat to Bohol, which is right in front of Cebu, which will be a lively island with crowded beaches, bars and nightlife. It is also very diverse and has the world-wide famous Chocolate Hills that you should explore by renting a motorcycle.

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2. Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most vibrant countries in Southeast Asia as it has incredible islands and beaches and modern city life in its capital Kuala Lumpur. It is a very different and interesting country for the incredible coexistence of many cultures such as the Asian, European, Indian and Chinese. If you decide to visit Malaysia you should start off from Kuala Lumpur, as it has shopping district, colonial buildings to visit and very modern amenities: in this city you will breath the presence of many different cultural influences throughout the years, all of them coexisting and creating an incredible atmosphere.

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As soon as you move to a more holiday location in its beaches or islands the atmosphere will have a more tropical vibe. Some islands worth visiting are Langkawi and Redang, both famous for their incredible white beaches and crystal clear waters. Also, the Perhentian Islands are a true heaven on heart.

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3. Myanmar 

Myanmar is definitely one of the most hidden and underrated countries in Southeast Asia. Myanmar was coined the Golden Land for its rich cultural history and natural resources. A country that has endured several decades of rise-and-fall empires and military dictatorships, it is now a destination that opened up to tourism.

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Your visit should start from a few days in Bagan, capital of Myanmar, which has hundreds of temples to visit by motorbike: you should start exploring the most known ones and then wander around as it is also an incredible way to spend the day. Here you can also organize a ride in an air balloon, especially during sunset time it will be a true unforgettable experience. The second stop should be Yangon - the commercial city of Myanmar - with the magical visit of Shwedagon Pagoda, which is a symbol of pride for the people of Myanmar.

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Also, a trip to the Inle Lake is totally worth it. The lake is famous for its charm and scenarios. The Inle Lake region is one of Myanmar's most anticipated destinations, and all the hype is justified. Picture a vast, serene lake – 13.5 miles long and 7 miles wide – fringed by marshes and floating gardens, where stilt-house villages and Buddhist temples rise above the water, and Intha fisher folk propel their boats along via their unique technique of leg-rowing.

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We hope we inspired you for your next Southeast Asia trip - happy planning!