Asia - Attn Budget Travelers: $10 a day possible?

I am trying to plan a 6 months-1 year trip through Asia. Though I have traveled several times, I usually have a budget of about $25 a day not including transportation. We stay in budget accomodations but have aircon, hotwater, etc. We eat wherever since things are pretty cheap and usually splurge on a meal at a nice resort or restaurant once during our trip.

My friend and I are trying to figure out how much a day we can budget. I really mean budget.... i.e. no aircon, no hot water, cheap food, etc.

Do you know anyone who has really budgeted? According to Lonely Planet a traveller can get by on $10 a day and even $5 in Indonesia.

What has been your experience?

[This message has been edited by WinginIt (edited 08-22-2002).]

It's possible and a great experience, but there are some gotchas, which you'll only appreciate after a while on the road. It's definitely not for everyone.

To give you an idea, you'll run into a lot of people who think that negotiating over the equivalent of 20 US cents matters. No matter what you're spending, they'll admonish you for over spending. No matter how long you're travelling, it's not long enough, exotic enough, or authentic enough.

Generally, especially in Indonesia, aircon, hot water, and the other mod cons don't really matter. You're looking for a reasonable level of sanitation and security.

You'll need security because a lot of your fellow US$5/day travellers think it's ethical to steal from others, especially those new to the scene.

The expenses that will really break a budget are travel at foreigner rates and alcohol. Drugs, too, but that's a whole different discussion, especially in places like S'pore.

I'd say that it's good advice not to smuggle anything and not to shill. At least some "travellers" pick up cash from locals by acting as the credible foreigner in all sorts of scams targeting other foreigners.

However, starting with Lonely Planet is a good idea. Check out their web site and the so-called Thorn Tree. Also, rec.travel.asia, though it's filled with jerks and people posing as authoritative. Well, just like the rest of the world, I guess.

I don't want to paint too grim a picture. It's worth doing, if you have your eyes open (especially when dealing with the runs in a pitch black Indonesian kamar kecil).
Rich

Thanks for the advice and warning. I didn't realize that other travelers could be such scammers.

As for drugs, that wont be a problem and as for alcohol, that wont be a big deal if I can't drink quite as much.

Thanks again.

I agree with rjh about watching for scams. Unfortunately, there will have to be times where you are more likely to be vulnerable, but just use caution. As far as your question is concerned, there would be no problem in most of Asia. I budgeted 20 dollars, and got aircon in most of my places. And if you don't object to street food and eating from stalls, you can get by on about $1-2 a day in most places for two meals a day and a drink. Personally, I would try to push your budget to 13-15 a day, just to be on the safe side and to afford yourself a restaurant meal or a guesthouse now and then. Lastly, stay out of cities. They will kill your budget.