Daily budgets, honestly
Budget travellers manage on $45–70 a day: guesthouses, street food, buses and the occasional tour. Mid-range is $120–200 a day: 4-star hotels, a private guide on some days, restaurants as well as stalls.
Our private tours land around $150–260 per person per day for two people sharing, including hotels, guide, vehicle and entrance fees. Luxury villas and five-star hotels push that to $400+.
Where the money goes
Hotels are the biggest variable. The same room can be $90 in September and $260 over Christmas. Internal flights are cheap if booked early — usually $40–80 one way.
Guides and vehicles cost $70–110 a day for a car and driver, plus $40–60 for a guide. Split between four people, that is better value than joining three separate group tours.
Where to save
Eat where locals eat: a bowl of noodles is $1.50–3. Domestic flights booked early beat long drives. Travel in green season and you will save more than any negotiation will get you.
Do not save on travel insurance or on the ethical sanctuaries. Both are cheap relative to what they protect.
