The Ultimate Guide to Affordable Massages in Southeast Asia
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Helen Keller
6/9/20247 min read
When you visit Southeast Asia, chances are you will want to indulge yourself with a massage. Everyone has heard of Thai massages and how affordable they are. If you have not had a massage in Southeast Asia, there are a few things you should consider before heading out for your first treatment.
Price:
Massages can range from country to country and from shop to shop. Some places will have a website, or you can find their price list on Google. The cheapest we have paid for an hour-long massage was $6 USD in Laos, up to $60 USD in Malaysia. Maybe you pass by and see the price list out front of the shop. Thailand has some of the most affordable massages, but know what you are getting. Chances are you will not be in a private room with a massage bed, low lights, and soft music playing while wonderful oils fill your senses. If you are going for a lower-budget massage, our advice is to walk into the shop and look around. Just going in doesn’t obligate you to purchase. If you don’t like the look of things, turn around and walk away. These “therapists” can be very convincing, so stand your ground. If it doesn’t look nice, don’t stay. If you do stay, confirm the price and the service. Some make you pay upfront, so make sure they know exactly what you want.
I have never filled out a form that asks what I want to focus on or any areas to avoid in these lower-budget massage parlors, so if you don’t want something to be rubbed, speak up, usually to the person you have confirmed the type of massage you want with so they can tell the therapist. Our suggestion is to get a basic 30-minute foot rub first. They will probably try to upsell you to something more, but hold firm. If you get a good foot rub, then a full-body massage will be good as well. If you like your therapist, always ask her name and schedule something more asking for that person.
Google It:
I can’t stress this enough. Always Google the chosen massage center and check the reviews. This has been a lifesaver for us, as everyone reviews these places and will let you know if the place is clean and comfortable, what they liked and didn’t like, if anything is shady, and if they had a therapist that was good, they will share their name. This is a great way to ask for a recommended therapist. So often my husband and I will get massages at the same time, and one person was good, and the other wasn’t. We can then plan to come back for a full massage but schedule with the preferred therapist. We may not get to do our massages at the same time, but it is worth it.
Know What You Are in For:
When getting a Thai massage, often you will be offered a mat on the floor. Although this may not seem comfortable, it is because the therapist needs space to walk around you as this massage will involve more manipulation of your body than a soft, light pressure rub. A foot massage is perfect after a day of walking around the city. Most often with foot massages, they will come up your entire leg, and at the end, some even add on a back, neck, head, or shoulder rub. Thai women, and I say women because all the therapists we had in Thailand were women, are strong. If it is too hard, just tell them to apply less pressure. In some countries, like Malaysia, there were more men working as therapists, so we had to specifically ask for a female therapist.
Country-Specific Insights:
Thailand: Average price per massage was around $12 USD for a 1.5-hour full-body session. *These are not the prices you will find in hotel spas; those will always average more. Favorite places for massages were spots along the beach in Khao Lak.
Laos: Average price per massage was around $6 to $10 USD. Favorite place for a massage was Nalin Spa, Luang Prabang.
Malaysia: Average price per massage was around $30 to $60 USD. Favorite place for a massage in Kuala Lumpur was W Traditional Thai Therapeutic Wellness - Heritage Row (Ask for Gift).
Southeast Asia offers a range of massage experiences that are both affordable and unique. By doing a little research and being mindful of your preferences, you can find the perfect massage to complement your travels. Remember to check reviews, inspect the facilities, and communicate clearly with your therapist to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Whether you're looking for a quick foot rub after a long day of sightseeing or a comprehensive full-body treatment, Southeast Asia has something to offer every traveler. Enjoy the relaxation and rejuvenation that comes with a well-chosen massage!
When you visit Southeast Asia, chances are you will want to indulge yourself with a massage. Everyone has heard of Thai massages and how affordable they are. If you have not had a massage in Southeast Asia, there are a few things you should consider before heading out for your first treatment.
Price:
Massages can range from country to country and from shop to shop. Some places will have a website, or you can find their price list on Google. The cheapest we have paid for an hour-long massage was $6 USD in Laos, up to $60 USD in Malaysia. Maybe you pass by and see the price list out front of the shop. Thailand has some of the most affordable massages, but know what you are getting. Chances are you will not be in a private room with a massage bed, low lights, and soft music playing while wonderful oils fill your senses. If you are going for a lower-budget massage, our advice is to walk into the shop and look around. Just going in doesn’t obligate you to purchase. If you don’t like the look of things, turn around and walk away. These “therapists” can be very convincing, so stand your ground. If it doesn’t look nice, don’t stay. If you do stay, confirm the price and the service. Some make you pay upfront, so make sure they know exactly what you want.
I have never filled out a form that asks what I want to focus on or any areas to avoid in these lower-budget massage parlors, so if you don’t want something to be rubbed, speak up, usually to the person you have confirmed the type of massage you want with so they can tell the therapist. Our suggestion is to get a basic 30-minute foot rub first. They will probably try to upsell you to something more, but hold firm. If you get a good foot rub, then a full-body massage will be good as well. If you like your therapist, always ask her name and schedule something more asking for that person.
Google It:
I can’t stress this enough. Always Google the chosen massage center and check the reviews. This has been a lifesaver for us, as everyone reviews these places and will let you know if the place is clean and comfortable, what they liked and didn’t like, if anything is shady, and if they had a therapist that was good, they will share their name. This is a great way to ask for a recommended therapist. So often my husband and I will get massages at the same time, and one person was good, and the other wasn’t. We can then plan to come back for a full massage but schedule with the preferred therapist. We may not get to do our massages at the same time, but it is worth it.
Know What You Are in For:
When getting a Thai massage, often you will be offered a mat on the floor. Although this may not seem comfortable, it is because the therapist needs space to walk around you as this massage will involve more manipulation of your body than a soft, light pressure rub. A foot massage is perfect after a day of walking around the city. Most often with foot massages, they will come up your entire leg, and at the end, some even add on a back, neck, head, or shoulder rub. Thai women, and I say women because all the therapists we had in Thailand were women, are strong. If it is too hard, just tell them to apply less pressure. In some countries, like Malaysia, there were more men working as therapists, so we had to specifically ask for a female therapist.
Country-Specific Insights:
Thailand: Average price per massage was around $12 USD for a 1.5-hour full-body session. *These are not the prices you will find in hotel spas; those will always average more. Favorite places for massages were spots along the beach in Khao Lak.
Laos: Average price per massage was around $6 to $10 USD. Favorite place for a massage was Nalin Spa, Luang Prabang.
Malaysia: Average price per massage was around $30 to $60 USD. Favorite place for a massage in Kuala Lumpur was W Traditional Thai Therapeutic Wellness - Heritage Row (Ask for Gift).
Southeast Asia offers a range of massage experiences that are both affordable and unique. By doing a little research and being mindful of your preferences, you can find the perfect massage to complement your travels. Remember to check reviews, inspect the facilities, and communicate clearly with your therapist to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Whether you're looking for a quick foot rub after a long day of sightseeing or a comprehensive full-body treatment, Southeast Asia has something to offer every traveler. Enjoy the relaxation and rejuvenation that comes with a well-chosen massage!