10 Getaway Ideas for the Hari Raya Puasa Weekend

Hari Raya Puasa falls on 24 May, Sunday this year - making 25 May, Monday a public holiday! If you are planning for a quick weekend getaway, the Hari Raya Puasa weekend is the perfect time to do so. One of the best things about living in Singapore is its proximity to all the beautiful destinations that Southeast Asia has to offer.

There are a couple of ways you could go about planning a weekend getaway during the Hari Raya Puasa break. Our weekend guide lists all the possible destinations in Southeast Asia that are perfect for a getaway over two or three nights and are accessible via direct flights!

Take your pick from our weekend guide when planning your short getaway for the upcoming Hari Raya Puasa weekend!

Located just a short three hours away, Bali is a popular getaway spot in the Southeast Asian region.

It is a well-trodden spot among tourists because it is plentiful with activities, sights to see, and delicious food and drink to indulge in. If Bali is your pick for the upcoming Hari Raya Puasa weekend, you may want to consider sticking to just one area on the island. Our weekend guide recommends Seminyak for its accessibility to nightlife, beaches, restaurants and shopping.

● Motel Mexicola

● Sisterfields Cafe

● Ku De Ta

● Potato Head Beach Club

● La Lucciola

What is a getaway without some therapeutic spa time? Squeeze in some time for a quick manicure and pedicure in your three-day weekend!

● Prana Spa

● The Cottage Beauty House

● Sundari Spa

● Bodyworks Spa

● AWAY Spa

Bali’s sandy white beaches and beautiful landscape make it a popular vacation spot for quick weekend getaways!

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Thailand comes up pretty often on holiday recommendations. Whether you are looking for a beach getaway or a shopping-filled trip, Thailand has the perfect balance of it all.

The capital city of Thailand, Bangkok, is famed for its huge shopping malls, numerous street food stalls and markets, as well as a wide range of spas and massage parlours. Seasoned shoppers can try their hand at bargaining for affordable and trendy womenswear, menswear and accessories at any one of their malls.

● Platinum Mall in Pratunam

● MBK Center

● Siam Paragon

● CentralWorld

● Asiatique The Riverfront

● Siam Center

After dizzying levels of shopping at Bangkok’s famous malls, recharge and relax before you soak in all the nightlife the city has to offer.

● SkyBar at Lebua

● Red Sky at Centara Grand Hotel

● Havana Social

● Khao San Road

Bangkok has so much to offer in terms of shopping, nightlife and food and drink. A three-day weekend may just entice you to come back for more.

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Even if you have not been to Cambodia, you must surely have heard of its most famous site that draws in nearly 2.6 million tourists yearly.

Still, Siem Reap is one of the places in Southeast Asia where you can indulge in luxury hotels, fine dining options and massages for really affordable prices. Also, if you are a culturally conscious tourist or history buff, Siem Reap Angkor Wat Temples are probably the flagship activity that you do not want to miss out on.

● Angkor Wat

● Angkor Thom

● Ta Prohm Temple

● Koh Ker

● Ba Yon Temple

Indulge yourself with authentic traditional Khmer and Cambodian cuisine when you are in Siem Reap for the weekend.

● Malis

● The Sugar Palm

● Mahob Khmer

● Cuisine Wat Damnak

Siem Reap offers a good range of historical sites along with relaxation activities - think sustainable shopping and eating!

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4. Yangon, Myanmar

Myanmar is just three hours away from Singapore on a direct flight. With the three-day Hari Raya Puasa long weekend coming up this year, Yangon in Myanmar makes it on our weekend guide for its affordability, relaxed vibes and cultural significance.

The religious sites in Yangon, Myanmar are absolutely central to the Burmese way of life. If you love history or architecture, the Pagodas are a must-see in your weekend guide.

● Shwedagon Pagoda

● Tomb of the Last Mughal Emperor

● Sule Pagoda

● Moseah Yeshua Synagogue

Shop at Yangon’s Bogyoke Aung San market, take a ride on the Mingalabar Balloon (a hot air helium balloon) and replenish with some of Yangon’s finest food.

● Father’s Office

● Burma Bistro

● Anya Ahta

● Lotus Myanmar Food House

● Babett Eatery & Bar

● Shwe Sa Bwe

Yangon is a great location to consider for a weekend getaway this Hari Raya Puasa. It offers a good mix of popular tourist attractions as well as quieter, more localised eateries and teahouses.

Singapore ✈ Yangon | Find hotels in Yangon 🏨

You can easily get to the island with a 40-minute ferry ride. Batam is a perennial favourite among tourists because you get to really indulge yourself with massages, drinks and shopping all for a fraction of the price.

● Watersports: Jet Skiing, Canoeing, Snorkelling, Water Parks (Batam Wake Park and Waterpark Ocarina)

● Shopping

● Spa Salons and Massage Parlours

● Go Karting

Batam is also known for its fantastic food. Pack in some delicious food while you kick back and relax on Nongsa Beach.

● Chemistree

● Kopak Jaya 007

● Barelang Seafood Restaurant

● One Dozen Cafe

If you are not up for travelling for two to three hours on flight, Batam hits the sweet spot with just a short ferry ride and a range of activities that make it a great location for your Hari Raya Puasa weekend getaway.

Book hotels in Batam at affordable prices on Trip.com.

Flights to Langkawi are often pretty cheap if you are flying in from Singapore. If you are aching for a quick recharge but have not had the time to plan your trip, Langkawi is a safe bet!

Langkawi offers a wide range of activities to suit different types of travellers. From duty-free shopping to nature-filled escapades, Langkawi is suitable for tourists travelling alone or with families.

● Tanjung Rhu Beach

● Langkawi GeoPark (take the famous Cable Car Ride)

● Jet Skiing at Pantai Cenang

● Sky Bridge

Waterfalls In Langkawi

● Telaja Tujuh Waterfalls

● Durian Perangin Waterfalls

● Lubuk Semilang Waterfall

● Temurun Waterfalls

Langkawi is home to three UNESCO world heritage sites and boasts an impressive eco-system. This paradise in Malaysia has just the right amount of activities for you to kick back and relax with your family.

Read our guide on the top 10 things to do in Langkawi.

Singapore ✈ Langkawi | Find hotels in Langkawi 🏨

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Luang Prabang is perfect if you are in dire need of a body and mind recharge this Hari Raya Puasa weekend.

For a laid-back and restful weekend, our guide comprises the best things to do, see and eat when you are in Luang Prabang. Some of the popular sights to check out include their waterfalls, natural parks and temples.

● Butterfly Park

● Kuang Si Waterfalls

● Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre

● Wat Xieng Thong Temple

● Mekong River

All that exploring can make you feel peckish for some good traditional Laotian fare. Try to make time for different dining experiences during your short weekend getaway! Here is our guide to some of the best eats in Luang Prabang.

● L’Elephant (A mix of French and Lao fusion cuisine)

● Tamnak Lao (Authentic Laotian cuisines)

● Saffron Coffee (sustainably sourced coffee)

● Manda de Laos

This meandering sleepy town is the go-to spot for a fully relaxed and laid-back weekend getaway.

Boracay Island is arguably one of the best islands in the Philippines - crystal clear waters, beautiful sunsets and powdery white sand beaches.

There are a good range of exciting things to do in Boracay, especially if you love a little adventure. If not, the pristine beaches are just as great for lounging and relaxing. The Boracay White Beach stretches for about four kilometres while the Diniwid Beach is a smaller, but much quieter beach.

● Island-Hopping

● Banana Boat Riding

● Jet Skiing

● Parasailing

● Ride A Zip Line

If you are looking to experience authentic Filipino cuisine, our weekend guide has you sorted.

● Nonie’s

● Mang Inasal

● Smoke Resto

● Dos Mestizos

● Sunny Side Cafe

From a relaxing swim in its clear blue waters to tucking into some traditional Filipino cuisine, Boracay Island is suitable for a quick weekend getaway.

We recommend some popular destinations and tourist attractions in the Philippines in our travelogue.

If you are someone who enjoys a thrill or two, Krabi is your paradise-go-to for its long list of adventurous activities.

Some of the activities you can look forward to include rock climbing on Railay beach, hiking up to majestic viewpoints, scuba diving or snorkelling, and kayaking along the coastline.

● Kayaking

● Rock climbing in Railay

● Scuba-Diving

● Snorkelling on island tours (Hong Islands, Phi Phi Island, Thalene Bay)

● Hiking (Railay East and West Viewpoint)

Even if your goal is to simply lie on sandy white beaches and sip on Mai Tais, Krabi is a wonderful choice to consider for a weekend getaway.

● Noppharat Thara

● Ao Nang Beach

● Railay

● Ton Sai

● Pra Nang Beach

Just two hours away, Krabi’s limestone cliffs, dense forestry and crystal clear turquoise waters are perfect for a short weekend getaway!

Hoi An is a great alternative to Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City for a quick weekend trip. It is less crowded and boasts just as many interesting things for tourists to busy themselves with.

Just about an hour’s drive away from the south of Da Nang, Hoi An is rich with culture. The best way to see Hoi An is on a bike. For a short three-day weekend trip, tourists can bike around the town, take in nature and soak in some local culture through various workshops.

● Visit Old Town for a guided tour

● Shop at the Hoi An night market

● Go for a lantern-making workshop

● Sign up for a bike tour

Hoi An is also home to different Vietnamese cuisine styles - try out some of the local fare on your weekend trip to experience a different side of Vietnam.

● Ms Ly Café

● Quan Dau Bac

● Wakaku

● ThirtySeven Woodfired Grill + Bar

● Orivy Hoi An

Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An is a popular choice among many tourists for quick weekend holidays.

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With the Hari Raya Puasa long weekend coming up, you have the opportunity to plan a short but sweet weekend getaway that will restore and recharge you for the rest of the work year. Our weekend guides are complete with various recommendations and ideas for how you can optimise those long weekends in 2020.