FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What people usually ask before booking. If you have a question that's not here, write to us at [email protected].

The trips

Who are Habibi Lads trips for?

Queer men who travel often and want their next trip to feel less like a holiday and more like a homecoming. Solo travellers, couples, friends. You don't need to be loud, out, partnered, single, fit, fluent, well-travelled, or anything in particular. You just need to want this kind of week where you can come as you are and stay that way.

Are non-queer allies welcome?

Habibi Lads trips are created with queer men in mind. That's our heart, our community, and our vibe. Our doors are open to any man who feels drawn to what we do, queer or a supportive ally. If our trips speak to you, you belong here.

What is the group like?

Up to twelve queer men, usually a mix of ages and nationalities. Twelve is the maximum, and we do not exceed it under any circumstances. It is a connection-led week rather than a party trip: people who travel to meet others and see a place properly, not to tick boxes.

Is this a party or sex-focused trip?

Not built around either, no. The heart of the week is connection, culture, and a calm rhythm together, with nightlife there if you want it. What you get up to as a consenting adult is your own business, and you will find no judgment from us. We simply keep the house calm and considerate of the neighbours in the evenings, so it stays an easy place to come home to.

I'm travelling solo. Will I know anyone?

You will. The whole trip is built to connect travellers with each other, and with locals along the way, so coming alone is the norm, not the exception. We actively look after the group dynamic so nobody feels left out. And if you would rather have some solitude now and then, that is completely fine too: the week leaves room for both.

Where else will Habibi Lads run trips?

Bali and Chiang Mai are next, with scouting underway. The trips will follow the same shape: small group, one house for the week, queer men, seven days. Sign up to the early-access list to hear first when each opens.

Booking and payment

How does the payment schedule work, and what if I book late in the year?

You pay a $500 deposit to book. The balance is then split into two instalments: half 180 days before the trip and half 90 days before. We send a reminder before each. If you book after one of those points has already passed, you pay the deposit and we invoice whatever is already due shortly after, with anything still ahead following the schedule.

Can I pay in full upfront?

Yes. Pay the $500 deposit to lock your bed, then email us at [email protected] and we'll send a single invoice for the remaining balance instead of the two scheduled payments. The invoice can be paid by bank transfer or card from any account. If you settle that balance within 24 hours of booking, your deposit becomes refundable too: it's treated like any other payment and follows the standard cancellation terms, so an early cancellation can be fully refunded, deposit included.

Is it safe to pay on your site?

Yes. Payments are handled by Stripe, the payment provider used by millions of businesses worldwide. Your card details go straight to Stripe over an encrypted (SSL) connection and are never seen or stored by us. Stripe is certified to the highest level of card-payment security, PCI DSS Level 1.

What if I need to cancel?

Plans change, and we've kept this as fair as we can. Your $500 deposit is non-refundable but transferable to a future trip. Beyond that, it depends on timing. Cancel more than 120 days before the trip and you get a full refund of what you've paid (less the deposit), or 100% trip credit. Between 60 and 120 days, it's a 50% refund or 100% credit. Inside 60 days we can't offer a cash refund, but you'll receive a trip credit good toward your next three Habibi Lads trips. One exception: if you paid in full within 24 hours of booking, your deposit is included in the refund rather than held back, so an early cancellation gives everything back. You can also pass your spot to a friend up to 30 days before departure for a $250 transfer fee. We strongly recommend travel insurance, which covers the personal what-ifs (illness, work, family) that sit outside this policy.

What if a trip does not fill?

Each trip needs a minimum group size to run. In the rare event one cannot reach it, we give at least 60 days notice and offer a full refund or a place on an alternative trip. You are never left out of pocket because a group was small.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it is a condition of booking. Your policy should cover medical expenses and repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment, and any activities on the trip. We ask for proof of cover before departure, and we can recommend providers if that helps. It is your safety net for the personal what-ifs, illness, work, or family, that sit outside our refund policy.

What travel documents do I need?

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and an onward or return ticket out of the country (immigration can ask to see it). Any visa requirements depend on your nationality and the destination, so always check against your own government before you travel.

The house

What are the meals like?

A mix of dishes built around fresh vegetables with meat or fish, cooked by the house chef, with fruit through the day. The house keeps a limited supply of alcohol. We can't cater to a specific diet, but if you have food preferences or needs, tell us on the intake form and we'll try to accommodate them.

Is there wifi at the house?

Yes. The house has wifi, so you can stay connected when you want to and switch off when you don't.

Is the accommodation shared?

You choose. There are three ways to room: a private room to yourself or with your companion, your own bed in a shared room, or a bunk in the shared bunk room. Some rooms have an ensuite bathroom, others use a shared one. Each trip page has a picker that shows the options and prices, and your specific room is confirmed before the trip.

What about dietary needs?

The chef cooks around your needs at the house, and we collect them on the pre-trip intake form. Out and about, upscale restaurants cater easily, but smaller local places may not, so for anyone with dietary restrictions we always arrange either food from the house or a nearby alternative. Nobody goes without.

On the trip

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness, but please read this honestly. You'll be on your feet most days: city walking, a market wander, time in tropical heat. The house is a multi-storey pool villa, and most of it, including many of the bedrooms, is reached by stairs. We don't have step-free access, and we aren't set up to provide personal care or medical supervision, so the week suits guests who are comfortably mobile and managing their own health independently. If you have a mobility or health concern, write to us before you book and we'll talk it through honestly. We would always rather have that conversation early than have you arrive to a week that doesn't fit.

Will I get photos, and what's the photo policy?

Yes. A private group album is part of every trip, our gift to you: professional shots from our photographer, plus the everyday moments captured on phones, ours and the group leaders'. You are always in control of how your own photos are used. During the pre-trip intake you tell us your preference, from full consent to keeping yours entirely private, and we never publish a guest photo without consent. See the full photo policy for detail.