>>2744796Ecolodges run the gamut from 5* resorts on private islands to simple, barely weather-tight dorms attached to a rangers camp so they have an income that doesn't involve bribes from logging companies. They're probably going to at least be near a jungle but that might depend on how entrepreneurial the locals are feeling and how you define 'near'. Every place I've been to that called itself an ecolodge was great but it always pays to do your homework in SEA.
In general, staying in villages would be much more accepted than trying to set up camp on your own. Homestay programs are increasingly common throughout SEA and there are a lot of areas where you can do multi-day treks by linking together different village homestays. Some of these might be "homestays" in name only (you're not really staying in someone's home but rather the little extra cabin they built next door to start getting some of those sweet tourist dollars), but whatever, I've always had a good time.
Northern Vietnam and Northern Thailand are popular for this sort of thing and the landscape is beautiful but these days I hear it can get pretty crowded and overly commercial if you're unlucky. Laos might be a good place to check out if you want to get off the beaten track or Myanmar if you're feeling intrepid.
One exception I should've mentioned regarding camping is island hopping in the Philippines, maybe Thailand and Malaysia too. I once met a guy who was sea kayaking from island to island in the Philippines and he said he was spending most of his days just setting up camp on the beach. I don't know if it was strictly legal and I guess you'd need to plan things out in advance so you don't run afoul of some resort's private security (or Islamist pirates) but it sounded like a hell of a trip.
My number one piece of advice for anyone spending a good amount of time in SEA would be to get a scuba license. Komodo, Donsol and Sipadan offer absolutely incredible diving.
