Pai, nestled in the mountains of Northern Thailand, offers a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, far removed from the bustling cities. For many travelers, the journey to Pai begins in Chiang Mai, involving a scenic yet winding road known as the “Pai Highway,” famous for its 762 curves. While this journey can be exhilarating, it’s advisable to take motion sickness medication if you are prone to car sickness. Upon arrival, choosing the right accommodation can significantly enhance your experience in this laid-back, hippie-friendly town.
How to Get to Pai from Chiang Mai
Understanding the journey helps in selecting your ideal stay:
- Minivan: This is the most common and popular way to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai. The trip takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, including a 15-20 minute break. Tickets typically cost around 200-250 THB per person. You can book tickets online or through travel agencies and accommodations in Chiang Mai, with pick-up often available directly from your hotel or hostel. Minivans are available with or without air conditioning; the air-conditioned option is recommended due to the zig-zag roads. Upon arrival in Pai, minivans typically drop passengers off on the main walking street, making centrally located accommodations convenient.
- Motorbike: Riding a motorbike offers an exhilarating experience with breathtaking scenery along the Pai Highway. The journey takes about 4-5 hours. This route is best suited for experienced riders who possess an international driver’s license and insurance, as accidents can occur, and police stops are possible. Aya Service in Chiang Mai is a reputable agency for renting scooters, with prices starting from 140-500 THB per day, and they offer luggage drop-off services to Pai for about 100 THB per piece. It’s crucial to be mindful of gas, wear a helmet, and allow larger vehicles to pass.
- Private Car: For those seeking comfort and flexibility, hiring a private car is an excellent choice. This option allows you to set your departure time and stop if you feel nauseous from the curves. The journey takes around 3 hours and costs between 2,200-3,000 THB for a car including gas and a driver, making it the most expensive but most comfortable option.
General Impressions of Pai
Pai is often described as a “little paradise” with a cozy, laid-back vibe, offering a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. While no longer a “hidden gem” and capable of being quite busy, it remains a fun and relaxed place. You’ll find a mix of families and “hippie” types. The town has a surprising number of Western-style cafes alongside cheap local food options, and weed/mushroom shops are readily available. It gives off “island vibes” despite being inland, and its small size means you might frequently encounter the same people.
Best Areas to Stay in Pai
Pai offers diverse accommodation options catering to various preferences and budgets, from hostels to luxury resorts. Here’s a breakdown of the popular areas:
1. Pai Walking Street (Central Hub)
This is arguably the most popular area for first-time visitors due to its central location and vibrant atmosphere. The Walking Street transforms into a bustling night market every evening from 6 PM to 10:30 PM, offering a wide array of street food, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It’s also conveniently located near the bus station, making it an easy walk to your accommodation upon arrival.
- Why stay here? Easy access to food, shopping, live music, and night market. It offers some of the cheapest hotels in town, with an average price of 650 THB.
- Considerations: While convenient, many hotels directly on Walking Street may lack amenities like pools. It can be busy and noisy.
- Accommodation Recommendations:
- Hostels:
- Hostel and Music Bar Bros
- topp stay hostel
- Moon Garden Hostel: Praised for its great location (5-minute walk to night street), quiet setting, chill atmosphere, clean bathrooms, and ease of meeting other travelers.
- Budget:
- Soi One Boutique Bedrooms
- Pai Klang Vieng
- Mid-Range:
- Golden Hut -Chill Bungalows in town
- Hotel Pailifornia
- Sabaydee House at Pai
- Family Friendly:
- Family House @ Pai
- Pai Princess Resort: Located just a 5-minute walk from Pai Bus Station and 700 yards from the Night Market.
- RimPai Cottage: Features an infinity-edge pool and free WiFi, located directly on Pai’s Walking Street.
- Baan Pai Nai Wieng: Provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, and a shared lounge.
- Hostels:
2. Riverside Pai (Convenience & Nature)
Located just a short walk (5-10 minutes) from the Walking Street, the Riverside area offers a balance of convenience and natural beauty. You can wake up to river views, beautiful wooden bridges, and serene natural surroundings, yet easily access the town’s bars and restaurants in the evening.
- Why stay here? Offers a more interesting selection of hotels, including simple wooden huts, with a relaxed ambiance and close proximity to nature. It is considered a good option for those on a budget or looking for a short stay.
- Considerations: Hotels here are slightly more expensive than those directly on Walking Street, with an average price around 1,200 THB, though more upscale options can reach 3,000 THB.
- Accommodation Recommendations:
- Pai Nam Now: Features garden views, balconies, free private parking, and free WiFi. Guests praise the kind owners and peaceful location on the quiet side of the river.
- Pai Village Boutique Resort: Located along the banks of the Pai River within tropical gardens, offering rustic wooden cottages, a lovely pool area, and a restaurant. It’s a “little oasis in town”.
- Darling View Point Bungalows: Located just 300 meters from the Walking Street, offering dormitories and group activities like campfires and a swimming pool.
- Baan Pai Riverside Resort: Ideal for relaxation with hammocks and river views, a short walk to town with nearby restaurants and cafes.
3. Pai City Center (Budget-Friendly and Tour Access)
Beyond the immediate Walking Street, the broader city center also provides numerous accommodation choices. This area is often considered ideal for those on a budget due to easy access to hotels and being a common pickup point for tours.
- Why stay here? Convenient for accessing main attractions and tour opportunities, with many tours offering pick-up directly from your accommodation.
- Accommodation Recommendations:
- Hostels:
- Paifah Hostel
- Supermoon Cozy Hostel: Offers comfortable beds, a great location, and a nice attached bar, with friendly hosts.
- Sunny garden hostel
- Pai My Way Hostel
- Budget:
- Villa De Pai: A “paradise” with beautiful gardens, grass river bank, and swings. Offers comfortable cabins and is considered the “best place to stay in Pai on a modest budget”.
- Happy in Pai
- Sleep Pai Bed & Breakfast
- Payi Resort
- Mid-Range:
- Pai Cherkaew Boutique House
- Peacock De Pai Hotel
- Baan Mai Sak: A budget-friendly option in downtown Pai, offering dorm rooms, a shared lounge, and a microwave.
- Sawasdeepai River Resort
- Family Friendly:
- Medio De Pai
- Namu Hotel
- Serene Resort
- Hostels:
4. Outlying Areas (North Pai, South Pai, and Pai Canyon Area)
These areas offer a tranquil escape, ideal for relaxation, nature lovers, and those seeking a more secluded experience. Staying outside the city provides closer proximity to natural attractions like waterfalls, hot springs, and viewpoints. A scooter rental is highly recommended for easy transportation to and from town and for exploring the surrounding sights.
- Why stay here? Less noise, more nature, and often more creative and upscale hotels with amenities like pools in scenic settings.
- Considerations: Less convenient for accessing the town center on foot, especially at night due to unlit and winding roads. Taxis are an option, but could be pricier at night. You’ll need to stock up on supplies as shops might not be nearby.
North Pai
- Highlights: Home to notable waterfalls like Mae Yao and Mo Paeng, and the Sai Ngam Hot Springs, perfect for swimming and relaxation.
- Accommodation Recommendations:
- Hotels:
- Pai Flora Resort: Offers modern, air-conditioned cottage-style accommodations with fridges and TVs, a 5-minute drive from Pai Walking Street.
- The Quarter Pai: Located about 1 km from Downtown Pai, known for its charming bungalows and peaceful Japanese-style gardens; breakfast is included.
- River Cottage: A private cottage located near the river, offering great views, a common clubhouse area, and an outdoor pool.
- Hostels:
- UP2U Guesthouse: Situated 5km north of Pai’s heart, offering dorm rooms designed like treehouses, and relaxation areas with hammocks on balconies and patios.
- Hotels:
South Pai
- Highlights: Picturesque and ideal for true relaxation and rejuvenation. Features the Earth Tone vegan restaurant, the giant white Buddha statue (Chedi Phra That Mae Yen), and art galleries. It’s considered the “coolest place to stay” for its free-spirited vibes.
- Accommodation Recommendations:
- Luxury Hotels:
- Reverie Siam: An excellent choice for a romantic getaway or luxurious escape, offering beautiful rooms, 2 outdoor pools, an all-day Mediterranean and contemporary Thai cuisine restaurant, and extensive wine collection.
- Pai Village Boutique Resort: A luxury option with private bungalows, a lovely pool area, and well-maintained gardens.
- Hostels:
- Deejai Pai Backpackers: A newly constructed colonial-style hostel situated on the edge of rice fields with incredible sunset views. Offers group activities like barbecues, fire shows, and daily free yoga classes.
- Luxury Hotels:
Pai Canyon Area
- Highlights: Located 8km south of Pai on Highway 1095, this area is known for the Pai Canyon itself (free to visit), the Land Split, Pam Bok Waterfall, the Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge, and Tha Pai Hot Springs. It is considered the best neighborhood for families due to its natural setting, spacious accommodations, and distance from party crowds.
- Accommodation Recommendations:
- Hotels:
- Kalm Pai: Offers budget-friendly bungalows (air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned) nestled in nature, with free breakfast, a shared terrace, and common area.
- Bura Lumpai Resort: Features charming private bungalows and an enormous pool, surrounded by nature and offering privacy. A free shuttle service to downtown Pai is an added bonus.
- Pai Love & Baan Chonphao Resort: A serene resort with authentic Thai cuisine, beautiful bungalows, and privacy. Also offers a free shuttle to downtown Pai.
- There are also private hot spring hotels in the surrounding area, offering private hot springs in each room, often overlooking rivers, paddy fields, and mountains, providing a beautiful and tranquil experience.
- Hotels:
Tips for Choosing Your Accommodation
- Proximity to Town: Consider whether you prefer to be within walking distance of the Walking Street for nightlife and immediate access to restaurants, or if you prefer a quieter, more natural setting outside of town.
- Transportation: If staying outside the town center, factor in the need to rent a scooter or utilize taxis to get around.
- Budget: Pai generally offers affordable accommodation, allowing you to save money or splurge on a more luxurious experience. Prices can range from around $16 USD per night on average, with hostels starting lower and luxury options going higher.
- Vibe: Pai is known for its “hippie” and laid-back vibe. Some hostels cater more to a party crowd (e.g., Circus Hostel by reputation), while others are more social but chill (e.g., NOLO Hub, Happy House Backpackers Hostel).
General Tips for Visiting Pai
- Bring Cash: ATM access can be limited in Pai, so it’s wise to carry enough cash for your stay, though some businesses accept cards.
- Pack Accordingly: Pai’s weather varies; pack layers, including light clothing for daytime and warm layers for cool evenings, especially from November to February. Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Respect Local Culture: Embrace local customs, be mindful of the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, and dress modestly when visiting temples.
- Cherish the Journey: Don’t rush your visit. Pai is a place to relax, unwind, and appreciate the simple pleasures.
- Respect the Environment: Dispose of waste responsibly to help preserve Pai’s natural beauty.
- Travel Insurance: Always consider travel insurance for your trip to Thailand to cover potential medical emergencies, theft, or delays.
In conclusion, Pai offers a wide spectrum of accommodation options that cater to every traveler’s needs and preferences after their journey from Chiang Mai. Whether you seek the bustling energy of the Walking Street or the serene tranquility of the outlying areas, Pai is ready to enchant you with its unique charm and natural beauty.