Chiang Mai is one of the largest cities in Northern Thailand and quite literally the coolest one. It’s got that perfect laid-back vibe with beautiful mountains all around, along with a one-square-mile old city right in the center. This area is filled with ancient temples and old historic buildings. But our favorite characteristic was the calming moat that surrounds the entire Old City.
Things to Know Before Going to Chiang Mai
If you are planning a trip to Chiang Mai, there are some essential things you should know to make your trip much easier and more enjoyable. It’s all about transportation, language, SIM cards, the best time to visit, and more. So let’s dive in.
Transportation
Getting around Thailand is very easy and convenient. The best app to download would be “Grab.” Then you can use rideshare services to get from your destination from point A to point B.
Chiang Mai City itself is quite compact, so in our experience, the cost is usually around 70 to 100 baht for a Grab, which is about a 10 to 20-minute ride. But if you’re going to unique locations outside of town, then you’ll want to check the price of public transport versus hiring a car for the day or going on a group tour.
Renting a scooter is also a great option. However, you’ll want to check whether your travel insurance will cover this as it’s usually excluded from policies.
There are also plenty of tuk-tuks, but you have to make sure that you negotiate and confirm the price per person before you get into a tuk-tuk. Make sure that you’re very clear about where exactly you want to go.
When to Visit Chiang Mai
In Thailand, there are a number of famous festivals like Songkran, which is the Water Festival and occurs on April 13 to 15 every year.
Also, Loi Krathong, which is the Festival of Lights, is where you see floating baskets released into the waterways and rivers. This festival normally falls around November each year, but the date does change.
Another festival in Chiang Mai that happens at the same time as Loi Krathong is Yi Ping, where lanterns are released into the night sky, creating a majestic sight.
There’s also the rainy season to consider, which normally happens around June to October. So these are a couple of months and dates to keep in mind when planning your trip to Chiang Mai.
Our suggestion for the best timing would be November to April. November to February will be slightly cold, so bring some light woolens. March to April will be a bit warm. It’s the best time to explore Chiang Mai during these months.
Cash and SIM Card Tips
Thailand is still a cash-based society. So it’s handy to have some cash on you, especially as you’re leaving the airport. You might want to pick up a SIM card and you’ll also need cash to pay for your Grab, which is the transportation from the airport to your accommodation.
SIM Cards
Speaking of SIM cards, the three main mobile network providers are AIS, True Move, and D-Tech.
With AIS, it may cost you 999 baht for the month, which will give you unlimited data and calls. The coverage has been really good as AIS and True Move are known to have the best mobile coverage across Thailand.
Getting Cash
Withdrawing from an ATM is much more economical than going to a currency exchange, but there is one very important thing to note: ATMs have a high withdrawal fee ranging from 150 baht at Aeon ATMs to up to 220 baht at most other banks.
About the Language
If you’re worried about the language barrier, it’s less of an issue, especially here in Chiang Mai. Locals can generally speak at least a little bit of English to pretty good English.
Having the Google Translate app is always handy as you can translate signs or menus if there’s no English available.
Recommended Stay
If you’re looking for a place to stay with an old-world charm, we recommend staying at “Tamarind Village Chiang Mai,” a boutique four-star hotel located in the old city area.
Smack bang in the center of the property is a huge 200-year-old tamarind tree. The rooms are spacious with a mix of elegance and tradition. There’s a pool for when you need to cool down after a day of exploring.
Or you can use Airbnb, which is a great option. You can get lower prices on Airbnb compared to other hotels in Chiang Mai.
Things to Do in Chiang Mai
There are a bunch of activities to explore in Chiang Mai. The most famous thing to do is to visit Elephant Sanctuaries, and there are a lot of old temples in the old town of Chiang Mai that you can’t miss. Here are some activities you must explore:
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- Thai Cooking School
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- Khaomao-Khaofang Imaginary Jungle
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- Chiang Mai Night Safari
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- Doi Inthanon National Park
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- Old City – Wat Chedi Luang
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- Wat Phra Singh Temple
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- Elephant Sanctuaries
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- Northern Thai Cuisine
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- Trendy Nimman
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- Wua Lai Walking Street – Saturday Night Market
Shopping in Chiang Mai
If you’re looking to do some shopping while you’re in Chiang Mai, there are a couple of shopping malls you can check out: Central Festival, Maya, and Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport. While at these malls, visit the food courts, as they are pretty awesome and worth a visit.
If malls aren’t your thing, the markets in Chiang Mai, especially the weekend ones, are next level. You can visit the Sunday night market in the middle of the old town for various goods, art, and great street food.
The local farmers’ markets run on both Saturday and Sunday. If you’re not there on the weekend, the Night Bazaar is another option, though not as varied as the weekend markets.
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