Pai
By Evi Goossens, a travel storyteller, certified tour guide, and photographer from The Netherlands. Updated November 2024
Reading time: 5 min
Backpacker’s Paradise:
The Best Things to Do in Pai
Arriving in, in my opinion, the best little town in northern Thailand: Pai!
Pai has a relaxed vibe. It feels like you've arrived on a tropical island, yet there’s no sea in sight. The only thing you see are mountains, which can actually be quite relaxing. In recent years, Pai has become more popular among backpackers, especially after the early hippie travelers came here and loved the incredibly chill atmosphere.
Because it’s so relaxed, many backpackers refer to it as the "Pai hole." This simply means that you often end up staying longer in this little mountain town than you initially planned.
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WHAT’S NEXT?
| TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tipsy Tubing
Pai Canyon
Two Huts
Rending a Scooter
Sticky Waterfall
Rice Fields
White Buddha
Walking Street
Where to stay/eat/go out
Need-to-Know Nuggets 💡
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From Chiang Mai, there are several minivans that take you to Pai, but be prepared for the journey! The road to Pai is full of sharp turns, and many people get car sick, so make sure to bring a bag or take some travel pills beforehand.
Alternatively, you can scooter from Chiang Mai to Pai. Many backpackers choose this option to reduce the effects of the winding road, and it’s also a fun way to travel. There are plenty of rental shops in Chiang Mai where you can rent a scooter, and they can even transport your larger backpacks to Pai for you.
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Even though I say you can see Pai in just a few days, it’s super chill to spend a solid 5-6 days here, just relaxing and enjoying the vibe.
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As in many cities in Asia, Grab is very popular. It’s like Uber but for Asia. However, this isn’t really the case in Pai. Most people rent scooters to get around and explore.
If you don’t feel comfortable riding a scooter abroad, many hostels offer tours you can join.
Alternatively, you can hire a taxi driver for a set fee to take you around and show you the sights. -
Watching the sunset at Two Huts 🌞
Tipsy Tubing
You might be wondering... what on earth is tipsy tubing? Well, the name kind of gives it away. You’re tipsy and sitting in an inner tube! You can also do this in Laos, but I personally found it way more fun in Pai. Twice a week, the hostels in Pai organize a tipsy tubing event. Around 1:00 PM, you get picked up at your hostel and head to a spot by the river where you can choose your own inner tube. Then, you sit in the tube and float down the river, passing various party spots where you get out of the tube to continue drinking.
It’s a simple concept, and the whole day is pretty much spent floating along the river in your bikini, but because it’s so simple, it’s incredibly fun. The whole town is emptied of backpackers because they’re all out tipsy tubing. You meet a lot of other people, and there’s a great vibe.
Many people bring their own drinks so they can keep drinking while floating down the river. Also, make sure to bring a waterproof case to store your money or maybe even your phone. Keep in mind that you can only pay in cash.
You can sign up through your hostel or by checking out the many flyers handed out around the town.
Pai Canyon
Watching the sunset at Pai Canyon is a must-do experience. You can rent a scooter to ride there yourself, but keep in mind you’ll need to ride back in the dark. Alternatively, you can easily book a tour through your hostel. The tour was only 100 baht, which is about €2.60, so it’s super affordable. You won’t be spending much money! The driver will drop you off, and then you climb a few steps up before you can explore the canyon on your own.
If you only want to visit the canyon, that’s absolutely fine too! The canyon doesn’t have an entrance fee.
Entrance fee: FREE!
Two Huts
While Pai Canyon is a beautiful sunset spot, this place is actually even better. Two Huts is a small restaurant/bar just outside the center of Pai. You can either get there by scooter or take a driver for 100 baht (€2.62). There are comfy benches where you can sit, or you can just flop down on the grass. At the bar, you can order some food or enjoy a cold beer.
Entrance fee: FREE!
The view? You’ll be overlooking the stunning mountain landscape of Pai. Below, you can see rice fields gradually flowing into mountains where the sun sets behind them beautifully. There’s also live music playing, adding to the magical atmosphere. Everywhere you look, it’s just perfect! Definitely one of the best spots in all of Pai.
Renting a Scooter
The best way to explore Pai is by scooter. The roads are good, and there’s not much traffic. Once you’re out of the city, the roads are easy to navigate, and you can ride at a relaxed pace. If you find riding a scooter intimidating, you can always hire a taxi to drive you around, but keep in mind that this can be expensive.
However, many travelers actually find riding a scooter really fun. Ask around at your hostel, and you might find some fellow travelers who’d like to explore Pai together!
Sticky Waterfall
The first stop... Sticky Waterfall. Make sure to bring some cash, as the entrance fee is 200 baht ($5.30). The Sticky Waterfall is unique because you can climb it and then slide down it. If you’re not much of an adventurer, you can also relax in the water while watching others slide down the waterfall. Not only is the waterfall incredibly cool to see, but if you walk around the water a bit, you’ll also get an amazing view overlooking the jungle.
Entrance fee: $5.30
Rice Fields
Continue your day by heading to the rice fields. The road here is 90% good; just be a little careful on the last stretch, but once you’re there, it’s all worth it. Take a peaceful walk through the rice fields. Grab a drink at the little shop in the middle and enjoy the tranquility and the incredibly beautiful view.
White Buddha
End your day at the White Buddha. If you're planning to go to Chiang Rai afterward and find yourself short on time, you can skip this one. However, if you're not going to Chiang Rai afterward, I would definitely recommend visiting the White Buddha. It’s always nice to see traditional Thai statues, and there's nothing quite as impressive as a giant white Buddha.
Walking Street
Where should you shop? Eat? And go out? The Walking Street!! On Walking Street, you’ll find several spots where you can enjoy delicious food, have a great drink, and don’t even get me started on the shopping. If you're not careful, your wallet will be empty! Plus, it's super fun to stroll around here every evening.
Where to stay
Pai has several great hostels. I stayed at Revolution Pai and found it to be a great option. They organized a lot of activities, had a big courtyard, a pool, and it was close to the Walking Street.
Whether you choose this hostel or another one, make sure to stay near the Walking Street and not too far outside the center. The best part is being able to walk there instead of having to take a scooter every time.
The vibe is in the center, and I’ve heard from many people who stayed just outside Pai that they regretted it.
Book your hostel: https://www.hostelworld.com
As I mentioned above, there are several great places to eat on Walking Street. There are many food stalls, and almost all of them serve delicious food. In particular, the falafel stall is amazing!! That said, I would stay away from sushi stalls, as it’s raw fish, and you don't know how long it’s been sitting out without proper refrigeration.
Indian food
If you like Indian food, I highly recommend this place. Be sure to make a reservation in advance because it fills up quickly! Besides the incredible food and friendly people, you can also take a cooking class here if you're interested.
Local food
For local food, this is the place to go. It might look a little sketchy, but I’ve never had better food in Thailand. The people are incredibly kind, and the food is authentically local. It really feels like you’re visiting someone's home. They put a lot of effort into their cooking, and the food is just amazing.
Want a Breakfast Spot?
Try Ganita Café and Omgarden Café. These two places are very close to each other and offer delicious food. It’s healthy, tasty, and affordable. They have plenty of options on the menu, so you won’t have to worry about not liking something. Be sure to arrive before lunch, though, as these places get really busy!
Where to eat
You can definitely go out in Pai! There are lots of bars, and they’re all super cozy. There are techno bars, bars where you can play pool, and many bars have live music. A great spot is Jazzhouse. This bar fills up quickly, so make sure to get there early. If it’s full, don’t worry because there’s something for everyone here in Pai!
