The Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand (2024)

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Pai: A Chill Oasis in the Northern Mountains

In this detailed guide we’ll go over the best things to do in Pai, as well as everything you need to know before your visit. Nestled amidst the verdant landscapes of northern Thailand, Pai is a charming town that captivates travelers with its laid-back vibe, stunning natural beauty, and abundance of outdoor activities. From exploring hidden waterfalls and trekking through picturesque canyons to indulging in delicious local cuisine and joining in on the party scene, Pai offers an unforgettable experience for every kind of traveler. Let’s get in to the best things to do in Pai!

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Top 13 Things to Do in Pai

1. Relax and Enjoy the Views

Pai is extremely laid-back, and although the town may be loud at night, the landscapes in the surrounding area are absolutely stunning. We recommend staying a few nights at some of the resorts/homestays located a bit out of town that have pools and beautiful mountain views. Kick back by the pool with a cocktail and enjoy some relaxation time!

2. Eat your Way down Night Market Walking Street

The Night Market is lined with local vendors serving food, bars and restaurants, and all sorts of goods from hippie clothing to jewelry. This is a wonderful place to grab a Chang beer and walk the street, trying all sorts of Western and Thai food along the way.

3. Meander the Bamboo Bridge

This is one of the most underrated attractions in Pai. While slightly out of the way, the walk above the rice fields surrounded by picturesque mountains is not to be missed.

There is a temple, swings, photo-ready seating areas, puppies, a small restaurant, and of course the bridge which you could walk on for an hour or so. We highly recommend making a stop here!

4. Play Bamboo Mini Golf

Bamboo Mini Golf is a creative take on mini golf which involves bamboo mallets and tennis balls. You’ll play on former rice terraces with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. There’s homemade lemonade, juice and beers available for purchase, and you even win a free pizza if you get a hole-in-one on one of the holes!

5. Explore Pai Canyon

Pai Canyon offers beautiful 360 degree views of the mountainous Pai landscape, and many people take full advantage of these views during sunset or sunrise. It does get fairly crowded during sunset, so adjust your expectations accordingly! There are narrow trails and steep ledges, so make sure you bring appropriate footwear.

6. Discover the Amazing Waterfalls of Pai

Pai has many waterfalls that attract nature lovers from all over the world! We highly recommend going to Mo Paeng waterfall, where there is a natural waterslide that goes alongside the waterfall. It is around 7 meters long and very safe, so people of all ages can enjoy! Some other popular waterfalls are Pam Bok and Mae Yen, which you should explore if you have time!

7. Get Tipsy on a Tube!

Pai is known as being a hippie/party town and Tipsy Tubing is part of how it gained popularity. This is only offered during dry season between November and June. There have been issues with tourists getting too drunk and getting injured, so they are slightly more strict in recent years about alcohol on the river. The rules are still barely enforced, you just need a water bottle or container to not make your alcohol consumption obvious. Just don’t drink too much as the currents can be dangerous! The best part? It costs less than 7 USD to book your tipsy tubing adventure!

8. Admire the Landscape at Yun Lai Viewpoint

This is best at sunrise, although the magnificent views of the Pai landscape can be highly appreciated at all times of day. Camping up here is popular with Thai tourists, as waking up to this view would be absolutely breathtaking. There are also gift shops and restaurants and activities such as archery and Karaoke for added enjoyment.

9. Indulge in the Local Cuisine

Many places in Pai offer cooking classes, so be sure to reserve a few hours for this! If you’re pressed on time like we were, make sure to try Khao Soi, a famous curry dish from Northern Thailand. We went to Khao Soi Pai Restaurant and the Khao Soi and other dishes we had were absolutely incredible!

10. Eat/Drink with a View!

We went to Coffee In Love, which has a beautiful panoramic view of the Pai mountains. The restaurant serves food and various drinks and you can walk around the grounds and take pictures as you wish! Love Strawberry Pai Restaurant has a very similar vibe, so be sure to check this out as well!

11. Relax in the Hot Springs

These are definitely more popular in the cooler months of the year, and there are a few options to take a dip and relax! Ta Pai Hot Springs are the most popular, the Sai Ngam Hot Springs are the most underrated, and the Pai Hot Springs Resort has both a hot springs pool and regular non-heated pool.

12. Experience Chinese Culture at Santichon Village

Santichon Village is a Chinese cultural village on the outskirts of Pai that has numerous carnival-type activities, Chinese restaurants, and the highlight, a small replica of the Great Wall. Similar to most places in Pai, this village boasts beautiful views of the tree-covered mountains.

13. Visit the White Buddha

The White Buddha temple is a massive Buddha statue that overlooks Pai. Dress modestly, climb the 350+ stairs, and be rewarded with a religious and natural experience that you won’t forget!

Best Time to Visit Pai

If you’re researching a trip to Thailand, you’ve likely come across the fact that different parts of the country have different rainy seasons. In Pai (and northern Thailand as a whole), the dry season runs from November to May, but the best time to visit is between November and February. During this time, temperatures are noticeably cooler than the later months of the dry season, which is perfect for doing some hiking in Pai and exploring the canyon!

Where to Stay in Pai

There are tons of options for where to stay in Pai depending on what you’re looking for. If you want a lively atmosphere, consider staying in town close to Night Market Street. However, we recommend staying a bit outside of town to enjoy a more peaceful accommodation that will likely have a pool as well, which is great for scorching Thai days.

Pai Accommodations

Pai Village Boutique Resort

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How to Get to Pai

While Pai doesn’t have its own airport, Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is the closest major gateway and is well-connected to major Asian and international destinations – book your cheap flights here! You can also bus or take the train to Chiang Mai if you’re already in Thailand.

How to Get to Pai from Chiang Mai by Bus

The most common and budget-friendly way to reach Pai from Chiang Mai is by minivan. Numerous companies operate this route throughout the day, with a journey time of approximately 3-4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. The most popular bus company is Prem Pracha, and you can book your spot in the van on 12Go.

Keep in mind that the road from Chiang Mai to Pai has 762 turns. If you’re prone to carsickness (or honestly even if you’re not), we highly recommend getting a private car or taxi. We got a taxi for the way back because Cullen got sick on the van ride there, and it was much better. You definitely pay a bit more money, but we found it was very worth it for this journey.

How to Get to Pai from Chiang Mai by Motorbike

If you’re a thrill-seeker and experienced motorbike rider, renting a motorbike offers a scenic and adventurous way to reach Pai. The ride takes approximately 3-4 hours and allows you to stop at scenic viewpoints along the way. However, we only recommend this if you’re a very confident motorbike driver. The roads are paved and in good condition, but drivers can be a little reckless and with the winding roads you really need to know what you’re doing.

How to Get to Pai After a Northern Thailand Trek

I’m not sure if this method works for all northern Thailand trek companies, but this is how we got to Pai! We had done a 3 day/2 night jungle trek from Chiang Mai, which wrapped up at Mae Malai Market, located between Pai and Chiang Mai. We didn’t want to go all the way back to Chiang Mai just to turn around and head to Pai, and luckily we didn’t have to! The bus from Chiang Mai stops at this market, so we just coordinated with our tour company and they helped us buy tickets for the bus we would take. This worked out super well and saved us a lot of time, so I definitely recommend asking your trek company (if you do one) if this would work for you as well!

Getting Around Pai

To get around Pai, we recommend renting a moped which costs $4-$10 USD per day so you can drive yourself around to all these amazing activities! This gives you freedom to explore Pai without completely depending on a tour guide or driver. There are a number of places to rent bikes downtown, just keep in mind that you’ll likely need to leave your passport with them as collateral.

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Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!

The Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand