If you are going to Pai, then here is some information to simplify the trip at the first stage, where to live, how to get, what to see. My impressions of the town of Pai itself - Pai in Thailand.
And two articles about my bike rides around Pai - Pai and surroundings and Pam Bok Waterfall, where you can read in more detail about the places where I have been.
The content of the article
- one Rental housing in Pai
- 2 Rent a bike in Pai
- 3 Food in Pai
- 4 How to get to Pai and back
- five What to see in Pai
- 6 Pai Map
Rental housing in Pai
It is better to look for accommodation in Pai through RoomGuru. See all discounts for hotels at once in all booking systems. Well, and then you will book as standard at Booking, Agoda or wherever else he will offer. Prices can vary greatly, and it often happens in the north of Taya that a hotel is in one reservation system, but in another it is not. Strange but so.
With housing in Pai, everything is standard for the north. Only the only thing, there are a lot of bungalow hotels, and the usual ones, when all the rooms are in the same building, seemed to me much less. Still, not a city, but rather a village-settlement. Housing prices are low. And a lot of budget housing, such as flimsy bamboo bungalows with holes in the walls and floor, which cost from 200 baht per day.
More reliable houses cost somewhere from 400-500 baht and more. Those with air conditioning are closer to 700 baht. Although condo is not always needed, it is usually Dubak at night during the season, and a warm blanket is needed rather than condo. Good hotels are somewhere around 1000-2000 baht and, accordingly, higher. It depends on what you need and what kind of comfort.
- First time I lived in a thatched bungalow Twin hut without amenities and for 350 baht. I decided to shake things up and get a taste of the backpacker's life for a couple of days. I recommend to all romantics who also want to try something similar. There are several such bungalow hotels, just walk along the main street (Walking Street) to the river, cross it, and there are similar bungalows one after another..
- There is also a stronger and better bungalow across the river. For example, Pai country hut or Phu View Guesthouse. Bungalows will already be wooden and with a neat area. I also stayed in them once. The cost is somewhere between 500-700 baht per house. The hotel can also offer tea, coffee, bananas, under a common canopy. With Wifi, as luck would have it, there is usually always under a common shed or near the reception. But there is always mobile 3G, if that.
- If you do not cross the river, but stay near the main street, then a good hotel Paifah Boutique House.
This is a hotel, not a bungalow. Although the room is also partly wooden. Or for example, Pai country home, it is more of a hotel in a more conventional sense. Both are right next to Walking Street and cost 800-1300 baht. Naturally, there is a wide range of housing there, for every taste there is.
Twin Hut Bamboo Bungalow in the evening
More expensive bungalow - Phu View Guesthouse
Rent a bike in Pai
I rented a bike from Aya Service. The machine costs from 100 baht per day. Plus optional 40 baht, insurance against accidents, and plus 40 baht, again optional, insurance against theft. I took for 140 in total with insurance. The deposit for the helmet is 100 baht. Instead of a passport, they said, a copy will also work, a cash deposit is not needed.
If you are shooting a bike for the first time, then read all my thoughts and advice on this matter - scooter rental in Thailand.
Food in Pai
The cost of food is about the same as in Chiang Mai and may be a little more expensive, especially in cafes that are made especially for foreigners, the place is tourist, and the choice is not to say that it is huge. Although it may seem, depending on where to go.
Pad Thai, or fried rice with vegetables / shrimps - 30-40 baht purely in Thai eateries, and in more civilian cafes - 50-100 baht. As you can see, everything is pretty cheap. On Walking Street, which is open every evening, prices are standard for makers..
How to get to Pai and back
Minibuses, minivans, and local buses run from Chiang Mai to Pai. Cost, respectively, 150, 150 and 72 baht. The journey takes 3-4 hours. Lokalbas does not have air conditioning and travels longer. They run every hour, there is no problem to leave. Private minivans also go back from Pai, for example, from an office that rents bikes. Tickets are usually bought by farangs, and I could not leave through them. So go straight to the bus station. Here I have more details about this, including how to buy a ticket through the Internet.
Minivan Chiang Mai Pai
What to see in Pai
You can watch a lot of things here. Opposite the bus station, there is Information, where you can take a map of Pai and its surroundings, with some attractions. In this map, by the way, the place with bike rental will be marked, it is just 5 minutes from the bus station.
Information opposite the bus station
There are several waterfalls, hot springs, points with mountain views. The most popular ones are marked on the map. You can find out about the less popular ones at the agencies that offer trekking..
First of all, worth a visit Pai canyon, an interesting place in terms of nature and species. And the waterfall Pam bok waterfall, there is a very interesting stone canyon. Other waterfalls in Pai are quite common. Alternatively, visit the hot spring, entrance fee is 200 baht per person.
Elephant trekking is also a popular pastime. Prices vary, sometimes 2 times, do not be lazy, ask around. You can independently go to Elepfant Camp (elephant camp) and find out everything on the spot (on a bike 10-15 minutes). There are several such camps, I found out the prices in four. They called us 300-600 baht, I agreed and rode.
If you do not go on your own, then the cost of an excursion to Pai starts at 300 baht for a trip around Pai. But you need at least 4 people, or the price rises. As a rule, people are. Trekking in Pai costs about 700 baht per person for one day.
Pai canyon
Canyon next to Pam Bok Waterfall
Pai Map
You do not need to print this card, since it will not be difficult to get it in the Pay itself, in the same bike rental, or opposite the bus station in Information. But you can save it to your smartphone. Maps are clickable.
Pai Map
Pai Neighborhood Map
The points I have visited are marked. And in the village of Pai itself, there are bamboo bungalows and hotels.
Neighborhood Pai
Neighborhood Pai:
