29 May 2026
Is Chiang Mai cheap in 2026? An honest cost-of-trip breakdown
Is Chiang Mai still cheap in 2026? A per-day cost breakdown across backpacker, mid-range, and higher-end trips — and the parts that have got more expensive.
Category
Planning
42 articles.
27 May 2026
Chiang Mai travel guide 2026: a locally-run operator's playbook
A complete Chiang Mai travel guide — when to come, where to stay, what to eat, the tours worth doing and the ones to skip, costs, scams, and our own playbook.
24 May 2026
Best free things to do in Chiang Mai: 15 actually-free activities
Fifteen Chiang Mai activities that genuinely cost nothing — temple visits, viewpoints, art galleries, parks, river walks — plus the things wrongly listed as free.
19 May 2026
Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: which to base in for Northern Thailand
If you only have time for one northern city — Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai as a base. Day-trip range, food scene, accommodation depth, and which suits your trip.
17 May 2026
Songthaew (red truck) Chiang Mai: how the shared taxi system works
Riding the songthaew red trucks — flag-down etiquette, the ฿30 vs ฿100 split, route logic, and the rare reverse-direction scam to spot.
26 Apr 2026
Golden Triangle from Chiang Rai: opium history and Mekong viewpoint
The Golden Triangle — what the name actually means, the Opium Museum that ranks above the photo-op viewpoint, and how to combine with a Mekong boat ride.
19 Apr 2026
Chiang Mai map: Old City, Nimman, and Riverside — how they fit together
A walkthrough of Chiang Mai's geography — the moat-square Old City, the Nimman grid, Santitham above, Riverside east, and how distances feel on foot vs Grab.
19 Apr 2026
Chiang Rai day trip from Chiang Mai: white temple, blue temple, black house
Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai as a day trip — the 3-hour drive, the must-see triumvirate, and whether you should overnight instead. Honest comparison.
17 Apr 2026
Chiang Mai visa requirements in 2026: visa-exempt, DTV, and runs
Chiang Mai visa reality for 2026 — 60-day visa-exempt for most nationalities, the DTV digital-nomad visa, and the visa runs (Mae Sai border) people still do.
15 Apr 2026
Chiang Mai photography spots: 12 places worth the early alarm
Twelve Chiang Mai photography spots — temples with golden-hour light, rice-paddy viewpoints, lantern-festival angles, and the spots over-saturated by influencers.
12 Apr 2026
Chiang Mai 7-day itinerary: a week without filler
A 7-day Chiang Mai itinerary that doesn't pad — temples, elephants, cooking class, Doi Inthanon, Sticky Falls, Pai overnight option, free-day buffer.
10 Apr 2026
What to pack for Chiang Mai by season: a real packing list
Chiang Mai packing list — month-by-month rather than generic. Rain season vs cool season vs burning season. Temple-appropriate layers and items most travellers forget.
09 Apr 2026
How many days to spend in Chiang Mai: 3 vs 5 vs 7 vs 10
How many days to spend in Chiang Mai — the rough what-you-fit-in for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days, plus the case for stretching to 10 if you have the time.
08 Apr 2026
Chiang Mai 3-day itinerary: the operator's tight-on-time plan
A 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary that prioritises must-dos — Doi Suthep + Old City temples day, elephant sanctuary day, cooking class + Sunday Walking Street day.
05 Apr 2026
Hiring a private guide in Chiang Mai: rates, languages, expectations
Private guides in Chiang Mai — what ฿2,500-5,000/day buys you, language coverage (English, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Russian), what's included vs not.
31 Mar 2026
Chiang Mai wellness retreats 2026: yoga, detox, and Thai-medicine programs
Chiang Mai wellness retreats — the yoga studios with retreat programs, silent meditation at Wat Suan Dok, detox centres, and what to ask before booking.
30 Mar 2026
Chiang Mai golf in 2026: four courses worth the trip and how to book
Alpine, Highlands, Mae Jo and Royal Chiang Mai — the four courses we book most, green fees, caddy norms, and the package math that beats course-by-course booking.
29 Mar 2026
Chiang Mai with kids: itinerary, neighborhoods, what to skip
Chiang Mai with kids — the family-friendly elephant parks, splash pads, the cooking class that takes 6-year-olds, and the trekking and temples that aren't going to work.
27 Mar 2026
Best Chiang Mai spa and massage: hole-in-the-wall to Anantara
Chiang Mai spa picks — Fah Lanna, Oasis, Anantara, the temple massage at Wat Mahawan, and the no-frills ฿180 shops we actually use ourselves.
24 Mar 2026
Chiang Mai digital nomad guide 2026: visa, coworking, cost, and burnout
Chiang Mai for digital nomads in 2026 — the DTV visa reality, monthly rent in Nimman vs Old City, the coworking shortlist, and the burnout pattern nobody talks about.
10 Feb 2026
Chiang Mai scooter rental: licence rules, deposits, and streets to avoid
Renting a scooter in Chiang Mai — passport-as-deposit reality, what travel insurance actually covers, the streets to avoid, and the rental shops we trust.
08 Feb 2026
Chiang Dao caves and mountain: a one-day escape from Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao day trip from Chiang Mai — the cave with gas-lantern guides, lunch stops, the herb steam bath, and whether you can climb the mountain in one day.
06 Feb 2026
Hill-tribe trekking from Chiang Mai: how to do it without the ethics fail
Karen, Hmong, Lisu, Akha — how to pick a hill-tribe trek operator that respects the village, what 2-day vs day trekking looks like, and the long-neck question.
05 Feb 2026
Mae Kampong day trip: tea, homestays, waterfall, elephant view
Mae Kampong from Chiang Mai — the 1-hour drive, the tea slope, the elephant viewpoint, the small waterfall, and whether the homestay overnight is worth doing.
04 Feb 2026
Chiang Mai Grand Canyon: water park vs cliff jump — which is the real one
Two places call themselves the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon — Hang Dong and the Water Park — and which is worth the drive depends entirely on what you want.
01 Feb 2026
Sticky Waterfalls (Bua Tong) day trip: why you can walk up them
Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls: how the mineral deposits give the rock its grip, how to get there from Chiang Mai, the best month for water flow, and what to wear.
29 Jan 2026
Mae Hong Son loop from Chiang Mai: 3-day vs 5-day itineraries
The Mae Hong Son loop from Chiang Mai — what's the right length, route direction, where to stop, and the village stays worth the detour.
28 Jan 2026
Doi Inthanon vs Doi Suthep: which Chiang Mai mountain to climb
The two big mountain choices outside Chiang Mai — Doi Inthanon (national park, waterfalls, summit pagodas) vs Doi Suthep (temple, half-day) — and which suits your trip.
27 Jan 2026
How to get from Chiang Mai to Pai (and whether to bother)
The 762-curve minivan, the bus, and self-drive — what each route to Pai really costs, motion-sickness reality, and whether Pai is still worth the trip in 2026.
18 Jan 2026
Chiang Mai Old City self-guided walking tour: 3 hours, 4 temples
A timed Chiang Mai Old City walking route — four temples, three coffee stops, and the moat gate worth photographing — in three hours, walking, for free.
02 Jan 2026
Doi Inthanon day trip from Chiang Mai: operator's guide
Operator's guide to a Doi Inthanon day trip from Chiang Mai — best month, twin pagodas, the waterfall trail, hill-tribe stops, and what marketplaces leave out.
17 Dec 2025
Where to stay in Chiang Mai: Old City vs Nimman vs Riverside
Three Chiang Mai neighbourhoods, three trip styles: which area suits temple-heavy trips, foodie-led trips, and resort stays — with price bands and trade-offs.
18 Apr 2025
Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: A Compassionate Experience
Ethical Elephants Chiang Mai: A Compassionate Experience Chiang Mai is home to some of Thailand’s most ethical elephant sanctuaries, offering visitors a…
18 Apr 2025
Tours Chiang Mai: What Tours Are Popular in Chiang Mai?
Tours Chiang Mai: What Tours Are Popular in Chiang Mai? Chiang Mai, the cultural gem of Northern Thailand, is a dream destination for travelers who love…
18 Apr 2025
Where to Book Tours in Chiang Mai?
Where to Book Tours in Chiang Mai? Chiang Mai is a city filled with rich culture, breathtaking nature, and unique experiences, making it one of Thailand's…
20 Feb 2025
Top 5 things to do in Chiang Mai by Chiang Mai Go Tours
Top 5 things to do in Chiang Mai by Chiang Mai Go Tours Are you looking for things to do in Chiang Mai? If you're planning to visit Chiang Mai or are already…
04 Feb 2025
How to Travel from Chiang Mai to Pai: A Complete Guide
How to Travel from Chiang Mai to Pai: A Complete Guide Pai is a charming mountain town in northern Thailand, famous for its laid-back vibe, stunning…
03 Jan 2025
Doi Inthanon Experience: The Best Way to Explore Thailand’s Highest Peak
Doi Inthanon Experience: The Best Way to Explore Thailand’s Highest Peak Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, is one of the must-visit destinations in…
18 Nov 2024
REALSPACE co-working
One of the Best Coworking Spaces in Chiang Mai If you're working remotely while exploring Northern Thailand, finding the right place to stay productive is…
27 Sept 2024
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: Tips, Tricks, and Must-Visit Spots
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: Tips, Tricks, and Must-Visit Spots Chiang Mai is a cultural and adventure-filled paradise. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples,…
04 Apr 2024
Chiang Mai On a Budget for Affordable Travel
Chiang Mai On a Budget for Affordable Travel Explore Chiang Mai, the cultural pearl of Northern Thailand, without stretching your budget. Known for its…
07 Feb 2024
Chiang Mai for Families: Activities and Excursions Everyone Will Love
Chiang Mai for Families: Activities and Excursions Everyone Will Love When my family and I first stepped into the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, we knew it was…