Carly
Sacramento, California
My best friend and I are wanting to take a trip to Thailand, but we don't know where specifically yet. Are there any good places that are full of culture, but also have cheap places to stay? Like very, very cheap. Any hostels anywhere? Good places to eat and experience the different culture? What places to avoid or places that are too touristy and overrated? Please help! Thank you!
P.S. just sharing an experience that you had in Thailand would be helpful as well:)
Definitely do Chiang Mai it is the cheapest part of thailand. I have been twice, the last time on my own and I stayed at Deejai Backpackers which was amazing. I met lots of people and we all had a great time. They also do private rooms which would be the best for 2 people. The best island I would say is Koh Tao especially if you dive But also for parties and unspoiled beauty as it is not so developed like the other islands.
Sounds like Chiang Mai is what you're looking for! I live here now, so I'm a little biased, but there are tons of cheap hostels (or Airbnb - we stayed with CMStay.com when we first arrived about $15/night). CM is also FULL of temples including Doi Suthep.
Anywhere in Thailand you can get super cheap street food, but CM will be cheaper than Bangkok or the islands. (About $2USD a meal). There are also cooking classes, opportunities to talk to monks and offer alms, meditation courses and tons of local markets like the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Here's my favorite cooking class (link to my blog) http://www.poplartravels.com/asia-scenic-thai-cooking-class/
You can also take day trips to Huay Tung Tao Lake or Doi Inthanon or overnight trips to Pai or Chiang Dao!
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Hi Carly! Chiang Mai is an AMAZING place to go that is full of culture (HUGE night markets), beautiful scenery and a real hippie vibe. It's less invasive than Bangkok, but still has hustle and bustle to it. My boyfriend and I traveled around Thailand and Chiang Mai was our favourite. There is this loop that you can do on scooters called the Mae Sa Valley loop. We found a bunch of other backpackers and did it all together. It only takes a few hours, but you can stop in little villages or (bahns) as the thai say, and have lunch or see some elephants. You should stay at Julie Guesthouse in the old city. Hands down, best and cheapest hostel to stay at.
Chiang Mai would probably be the best place to see the real Thailand, the cheapest way with the western essentials. Havent gone to north Thailand yet, but have many working friends that either live there or travel there frequently
Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai) was my favourite that I visited! I also really loved Phi Phi Islands (Koh Phi Phi) It was much more touristy, but leaving the island and going around on a boat to see the surrounding islands and beaches was amazing! If you click either of those places I listed above you can read about some of the stuff I did in them on my blog that I really enjoyed :)
Debbie
Talia
Phyllis
