14 Best Things To Do Pai; Full Pai Itinerary 2021

Are you ready to see one of the best destinations in Thailand? Here is the best things in Pai one of the best places to visit in Thailand. I am going to share with you the most awesome things to see in Pai. And, there is only one thing to do with this, hire a trusty scooter, fill it with gas and let’s hit the road for a dusk till dawn adventure. Pai is a town with a cool quirky vibe and got plenty going for it. I’ve heard off many backpackers that Pai is up there as one of the best places to visit in Thailand. There’s something in Pai for everyone to do and you will discover this on your visit here.

There is plenty of mega things you can do in Pai. For example, the pai canyon, the land split or the big white Buddha. I want to share with you all the information you need for visiting these top tourist spots in Pai.

The best things to do in Pai on your visit

To do all these top tourist spots and free things to do in Pai, you are going to need to hire a scooter. Where to get scooter rentals in Pai to complete the top 10 things to do in Pai?

Scooter rental in Pai is common for visiting backpackers. Therefore, there are plenty of places to rent bikes in Pai. Don’t worry if you haven’t got an international license, it’s very uncommon for police stopping motorcyclists in Pai. Unlike other places to visit in Thailand. I haven’t got an international licence and I didn’t have a problem.

The cost of price rental in Pai is funnily enough the same as the motorbikes engine power. For example, if the scooter is a 150cc, then you will pay 150 baht ($5.50) for 24 hours scooter rental in Pai and this is cheap for 24 hours rental. Gas is also crazy cheap. It cost me 60 baht ($2.75) for a full tank, sweet.

We did cram the 10 fun things in Pai in just one day, but we didn’t rush on the roads and you shouldn’t either. I seen some nasty grazes on backpackers in Pai. Don’t be one of them just take your time man, you will have plenty of chances to save time by running up and down the steps to the best things in Pai!

1. Thailand’s stunning and scary Pai Canyon

An epic little canyon in Pai that has a few narrow edges to get some great photos. However, don’t expect anything to spectacular, I obviously knew it wasn’t the American Grand Canyon but I wanted it to be something along the lines of the great American canyon. Nevertheless, it’s still a cool place to visit.

The Pai canyon cost is completely free, which is a surprise but I ain’t complaining and parking is also free. You should try to get here for sunrise or sunset to see the unique orange rockery lit up by the moving sun. Please be careful, the sides are sloppy with moving rockery and some areas are very narrow.

Want more information on the Pai Canyon? Check out the Pai canyon guide

 

where is the Pai Canyon?

2. The Pai Land split

A weird and wonderful Pai land split in the farmers land caused by an earthquake in 2008 and every year the land spilt continues to widen.
You also get chance to taste the local goods grown in Pai for free, I tasted the finest fruit juice and had some tasty banana chips. All they want is a small donation or to purchase some of the goods.

It is cool how the land split is formed, but it’s not something I would put on top of my best things in Pai in a one day list. But, it’s worth a visit for the juice I mentioned.

Have you got all your backpacking essentials? See backpacking essential item list for Asia

For more reading on Pai see The Pai Land Split: A Testament to Human Perseverance

Where is the Pai Land split?

3. Visit Pai Waterfalls

Southeast Asia has some of the most amazing waterfalls in the world and there are some epic waterfalls in Pai. I got to see a few of Pai’s best waterfalls. However, I preferred the Mor Paeng Waterfall as there is a little more to see and you can relax on some cool rocks. Just take your time here it can be slippy in some areas. The waterfalls in Pai are not to far from the centre of Pai, it will take you between 20-25 minutes to reach them by scooter.

The cost of the Pai waterfalls is zero. It’s all FREE and parking is free. Not bad eh?!

For more reading on waterfalls in Pai, see 4 coolest waterfalls in Pai

Where is the Mor Paeng Waterfall?

4. See the Incredible Pai Hot springs

The amazing Pai hot springs, a surreal experience and one of most awesome best things I did in Pai. I know they’re the hot springs of Pai but a part of me didn’t expect them to be hot. Funnily enough upon dipping my toe in the Pai hot spring, it was warm. The hot springs in Pai are warm, have amazing scenery around them and have the clearest water you will ever see.

The Pai hot springs cost for a visit, but it’s worth it for the experience. There is a cost of 200 baht ($8) for entry to the national park and then 20 baht ($0.70) for entry to the Pai hot spring.

The Pai hot spring hours are 8am-6pm everyday.

 

Where is the Pai hot springs?

5. Pai views and the big Buddha on the hill in Pai (Wat Phra That MAE Yen)

You can See the Big Buddha In Pai on the hill from most places in Pai, it’s hard to miss the giant white Buddha structure on the green hill. The Pai big Buddha is near the centre of Pai, so you can either cycle there, walk or hire a scooter.

The big Buddha in Pai is epic for seeing some amazing views. You can see for miles and it’s even better when the weather in Pai is good.

It’s free to enter the big Buddha, however girls need to wear a sarong. But these make a sweet Instagram picture. Also, you have to climb some steps for 5 minutes to get to the top of the big Buddha.

Where is the big Buddha in Pai?

6. Get your fitness on in Pai’s Gym

Yes we visited the Pai Fitness Centre, even the we had a busy day to do the best things in Pai, we still had time to fit a gym session. We only spent an hour in this great little gym in Pai. The Pai fitness centre has everything you need to have a good session whether its cardio, strength or yoga training. There is also drinks there for sale and sweat towels to use for free.

The Pai gym cost is just 40 baht ($1.40) per person, this includes everything and there is also parking outside the fitness centre. Health is priceless YO.

Where is the Pai Fitness centre?

7. Walking Street of Pai

A cool vibrant shopping area in the heart of Pai. You can find local goods such us clothes, gifts and food at the Pai Walking Street. There’s a mega atmosphere here when the sun drops, the locals of Pai come out to hustle and the tourists want to buy goods.

Remember your bartering skills! Don’t pay the asking price.

Where is the Walking street in Pai?

8. See the best viewpoint in Pai – Yun Lai

We randomly stumbled across this stunning Yun Lai viewpoint in Pai, but man was we glad we found this gem of a view. You arrive to this view by driving though a cool little arty village. I say arty because there are lots of sweet wall art and unique architecture. It’s a 20 Baht ($0.60) entry fee to the top point, but it’s a great chill out area and there is food and drink available there. To be fair it’s good to just relax for half an hour after your day of doing the 10 awesome things to do in Pai Thailand. 

 

Where is Pai’s best viewpoint Yun Lai?

9. Pai’s stunning bamboo bridge

An unreal 800 metre stretch of Pia’s bamboo made bridge, over the top of a vibrant green rice field and surrounded by picturesque mountains. This is one of the most sweetest picture spots you will find in Pai and it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Pai. Also, there is rain cover dotted about on the bamboo bridge, luckily enough as it started absolutely hammering it down when I was in the middle of the bridge. But I can think of worse spots to have to wait for the Pai weather to ease over! The Pai bamboo bridge is one of my favourite on the 10 awesome things to do in Pai backpacker’s list.

The cost of the bamboo bridge in Pai is totally free to visit but the scenery there is worth a million dollars.

Where is the bamboo bridge in Pai?

10. Try Pai’s cafe and restaurants

Nail on the head statement smoothies in Thailand are a big thing! There is not better feeling than a freezing cold banana smoothie in the hot Pai weather. I don’t think there’s a day that goes by when I don’t have a fresh smoothie, therefore I am highly recommending a sweet tasting smoothie in Pai.

Where are the best smoothie and food stands in Pai?

No map here because they’re dotted around all over the place and they’re easy to find!

If you love smoothies you should check out the Koh Samui sunday night market

11. Try Some Famous Pai Yoga

The Famous Pai Circus Hostel is a lively, social, and welcoming place to stay. It`s our top-ranked Hostel in Pai and one of Thailand`s best Backpacker sites. The Famous Pai Circus Hostel is the original hostel & travellers cafe in Pai on the Chiang Mai – Chiang Maiphaht Road (100 m north of the bridge near Wat Phra That). They don`t just have the most colourful treehouse bar in town serving great pub food – but they also offer a licensed traditional thai massage, a different type of yoga classes.

12. Taste Some Delicious Thai Street Food

The Pai area is filled with many great street food vendors so it’s hard to imagine what would be the best place to find something you’d want to eat for dinner. The answer is any and everything. Pai life revolves around food, so while you’re exploring for the day make sure to visit all the best eateries for a spoonful of Thai curry laced pad thai and the best-iced tea in Thailand.

13. Pai Tubing

This is a river tubing tour, the main attraction in Pai. If you’ve come all the way to Thailand, why not experience an adventure and go tubing? The Pai river flows through the park about 10 months of the year, and usually runs at an enjoyable speed of about 5 km per hour. The Pai River Tubing adventure will take approximately two hours. You’ll start by sliding down a hillside into the river, and floating downstream on a cool bamboo raft accompanied by friendly guides. This trip is a lot of fun for all ages.

14. Pai Nightlife

Pai, like its more famous cousin Chiang Mai to the north, is a backpacker haven known for good food, fun bars, and low-cost living. Among the hills of far northern Thailand lies the small town of Pai. You’ve likely never heard of it unless you’ve spent time in Northern Thailand. Travelers often end up in Pai after partying on Khao San Road in Bangkok (the world’s most famous backpacker enclave) or attending one of the famous festivals on the islands around Phuket. But now that you are here, what is there to do?

Pai nightlife has become a hotspot for budget backpackers, travelers, and anyone looking to party. From the moment you step off the street bus on your way to Pai, you hear music and enter an atmosphere of excitement. Now that you’re in Pai you have many choices when it comes to nightlife.

How to get from Chiang Mai to Pai?

This is one of the worst journeys you can proably do, by this I mean because of how windy the road is from Chiang Mai to Pai.

So, you can get the bus from the Chiang Mai Arcade bus station and this will take you all the way to the centre of Pai. The buses are air-conditioned and the driver will give you water, but it’s a grim ride. However, it’s totally worth it see Pai!

How long does the bus take from Chiang Mai to Pai? The bus journey can take anything from 3 hours to 5 hours depeping on the weather and the driver. If you want a faster ride, you can get a taxi, but this will cost you at least 500 Baht.

How much is the bus journey to Pai? The bus ride to Pai will cost you 150 Baht upwards, I would barter on the price. Also, remember to book your ticket to Pai early as they do sell out quick as this is a popular route.

Check out the route below:

Best hostels and hotels for places where to stay in Pai

Looking where to stay Pai? You will never struggle to find accommodation in Pai. The number of hostels in Pai outnumbers the local private houses. The hostels in Pai are in a great location right next to centre. There’s also luxury accommodation in Pai which can be away from the centre in the quieter hills. Therefore, it’s what ever type of trip to Pai you’re on, there is plenty of epic places to stay in Pai.

Best Hostels in Pai

Easy Guest House

Easy House Canary

Pai Friendly Resort

Best Hotels in Pai

Medio De Pai

Baan Pai Nai Wieng

Pai Panalee The Nature Boutique Hotel

Where not to visit in Pai

The long neck village in Pai, this really is a shambles. You literal go here to get a couple of pictures with girls dressed up and it’s just a money-making scam. They are only here to make money and there is no sense of tribal historic tribe here!

It’s just a money scheme so avoid this if you can.

See Long neck village for more reading on this scam

The weather in Pai and best time to visit?

The Pai weather is mostly hot throughout the year, so visit this place in Northern Thailand shouldn’t be a problem for the hot temperatures. However, the weather in Pai is rainy season from May to October. I visited Thailand’s Pai in August and was only there for 2 days, however the sun was shining and I only seen rain in Pai once! So just check the live updates on the weather in Pai and plan your trip around that. But, like I said I was there in rainy season and I had great weather in Pai!

Summary

Whether you are doing an overnight stay in Pai or a 2 or 3 night stay in Pai, you will have an amazing time at one of the best places to visit in Thailand. Pai is perfect for all types of tourists including backpackers and those of you looking for a cool few days break in Thailand. If you are wondering if you should still visit Pai? Then I would 100% recommend it. If you are travelling from Chiang Mai to Pai, and worried if it;s worth the trip, I can assure it is. Just make the 4 hour mini van ride from Chiang Mai to Pai and then you will have a crazy time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask 🙂

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