Seven Reasons to Choose Chiang Mai for a Vacation
Seven Practical Reasons Why You Should Visit Thailand for a Vacation
Imagine loading onto a plane in the Northeast United States in mid-January. You're clad in a down winter coat and considering if that last text is worth taking off your gloves to respond. (That is, of course, if you don't have those nifty ones that let you use your touch screen.) You sleep away the many hours of the flight dreaming of a warm respite away from winter's dreariness. Then you land in Chiang Mai, Thailand – paradise!
1) English
I don't speak any Thai. It was only after a week or so in Thailand that I found out that men and women say "hello" and "thank you" differently. For "hello," Women will say Swadikaa (Swa - dee - kha ... hold out the last syllable) and Men say Swadikhrap (Swa - dee - Khrap! … like "crap" but short and punchy and err on the side of saying "cap")
From Songthaew drivers to shop proprietors almost everyone has enough English to get you what you want and where you want to go.
2) Diversity
Walking around town, it's quickly obvious that this city is a major tourist hot spot. While touring the winding roads, I heard French, German, English, Chinese, and a handful of languages I couldn't have put on a map. Often overlooked in determining a place to visit, other visors offer unique perspectives and are another great way to experience new places.
This diversity also serves to expand the culinary offerings around town. From Miguel’s Mexican cuisine to O'Malley's Irish Pub, you're guaranteed to find something you'll love, aside from all of the amazing Thai food.
I suggest checking out the halal restaurants on the Muslim street and getting a nice bowl of Khao Soi.
3) Easy to Enter
As long as you don't plan on staying longer than 30 days, all you have to do to get in to Thailand is fill out a small questionnaire and go through immigration. Many places in Asia require a visa to enter their countries.
4) Plenty to Do
Do you enjoy hiking up a mountain to a peaceful temple? How about a very affordable deep-tissue message? Or are you the type that likes to see a bunch of lions and tigers jump through hoops and, more impressively, not eat a bunch of people? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it's them start shopping for a ticket.
When I was in town, they had a marvelous flower festival complete with floats and a decked-out park filled with fragrant blooms and all manner of arrangements and topiary.
Lastly, you can't talk about without mentioning the shopping. There are several night markets and a great day market where the locals’ shop for their sundry needs.
5) Easy to Get Around
Chiang Mai is big enough to have plenty to do and small enough to walk almost anywhere, but why do that when you can grab a Songthaew or a tuk-tuk and get across town for about $3 USD. And if you feel like having a private ride in an airconditioned car, just use the Grab app.
Chiang Mai is obviously not the only place in Thailand and if you want to take off to Bangkok for a day or two, it's only an hour flight away and generally costs less than $100 USD for a roundtrip.
6) Medical Care
I admit that my choice to get my wisdom teeth pulled during my visit isn't something I'd suggest many people do on vacation, but I was there for weeks and had the space in my schedule to veg out.
So, if you wanna get some shots or schedule some overdue dental surgery, this is definitely a place to get caught up. Many of the doctors and dentists are trained in the west, speak English, and offer quality care for very affordable rates. My dental surgery, including x-rays, only cost me about $110 USD. (And I recovered quite well.)
*Disclaimer: You should consult your primary physician for any medical care you plan on receiving. Octopus Hive is not responsible for any medical care you do/do not receive. (The lawyers make us write that ... but it’s true.)
7) Price
It may be a little pricey to get to Thailand from the States or Europe, and I'd certainly suggest taking some major vacation time for the trip, but once you get there, you can do pretty well.
Most Thai food meals cost me less than $5 USD including a drink and hotel options range from nearly nothing to more than $500 USD per night. (I didn’t stay in either of those, but $40/night left me feeling pampered and rested.)
The attractions are all fairly affordable:
- Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum – $12
- Night Safari – $17 (Including the hotel pick-up/drop-off with Klook)
- Touring the Night Markets – Free
- Flower Festival – Free
- Meeting people – Free
You get the point. This gem in Thailand's northern Lanna region, Chiang Mai is situated in a warm, tropical valley. Paradise generally always sounds enticing but here are a few reasons why this location might win a contest of where to spend a vacation.