Have you ever dreamed of extended travel in Thailand? Our guide for long stays in Thailand will have you soaking up the fascinating landscapes of the “Land of Smiles”.
Are Long Stays in Thailand For You?
The low cost of living in Thailand makes long stays an attractive travel option. Depending on your destination and style of travel, accommodation and daily expenses may be far cheaper than the West.
Long Stays in Thailand are a perfect choice for slow travellers wanting to stretch their travel dollar further. This mode of travel also gives you plenty of time to immerse yourself in daily life, discovering local customs and culture along the way.
Why Chiang Mai?
Over the years we have had long stays in the cities of Chiang Mai in Thailand, Da Nang in Vietnam, Phnom Penh in Cambodia and Penang in Malaysia.
Of all the places we have visited, Chiang Mai Thailand would have to be the closest to our heart. In Thailand we lived life at a slower pace and enjoyed the thrill of living within a different culture.
Chiang Mai Thailand Overview
The city of Chiang Mai is nestled within the lush green mountains of northern Thailand and is just over an hour’s flight from Bangkok.
Chiang Mai gives you the best of both worlds, it is a big city with a country town vibe. Here you can enjoy everything that the city has to offer, vibrant nightlife, coffee culture and fine dining.
You will find that many of the locals in Chiang Mai speak English making it a user-friendly place for long stays in Thailand. There is also a thriving digital nomad and expat community for added support making it less of a culture shock.
The city is framed by spectacular mountain scenery and is famous for its Buddhist temples with Doi Suthep being its crowning glory.
The city is also the gateway to the treasures of northern Thailand. Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai or discover the mountains and villages of rural Thailand with a trip to Pai or Mae Hong Son.
Chiang Mai for Long Stays in Thailand
Chiang Mai is an easy option for anyone wanting to stay in Thailand for a month or longer. It is a modern city with a good infrastructure and a laidback slower paced lifestyle.
Nothing beats spending time in Chiang Mai to get a better understanding of a culture different from your own. I will never forget the excitement of discovering the quiet beauty of the Buddhist temples, the smell of chili and ginger being cooked into something delicious and festivals filled with light and colour.
Additionally, Chiang Mai is well known for its medical and dental tourism where procedures cost a fraction of the price than they do at home.
Chiang Mai has superfast and affordable internet which is perfect for keeping connected to family and friends at home. In fact, this feature and the affordability of Chiang Mai is why the country is a firm favourite amongst digital nomads.
Chiang Mai Long Stays in Thailand Information
Chiang Mai is one of our favourite places for long stays in Thailand. Although Chiang Mai is a large city it is far more laid-back than the hectic hotspots of Bangkok and Phuket.
Below is a rundown of long stay travel information for Chiang Mai Thailand.
Chiang Mai Cost of Living
The cost of living in Chiang Mai will depend on whether you prefer a luxury or budget lifestyle.
Chiang Mai has everything you could want for a 5-star existence, fine dining, luxury accommodation and world class shopping. If this is your style of travel you may find a cost of living not that much different from home.
If you are prepared to live like a local, Chiang Mai is much cheaper than its Western counterparts. Most people on long stays in Thailand like to take the middle ground mixing the occasional luxury experience with local living.
Chiang Mai Accommodation
The cost of accommodation will vary depending on your preferred style of accommodation, location and how long you plan to stay in Thailand. Popular Chiang Mai accommodation preferences include budget to luxury hotels and apartments.
Click here for Chiang Mai accommodation options
Chiang Mai Apartments
For long stays in Thailand, renting a studio or one bedroom apartment in Chiang Mai is a popular choice. Along with a dining table and sitting area, most apartments will have a small stove top and microwave, perfect for reheating delicious market or street food stall dishes.
Chiang Mai apartments can be arranged through regular hotel booking websites. These will generally include utilities such as water, electricity and internet in the total price. This is a good option for first time visitors to Chiang Mai as you know exactly what you are paying for before you arrive.
Click here for Chiang Mai Apartments
Alternatively, you can rent an apartment through a real estate or visit apartment blocks independently and negotiate a price for your stay. These prices are usually cheaper than hotel booking websites, but you will need to pay a security deposit which is refundable when you leave.
Additional costs will include water, electricity and sometimes internet, with usage being calculated each month. Thankfully you will find that these utility prices are quite reasonable. Keep in mind that the longer your stay the cheaper your apartment price will be.
Best Area to Stay in Chiang Mai
For the first time visitor to Chiang Mai, we would recommend staying in the Old City or near the Chiang Mai Night Markets on Chang Klan Road. These areas are within walking distance to tourist attractions such as Wat Chedi Luang Buddhist temple, nightlife and restaurants.
Digital Nomads staying longer than a month often prefer to enjoy the coffee culture of Nimman, an area located in and around Nimmanhaemin Road.
Chiang Mai Food Scene
Dining in Chiang Mai is a real treat as the city is famous for its fine dining scene. Along with scrumptious Thai dishes the city also caters to a wide variety of Western cuisines.
Chiang Mai has something for every budget, from Michelin Guide restaurants to market vendors. You will find something for everyone, and you will not go hungry during long stays in Thailand.
When we first arrived in Chiang Mai, we enjoyed dining out every night, a lifestyle we would not have been able to afford in our home country.
As time passed, we began living life a local, purchasing meals from the supermarket food court, local markets or street food vendors. This allowed us to live cheaply with breakfast, lunch and dinner often costing as little as $5 Australian a day.
As delicious as Thai food is there comes a time when you long for Western food. During these times we would dine at small local restaurants or spoil ourselves with the occasional fine dining experience.
Chiang Mai Shopping
Chiang Mai is a shopaholics dream. You can shop until you drop at one of the thousands of boutiques and specialty shops scattered across the city.
No trip to Chiang Mai would be complete without visiting Warorot Market, a rabbit warren of shops selling clothing, religious items, fresh produce and homewares.
If you are looking for a cheap snack or small everyday items, you will find a 7-Eleven at every turn.
Chiang Mai Shopping Malls
You will find three large shopping malls within the inner city of Chiang Mai, they are MAYA Lifestyle Mall, Central Chiang Mai and Central Chiangmai Airport.
Each have a wide variety of international and local brand shops, a Tops or Rimping Supermarket, food courts, cinemas and entertainment areas. Both supermarkets have a wide range of fresh produce and sell a variety of Western grocery brand favourites such as Vegemite.
Chiang Mai Pharmacies
There are chemists all over the city including Watsons and Boots brand pharmacies. You will find that some medications can be purchased over the counter but to be safe it is advisable to bring your prescription and a supply of existing medication from home.
Unless you have a similar complexion to the Thai people bring extra makeup items from home. For example, I ran out of my deep burgundy coloured lipliner and had a hard time finding any lipliners, let alone one so dark.
Chiang Mai Hospitals & Dentists
Hopefully you will never need it but there may come a time when you need to go to a hospital. We have visited Chiang Mai Ram Hospital on a few occasions and have been happy with their care.
Hospital care and procedures are not free but often cost a fraction of the price than in some Western countries. This makes Chiang Mai a popular place for dentistry and cosmetic surgeries.
Chiang Mai Transport
Most people visiting Chiang Mai will either take a tuk tuk, negotiate a price for a songthaew (red bus) or take a Grab Taxi.
Other transport options include taxi, bus or renting a motorbike or car. If you are renting a motorbike or car keep in mind that Chiang Mai traffic can be chaotic and you may have trouble finding a carpark. Take special care inspecting your hire vehicle for damage before you leave the lot and take photos of existing damage if you find it.
Thailand Visas
Your length of stay in Thailand will depend on how long you want to stay and the visa entry requirements into Thailand from your home country.
For Australians there is a 30-day visa exemption on entry into Thailand with an option for a further 30-day extension through the local immigration office in your chosen city.
Click here for Thailand Visa information for your country
Thailand Currency
The Thai Baht is the official currency of Thailand.
Although slowly changing Chiang Mai is still very much a cash society where credit card is not always accepted. High end hotels and restaurants may accept credit cards, but small local businesses, restaurants and market vendors will not.
We highly recommend grabbing a free Wise Card which can be used for purchases and ATM withdrawals worldwide without the hefty fees charged by many banks.
Check here to learn more about the benefits of Wise
Chiang Mai Weather
Chiang Mai is best avoided during smoky season from February to April, especially if you have a history of respiratory problems.
Dry Season – November to February
Average Temperature – 15 to 28C (59 to 82F)
Chiang Mai has a tropical climate with three main seasons. The cool and dry season from November to February offers mild, pleasant weather making it the most popular time to visit.
Hot Season – March to May
Average Temperature – 25 to 38C (77 to 100F)
The hot season runs from March to May, with scorching temperatures. This period also includes the smoky season, usually from February to April, when agricultural burning causes poor air quality, especially in March.
Wet Season – June to October
Average Temperature – 24 to 32C (75 to 90F)
The rainy season lasts from June to October, bringing warm, humid conditions and regular afternoon downpours, with the heaviest rain typically falling in August and September.
Chiang Mai Thailand Health & Safety
As you explore Chiang Mai make sure to watch your step as the footpaths are uneven and can be a tripping hazard. Take care at crossings as traffic does not automatically stop, wait for a break before stepping onto the crossing. If you have never ridden a motorbike Chiang Mai’s busy roads are not the place to learn.
During our time in Chiang Mai, we have seen so many tourists limping around the city. This is a constant reminder to always take out travel insurance before you leave your home country.
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Last Words on Long Stays in Thailand: Chiang Mai & Beyond
We hope our article on Long Stays in Thailand: Chiang Mai & Beyond has inspired you. If you have ever considered or are planning slow travel throughout Southeast Asia, we can recommend it as a lifestyle or a way to extend your travel adventures.
Long stays in Thailand have opened our eyes to the beauty of Thailand and its people. Have you taken long stays in Thailand? Feel free to leave a comment we would love to hear from you.