What You Have to do in Thailand
Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles” for its friendly locals. Thailand is a welcoming country with kind people, beautiful beaches, wild jungles, lively markets, bustling streets, and wonderful food you won’t be able to stop eating.
Thailand remains one of my favorite places I have traveled to. It is gritty, beautiful and full of life. It is the perfect destination for backpackers wanting an adventure of a lifetime.
You’ll be able to eat noodles on plastic chairs in the street, feed elephants at sanctuaries, wander through Buddhist temples, kayak in the clear waters, explore the busy streets, shop and eat to your heart’s content in every kind of market- night markets, floating markets and more.
This is a trip that will truly make you feel like a traveler, exploring foreign places and experiencing the wonders of Thailand and a fascinating culture.
But we know this all too well: Thailand is so spectacularly awesome that putting together a perfect itinerary can feel overwhelming. We experienced this when we planned our trip, and chances are you might too.
So, let us make this easy for you. We ultimately experienced an amazing trip, and following our guide below, you can repeat our successes and avoid any mishaps. Ready? Let’s go!
Chiang Mai: 3-5 days
I would recommend flying into Bangkok and hopping on a plane to Chiang Mai from there! Chiang Mai was one of our favorite cities in Thailand. It is jungely and lively with amazing food and markets. I would recommend staying here for at least three days. There is plenty to see and do. This is a must do when in Thailand.
Chiang Mai is where you will find more adventure and nature activities. You can go on jungle treks, as well as other adventure activities. If you are an animal lover it will not disappoint! We loved going to The Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. We were careful to chose an organization that was helping the elephants and not exploiting them for profit. We went to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary which is an ethical sustainable tourism project that cares well for the elephants.
Chaing Mai, Thailand is known for their markets, the Night Bazaar was an absolute blast, we left wondering why these haven’t caught on in America yet. Other must does include wandering in the old city and taking a cooking class to help bring back home some of the flavors and dishes of Thailand with some new Thai cooking skills!
Ko Lanta: 4-5 days, longer if you're skipping around
Ko Lanta is a very peaceful island in Thailand that lets you turn it down a notch or 10. There is the Mu Koh Lanta National Park as well as tours where you can go kayaking, see monkeys, among other attractions. It is a big island so plan where exactly you want to go on the island or give yourself plenty of time if you plan on skipping around.
Krabi: 4-7 days
-Krabi: 4-7 days
Aww Krabi. This was my favorite island in Thailand. Krabi is large and there is a lot to skip around to. Krabi is known for its teal waters and gorgeous nature. Despite it being less popular, Krabi is eons prettier and less busy than Phuket. You may have noticed Phuket is not on our guide. We went to Phuket and in retrospect if you have a limited time in Thailand (two weeks or less) I would skip Phuket and focus on Krabi for your island trips especially for your first trip.
When going to Krabi I would recommend going to Railay Beach and if you have more time going to the Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi Islands are a popular destination so be prepared to see lots of tourists but that water is just incredible there! Another option is heading to James Bond Island. We opted to spend most of our time at Railay Beach and found it to be very relaxing and breathtakingly gorgeous as well. You really can’t go wrong with any stop in Krabi.
Bangkok: 3-4 days
When researching Thailand itineraries you may notice Bangkok is often a stop on the way to the islands to be flown in and out of but otherwise skipped. This is a HUGE mistake. Bangkok is a destination in itself. It is a beautifully chaotic, fast-paced city with markets winding through its alleys and streets, with a mix of Westernized influences as well as bursting with the foods and culture of Thailand. This is a huge city, and we loved it. We loved feeling so small with the city buzzing around us.
While in Bangkok be sure to check out the Old City, go to the Grand Palace-Bangkok’s Old City (Rattanakosin), Chinatown, the touristy and hectic Khao San Road, and the unforgettable Floating Market.
You will love Thailand! It is a stamp on your passport every true traveler needs to get. All the stories you have heard and pictures that have left you dreaming don’t even give Thailand the credit it deserves. It is better and more of an adventure than you could predict. Thailand is gritty, beautiful, full of life, friendly, and an incredible adventure. Take the time to see the real Thailand- take that chicken bus, kayak those waters, and try all the food — and do so on a plastic chair on the street. Happy Travels!
