Choosing the best hostels in Pai is crucial to make the most of your stay. With over 200 options for accommodation, it's a sure bet you could spend hours researching. Pai, Thailand, is no longer a secret among Southeast Asia backpackers. Around a decade ago, budget travelers started showing up in this small valley town in northern Thailand, and it has exploded with tourism ever since.
Being only three hours from Chiang Mai (and quite a fun ride), it has become the perfect weekend adventure for those searching for a backpacker paradise. With so much to do, you might choose to stay longer. But if you are short on time, this guide will put you in a position to be amidst the best of Pai during your stay.
Table of Contents
- Quick Recommendations
- What To Look For
- Best Hostels in Pai
- Best Hostel for a Quiet Night — Baan Mai Sak Hostel
- Best Hostel for Social Atmosphere — Common Grounds Pai
- Best Hostel for Partygoers — The Famous Pai Circus Hostel
- Best Hostel for Amenities — Green Hostel and Skate Park
- Best Hostel for City Entertainment — Hummingbird Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel — Pai Backpacker Meeting Place
- Conclusion
Quick Recommendations
- Quiet Night — Baan Mai Sak Hostel
- Social Atmosphere — Common Grounds Pai
- Partying — The Famous Pai Circus Hostel
- Amenities — Green Hostel and Skate Park
- City Entertainment — Hummingbird Hostel
- Cheap Stay — Pai Backpacker Meeting Place
What To Look For
Budget travelers have taken over Pai. Here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding where to stay.
Best Neighborhoods
Nowadays, everything in town is catered to backpackers, and there's little local presence left. However, that doesn't mean this hippy town has lost its charm. Travelers shaped Walking Street into a hotspot in the heart of town. This is where all the action takes place. You will undoubtedly find yourself walking the street at some point during your trip (if not every day).
It's filled with quaint cafes and cute artisan shops. A handful of yoga/meditation studios and bars, each with its own flair, also exist. The entire area is focused on the arts. Most backpackers will stay on Walking Street or just minutes from it.
Cost of Hostels
The cost of hostels in Pai depends heavily on what you're looking for. Small bungalows on the edge of town will run closer to $10 per night. There are also budget options along Walking Street, which will cost you no more than $4 per night for a bed.
There are plenty of hostels in Pai to fit whatever budget you may have but expect to pay (on average) anywhere between $5-7 per night at a hostel in Pai.
See also: The Cost of Travel in Thailand
Best Hostels in Pai
Below, we have highlighted some of the best hostels in Pai based on what you may be looking for.
Best Hostel for a Quiet Night — Baan Mai Sak Hostel
From $6 for a dorm (6 beds)
Baan Mai Sak Hostel is perfect for a quiet rest and recovery night. And that is precisely how they advertise themselves. Spend the evening reading or playing board games in the hammock on the lovely balcony, but don't expect a rowdy crowd.
The shared lounge stays quiet and mellow throughout the day and is a perfect place to clear your head for the next leg of your trip. Baan Mai Sak is the perfect place for anyone on a long trip to rest their head and catch up on sleep.
Best Hostel for Social Atmosphere — Common Grounds Pai
From $10 for a dorm (6 beds)
Being only 50 meters from Walking Street, a hostel's location doesn't get much better than Common Grounds Pai. We chose it as the best social atmosphere in Pai because of its balance as a social backpacker hostel and a place where it is still possible to get a good night's sleep.
The staff does a good job of connecting its guests, and there is usually a nightly pregame. However, the excitement stops at 9 PM in the hostel, and the action hits Walking Street.
Usually, the staff will lead a group of its guests on a pub crawl or show them the best live music in town. Either way, it is a great hostel to meet people and share in the Pai experience.
Best Hostel for Partygoers — The Famous Pai Circus Hostel
From $9 for a dorm (12 beds) or $10 for a private room
Like they say -- there is no place in the world quite like The Famous Pai Circus Hostel. This is one of the most unique places you will stay on your trip. It has been the most-booked hostel in Pai since 2013. The party is always on at the Circus Hostel.
With its infinity pool, mountain views, and free taxi service to Walking Street, it is no wonder people love this place. The hostel hosts free dinners, pool parties, open mic nights, or spectacular fire shows. There is always something going on. Staying at The Famous Pai Circus Hostel is like attending a miniature festival every night -- you never know what will happen next!
See also: Thailand Nightlife
Best Hostel for Amenities — Green Hostel and Skate Park
From $7 for a dorm (4 beds)
We chose Green Hostel and Skate Park as the most stacked hostel in Pai in terms of the amenities that it offers guests. Musicians will love the extra guitars lying around. Skaters will be in heaven once they see the (actual) skate park on the premises. Socializers will frequent the hostel bar in the middle of all the action.
It is the perfect place for just about anyone, and the environment sells it all (not to mention the complimentary breakfast). Also, the staff is more than helpful in assisting with tour bookings and suggesting itineraries.
Best Hostel for City Entertainment — Hummingbird Hostel
From $6 for a dorm (8 beds)
Hummingbird Hostel is a relatively new place in town. It is small (19 beds), so it usually stays quiet but packs a bang. It's only a few minutes from Walking Street, an excellent location to see the rest of Pai. Complimentary breakfast and air-conditioning are available in every room (including the lounge).
We chose it as the best hostel for city entertainment because of the superb staff, which is more than helpful in booking tours and giving its guests suggestions. You will stay busy until nightfall at Hummingbird Hostel, and then you can hit the hostel bar before taking on the Pai nightlife!
Best Cheap Hostel — Pai Backpacker Meeting Place
From $4 for a dorm (6 beds)
Pai Backpacker Meeting Place should be more expensive for all they offer. Guests will be shocked when they enter the courtyard and go up to the open terrace bar. There is free daily yoga practice, hammocks to relax in, weekly open mic nights, and even nightly bonfires!
It's the perfect place to stay, and you can't go wrong with beds as cheap as $4 per night. Pai Backpacker Meeting Place is the best cheap stay in town.
Conclusion
Pai may not be as popular as Bangkok or the renowned Thai islands. Still, what it lacks in popularity, it makes up for with beautiful nature, an excellent traveler's energy, and a collection of cafes and bars catering to the spirit of backpacking.
It has become the quaint but not-so-secret backpacker's haven of Thailand, and for good reason. If you like an international crowd and don't mind a twisting and turning ride into the valley, Pai is the perfect place to stay. This list includes some of our favorite hostels in Pai, but we've undoubtedly missed some great ones.