Honeymoon Guide: Chiang Mai, Thailand What to Do, Where to Stay, Best Restaurants and More!

Looking for a honeymoon guide to Chiang Mai, Thailand? You’ve come to the right place. As most of my followers know, I’m also a freelance writer and a while back I did a honeymoon series for She Knows and it’s full of such fantastic content I wanted to share it with you! While I do take several trips a year that most would consider to be honeymoons (yes, being a travel writer has its perks), my actual honeymoon was in Southeast Asia and one of my favorite places was Chiang Mai in Thailand. So here are all the details about how to make your honeymoon to Chiang Mai perfect!

Destination

Chiang Mai, Thailand. Fly into Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) and most flights connect through Bangkok (BKK).

Best Must See Things to Do in Chiang Mai Thailand

Who Will Like Chiang Mai, Thailand?

Those who seek adventure and culture.

About the Destination of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, known by locals as “the rose of the north” for its beauty and charm, has become a popular honeymoon destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable combination of adventure, culture and relaxation.

With its spectacular scenery, endless cultural pursuits and some of the world’s best five-star resorts, Chiang Mai offers something for everyone. Although flights to Thailand can be a bit pricey, once there you can pamper yourself with fine dining, luxury accommodations and extravagant spa treatments for less than many other exotic honeymoon destinations.

Chiang Mai Beautiful Flowers

The Best Way to see Chiang Mai

The best way to see the city is by private tour. I highly recommend booking tours through Trails of Indochina.

A reservation includes a private driver, an air-conditioned vehicle as well as a private English-speaking tour guide. The guides are reliable, knowledgeable and extremely professional. Expect itineraries to be inspirational, yet tightly organized and managed. Costs are reasonable and depending on what you are looking to do, range from about $125 to $275 for an entire day (based on activity costs).

best restaurant chiang mai thailand

What to do in Chiang Mai

For the culture-seekers:

  • A visit to Wat Phrathat, the city’s famous golden-gilded temple, is a must-see.

Chiang Mai Cooking Class

  • Taking a cooking class with your loved one and learning the secrets of Northern-Thai cooking is also not to be missed. Mastering the art of cooking each other’s favorite Thai dishes is the ultimate souvenir that you will enjoy for years to come.

Chiang Mai Night Market

  • Check out Night Bazaar or weekend Walking Markets. Visitors will revel in a shopper’s paradise where streets are lined with vendors selling everything from novelty items to handmade Thai silk. Bargaining is customary here, so be sure to give it a try!Honeymoon in Chiang Mai
For a spiritual experience:
  • Travelers looking for a spiritual experience should take part in the giving of the Alms procession for the monks, which occurs daily at the crack of dawn.
  • Chiang Mai Honeymoon

For thrill-seekers:

  • Trek through the Thai jungles atop an elephant’s back (check out Chiang Dao Elephant Training center, which is praised for its humane treatment).
  • If you’re looking for something even more adventurous, climb into a tiger’s cage at Mae Rim’s Tiger Kingdom and play with baby or full-grown cats.

Chiang Mai Best Things to See

When it comes to relaxation:
  • Once you’ve experienced what this spectacular city has to offer, head indoors to one of Chiang Mai’s many extravagant resorts for some R&R (more about these resorts below).

Best Five Star Luxury Hotel Four Seasons Chiang Mai Thailand

Where to stay

Chiang Mai’s hotels are famous for the over-the-top luxury that they afford newlyweds. Tim Krenzien recommends The Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai as well as the Mandarin Oriental, Dhara Dhevi to his clients looking for extreme luxury.

Four SEasons Chiang Mai

Nicola Chilton, Senior Director of Public Relations for The Four Seasons, Asia-Pacific, informed us about the abundance of romantic activities tailored specifically to honeymooners, like a private candlelit dinner overlooking the rice fields or the many couples treatments offered by its world-class spa, like signature Thai massages or Chakra Blessing treatments.

For couples looking for luxury at a lower price point, check out The Chedi, Chiang Mai, which is conveniently located in the heart of the city on the banks of the renowned Mae Ping River, just blocks away from the Night Bazaar. This contemporary hotel provides the perfect escape from the bustling metropolis. What The Chedi lacks in scenery that the Mandarin and Four Seasons offer in the countryside, it makes up for with elegant guest rooms and its central locale. The Chedi also has one of the best restaurants in the city, serving up gourmet Indian and Korean cuisine.

And speaking of food…

best restaurant chiang mai pun pun

Where to eat and drink

Believe it or not, some of the best food in the city can be found at food vendors on the street. These carts may not be five star, but they serve up some of the nation’s finest cuisine. Sampling street food is a must-have experience while in Thailand. It’s part of the local culture and it’s dirt cheap, so why not give it a try?

The fried noodle and soup noodles are fantastic, as are the fresh-cut, tropical fruits like jackfruit and durian. And don’t forget to grab a plastic bag full of freshly-squeezed passion fruit juice.

Chiang Mai What to Eat

Restaurants

Nightlife

We didn’t really ever make it out–we just wanted to relax at the gorgeous Four Seasons but if you do:

  • If you’re looking to keep the night going, check out live music at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.
  • If you’re in the mood to dance, be sure to check out Monkey Club or Mandalay.

Chiang Mai Thailand What to Do

When to go

The best time to visit Chiang Mai is during its dry season, which is roughly November through May. Nicola Chilton from The Four Seasons highly recommends visiting Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival (typically in November), which is an enchanting experience where thousands of lanterns are floated into the evening sky.

Honeymoon Chiang Mai Ideas

What to watch out for

Thailand is infamous for its sex shows, which despite their popularity, are actually illegal. Many couples fall into the trap of wanting to experience a seemingly innocent adventure and end up having to bribe cops out of an arrest. You do not want your honeymoon to end with a trip to a Thai prison.

Visitors should also be wary of vendors selling designer items. No matter what these crafty salesmen say, these goods are almost always counterfeit.

Chiang Mai Temples

Last Tips

I highly recommend complementing your trip to Chiang Mai with other amazing cities like Koh Samui, Thailand; Hanoi, Vietnam; Luang Prabang, Laos; Siem Reap, Cambodia.

And don’t forget to read our articles about how to prepare to travel to Thailand and what to pack and how to dress appropriately in Southeast Asia!

*This article was originally published on SheKnows.com*

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *