| No visit to Thailand is complete without visiting the | | | | the airport or bus terminal from Bangkok, many |
| city of Chiang Mai. Located in the north of the | | | | locals will come up and offer to bring you to a |
| country, Chiang Mai is considered the capital city | | | | guesthouse. These folks get a share of every |
| of traditional Lanna Thai culture. With easy access | | | | new customer they bring to the guesthouse, and |
| to mountain tribes and excellent hiking and | | | | you usually end up paying the price if you take |
| trekking, it's a destination many backpackers head | | | | them up on their offer to help you. |
| for each year. And for accommodation, not only | | | | If you get into town without reservations, you |
| is staying at a guesthouse the epitome of the | | | | might be better off hitting a pub or restaurant |
| Chiang Mai experience, it is also very cheap. | | | | first and finding some local expats to chat with |
| There are a few things to keep in mind about | | | | and get their recommendations. |
| guesthouses in Chiang Mai though. First, there are | | | | Also, guesthouses in Chiang Mai are usually |
| so many of them that there is currently more | | | | private, sometimes with shared toilets and |
| rooms than there is demand. This means the | | | | showers though. Rooms with a air conditioner are |
| prices are really low. There are plenty of | | | | more expensive than those with just a fan, but |
| comfortable guesthouses available in the $5-$10 | | | | not by much. If you've been travelling south of |
| (200-400 baht) per night range. Your price per | | | | Chiang Mai, the weather will seem much cooler to |
| day even at the most comfortable of | | | | you though during most of the year and a fan |
| guesthouses will be reduced even further if you | | | | room might be more than suitable here. |
| pay for a week or a month. | | | | Finally, remember that many guesthouses also |
| You'll do better to compare prices and reserve | | | | offer trekking tours and dinners. The owners at |
| your guesthouse room online or by phone ahead | | | | the really cheap guesthouses may be a little |
| of time, or go look for a guesthouse on your own | | | | pushy about you signing up and paying for these |
| when you arrive. If you end up in Chiang Mai at | | | | extras, so be prepared. |