Chiang Mai is one of the best cities for ex-pats and digital nomads, located in northern Thailand. If you’re not familiar with the area, you may be surprised by the countless things to do! There are so many activities and places to see than you can imagine, as you are surrounded by beautiful land with a ton of perks.
The city is filled with unique culture, history, and traditions to learn about. Furthermore, you are surrounded by Mother Nature, whether the majestic mountains or peaceful riverside. With its peace and serenity, it’s a place where anyone can find their zen and spirituality. While you aren’t working, you can head to Buddhist monasteries, temples, yoga centers and immerse yourself in nature.
So, if you’re planning to stay in Chiang Mai, where should you go, and what are the accommodation options? We help you with lodging with our recommended vacation rentals for remote work in Chiang Mai in 2022!
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10 Recommended Vacation Rentals in Chiang Mai
Throughout the past few decades, Chiang Mai turned into a vibing city filled with locals and tourists from different parts of the world. Because of the rich culture and nature, as long as the smooth immigration system and coworking spaces, digital nomads can take advantage of the speedy WiFi and work while exploring.
Moreover, Chiang Mai has excellent infrastructure and amenities, meeting the needs of locals, ex-pats, digital nomads, and tourists. It isn’t only a place to stay and explore, but one where you can work comfortably and network with like-minded professionals.
Besides that, you also have various accommodation options that fit every traveler. There’s something for every budget and lifestyle, from hotels to hostels villas, to AirBnBs. The choices can get a bit overwhelming, so here’s a guide on where to stay:
1. Baan Boo Loo
We appreciate the Baan Boo Loo Village for its quirky and all-natural design! The structure is set on stilts, with each room donning traditional Thai styles, so you will feel like a local immersing yourself in the culture. You can save and get a private room with a fully equipped shared kitchen, with all areas of the property offering free WiFi and parking.
Each room is individually designed with its own seating area and ensuite bathroom. You can choose a room with a fan or air-conditioning.
2. Mammoth Art Studio
Mammoth Art Studio is a quaint and beautifully designed vacation rental in the heart of the old city. As the name suggests, you are surrounded with creativity in the vacation rental, with a minimalist design and wooden elements all around the spacious villa.
The air-conditioned villa has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, living room, an outdoor pool, garden, free private parking, and room service. And of course, there is free WiFi! To begin the explorations, guests will be near various attractions, such as the Three Kings Monument, Wat Phra Singh, and the Chiang May Gate, to begin the explorations!
Mammoth Art Studio Business Site
3. VC Suan Paak
VS Suan Paak is a boutique hotel and service apartment closest to the airport. It’s about a 7-minute walk, to be exact. You get to check into modern Thai-Lanna rooms and get the balance of modern and traditional, with free WiFi, sauna, and outdoor pool.
You will be a 10-20-minute drive from numerous attractions, including Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang. Moreover, there are many different amenities a digital nomad would appreciate, such as free WiFi, meeting facilities, shuttle services, in-house restaurants, and an air-conditioned room with a private balcony.
4. The Grand Napat
For digital nomads yearning for the luxury hotel ambiance, then The Grand Napat is the ultimate choice for you. It’s got the contemporary style and amenities you’d expect from a hotel, such as a swimming pool, fitness center, meeting rooms, and guest rooms with a keycard security system for privacy and safety.
Each room dons a modern design where you’ll feel comfortable and ready to work. There is free WiFi, along with a kitchenette. Some bigger rooms offer a fully equipped kitchen and separate dining room, living area, and private balcony.
The Grand Napat Official Website
5. Chic Villa 6
Chic Villa 6 is what a digital nomad dreams of because you can work anywhere! The property offers a restaurant, bar, garden, sun terrace, an outdoor pool, so you can choose to work in your room, outdoors, or in the nearby cafes. There is free WiFi throughout the property and a buffet breakfast to prepare for a busy day ahead.
The only caveat is that you will need to drive to tourist attractions and the market, though you can rent your transportation or have it taken care of by the staff.
6. Garden Yard Inn
The GardenYard Inn is a homey property operated by a trusted AirBnB host. The space features a lovely garden, large swimming pool, open living area, and lobby so you can work in the room or within the shared places. There is free WiFi and breakfast included, and you’ll have all the peace you need.
The private room is very colorful and has elements of traditional Thailand ornaments for your comfort and amusement!
7. Villa Alanna
Villa Allana is conveniently located in many attractions and stores. You’re within walking distance from the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Centre and Wat Phra Singh! But you can also spend the day in peace and relaxation by the pool and lounge areas.
The villa offers a luxurious hotel vibe, with each guest room including air conditioning, flat-screen television, a work desk, and some rooms having private patios. You will even enjoy a la carte dishes and an American breakfast every morning!
8. Buri Siri Hotel
The Buri Siri Boutique Hotel is a relaxing vacation rental situated in the heart of the city. You can lounge in the swimming pool or garden, enjoy the delectable dishes in the in-house restaurant, work in the café, or finish projects in the hotel’s designated coworking space with fast WiFi!
When checked into the hotel, you will be walking distance from Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street, Nimmanhaemin’s famous shops and restaurants, Maya Lifestyle Shopping Mall, and other tourist attractions.
Buri Siri Hotel Official Website
9. Rimping Village
Rimping Village is another boutique hotel located in the heart of the Wat Gate community by East River. It’s near the Chiang Mai night market and other restaurants, shops, and cafes for your convenience.
This hotel was designed to blend with the old city’s surroundings, paying homage to the local community’s history centering around the temple. There are various rooms to choose from. You can take advantage of the many amenities, including free WiFi, the in-house restaurant, room service, complimentary afternoon treats, bicycle rental, swimming pool, book and computer corner, and more!
Rimping Village Official Website
10. 3-Bedroom AirBnB in Thapae/Night Bazaar
If you’re looking for a quaint Airbnb strategically located in the city, this homey 3-bedroom house will feel welcoming for work and play. You have the entire townhouse to yourself, decorated with the natural minimalist in mind.
The area feels even more spacious and warmer with the wooden elements and bright spaces. That’s because the owner wants to use natural materials, giving the home a subtle sensuousness so tenants can feel at home. The best part is that the Airbnb is strategically located near the Night Bazaar and Thapae Road, filled with bars, restaurants, and cafes to work in.
3 bedrooms house in Thapae/NightBazaar
Visa to stay in Chiang Mai as a Remote Worker
Unfortunately, the pandemic kind of messed things up with traveling, including the travel and visa requirements. Thailand is no exception to the slight confusion, but as we enter a new normal, they are opening their country to tourists again!
Since the country is loyal to tourists, a visa isn’t required for most foreign nationalities. It’s best to check if your country is part of the list that does not require a visa to visit Thailand. If your country is part, you can stay in Thailand for 15, 30, or 90 days, depending on the nationality. If you’d like to stay for longer, you may apply for a tourist visa in the Thailand embassy to extend your stay for up to 60 or 90 days.
Suppose your country requires a visa to enter Thailand, not to worry! The process and requirements are not that extensive. Again, you can apply for a visa on arrival or online, depending on your nationality.
There are also other visas you may be eligible to apply for, such as:
- Non-immigrant visa (B, O, or OA visas)
- Work permits (if your company requires you to relocate to Thailand)
- Student visa
- Business visa
- The 10-year visa program is relatively new and attracts wealthy foreign nationalities to Thailand. You can apply for those who have assets worth at least $1,000,000 and have a two-year income above $80,000.
The Thailand government has proposed a “Smart Visa,” allowing foreign freelancers to work without work permits. It’s still in the works but once approved; digital nomads are allowed to work and stay in Thailand for up to four years. Watch out for this!
Transportation in Chiang Mai
If it’s your first time exploring Chiang Mai, transportation may be tricky because the city doesn’t have a distinct transportation city. It’s essential to do your research before going to Chiang Mai, so you know how to get to places and what mode of transportation to use.
Chiang Mai has a songthaew, a pick-up truck with an open backside, and two benches indoors. There are six colors, so you know where the truck operates.
Most tourists will find the red one, which goes around the city center, near the old city’s walls. Others have a route from Chiang Mai to national parks, surrounding towns, and provinces. The fare is cheap when going with other passengers, though it takes to get to other places can increase.
Another mode of transportation is the tuk-tuk, a prevalent one, especially in the city centers. The price would depend on the distance, but you can always negotiate. You can also go for taxicabs if you want more comfort and privacy and on a tight schedule! Besides flagging a taxi down the road, you can use ridesharing apps like Uber or Grab.
You can also rent a scooter, motorbike, or car for more extended stays. Motorbikes and scooters are relatively cheap, but cars are expensive to rent. You will need to have a relevant driver’s license and insurance. Never leave your passport to the renter, as this is most likely a scam.
Internet Connection in Chiang Mai
When talking about Internet speed, you’ll be happy knowing that Chiang Mai offers consistently fast WiFi like most parts of Thailand. That said, it still depends on where you go, so I suggest preparing ahead with mobile data from a sim you can buy in the country.
Fortunately, many accommodation options, cafes, and coworking spaces offer high-speed WiFi, so there’s nothing to worry about! The fasted recorded Internet connection in the city was over 200 Mbps. On average, expect the Internet to be about 15-25 Mbps.
Wrapping It Up
You can do so many things in Chiang Mai at such affordable prices. You can expect to live comfortably with about $1,000 to $1,200 monthly, including rent, food, transportation, tourist attractions, and extra wants. Besides that, the beautiful places to visit and things to do are why it’s worth heading to Chiang Mai for your digital nomad journey.
There is no need to worry about where to stay when in Chiang May, too, because there are so many available vacation rentals. You just need to make sure you book in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid not having a good place to stay. With millions heading to the city yearly, it’s best to prepare and get the best rental you desire.
Hopefully, you found the best vacation rental based on our list if you would like to share your questions, tips, and experiences with Chiang Mai as a digital nomad, comment below!