Staying in Pai with a Baby

In the mountains of Northern Thailand, there is a charming town known for its laid-back vibe, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. Pai is often considered a destination for backpackers and adventure seekers, but Pai is also a great place for families with babies looking to relax and explore. Here’s a comprehensive guide to making the most of your stay in Pai with a baby.

1. Choosing the Right Accommodation

When traveling with a baby, comfortable and convenient accommodation is important. Pai offers a range of family-friendly stays, from small guest houses to luxurious resorts. Here are some things to consider when choosing a place to stay in Pai with a baby:

Location:

Pai is not a large town, so when considering a location for lodgings you don’t have to be too picky. There are many hotels and hostels close to or on Pai’s main walking street. If you stay within walking distance of Pai’s main street (Walking Street) you will minimize transportation needs. This area provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and markets.

Keep in mind if you do stay on Walking Street, you will be within ear shot of the late night restaurants, bars and night markets that are open late most nights of the week. As a family traveling with small kids, loud commotion and music outside our bedroom windows doesn’t bother us, but many families traveling with children prefer to have less noise during the evening and night.

If you are looking for a quieter room, opt for a hotel that is off the main street and offers a shuttle into town. We love the Reverie Siam Hotel. It is located a few minutes drive from Walking Street and they offer free shuttles on a golf cart into town many times per day. The rooms are beautiful and comfortable and the included breakfast is amazing. For a peaceful night, the short drive to Walking Street and back is well worth the sacrifice of not staying right on the main street.

Facilities:

Look for accommodations with family-sized beds or baby cots and extra bedding. While traveling with a baby we prefer to co sleep with our little one and save the hassle of finding accommodations that provide cots. We also prefer not to use luggage space on bringing a bed or bedding and prefer to pack lighter. We book a room with a king sized bed or two queen/double beds (2 parents and 1 baby).

Many families with babies prefer to find accomodations with bathtubs. A bathtub can be convenient when traveling with a baby, but isn’t a deal breaker for us. Our hotel room in Pai however had a beautiful claw foot bathtub as well as a standing shower.

2. Getting Around Pai with a Baby

While Pai is small and many attractions are within walking distance, getting around with a baby can be more challenging. Here are a few transportation options:

Walking:

Many families find walking the best way to explore the town of Pai itself. A good baby carrier or a stroller with good suspension can help you navigate uneven terrain. We did not opt for a stroller and instead invested in a good soft carrier with mesh fabric for breathability.

Although the streets of Pai can be navigated with a stroller, they are not the most stroller friendly. Most sections of the street do not have a sidewalk as the shops are very close to the street. There is a lot of up and down from the sidewalk to the street with high curbs. Many restaurants are also small or packed with many tables with very little room for a stroller.

Scooters:

If you are looking to get away from Walking Street and see more of Pai, renting a scooter is a popular way to get around. There are many rental shops in Pai and they are very inexpensive. This option provides flexibility but requires extra caution and driving experience.

While in Pai with our baby, we rented a scooter with a side car. Myself and baby were in the sidecar and my husband was riding the scooter. Traffic inside and outside the city do run on island time so no one is in a hurry to get by you. The rental shop had helmets for all of us, including baby.

Taxis and Tuk-Tuks:

For a safer and more comfortable ride, hire a local taxi or tuk-tuk driver who knows the area. It’s best to negotiate a fair price before starting your journey. There aren’t really set prices for taxis in Thailand and drivers will always charge tourists more if tourists will pay it. Tuk tuks are an even cheaper option but are open air, so do not offer any air conditioning on hot days. You are unlikely to find taxis with car seats included and tuk tuks can not accomodate car seats.

3. Family-Friendly Activities in Pai with a Baby

Most of Pai’s charm you will find around Walking Street. Taking in the sights, sounds and even smells. If you want to see more of the Pai countryside, take a few day trips away from Walking Street and explore.

Big Buddha Pai:

Only a ten minute drive from Walking Street, Big Buddha is a must do. Perched on the mountain overlooking Pai, you get amazing views of the valley. The Buddha itself is a temple so be sure to bring cover ups for you legs and shoulders. Babies do not need to be covered. You will also need to remove your shoes once you are at the top. Be prepared, there are 353 steps to climb before you reach the Buddha, but the views are worth it.

Pai Canyon:

While it may not be stroller-friendly, Pai Canyon is a beautiful spot for a short visit. Carrying your baby in a backpack carrier allows you to explore the trails and take in the breathtaking views.

Waterfalls:

If you’ve rented a scooter and have time to drive around enjoying the scenery, be sure to stop at a few water falls. Some can be seen from the roadway, others have signs pointing you in. There are many beautiful falls surrounding Pai and many you can wade into so you may want to bring a towel along. One of the most well known waterfalls to swim in is the Pam Bok Waterfall and it is relatively easy to access.

Pai Piranha Fishing Park:

For something a little different, try your hand at some sport fishing. Just a 15 minute drive from Walking Street the Pai Piranha Fishing Park offers fishing by the hour with an onsite restaurant and bar. The lake is stocked with several types of big and small sport type fish. The owners are lovely and you can easily spend a couple hours lounging beside the lake. Our baby loved swinging in the hammocks watching us fish.

Lod Cave:

Located about an hours drive from Pai Walking Street, the Lod Cave is large with a river running through it. A guide is required to enter the cave with you, you can not enter by yourself. This large cave has many staircases built inside. The guide will take you through with a lantern and point out some highlights. The tour ends with a ride on a bamboo raft in the river.

4. Health and Safety Tips

Ensuring your baby’s health and safety is a top priority when traveling. Here are some important tips:

Healthcare:

Pai has a small hospital and a few clinics, but they are limited in terms of facilities. For anything serious, Chiang Mai, which is a 3-4 hour drive away, has better-equipped hospitals. Bring a well-stocked first aid kit and any essential medications.

Weather and Clothing:

Pai can be quite cool in the mornings and evenings, especially in the winter months, so pack layers for your baby. During the day, it can get warm, so bring light clothing, sun hats, and plenty of sunscreen.

Food and Water Safety:

When it comes to food, stick to freshly cooked meals and avoid anything that looks like it’s been sitting out for too long. Bring baby food, formula, and bottled water, as these are not always easy to find outside of larger supermarkets.

Mosquito Protection:

Pai is surrounded by nature, and mosquitoes are common. Use baby-safe mosquito repellents, nets, and clothing to protect your little one.

5. Packing Essentials for a Baby in Pai

Traveling with a baby requires a bit of extra planning and packing. Here’s a list of essentials:

Baby Carrier or Stroller:

A sturdy and comfortable baby carrier is ideal for exploring Pai’s uneven terrain. If you bring a stroller, make sure it’s compact and suitable for off-road conditions.

We did not travel with a stroller at all in Thailand, and opted for only a soft baby carrier. We did not miss the stroller or regret not bringing it.

Sun and Mosquito Protection:

Baby-friendly sunscreen, hats, long-sleeved clothing, and mosquito repellant are essential.

Be sure to protect baby from the sun. Many sunscreens are approved for babies 6 months and up. This does not mean you can not apply sunscreen to a baby younger than 6 months, it’s just not recommended as a frequent practice. If possible it’s always best to keep baby out of the suns rays, but when that is not possible, sunscreen is always safer than a sunburn.

There are many mosquitoes in Pai, particularly as the sun goes down. There are some family friendly bug sprays that are safe for babies. It is however, cool enough in Pai in the evenings to keep baby fully covered from unwanted bug bites.

Portable High Chair:

Not all restaurants in Pai provide high chairs, so bringing a portable option can be helpful. We did travel with a high chair. We love the Summer Infant Pop n” Sit chair. It fold up compact and has a carry bag. The chair does have a tray attachment but we left that at home as it added space and weight to its size while traveling.

This type of chair sits on top of a full sized chair and comes with safety straps to attach it to the chair as well as lap straps to keep baby safely seated. For the times we did not have the chair, baby would sit on our laps, or the waitress would hold the baby for us. The staff at many restaurants would do this as they adore babies.

Baby Food and Snacks:

Stock up on baby food, formula, and snacks before arriving in Pai. You may not find your preferred brands in the local stores.

First Aid Kit:

Include baby-safe medications for fever, allergies, and insect bites, as well as basic first aid supplies. Some simple medications like topical creams are available by prescription only and not at pharmacies. In order to get medicines, you must see a doctor. If you find yourself needing a doctor, don’t fear, they are inexpensive and relatively easy to get an appointment via walk in.

6. Finding Baby Supplies in Pai

While Pai is a small town, you can still find essential baby supplies at larger convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Tesco Lotus Express. However, these stores might have limited stock of specific baby products like diapers, formula, or baby food, so it’s best to bring enough of your preferred brands from home or buy them in Chiang Mai before heading to Pai.

Many restaurants will accommodate smaller meals for babies and toddlers, some even giving free menu items like fruit such as bananas.

7. Relaxing as a Family in Pai

Pai is renowned for its relaxed vibe, which makes it an excellent destination for families looking to unwind. Consider spending some days simply relaxing at your accommodation and wandering Walking Street.

Conclusion

Staying in Pai with a baby can be a relaxing or adventurous experience. The town’s natural beauty, welcoming atmosphere, and slower pace make it a great destination for families seeking relaxation and adventure. With a bit of planning you can have a very memorable experience in Pai with a baby.

For more information on Thailand Travel with Kids, be sure to read our other articles.