Thailand was our home for about three months, from November to February: three weeks in Chiang Mai during the lantern festivals, the temples of Chiang Rai, more than a month between Bangkok and the north, a Christmas on the beach in Koh Samui, 16 nights on Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and ten days on jungle-covered Koh Kood. For us, it is a synonym for temples, smiles and paradise beaches. This guide to things to do in Thailand brings together what we explored, the practical information we checked against official sources (including the September 2026 visa changes) and links to each of our guides.
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Things to do in Thailand: summary
| Category | Key details |
|---|---|
| Best time to go | November to February, the cool and dry season; on the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) the heavy rains arrive in October and November. |
| Recommended length | Three weeks for Bangkok, the north and two islands; we stayed about three months and still left plenty to see. |
| Currency and language | Thai baht (THB). Thai; in tourist areas you can get by in English. |
| Entry | Since 15 September 2026, 30 days visa-free for tourism for the 60 countries on the official list (including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and the EU); 90 days for Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. Mandatory, free TDAC. |
| Getting around | MRT, BTS, river ferries and Grab in Bangkok; buses, trains and domestic flights between regions; bus + ferry to the islands. |
| Must-sees | The Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, the temples of Chiang Mai, the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Big Buddha in Chiang Rai, the Gulf islands and Koh Kood. |
| Top tip | Always carry something to cover your shoulders and knees: without it you can’t get into temples or the Grand Palace. |
Best time to visit Thailand
The tourism authority sums up the Thai year in three seasons: six months of rain, three of dry, cool winter and three of heat. Watch out, though, because each coast has its own calendar:
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Cool season (November-February): the best for the north and for Bangkok. We arrived in November, and in December Bangkok was very pleasant to explore, without the extreme heat everyone had warned us about.
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Hot season (March-May): the hottest months of the year.
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Rainy season (roughly May-October): across much of the country. The Gulf of Thailand islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao) run the other way: their heavy rains arrive in October and November. We were on Koh Samui at Christmas and on Koh Phangan and Koh Tao between January and February, with good weather and the odd shower.
Getting around Thailand
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In Bangkok: the MRT metro, the BTS Skytrain, the river ferries and Grab (the ride-hailing app, like Uber). They surprised us: new, on time, air-conditioned and with everything signposted in English.
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In the north: in Chiang Rai we went to the temples by local bus from the bus station (we shared the ride with a rooster) and came back in the shared pickup trucks or by Grab.
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To the islands: the bus + ferry combo from Bangkok is comfortable and cheap (that’s how we got to Koh Kood); you can also reach Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao by flying to Koh Samui or Surat Thani and continuing by boat.
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Scooter: it’s the way to explore the islands, but only rent one if you have experience, and always wear a helmet. To compare trains, buses and domestic flights we use Omio.
Bangkok: temples, the river and a chaos you fall for
We had heard so much about the heat and chaos of Bangkok, and it took us by surprise: we ended up delighted with its people, kindness itself, and with the peace of its temples.
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha
The Grand Palace is Thailand’s postcard, and it is huge, like a small city. Admission for foreigners is 500 baht and includes Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles; tickets are sold from 8:30 to 15:30. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha
A short walk from the palace, Wat Pho is home to the golden Reclining Buddha, 46 meters long and 15 meters high. We loved wandering around the temple grounds: so much peace.
➜ More Info: The Grand Palace of Bangkok: Thailand’s postcard (in Spanish)
➜ More Info: What to see at Wat Pho, Bangkok (in Spanish)
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The north: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai, our favorite
Chiang Mai was one of our favorite cities in Southeast Asia: we lived there for 21 nights, working, eating well and using it as a base. Temples such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man in the old town, Doi Suthep up on the mountain, the Sunday market, cooking classes and massages. If you go in November, you’ll catch Yi Peng (lanterns released into the sky) and Loy Krathong (offerings floated on the water), the most magical festivals of the year.
Chiang Rai and its temples
Chiang Rai was our second destination in Thailand. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is very beautiful, but it felt like «the Disneyland of temples» to us: packed with people by 10 in the morning, and with paintings of the Ninja Turtles and Pikachu inside. The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), with its Buddha of more than 6 meters, became one of our favorite temples in Thailand. And the Big Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang), the huge white statue of Guanyin with a nine-story pagoda, left us speechless.
➜ More Info: Things to do in Chiang Mai: essential guide with 25 must-sees
➜ More Info: Big Buddha of Chiang Rai (Wat Huay Pla Kang): hours, how to get there and what to see (in Spanish)
➜ More Info: Visiting the White Temple in Chiang Rai (in Spanish)
The islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Kood
Koh Samui
We spent Christmas on a beach in Koh Samui and even watched Santa Claus step off a speedboat. It has its own airport and is the gateway to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Koh Phangan
We lived here for 16 nights: ten in the north, at Thong Nai Pan Yai, in a cabin steps from the sea, and six in the south, at Haad Rin, the beach of the famous Full Moon Party. That’s where we confirmed we are crazy about island life. Don’t miss the wooden walkway over the water that runs from Rin Nai to the lighthouse.
Koh Tao
«Turtle Island» is small and perfect for exploring by scooter: viewpoints, snorkeling at Tanote Bay (bring a mask), diving and beaches like Sairee or Freedom Beach.
Koh Kood, the most authentic
In Trat province, near the border with Cambodia, Koh Kood is the fourth-largest island in the country and one of the least developed: jungle, almost empty beaches, waterfalls and fishing villages. We arrived on the combined bus + ferry ticket from Bangkok, stayed ten nights and they flew by.
➜ More Info: Things to do in Koh Kood: the Ko Kut guide with 12 magical places
➜ More Info: Things to do on Koh Tao by scooter (in Spanish)
➜ More Info: What to see in Haad Rin, Koh Phangan (in Spanish)
Other places to visit in Thailand (the ones still on our list)
In three months we left a lot unseen, which is always a good excuse to come back. This is what we checked and what is still on our list:
- Ayutthaya: founded around 1350, it was the second capital of Siam until the Burmese army razed it in 1767; today it is a vast archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
- Sukhothai: the first capital, together with Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, also a World Heritage Site since 1991 and the birthplace of the first truly Siamese architectural style.
- The Andaman Sea: Phuket, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands, on the other side of the peninsula.
- Around Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon, the ethical elephant sanctuaries and the Sticky Waterfalls, falls you can literally climb without slipping.
Food: what to eat in Thailand
- Tom yum kung: the spicy and sour shrimp soup, on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since December 2024.
- Pad thai: stir-fried rice noodles, another dish you have to try.
- Khao soi: the curry noodle soup of the north, our favorite dish in Chiang Mai.
- Mango sticky rice: sticky rice with coconut milk and mango, the dessert you can’t miss.
Practical tips for traveling to Thailand
Visa: the rules changed in September 2026
On 15 September 2026 Thailand scrapped its 60-day visa exemption. For tourism, citizens of the 60 countries and territories on the official list — including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and all EU countries — can now stay visa-free for 30 days; Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru keep their bilateral agreements of 90 days. Everyone else, including Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay, needs to apply for a visa before traveling, online through the official Thai e-Visa system. The rules change often: check your case with the Thai embassy in your country before booking flights.
TDAC: the digital arrival card
Since 1 May 2025, all foreigners must complete the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) before arriving, at tdac.immigration.go.th, within the three days before travel. It is free: be wary of websites that charge for it.
Currency
The Thai baht (THB). Markets, food stalls and local transport are paid in cash; there are ATMs on Koh Kood, but it’s best to bring cash.
How to dress at the temples
Legs covered below the knees and shoulders covered. Often it’s enough to put something on over your clothes: carry a scarf or light trousers in your bag, because at the Grand Palace they won’t let you in without them.
Travel insurance
Between scooters, islands and excursions, always travel with medical coverage. We use IATI Insurance, and with our link you get a 5% discount. We tell you everything in the best travel insurance for Thailand (in Spanish).
Stories, photos, videos, places, tips and advice for traveling to Thailand
Things to do in Chiang Mai: Essential guide with 25 must-sees
Introduction to Chiang Mai If you are planning a trip through northern Thailand, this question is surely already on your mind: things to do in Chiang Mai. And we'll let you in on a secret: much more than you imagine. This city was one of our favorites in Southeast...
Things to do in Koh Kood: 【The Ko Kut Guide】with 12 Magical Places | Thailand
Introduction to things to do on the Island of Koh Kood (Ko Kut) Before telling you things to do in Koh Kood, it's worth locating it on the map. Koh Kood (also written as Ko Kut, Koh Kut, or Ko Kood) is located in eastern Thailand, in the Trat province, very close to...
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Thailand
How many days do you need to travel around Thailand?
Three weeks is enough for Bangkok, the north (Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai) and two islands. We stayed about three months and still left plenty unseen.
Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand?
It depends on your passport. Since 15 September 2026, for tourism: the 60 countries on the official list (including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and the EU) get 30 days visa-free; Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru, 90 days under bilateral agreements; everyone else needs an e-Visa. Check with the Thai embassy before you travel.
What is the TDAC and how much does it cost?
It is Thailand’s digital arrival card, mandatory for all foreigners since 1 May 2025. You complete it for free at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to February, the cool and dry season. On the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao) the heavy rains arrive in October and November; we went between December and February and had good weather.
How should you dress to visit temples?
With legs covered below the knees and shoulders covered. At Bangkok’s Grand Palace, shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
Which Thai islands do you recommend?
Koh Phangan for beach life (Thong Nai Pan Yai) and the Full Moon Party (Haad Rin), Koh Tao for snorkeling and diving, Koh Samui for its facilities, and Koh Kood if you’re after the most authentic and quiet Thailand.
Our conclusion on things to do in Thailand
Thailand won us over in every way: the kindness of its people, the peace of its temples, the street food, Chiang Mai as a home and island life on Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Kood. It’s a country best enjoyed slowly, and one that always leaves something for a return trip.
If you’re planning your route, start with things to do in Chiang Mai and the Big Buddha of Chiang Rai, choose your islands between Koh Kood and Koh Tao, and before you go check the visa rules, the TDAC and travel insurance for Thailand. We hope this travel guide to things to do in Thailand helps you enjoy the country as much as we did.
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Thank you very much for being part of this adventure!— Nanu & Facu 🌎 | Recalculando Viajes 💜
