I confess that when I invited Amanda to accompany me on a trip to Thailand at the beginning of May, I hadn't done any type of research. The opportunity arose on my flight back from Australia, and I grabbed it without thinking twice.
I knew it was a place with lots of parties, beautiful beaches and that somewhere you could spend the day with elephants in an ethical way. But just that.
I didn't know if May was a good time, if it was a cheap country same or if everyone exaggerated, if they needed a visa, if it was safe for two women alone…
This is not the best way to plan a trip.
The trip took shape over the following months, and we discovered some mistakes we made before even leaving home, such as going during the rainy season or buying a round trip via Phuket, in Amanda's case.
We were very lucky and the trip was incredible, but something could easily have gone wrong due to our lack of organization and research. before to buy tickets. I suggest you read everything you can in advance, and be a better traveler than me! haha
In this post I will tell you everything you need to know to plan a trip to Thailand, the tips I learned during my time in the country and comment on my itinerary.
Remembering that here on the blog there is a resources section full of websites and apps to help you plan your next adventure. It is worth taking a look!
Tips for planning a trip to Thailand
When is the best time to go?
The best period is in the high season, from November to February. At this time it is winter and temperatures are only between 25ºC and 30ºC, with a little wind to cool you down.
Between March and May the weather starts to get hotter, with thermometers reaching 40ºC. In the middle of May the rainy season begins, which lasts until the end of October, these being the worst months for those who want to enjoy the beaches.
What documentation is needed?
Passport valid for at least 6 months and international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
Brazilians receive a visa upon entering the country and can stay in the country for up to 90 days.
How much do tickets cost?
Flying to Thailand is not usually cheap.
For our trip we got a promotion on Submarine Travel, and the final value was approximately R$2500 with fees, flying on Etihad (which stopped operating in Brazil). This was in May 2017, the beginning of the rainy season and when the dollar was just over R$3. For flights in high season, the lowest prices I found were close to R$4000, with entry into the country through Bangkok.
For internal flights, we pay less than US$50 each way with low-cost AirAsia. Snacks and checked luggage were charged separately, around US$10.
To find the best rates, I like to use sites like Passagens Promo, which offers discounts of up to 25% on the world's main airlines!
You might also like: 8 sites to find cheap airline tickets.
Is it an expensive trip?
With the exception of the ticket price, I found the trip beeeem cheap
We stayed in four-star hotels in all cities, and with promotions on Booking we ended up paying R$150 in networks like Novotel. The property had three swimming pools, spa, a breakfast buffet that I've never seen like in my life and it was still two minutes from the beach. Even so, we can say that we splurged, as in the same area there were hostels where a bed cost less than R$20 per night.
We went out to dinner every night, also without spending much. In Phuket we went to a well-regarded restaurant, I recommend it for TripAdvisor and even with a waiting list. We each ordered a main dish, as well as a smoothie and coconut water. Final price? Equivalent to R$35, R$17,40 for each!!
To get an idea of the prices for accommodation, food and entertainment, I recommend using the website How Much Does It Cost to Travel? According to them, on an economical trip, accommodation in the country costs around R$30 per day.
You might also like: Where to stay in Thailand – Phuket, Railay Beach, Chiang Mai and Bangkok
What is the currency and how much is it worth?
The currency is Thai Baht, and the current conversion is 10,49 baht for every 1 real. To make the math easier, just cut the final zero from the price: something that costs 100 THB, rounding up, comes out to around R$10.
Do I change money there or before I go?
Conversion is better by exchanging there, as there are no service fees. The only however is that I didn't see exchange offices accepting Reais, only more popular currencies or currencies from other Asian countries.
The solution? Exchange money in Brazil for US dollars, and in Thailand replace them with Thai bahts. Larger bills (US$50 and US$100) have a better exchange value than small bills.
To carry out operations at exchange offices you must present your passport, even outside the airport.
It's safe?
First let's talk about safety in the issue of violence. I didn't feel insecure at any time, and Amanda and I walked alone at night several times, with cell phones out, speaking Portuguese, impossible with tourists. They only approached us to offer a taxi or Tuk tuk.
In any case, normal precautions are always welcome: take care of your bag, keep an eye on your drinks, avoid walking alone in deserted places at night, etc. I would feel safe planning a trip to Thailand alone, and I saw a lot of women doing this kind of thing. trip.
Now the other side of safety: adventure activities and food. I did not do parasailing, climbing, scuba diving or nothing that could go terribly wrong, but these tours are offered in droves in Thailand. Reports of people getting sick because of street food were also frequent in my pre-trip reading (the trick is to only eat at street stalls that are full).
Whatever your plans, I recommend taking out travel insurance. With this service, you can count on specialized assistance in case of any unforeseen circumstances, including medical emergencies. It also covers flight delays, lost luggage and other things that could go wrong.
Do people speak English? How will I communicate?
The official language is Thai, and almost no one speaks English!
Hotel employees and tour guides were the only ones I saw speaking fluently, as the job involves dealing with the public. We took Uber a few times and none of them spoke more than one sentence, just like the taxi drivers. Some private car and Tuk Tuk drivers were able to negotiate the price of the ride, but nothing more.
Amanda and I didn't have many problems and we managed in English, but I suggest taking at least the hotel addresses written in Thai as a precaution.
Is it possible to speak only Portuguese? From the! Just practice your mime a lot and be patient. The people are very receptive, and they tried to help us even when they didn't understand us.
How is the food?
The food is wonderful, with rich flavors, well seasoned and very cheap. Although they eat meat, most of the dishes are vegetarian, and I saw very few meals with cheese.
I recommend trying a Pad Thai, noodles with some protein and nuts, and a Fried Rice. It’s just not worth missing out on trying one of the typical dishes! For the more adventurous, the tourist streets also sell insects on skewers. I can't comment on it because I've been so far away.
For those who get sick mid-trip, some well-known franchises such as McDonald's and Subway can be found in the most popular areas.
You might also like: My experience dining in the dark in Bangkok
Itinerary through Thailand
Our itinerary was a 14-day trip, and we divided the time equally between cities and the beach.
Beach – 7 days in Phuket and Railay Beach
With the countless islands in Thailand, we decided to focus on just one specific region. We spent four days in Phuket and two other days in Railay beach, in Krabi, before heading north.
We made this choice because, with the promotion we got, our flight arrived in Phuket, and Railay, in addition to being close by, was mentioned on all the blogs as a must-see.
We took the most famous tours, such as Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang. It was the most relaxing part of the trip, as we spent almost every day at the beach enjoying the sun. Other interesting programs in the region:
- Big BuddhaPhuket
- Bangla Road in Patong Beach
- James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay
- Ao Nang Beach
- Dinner at The Grotto Restaurant, inside Rayavadee Resort in Railay Beach
With little travel time, we chose to explore just a small part of southwestern Thailand.
If you have more time, I recommend adding the following places to your itinerary:
- Koh Lanta, still nearby and with beautiful beaches
- Ko lipe, a little further away, but with lots of nature and quiet beaches
- Ko Pha-Ngan, on the other side of the country, where the famous Full Moon Party takes place
- Ko Samui, full of resorts and a favorite among tourists
- Koh Tao, known as the country's diving center
Many of these places I discovered through Lonely Planet guide: Thailand's Islands & Beaches. If you are planning a trip to Thailand and want to focus on the beaches, I recommend reading it (only available in English).
City – 7 days in Chiang Mai and Bangkok
We visited the two largest cities in the country, Chiang Mai e Bangkok.
We arrived there at midday, and took the opportunity to see some of the most famous temples in the Old City and have very cheap massages. On our second and only full day, we visited the Elephant nature park, an elephant sanctuary that takes care of them ethically, no tourists riding them or ridiculous tricks.
In Bangkok we try to do a little bit of everything: culture, parties, shopping and more massages. If you are going to end your trip in the capital, I recommend leaving to buy everything at that time. Everything is cheaper in Bangkok, and the amount of souvenirs, clothes, electronics and trinkets for sale is immense!
Some of our favorite shows were:
- Khao San Road, tourist street that looks like it came out of the movie If You Drink, Don't Marry!
- Klong Lat Mayom Floating Market, floating market frequented by locals in Bangkok
- Chatuchak Weekend Market, street fair that takes place on weekends
- Dine in the Dark, dining completely in the dark in Bangkok
- MBK Shopping, a kind of 25th of March with 7 floors
If you want other suggestions, on the blog No Mundo da Paula there is a post with several other tips on what to do in Bangkok!
If time was already short on the islands, which are small, imagine being in big cities. Throughout the trip, we spoke to several Brazilians and discovered several tours that we would like to have taken in the region. Some of them:
- Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, famous white temple
- Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai
- Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai
- Hop on and return to the ruins of Ayutthaya
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, near Bangkok
- Bangkok Food Tours, a tour to taste wonderful foods
As I haven't visited or written about many places, here are links to other wonderful travel blogs for you to learn a little more.
It is also possible to escape from tourist places and take a longer trip. calm, even with the country being so popular nowadays. Bruna, from the Expressinha blog, has a super cool post about alternative tourism in Thailand, with her experience with a yoga retreat in Koh Yao Noi!
Don't make the script too rigid
In addition to what I wrote in the post 7 mistakes I made on my first trip to Thailand, I wanted to tell you to Don't leave your script too stuck.
Amanda and I bought all our internal tickets before starting our adventure, and this made it impossible for us to change our minds and spend another day at the beach or leave Chiang Mai later.
Want a more detailed version of my itinerary in Thailand, along with all the tips in this post? Then sign up for my email list using the form below! You will receive a PDF with all of this in your inbox within minutes! 🙂
[cp_modal display=”inline” id=”cp_id_d1956″][/cp_modal]In short:
- The best time to go to Thailand is from November to February. Tickets for this period cost around R$4000;
- Exchange reais for US dollars before traveling, and then exchange this money for Thai baths;
- It's a great country for those traveling alone, but don't forget to take out insurance;
- If you want to enjoy everything the country has to offer, divide your time between beaches and larger cities;
- Don't leave the itinerary too rigid, have space to change your plans from time to time!
Do you have any other tips for planning a trip to Thailand? Leave it in the comments!
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I really liked the tips, I've been there on a cruise, but I didn't benefit at all, the cruise arrived in the morning and at 18:00 pm I had to leave, everything was hectic, it left me wanting more.
You have to come back slowly to enjoy this incredible country more!