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2401 results for Chiang Mai hostels guesthouses
19

Sawadee willyz, many abandon ship long ago, I'm sure some old posters still lurking around here. I was in CM few months ago, probably due back in May 19, got to visit mai noi...just kidding. No more guesthouse for me, I've upgrade to posh farang hotel.

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1

I think you already got good answers on your first post. Koh Kradan, Koh Lipe and Koh Muk have decent snorkeling right from the beach. Base yourself on one of them. If you want more, hiring a boat to other nearby islands is easy.

I also think you answered your own question about itinerary. Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a southern island would do nicely for those who have never been to Thailand. If you think 5 days in each place is too much then maybe squeeze in 1 or 2 days at Sukhothai on the way to or from Chiang Mai. Many like to save Bangkok for the end to get in a little souvenir shopping along with the sights. If you decide to come from Malaysia then start in the islands, fly to Chiang Mai and then Bangkok.

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29
In response to #26

Do you know if I can apply at the Embassy in Myanmar, get rejected and then try again in Thailand for example? I heard Chiang mai is an option.

In principle you can, whether it makes sense I don't know. But as policy varies I'ld say yes but of course it also depends on why it is rejected. I've no experience with obtaining chinese visa abroad so you best do a bit of research but my approach would be to see where things seem easiest among the convenient locations and apply where you have the best chances.

Can I get a visa without plane tickets and can I lie about my itinerary?

Not sure about the plane tickets, but from a neighboring country overland travel (so no plane tickets)seems reasonable to me. The itinerary can be complete fake no-one will check as far as I can judge. What is asked with respect to the itinerary can vary wildly in my experience. Sometimes mentioning the provinces to visit was enough, but I've also experienced they wanted a day to day plan supported with hotel bookings for every single night and air tickets.

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7

Sri Lanka needs and deserves so much more than low-budget backpackers and mass tourism!

Perhaps you didn't mean it but this comes off as a little rude. What is wrong with budget backpackers?

If Sri Lanka is willing to change and pander to the mass tourist market that is on them, not the tourists. We all know there are downsides, but for the average local person I suspect it's a good thing.

we are also concerned about the fate of thousands of similar locally-run places and their staff.

Sorry but this comes off a little disingenuous. You were happy to set up a guesthouse that literally took income away from local people.

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We have recently very much enjoyed a 3-day guided visit in remote part of the PN Yasuni near Nuevo Rocafuerte. It has been for sure the most economical way to see a still nearly undisturbed Amazonian rainforest. I have found it rather difficult to find reliable information about Nuevo Rocafuerte before my trip and so I am offering here this overview for others to use. Enjoy your trip there.

Nuevo Rocafuerte is a shabby and dull frontier townlet accessible only by a long boat trip along the Rio Napo. Yet, all these unappealing features make it a perfect place to get deep into the nearly unspoiled Amazonian jungle. A visit to the very near Parque Nacional Yasuni allows you to have a look on one of the last larger areas of the primary Amazonian rainforest. While there may be issues with rivers contamination by still rather modest oil drilling in Ecuador (and that have not reached so far from "civilization" yet), there are still no traces of logging for exotic wood so typical else in the rainforests of the world. If you want to glimpse the Amazonian rainforest as it was, Nuevo Rocafuerte is the place to go - and better do not wait too much as it may not last long even there, in this world madly rushing to spend all its vital resources.

Rainforest visit: To visit PN Yasuni you are required to be accompanied by a guide. In fact, as it is typical in the rainforest there are no long distance trails to get you away from modern settlements and you are restricted to travel along the rivers - thus, without a guide with a boat you will have no chance to get there anyway. There seems to be currently just two licensed guides available for hire at Nuevo Rocafuerte who could take you to the PN Yasuni there (the PN has to be entered along the Rio Yasuni flowing right by the office of the Guardaparque, where your guide has to report your visit, so without a licensed guide you will likely run into troubles). Unfortunately, none of these guides speaks English but your visit is still manageable even if you do not master Spanish.
I can definitely recommend our guide Luis Ramos, who made sure we got most of our 3-day visit, tailoring the program according to our preferences and allowing us to fully use all our time in the rainforest. We have camped under a pre-prepared shelter (good to keep your tent dry during usual night-time rains) at his customary site on the bank of Laguna Jatuncocha, some two hours by boat from Nuevo Rocafuerte, and filled our visit with boat trips along near lakes and rivers and hikes along the few available rainforest trails. Certain disadvantage is that his boat is not equipped with rain and sun cover, which is helpful especially when you want to just hang in the middle of lake/river and listen and watch the surroundings. His usual fee was USD60 per person per day (so USD120 for two) and we negotiated a small discount to USD55 as we came equipped with our own tent and took care about our food ourselves; but he can of course provide a tent and all your food for you, if needed. We have got in contact with him through our local hotel (Hostal Yurag Wasi) but he can be also contacted by email (edgarramosg@outlook.com or rauljacob212621@gmail.com) or by phone (+593 989941195).
The other guide is Fernando Sifuentes who seems to be offering the same kind of trips, including camping on at Laguna Jatuncocha; his advantage is his using of covered boat. I have contacted him by email before our trip but he was engaged with other group at the time of our visit and he only offered to include us into that other party trip without any interest to give consideration to our preferences. He seemed to be rather reluctant to give out any details about his trips, especially the price he was charging and flatly ignored my plea for recommendation of other guide. His usual fee seemed to be USD80 per person per day (but I had this information just from other sources - he did not answer my questions regarding it). He can be contacted by email (sifuentes.fede@gmail.com) or by phone (+593 980519789 or +593 062382249).

Transport: There is a daily speed-boat service between Coca and Nuevo Rocafuerte in both directions along the Rio Napo taking about 8 hours in a covered 60-passenger "canoe"; the boat stops for lunch about half way at Panacocha and makes short stops anywhere along the way on passenger request; it is leaving from Coca at about 7:30am and from Nuevo Rocafuerte at about 6am. Some days of the week (information differs which) there is another faster speed-boat service along the same routes - it is the same kind of boat but it makes no stops along its way; this boat leaves in somewhat later hours than the usual slower boat.

Accommodation: There are currently two hotels at Nuevo Rocafuerte located just about 100m from the boat piers. We stayed at the Hostal Yurag Wasi which offered us a bright and clean air-conditioned double room for USD25 per night (air condition comes really handy in the local rather hot and humid climate). The other hotel, Hostal Chimborazo, was offering rather dark double room with a fan only for USD24 per night.

Food: There is few shops with general goods including food at Nuevo Rocafuerte (the biggest one in the Hostal Yurag Wasi) and also a bakery. There is also several small eateries where you can get usual rice-and-chicken (or possibly -fish) meal; yet, we were even able to arrange a vegetarian meal of rice and platanos in one of them.

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6

Hoi An is an absolute darling, with everything you are looking for, including 2 beautiful beaches, An Bong and Cua Dai. There are several very nice homestays (Lea's, Sand Dune)50 m from an Baong Beach ; if not, the small backpackers hotel (not hostel)Hoa Binh right in the city is perfect, with rooms at 15-25$ (with a pool !)

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4
In response to #3

I also did the trip 30 years ago. It was very cheap and I quite enjoyed it. Current price are obviously a lot more.

According to Travel Fish the public boat from Thaton to Chiang Rai costs 400 baht/person (departs 12:30 pm) and private hire of whole boat 2400 baht, takes around 2.5 or more depending on river levels. You don't say when your are going which would determine the water levels. Since you want to go the very next day, I would head to the pier as soon as you get to Thaton and see what you can arrange. Or, if you already have your accommodation in Thaton, you could call them and ask about arranging the trip. You could even try asking at a travel agent in Chiang Mai. The last two options will most likely cost a bit more, but it would give you peace of mind.

I don't know about private car hire from Chiang Mai. I would guess that it won't be cheap. Quotes I saw on line hovered around 2900 baht. I couldn't get a quote from Uber and don't have the Grab app.

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4

Sorry my flight was called meant to say that I think Botum Sakor is the village or the community where the road to chi phat meets the main road and Andung Teuk is the village on either side of the river where the bridge is. What was the guesthouse like there out of interest

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5
In response to #1

thambidurai456848847
ONLINE
8 minutes ago
Thanks chiang,

Start with these:
Where are you flying into/out of?- Hanoi (Both in and out)
Interest in beaches/mountain?- Yes both i like.
Main objective in visiting Vietnam?- Explore the culture and local food.
Seasoned SE Asian visitor or first time?- Yes first time.
September confirmed or later?- September Conformed.

once again for thank you so much .. Please suggest how to make a plan 10 days in vietnam.

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3

Thanks chiang,

Start with these:
Where are you flying into/out of?- Hanoi (Both in and out)
Interest in beaches/mountain?- Yes both i like.
Main objective in visiting Vietnam?- Explore the culture and local food.
Seasoned SE Asian visitor or first time?- Yes first time.
September confirmed or later?- September Conformed.

once again for thank you so much .. Please suggest how to make a plan 10 days in vietnam.

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