• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Yesterday kicked off Hurricane season but did you Yesterday kicked off Hurricane season but did you know there are Caribbean islands outside of the Hurricane Belt and ones that rarely ever see hurricanes? (Save and share this post) 

Aruba, pictured here has gorgeous beaches and is one of them! The others are:

1. Curaçao 
2. St. Vincent and The Grenadines
3. Bonaire
4. Trinidad and Tobago 

Click the link in my bio for details on these islands and for my Aruba itinerary.

Personally I think you can still visit other Caribbean islands during this time. Just be sure to have reservations that are changeable in case a hurricane is in the forecast for your scheduled dates. Having grown up around hurricanes I def know they’re scary and cause extreme harm but notice is given for you to be able to adjust your plans. What are your thoughts on traveling to the Caribbean during hurricane season? 

#hurricaneseason #traveltips
#ad We recently spent the day exploring Everglades #ad We recently spent the day exploring Everglades National Park. Of course the girls first stop was to the visitor center to pick up a Jr. Ranger workbook so they can earn another Jr. Ranger badge. We got to see lots of alligators (baby ones too), turtles and different species of birds which is exactly what the @kinderus and @nationalparkfoundation partnership is all about, learning more about the wildlife in the national parks along the Explore the Wild Treat + Toy Kinder Joy Eggs. Have you made it to any national parks this year?
Things to do in Riyadh, Saudi (save and share this Things to do in Riyadh, Saudi (save and share this post)!

1. Visit historical Diriyah! This is the birthplace of the first Saudi state, its extremely well preserved and a must see UNESCO site. We did a 2 hour guided tour and I highly recommend.

2. Have lunch at Najd Village which is a restaurant that serves traditional meals in a traditional setting (sitting on the floor, eating with your hands). The entire restaurant is built in the old Nadj lifestyle so you can see the architecture of the past. The food was amazing and the ambiance is equally beautiful.

3. Explore the red sand dunes which I highlighted in my last reel. You can do dunebashing, sandboarding, ATVing and more.

4. Walk around The Boulevard- it’s an outdoor entertainment area with shops, restaurants and more. There’s an area that replicates Times Square and then other parts reminded me on the Vegas strip, perfect place to spend an evening for dinner.

5. Face your fear of heights and walk across the skybridge at the Kingdom Centre Tower. It’s 300 meters above the ground with amazing views of the city. Don’t worry it’s enclosed!

6. Visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

7. Walk around the Masmak Fort, it’s free!

8. See the Edge of the World, one of the most famous spots in Saudi.

I’m very glad I got to see Saudi for myself, next stop, exploring the city of Jeddah! Would you do any of these activities?

📸 @chrispriestley__ and @nadjowa
#Ad This summer I have plans to do a lot of outdoo #Ad This summer I have plans to do a lot of outdoor activities, and protecting my skin while being out in the sun is extremely important! Since I frequently travel with others, having a sunscreen that everyone can use is a must, which is why I’m loving the new @coppertoneusa Complete sunscreen! 

It passed the most important tests for me when looking at sunscreen, it leaves no white cast on my skin, is lightweight, moisturizing, provides UVA and UVB sun protection, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes! 

This new sunscreen allows me to pack light while providing the entire group with the sun protection we need. What sunny summer plans do you have? #Coppertone #ItsGreatOutdoors
Saving money anywhere we can is key to us being ab Saving money anywhere we can is key to us being able to travel frequently. @Priceline makes it easy to save on hotels with their Priceline Express Deals®, which can save us up to 60% off published hotel rates for all the major hotels and more. While you won't be able to see the hotel name until after you've paid, you can filter what you see by choosing your preferred neighborhood and amenities of your choice, then let Priceline do the rest. I used it to get an amazing hotel in La Jolla on one of our trips to San Diego, what trips do you have coming up that you're looking to save on hotels? Tap the link in bio to download the app now to save on your next trip. #PricelineExpressDeals #PricelinePartner
“There’s no dream too big or too small”, tha “There’s no dream too big or too small”, that’s the mantra of the girls favorite gymnast, Simone Biles, and one we personally live by. They’re in gymnastics and swim and outside of these regular activities you’ve all seen them try skiing, surfing, hang-gliding and more. None of these come easy but they know that there is nothing they can’t accomplish as long as they work towards their goals just as Simone Biles does. They were so excited to find out Simone has her own collection at @athleta and are now convinced these outfits give them super powers🤣. Which one of these outfits is your favorite? #PowerOfShe #AthletaGirl #AthletaPartner
There’s more to Jordan than Petra and Wadi Rum! There’s more to Jordan than Petra and Wadi Rum! We got to spend time in Feynan and one morning while there Jordyn and I woke up early to go on a hike through this nature reserve. Our @nike gear from @kohls was perfect for the climate. 

We both loved that we matched from head to toe in our #nikesportswear and we’re able to find attire in beautiful colors. You can actually walk from Petra to Feynan, it only takes 3 days 😅 and lots of people do it. While the two of us did not do that we loved exploring this land of the Bedouin. 

What have been the best/most memorable places you have hiked? #kohlsfinds #kohlspartner

The Traveling Child

If kids live there, kids can visit!

  • Affording Travel
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Australia
    • Caribbean
      • Aruba
      • The Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Cuba
      • Grand Cayman
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • Trinidad
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • The Netherlands
    • North America
      • Alaska
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Illinois
      • Kansas
      • Louisiana
      • Mexico
      • Nevada
      • New York
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
  • Travel Tips
    • Tips on Traveling with Kids
    • Trip Planning Tips
  • Reviews
    • Airline Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching

How to Spend 2 Days in Chiang Mai with Kids

February 17, 2017      Asia, Destinations, Thailand

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

We did a tour of Thailand visiting the 3 major cities Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. We only had 2 days in Chiang Mai which gave us a nice introduction to the city. If you’re short on time like us here’s how to make the best of 2 in Chiang Mai with kids.

48 Hours in Chaing Mai White Temple

When to Visit Chiang Mai

We visited Chiang Mai with kids in February after first visiting Phuket for a few days. It’s the dry season so the perfect time for a visit. It also means it’s hot so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen.

How to Get From Phuket To Chiang Mai

After flying Qatar Airways to Phuket we took Air Asia, a local budget airline to Chiang Mai. There are no frills, you have to pay for water, etc. but the flight is only 1.5hrs so we didn’t need much and the $38 price tag was perfect. Checked baggage is priced by weight ranging from 15kg to 30kg. We only have one checked bag for the whole family that weighed 20kg. My daughters luggage was a carry-on and you are allowed 7kg for each carry-on.

How to Get From the Airport in Chaing Mai to Your Hotel

We took a metered taxi that we booked at the taxi counter for 200 baht flat. Be sure to go to the official taxi stand. There are plenty of drivers trying to flag you down but you run the risk of being overcharged.

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

The RarinJinda Wellness Spa which is right outside the “square” of Chiang Mai’s old city. The resort was very nice and had some good amenities including free breakfast 7AM-10AM, a gym, pool, and a spa. The breakfast was buffet style at the restaurant across the street which is directly on the river. Waffles and eggs could be made to order. 

If you prefer to stay in an Airbnb in Chiang Mai you can sign up for Airbnb here and save $40 on your first stay. Nervous about Airbnb’s? Here are 8 Tips for Staying in Airbnb’s.

RarinJinda Wellness Spa hotel room with bed and sliding door

hotel pool with lounge chair

How to Spend 2 Days in Chiang Mai with Kids

Day One: Doi Suthep & Elephant Sanctuary

We got in very late the night before so I wanted us to be able to relax in the morning and booked a late half day tour. After breakfast we hung out by the pool for the 1st half of the day. We had lunch at On the Ping riverfront eatery and bar at the sala lanna Hotel. Although it was the most expensive meal we had the whole trip the food was excellent and probably also one of the best meals we had.I booked our tours while in Chiang Mai with Untouched Thailand. This 1st day we visited the Wat Phra Doi Suthep temple, the most famous temple in Chiang Mai. It is up in the mountains with a beautiful viewpoint of the city below. We spent about an hour here before heading to an Elephant Rescue Park.

mom holding baby on her back in a carrier in front of a temple in Thailand

When planning the trip I really wanted to go to the Elephant Nature Park, the top rated sanctuary and rescue park in Chiang Mai but since we decided on going to Thailand just 3 weeks before they didn’t have any spots left for the days we would be there. I was just glad to have found another rescue park and it ended up working out perfectly as we were the only group there by the time we arrived in the late afternoon. The staff was really attentive and made Jordyn feel like a Queen. They were so helpful and really tried there best to make our experience unforgettable. From taking pictures with my phone and video from my husbands they made sure we would have these memories forever without a price tag attached to it.

dad holding toddler bathing elephant in lake family posing with elephants at a sanctuary 

Day Two: The Golden Triangle Tour of Chiang Rai

Again our tour was booked through Untouched Thailand. We booked the Golden Triangle Tour, a 12hr tour, exploring Chiang Rai. The tour company would drop us to the airport after the tour saving us the 200 baht taxi. Our first stop was an hours drive to a hot springs where you can dip your feet into some mineral water that is supposed to be good for your skin. We only spent a few minutes here, I personally could have done without the stop but Jordyn enjoyed it and we were able to use the restroom.

girl dangling her feet over hot springs

Wat Rong Khun

Next we went to Wat Rong Khun better known as the White Temple. It was an hours drive from the hot spring and so worth the trip. A famous Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, funded the entire project. While the outside is beautiful and you can get some great photos with it as a backdrop the inside is uniquely amazing but unfortunately no photos are allowed. Believe it or not the bathroom is just as gorgeous as the temple, be sure to make a stop.

Across the street is a free museum filled with Chalermchai’s work and you should definitely check it out. Had we not had a tour guide we wouldn’t have known about it which is a shame because his work is truly one of a kind. Randomly enough the artist was actually there that day at a shop across the museum and were able to get a picture with him. Our tour guide was the one who pointed him out and mentioned on the 40+ times he has been to the temples he’s only seem him there 2 others.

family in front of a white temple in thailand

Karen Long Neck Village

After the White Temple we had for lunch which was included in the price of the tour. We stopped at what seemed like a hole in the wall restaurant but like most, the food did not disappoint! After lunch we headed to Hilltribe of the Karen Long Neck Village, about a 45 minute drive away.

Visiting this tribe is something I was hesitant about because I wasn’t really sure if it was ethical or not. Something about going to look at humans as if they were part of a zoo felt weird to me. I did a lot of research before ultimately deciding to go. From what I found online tourists visiting these villages was the main source of income for these villagers. This is because they are unable to hold jobs in Thailand.

The people in the village are from Burma and originally fled to Thailand due to civil wars. Now most come for better education opportunities for their children. They really do depend on the money made from the entrance fee and selling trinkets to support their families. So while I still felt kind of weird while we were there we made sure to buy something directly from the women.

Some spoke a little English and we were able to talk for a bit which was nice. My eldest daughter made a friend whose mom and I exchanged some words. Our tour guide was so sweet and stopped at a store before getting there, buying two cases of chips to hand out to the kids in the village. Jordyn gave this girl 5 bags, pretty sure that’s why they became friends.

Golden Triangle

Next we headed to the Golden Triangle where you can see Laos and Burma just separated by a river. We took a boat ride in the river and went to Laos where they have a little market. Everyone sells the same thing and they are very aggressive in getting you to buy something. We also stopped at the Opium Museum which my husband found extremely interested. I personally could have skipped the Golden Triangle, I was quite underwhelmed but I guess it’s better to see for yourself than wonder what you missed.

mom and daughter in front of welcome to Laos sign

After this, we headed to the airport, a 3.5-4hr drive. Our van had a pretty big flat screen TV equipped with plenty of kids movie for Jordyn to watch. The seats also reclined all the way back so I took a nap. Even though quite long it was a very comfortable ride. We were off to spend 2 Days in Bangkok, the last stop on our tour of Thailand. If you don’t want to fly or want a unique experience getting from Chiang Mai to Bangkok or Bangkok to Chiang Mai, take the sleeper train! Did you find this post helpful? Please share it!

The Traveling Child is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Share
Tweet
Pin25
Email
Share
25 Shares

BECOME A TTC SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Join more than 3k other folks who want to find travel inspiration, product recommendations, and more!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    February 27, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    How did your girls handle such a long day? My husband and I figured our days of quick travel, jam-packed days would end when we started bringing little ones along. It’s nice to see that little ones can handle an exciting day like that – although I’m sure it depends on the child 🙂

  2. Monet Hambrick says

    February 27, 2017 at 1:21 pm

    Hi Ashley! I thought the same thing but quickly learned I was putting more limitations on them than they really needed. I was afraid missing their scheduled nap time would cause havoc but realized being off schedule a few days was not going to have our lives fall apart and we should enjoy the moment. They still napped just not at their normal times.
    Our youngest was 11 months on the trip so still at the stage where she sleeps any and everywhere. She either napped in the car while in transit, since we had about 1hr in between each destination or she slept in the carrier while we were out of the car. My oldest who is 2 was so excited she refused to nap while in transit to each stop on the tour but she crashed about 30 mins into our drive to the airport. She was a little cranky when we arrived and woke her up but other than that she was fine during the day.
    It definitely depends on the child and I think by me always giving the girls, specifically the oldest one our itinerary for the day excites her so much. She is also used to traveling now and has learned to easily adapt to situations.

  3. gonzalo casas de las penas says

    April 10, 2017 at 6:43 am

    Next time you go you definitely have to check out “Chiang Mai Grand Canyon” it sounds boring, but it’s actually a huge canyon filled with water that contains a massive waterpark with water games. Loved it so much I went twice. I bet the kids would love it!

  4. Amanda says

    October 27, 2017 at 9:10 am

    What was the name of the elephant sanctuary you visited? The photos are gorgeous! Were the girls frightened of the elephants at all?

    • Monet says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:06 am

      Hi Amanda,
      It’s literally called Elephant Rescue Park lol, here is there website http://elephantrescuepark.com. Thank you, we had soooo much fun, def a highlight of the trip. I should add the video of Jordyn feeding them, Jordyn was hesitant at first but then she didn’t want to leave!
      Monet

  5. Liz says

    December 29, 2017 at 11:33 am

    I’m so envious of your trip! People think we are crazy for traveling so much with our 4 month old daughter (she’s been to Italy, Florida, and Colorado so far!). Did you have a car seat on the day trips with Untouched Thailand?

    • Monet says

      December 30, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Yes, people think we are crazy too but life is short and we’d like to enjoy it as much as we can. And honestly traveling with a 4 month old is way more easy than a 22 month old in my opinion. Unfortunately Untouched Thailand did not provide car seats, only our tour company in Phuket provided them.

      • Mimi says

        January 30, 2018 at 11:26 am

        Since a car seat was not provided. Did you feel comfortable riding without one for your littles?

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hey, I’m Monet!

Hey, I’m Monet!

A full time working woman, wife and mama of two. I use every last one of my vacation days traveling with my kids, hubby, friends or solo. Join me as I share my travel experiences and tips to make travel affordable and easier with the little ones. You can read more about me here.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Join more than 3k other folks who want to find travel inspiration, product recommendations, and more!

Recent Posts

  • Things to do in Austin With Kids
  • Things to do in Juneau, Alaska
  • The Ultimate Kansas Road Trip
  • Winter Weekend in Denver with Kids
  • The Best Things to Do in Joshua Tree (And Near It)

SIGN UP FOR AIRBNB & RECEIVE $40 OFF

SIGN UP FOR AIRBNB & RECEIVE $40 OFF

FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook

FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

Copyright © 2022 The Traveling Child, LLC.