After the volcanic eruption in Bali forced me and my digital nomad friends to leave, we had to rethink our plans. The air quality was bad, and staying there wasn’t an option. I still wanted to keep traveling, and since I’d heard great things about Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭, I figured I’d hop over while I was still in Southeast Asia.
Chiang Mai has a laid-back vibe, good weather, and a growing digital nomad scene, so it felt like the perfect place to settle in for a month. I set up shop, joined a coworking space, and dove into the local culture, food, and adventures whenever I wasn’t working.
Where I Stayed
In Chiang Mai, I split my time between exploring the city’s lively neighborhoods and setting up my workspace at Punspace, one of the best coworking spaces in town. Punspace became my home base during the month, offering a comfortable and focused environment, perfect for handling the heavy client workload I had that month.
What I Did
Working at Punspace
Punspace was ideal for the kind of focus I needed that month. Known as Chiang Mai’s first coworking space, Punspace has multiple locations, but I stuck to the Nimman branch. The vibe was friendly and professional, with a mix of local entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and remote workers from all over the world. The fast Wi-Fi and relaxed, open layout made it one of the best coworking spaces I’ve worked in, and I ended up getting a lot done there.
Exploring Chiang Mai Cafés and Restaurants
Chiang Mai is packed with unique cafés and eateries, each with its own vibe. Whenever I wanted a change of scenery, I’d head out and explore the city’s café culture. Chiang Mai has everything from hipster coffee spots to street vendors selling delicious Thai coffee. The variety kept things fresh and made for some awesome work breaks.
Hiking the Sticky Waterfall
One of my favorite adventures in Chiang Mai was hiking up the Sticky Waterfall. Unlike typical waterfalls, this one is made of limestone, which makes it grippy enough to actually walk up. Climbing a waterfall was definitely a new experience, and the view from the top was incredible.
Discovering Khao Soi
Chiang Mai is famous for Khao Soi—a spicy coconut curry noodle soup—and I couldn’t get enough of it. I ate Khao Soi pretty much every day, trying different spots around town. Each bowl was a little different, and each was delicious in its own way. It’s safe to say I left Chiang Mai with a deep appreciation for Northern Thai cuisine.
Riding My Scooter to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Another unforgettable day was riding my scooter up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This remote temple overlooks the entire city and is surrounded by forest. The drive was beautiful, and once I reached the top, I was rewarded with stunning views and a peaceful, meditative atmosphere.
Street Food Galore
Chiang Mai’s night markets are a street food lover’s paradise. I spent countless evenings wandering through the markets, sampling everything from skewered meats to fresh mango sticky rice. The variety and quality of the food blew me away, and the prices were unbeatable.
Taking My First Thai Boxing Class
I’d always been curious about Muay Thai, so I signed up for my first Thai boxing class. It was intense but an amazing experience! The trainers were tough yet encouraging, and it felt good to push myself in a new way. Muay Thai is all about discipline, and I left the class feeling sore but accomplished.
What I Was Working On
This month, client work was in full swing, so I had a busy schedule. Punspace was perfect for productivity, and I spent a lot of time catching up on projects, diving into development work, and planning new ideas. The balance of intense work and the adventurous surroundings kept me grounded while fueling my creativity.
Conclusion
Chiang Mai ended up being the perfect place to balance a busy work month with rich cultural experiences. From exploring unique cafés and eating street food to hiking waterfalls and taking a Muay Thai class, Chiang Mai showed me a side of Thailand I hadn’t experienced before. If you’re a digital nomad looking for a mix of productivity and adventure, this city is a fantastic stop in Southeast Asia. It’s laid-back but full of opportunities to explore, making it an ideal base for work and play.
