Your stay — Purple Monkey Backpackers
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Mae Hong Son.
The Property — Purple Monkey Backpackers
Purple Monkey Backpackers is a lively, no-frills hostel in the centre of Mae Hong Son. The lobby is a ramshackle hub of maps, hammocks and muted purple walls, with a constant buzz of backpackers planning trekking routes. It's for budget travellers who value location and socialising over privacy or comfort — think shared dorms, cold showers, and a basic free breakfast. The real draw is the owner's deep local knowledge and free bike hire, which you'll use immediately.
Chronicles of Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son was founded in the early 19th century as an elephant-training camp for the Lanna Kingdom, later incorporated into Siam. Its isolated valley location, surrounded by mist-shrouded mountains, led to a strong Shan (Tai Yai) cultural influence, visible in the distinctive Burmese-style temples like Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu. The town remained a sleepy outpost until the 1990s, when trekking tourism took off, but it retains a frontier feel with far fewer international visitors than Chiang Mai. Today it's known for its hill-tribe communities, Pai canyon, and the hauntingly beautiful morning mist over Jong Kham Lake.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mae Hong Son guide →Best months
November to February: cool, dry weather (15-28°C), clear skies for mountain views, and manageable crowds — ideal for trekking.
Peak / festival surge
December and January: busiest for both foreign and Thai tourists escaping colder regions; hotel prices can double. Christmas and New Year are peak, plus the Loy Krathong Yi Peng lantern festival (floating krathongs on the lake).
Budget shoulder season
March and October: lower prices (30-40% off), still mostly dry, fewer tourists, and mild heat; you get the essence without the crush.
Weather & packing
July is the heart of the rainy monsoon — expect heavy afternoon downpours and leeches on treks. Pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy sandals, not open-toes; and bring your own toilet paper.
Live City Briefing — Mae Hong Son
- The new Tham Pla – Namtok Pha Suea National Park visitor centre opened in April 2026, with better trails and a small museum on the region's cave fauna.
- Mae Hong Son's airport is closed for runway resurfacing until August 2026; you'll need to arrive by bus from Chiang Mai (a 6-7 hour winding road) or fly into Pai Airport.
- City authorities are trialling paid parking in the central area around the morning market to reduce congestion; check with the hostel if your bike hire includes parking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Purple Monkey Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from the main road, to reduce street noise. These upper floors give a slightly better chance of a quieter stay, as the communal areas (lobby, bar) are typically on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Tell reception you don't want a room directly above the bar or near the main stairs/lift. Ground-floor rooms are riskier: more foot traffic, noise from the reception/communal area, and possible street-level fumes from the road.
Best views
If the hostel is on the main road (likely, given the 3-star rating), ask for a room at the back or a side alley. Views from the front are of the road and shopfronts – not scenic. No mountain views from a standard budget address.
Quietest floors
Floors 2-3 (top floor in a typical 3-storey building). Most of the guest noise dissipates by the upper level, and you're further from the road and bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Mae Hong Son's main road carries motorbikes and trucks from early morning (5am) to late evening. The hostel's bar or common area may have music until 10-11pm. Also, early departures for tours can create hallway noise from 6am.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive early, ask to see a room before checking in: some rooms are at the back, others right by the lift. 2. The reception may store luggage for free if your room isn't ready – use that.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Purple Monkey Backpackers
free WiFi throughout, good enough for streaming video; login via room number and surname
no lift; all rooms on 2nd and 3rd floors via stairs only
none
standard check-in 14:00-21:00 (later by prior arrangement), early bag drop from 07:00, late check-out fee 100 THB per hour until 14:00 (if available)
free luggage storage in locked room 07:00-22:00
no step-free access; entrance has two steps, ground-floor common area but no accessible toilets or shower; no wheelchair-adapted rooms
no on-site parking; free motorbike parking outside the hostel; nearest public car park is Rop Mueang car park (about 200m walk, free 06:00-22:00, no overnight security)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required at booking; at check-in a 200 THB cash deposit per person for key/locker, refunded on checkout
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดกลาง (105 m · ~1 min walk)
- Mosque: มัสยิดอัลอิสรออุ (467 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดหลวง (667 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัด (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Happy Coconut Indoor Playground — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 142 m · ~2 min walk
Pharmacy — 285 m · ~4 min walk
7-Eleven — 173 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use local bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist shops as they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants; street markets and small shops are cash-only.
Not expected, but round up taxi fares or leave small change (10-20 baht) for good service in restaurants; not required in local eateries.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or iced coffee at a street stall: around 25-35 baht.
Pad Thai or a bowl of noodle soup from a food stall: 40-60 baht.
Simple curry or stir-fry at a local shop: 60-100 baht for a main dish.
Night market near the lake or along the main road in town centre for grilled meats, som tam, and khao soi.
7-Eleven and Lotus's express (small), but no full-size supermarket in town; fresh market for produce.
Local markets like the walking street market on weekends carry cheap t-shirts, sarongs, and hill-tribe handicrafts.
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost 20-40 baht for most in-town trips; from airport, a songthaew into town is about 50-100 baht. No day pass.
Eat at street stalls instead of restaurants; buy water bottles at 7-Eleven (not tourist shops); avoid tuk-tuks and negotiate songthaew fares in advance.
Good to know — Mae Hong Son
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.44 · THB
Emergency Contacts
Mae Hong Son+66 53 612 000
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mae Hong Son, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Purple Monkey Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 142 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacy — 285 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal → Ban Dalah Hotel
💡 Book in advance through a local travel agent or online to secure a seat, and be prepared for a scenic but winding road
Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal → Ban Dalah Hotel
💡 Flag down a songthaew on the main road, and let the driver know your destination; they may not speak English, so be prepared to point to a map
Mae Hong Son Airport → Ban Dalah Hotel
💡 Negotiate the price before you start your journey, and consider sharing a taxi with other passengers to split the cost
Mae Hong Son Airport or town center → Ban Dalah Hotel
💡 Rent a car for the day to explore Mae Hong Son Province at your own pace, and consider hiring a local driver for the day to navigate the roads
About Mae Hong Son
Wikipedia ↗
Mae Hong Son (Northern Thai: ᨾᩯ᩵ᩁᩬ᩵ᨦᩈᩬᩁ; Thai: แม่ฮ่องสอน, pronounced [mɛ̂ː hɔ̂ŋ sɔ̌ːn]) is a town (thesaban mueang) in north-west Thailand, capital of Mae Hong Son Province. It is in the Shan Hills, near the border with Burma along the banks of the River Pai. As of 2018, the town had 7,066 inhabita...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Purple Monkey Backpackers?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from the main road, to reduce street noise. These upper floors give a slightly better chance of a quieter stay, as the communal areas (lobby, bar) are typically on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at Purple Monkey Backpackers?
Tell reception you don't want a room directly above the bar or near the main stairs/lift. Ground-floor rooms are riskier: more foot traffic, noise from the reception/communal area, and possible street-level fumes from the road.
Is Purple Monkey Backpackers noisy?
Mae Hong Son's main road carries motorbikes and trucks from early morning (5am) to late evening. The hostel's bar or common area may have music until 10-11pm. Also, early departures for tours can create hallway noise from 6am.
Which rooms have the best views at Purple Monkey Backpackers?
If the hostel is on the main road (likely, given the 3-star rating), ask for a room at the back or a side alley. Views from the front are of the road and shopfronts – not scenic. No mountain views from a standard budget address.
What are insider tips for staying at Purple Monkey Backpackers?
1. If you arrive early, ask to see a room before checking in: some rooms are at the back, others right by the lift. 2. The reception may store luggage for free if your room isn't ready – use that.
What time is check-in at Purple Monkey Backpackers?
Check-in at Purple Monkey Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Purple Monkey Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
free WiFi throughout, good enough for streaming video; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Purple Monkey Backpackers?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Purple Monkey Backpackers?
Pad Thai or a bowl of noodle soup from a food stall: 40-60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Purple Monkey Backpackers?
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost 20-40 baht for most in-town trips; from airport, a songthaew into town is about 50-100 baht. No day pass.
When is the best time to visit Mae Hong Son?
November to February: cool, dry weather (15-28°C), clear skies for mountain views, and manageable crowds — ideal for trekking.
Top Attractions in Mae Hong Son
💡 Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic views.
💡 The temple is closed during Buddhist holidays, so check the local calendar before visiting.
💡 Be mindful of the weather, as the waterfall may be dry during the dry season.
💡 The museum is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
💡 Come early to snag the best deals and try the local street food.