Here is a detailed list of the best things to do in Mae Sot for a fun-filled and meaningful Thai adventure.
Mae Sot lies near the border of Thailand and Myanmar, making it a melting pot of various ethnic cultures and groups. That alone gives the place a unique experience, especially for tourists in cultural and gastronomic adventures. The cultural fusion reflects in the various beliefs and practices of the people which tourists can immerse into.
Many of the inhabitants in Mae Sot are refugees from Myanmar; thus, it is often touted as “Little Burma.” These refugees have been a victim of persecution for years. Thankfully, international and local NGOs have been providing relief and humanitarian support.
Today, Mae Sot is becoming an ideal destination for tourists who prefer laid-back options. Its attractions may not be diverse, but it does brim with natural and cultural wonders waiting for avid trekkers and explorers.
Now, here are some of the things to do in Mae Sot to try.
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Top 10 BEST Things to do in Mae Sot
Meditate at Wat Thai Wattanaram
Wat Thai Wattanaram is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in the area. It reflects Mahayana Buddhism, which is the dominant religion in Myanmar.
As tourists enter, stunning lion statues will greet them. Inside, they’ll see a huge marble Buddha similar to the Buddha image of Wat Don Kaeo. Another iconic attraction here is a huge reclining Buddhist statue-lined by smaller statues. Located at the Ta Sai Luat District, the temple continues to attract both Burmese and Thai pilgrims.
WHERE TO STAY? Best hotels in Mae Sot
Explore Taksin Maharat National Park
Home to a plethora of flora and fauna species, the Taksin Maharat National Park is a must-visit haven, especially for avid trekkers, nature lovers, and extreme adventurers. One of its famous landmarks is the Ton Krabak Yasi, considered the tallest tree in Thailand.
It measures more than 50 meters high with a diameter of 5 meters. It takes seven to ten people to circle the massive buttress of the tree. The park is also home to countless waterfalls, some of which measures hundreds of meters high. It takes an extra dose of adventurous spirit to reach them.
Tourists will find wildflowers, orchids, reptiles, mammals, and other kinds of plants and animals. Many of the species identified are only found here, making it an essential ecological sanctuary. Other famous destinations in the park are the Saphan Hin Stone Bridge and the Tan Loard Krow Cave.
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Relish the Thermal Waters of Mae Kasa Hot Spring
After exploring forests and waterfalls, tourists can proceed to Mae Kasa Hot Spring to relax on its thermal waters. Locals say that these thermal waterfalls have healing properties. That is why many locals troops here not just to relax but also to experience healing. Not only that, visiting it is a way to interact with community members and rekindling ties.
Tourists can learn a lot from the local culture when they converse with the locals while enjoying the steamy waters. To level up their adventure, tourists can also hike towards a nearby waterfall. Then, they can explore caves with beautiful stalactite and stalagmite rock formations. The hot spring is one of the best places to see in Mae Sot.
WHERE TO STAY? Best hotels in Mae Sot
Have a Shower at the Pha Charoen Falls
Pha Charoen Falls is dubbed as one of the most beautiful Mae Sot waterfalls. Cascading amidst lush forests, the waterfall is only some 40 kilometers from the Mae Sot proper. That makes it an ideal getaway to escape the hustles and bustles of urban living. The waterfall features mini-cascades with shallow pools on each level.
One way to enjoy it is to position on one of the pools while the cascading waters give a caressing massage. Upon reaching the jump-off, tourists will need to conquer a stair consisting of almost 100 steps.
Make sure to wear comfortable hiking clothes and shoes then. There is a restaurant nearby, serving authentic Thai meals and snacks. The waterfall opens at 8 am and closes by 5 pm.
WHERE TO STAY? Best hotels in Mae Sot
Have a Sip on a Burmese Tea Shop
Since Mae Sot is known for its Burmese-Thai cultural fusion, it pays off trying out a tea shop that reflects Burmese culture. Sure, tourists are in the Land of Smiles.
But wouldn’t it be more meaningful to experience other cultures? One of the famous Burmese tea shops is Poe Htoo, located at the heart of the city. Here, tourists can taste a variety of Burmese meals, drinks, and snacks. For the Burmese people, visiting the shop is a culinary indulgence and a chance to hang out with fellow ethnic groups.
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Go Shopping for Handicrafts
Mae Sot is a shopping paradise, especially for tourists looking for unique and traditional items. What’s the good thing about these? They come at relatively super low prices. So for budget-conscious travelers, there’s just nothing like it spending bucks here.
One of the famous places is the Borderline Shop, where tourists can also learn about cooking. Then there’s the WEAVE store, which showcases local handicrafts. This is the best spot for buying traditional products like weavings and sculptures. Tourists are encouraged to buy here to help improve the livelihood of the locals.
WHERE TO STAY? Best hotels in Mae Sot
Shop More at Border Market
Border Market is another ideal spot for buying the best souvenirs in town. Also known as the Rim Moei Market, the Border Market lies some five kilometers away from the city proper. It features a large, indoor bazaar where tourists can find a fantastic variety of goods, including native clothing and rare jade jewelry.
Many accessories sold here are embedded with cultural meanings. Tourists can ask the seller to explain or share the cultural significance of the items sold.
Trek to Thararak Waterfall
Thararak Falls lies some 40 kilometers away from the town proper of Mae Sot. But the distance is no excuse for many who gear up to see its astounding beauty. Thararak Falls cascades on beautiful limestone cliffs and calcified rocks, thus, projecting colorful displays.
One of the stunning features of the waterfall is a large chedi nestled atop one of the fall’s tier. It’s best to visit the waterfall during the rainy months to glimpse its full beauty. During summer, it is reduced to trickles. But just after the rains, it turns into a roaring beauty.
Go around Mae Sot Market
Mae Sot Market is one of the city’s busiest and most vibrant sections. That comes as no surprise as both tourists and locals from different municipalities troop here to buy its numerous offerings.
It is one of the best places to visit when chasing the best of Burmese cuisines with blends of Thai flavors and styles. Moreover, visitors will also find a variety of Burmese garments, accessories, and sculptures worthy of keeps. The prices are so cheap that tourists end up buying bulks of items without breaking the banks.
WHERE TO STAY? Best hotels in Mae Sot
Dine at Khaomao Khaofang Restaurant
Khaomao Khaofang Restaurant offers not only a unique dining experience for visitors but also a relaxing immersion. That’s because tourists can have a semblance of the rainforest with all the lush foliages, blooming flowers, and a beautiful waterfall.
Most of the foods served feature Thai specialties in different regions. The restaurant is also an ideal spot to experience the serene Mae Sot nightlife.
Now those are some of the best things to do in Mae Sot that visitors should not miss to make the most of their Thai experience.
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
