A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Los Angeles for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Los Angeles. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a temple-filled, laid-back, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a energetic, dynamic, and glamourous city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Chiang Mai and Los Angeles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

You'll generally find more things to do in Los Angeles than Chiang Mai. Los Angeles is bigger than Chiang Mai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Los Angeles is better known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Chiang Mai is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Chiang Mai is well known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Los Angeles is well known for is many A-list celebrities, its world-famous clubs and venues, its glamourous beaches, and being the location of the iconic Hollywood. Also, Los Angeles is famous for Hollywood.

How is Chiang Mai different from Los Angeles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Los Angeles and Chiang Mai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Spend time exploring the terrific sights and museums in either Chiang Mai or Los Angeles.

Travelers visit Chiang Mai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Los Angeles are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has an eclectic list of monuments and museums. Notable landmarks include the famous Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Theater?

Los Angeles is a great city for theatre. However, Chiang Mai is not a theatre destination.

Los Angeles offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. While most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA, the city also has a thriving stage presence. Musicals and plays are popular throughout the city.

Chiang Mai is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and Los Angeles both to be terrific destinations.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

For foodies, Los Angeles is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. As a huge and diverse city, there is no shortage of amazing food options around town. There are a wide range of cuisines represented and many different neighborhoods that specialize in specific types of food. Popular dishes around town include Cobb Salads, Mexican Tacos, and the French Dip Sandwich.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Nightlife?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Los Angeles just to party. The city's nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. There are glamorous clubs where you might spot a celebrity, as well as local dives with a more down-to-earth vibe. Some of the most famous clubs in the city include Academy, Avalon, and Boardner's.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Music?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Los Angeles is known as a music capital around the world. Music, movies, and show business - it's all part of what Los Angeles is known for. Several famous music venues include The Greek Theatre, Whiskey a Go Go, and The Roxy Theatre.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Resorts?

Los Angeles is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Los Angeles to choose from. The city is home to a number of high end resorts including The Beverly Hill Hotel, The Langham Huntington Pasadena, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Los Angeles is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Los Angeles. The coastal setting means that there are a number of places where you can put on a mask and hop in the water. Popular snorkeling or diving spots near the city include Santa Catalina Island, Diver's Cove, and Crystal Cove State Park. Many visitors find the water to be a bit chili, but the wildlife is unique and beautiful.

Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Beaches?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Los Angeles offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Ranging from beaches with stunning natural beauty to those with glamourous and fun atmospheres, this city has a number of beaches to choose from. There are many fun and high-energy urban beach settings, and there are also beaches that are lined with parks and offer a more natural environment. Some of the most popular are Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and Redondo Beach.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Los Angeles does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Los Angeles does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Chiang Mai and Los Angeles, and they are terrific.

Chiang Mai is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

People visit Los Angeles specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. In and around the city you'll find world class urban hiking with views of the mountains and the ocean. Some of the most well-known hikes include the Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood, Runyon Canyon, and the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

If you're looking to go shopping, Chiang Mai and Los Angeles both offer plenty of terrific spots.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

The abundance of shops in Los Angeles make it a world-class shopping destination. Although it's most famous for the high end shopping at Rodeo Drive, there are actually many different shopping venues throughout the city. Other famous shopping areas include Robertson Blvd and the Grove.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Families?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Los Angeles is very family-friendly. With its many amusement parks, including nearby Disneyland, and its countless family-friendly parks and playgrounds, there is no shortage of things to do with kids around the city. Favorite activities include the amusement parks, exploring Venice Beach, a trip to the California Science Center, and taking a Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

Chiang Mai is a very kid-friendly city. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Couples?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Los Angeles is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It is a large, sprawling city with tucked away romantic scenes that are perfect for a couple's getaway or a dream honeymoon. There are also trendy nightclubs, world-class restaurants, and high-energy beaches that make for iconic date activities.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Los Angeles is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Chiang Mai, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Los Angeles. The city is a major travel destination for all types, and backpackers will find no shortage of hostels or budget friendly accommodation around town.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Students?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Los Angeles is a very popular place to visit for students. International students have long flocked to this for its major universities and diverse setting. Major universities in the area include UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chiang Mai and Los Angeles both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Chiang Mai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Los Angeles has a few public transit options. Many of the public transit options are overlooked by visitors for a number of reasons, but options include the subway, light rail, and buses.

Is Chiang Mai or Los Angeles a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and Los Angeles are notable when it comes to walkability.

Chiang Mai is somewhat walkable. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

Los Angeles is a somewhat walkable place. The city is sprawling, but some of the neighborhoods are more walkable than others. Some of the more walkable neighborhoods include Hollywood, Koreatown, Downtown, and MacArthur Park.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Los Angeles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Los Angeles or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Both Chiang Mai and Los Angeles have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Los Angeles has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Los Angeles than Chiang Mai. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 5-7 days is enough time in Los Angeles.

Families should spend more time in Los Angeles than Chiang Mai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Los Angeles, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Los Angeles than Chiang Mai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Los Angeles that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Chiang Mai is a friendly city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With shopping and museums around the multicultural city of Los Angeles, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Chiang Mai is a friendly big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With museums and theater around the big city destination of Los Angeles, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Chiang Mai is a laid-back city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Los Angeles, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Chiang Mai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Los Angeles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Los Angeles is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles than you might in Chiang Mai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Los Angeles, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Los Angeles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Los Angeles. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Los Angeles. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Los Angeles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Los Angeles. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Los Angeles in the Winter?

Both Los Angeles and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Los Angeles. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles and Chiang Mai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in April than Los Angeles. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Chiang Mai