A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Pai vs. Koh Lipe for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Koh Lipe?

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 Pai and Koh Lipe. 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.

Where Should I go: Pai or Koh Lipe?

Pai

As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.

Koh Lipe

Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Koh Lipe, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe than you might in Pai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Koh Lipe Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pai or Koh Lipe?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Pai or Koh Lipe in the Summer?

Both Koh Lipe and Pai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.

Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets less rain in July than Koh Lipe. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Pai is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Pai or Koh Lipe in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Koh Lipe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Lipe averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Pai or Koh Lipe in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Koh Lipe. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year.

Pai usually gets less rain in January than Koh Lipe. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Pai is generally cooler than Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Pai or Koh Lipe in the Spring?

Both Koh Lipe and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Lipe and Pai