Chiang Mai unplugged: the off-duty guide for digital nomads

If you’ve been threatening to start a podcast for years, Chiang Mai is the place where it actually happens. There’s a ton popping up across the city but Studio by Char stands out to us. Not only do they make the whole process feel easy, polished and professional, they also have tons of backdrops and decor you can use to make the scene your own. Think of it as a lifestyle-first podcast studio that’s built for those who want content that looks as good as it sounds.

What makes it especially nomad-friendly is the hands-on service. The team brings high-end equipment and helps get you set up with an on-site technician managing lighting, cameras and audio so you can focus on the conversation. Optional full edits are also available if you want a ready-to-post final cut.

Studio by Char. B1,400 per hour. Ragang Road. 8am-5.30pm, closed Tuesday

CNX3D is where Chiang Mai’s makers, founders and creative tinkerers go when they’re ready to stop talking and start building. Whether you’re designing a product, testing a new packaging concept, creating a physical prototype for a pitch or experimenting with custom parts, this 3D printing studio can take your file and turn it into a real object, fast.

What makes CNX3D especially useful for digital nomads is the flexibility: they handle both FDM plastic printing and high-detail SLA resin printing, covering everything from function to finishing. They also offer 3D scanning services, which is a game-changer if you’re working from an existing object or need to reverse-engineer a component. 

CNX3D. From B150 (FDM) and B300 (SLA resin). Photharam Road. 9.30am-5.30pm, closed Sunday

Sure, Grab is easy but if you really crave some  quality produce, your favourite imports or the odd fancy snack or bottle of plonk, then Rimping is the answer. 

With branches all over the city, it’s an easy weekly staple no matter where you’re based. The Maya location is especially convenient if you’re staying around Nimman and working international hours. Also great for a quick stop after the gym or a nighttime coworking sesh – or so we hear. 

But for those workaholics who genuinely can’t get away from their computer, Paleo Robbie is the go-to nomad-fave for healthy online ordering, with meals and top-notch ingredients delivered straight to your door. 

Rimping Supermarket. Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center and other locations. 10am-10pm (9pm for other locations)

Food4Thought is one of Chiang Mai’s best social lunch spots, whether you’re meeting someone new, taking a break between calls or stretching a quick lunch into an afternoon. The menu is built around quality ingredients and comfort favourites done properly, from some of the best breakfasts in town to salads, sandwiches, pasta and a bakery lineup that’s dangerously easy to over-order from.

There’s a flagship branch near Nimman, plus a newer location east of town set inside a stunning old house that feels made for long, slow meals and maybe even some laptop action (noooo!). They also host community events, making it an easy place to plug into the Chiang Mai social scene.

Food4Thought East @113 Compound. Bumruangrad Road 8am-10pm

 If Chiang Mai has a love language, it’s coffee. And while there’s many a great barista to parlez with, Akha Ama speaks it fluently. Founded by Lee Ayu Chuepa from the Akha hill tribe, the brand is built on a story of self-reliance – coffee could become a way for his community to thrive, not just survive.

What’s different here is that Akha Ama operates as a social enterprise, buying coffee directly from Akha farmers at fair prices while supporting sustainable intercropping methods that grow coffee alongside fruits, tea and vegetables. The focus on quality and speciality processing helped turn local beans into an internationally recognised product, with real impact back home. 

It’s also why the cafe has become a favourite for nomads – there’s outdoor seating, a quiet second floor for focused laptop time and you can stock up on custom-ground beans and even Nespresso pods. With four branches in Chiang Mai, it’s an easy daily ritual and for the full story, you can even visit their Living Factory and roastery in Mae Rim.

Akha Ama Phrasingh. Rachadamnoen Road. 8am-5.30pm

Bangkok’s brunch favourite Fran’s has finally expanded to Chiang Mai (yay!), bringing with it the same modern, greenhouse-style vibe and a menu rooted in American comfort food. Led by Chef Chalee Kader, one of Thailand’s most in-demand chefs, the concept is built around all-day brunch done properly, with quality ingredients and a menu designed for repeat visits.

This is where you go for the brunch classics. We’re talkin’ eggs, bacon, pancakes, breakfast plates and sandwiches – the lot. They also make their own sourdough and bagels, which gives the menu a real house-made edge. There’s a full bar too – because who says no to a morning mimosa? – and the space regularly hosts special dinners with visiting chefs, often paired with live DJs. We recommend the silver dollar pancakes.

Fran’s Chiang Mai. Soi Sainamphueng. 8am-10pm

Deep Green is not your typical bar, but it’s got Chiang Mai written all over it. Set inside a wooden house surrounded by lush gardens, it feels more like someone’s dreamy backyard, with plenty of outdoor seating and a pool that has a resort-like edge. 

Although open daily, the real move is to go on event nights, when the venue packs out with nomads, expats and Thais all looking to dance, chat and listen to live bands and DJs. There’s even the odd market or daytime yoga and wellness sessions if you prefer. 

Whether you’re in the mood to dance, eat, browse, or just hang out by the pool with a drink, it’s one of the easiest places to plug into the city’s creative nightlife scene without the noise of a full club night out.

Deep Green @ Deejai Garden. Rachamanka Road.

Chiang Mai’s contrast therapy scene is a gift to anyone spending too much time at a desk. Whether you want a full wellness hang, a quiet minimalist soak or a social pool day with extra recovery perks, the city is so full of places to reset and recover that we couldn’t choose just one. 

The Cocoon Sauna & Ice Bath is probably our fave – an all-in-one option south of town, with a saltwater pool, dry sauna, ice bath and a beautiful bell-shaped herbal steam room. It’s easy to spend hours here, especially with yummy food and drinks on-site. Their evening sauna parties with DJs and beers are especially fun. 

The Old City Spa is another, more wellness-centric spot that (if the name didn’t give it away) is right in the heart of the city. This garden oasis offers a full recovery lineup – dry sauna, Thai herbal steam, infrared sauna, ice bath and onsen. Nice extras include free hot teas and water, plus a complimentary scrub.

Hokka-An Sauna & Steam is minimalist, quiet and deeply peaceful, with two mineral onsens, a cold plunge and sauna. The best choice if you want to switch off completely and avoid crowds. And Looper Swimming Pool is the place to be seen swimming laps, with a lively pool vibe and hot onsens and ice bath poolside for the perfect post-swim reset. 

And while these four really fit the bill, our longer list of onsens and ice baths in Chiang Mai can be found here. 

Looper Swimming Pool. Yu Yen Road. 7am-9pm

The Cocoon Sauna & Ice Bath. Nam Phrae. 12pm-7pm (12pm-10pm on Thursday) 

The Old City Spa. Intrawarorot Road. 10am-10pm

Hokka-An Sauna & Steam. Thongkaw Road. 1pm-10pm

If your nervous system feels like it has 47 tabs open, do as our writers do and book a sound bath at Chiang Mai Holistic. This wellness hub near Nimman is one of the city’s most established spots for sound healing, with weekly group sessions that use Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls and mixed sound journeys that fully shift you into rest mode.

Beyond the sound baths, it’s also a full wellness centre with yoga classes, workshops and training programmes, including crystal singing bowl training for anyone tempted to learn a new skillset. 

Chiang Mai Holistic. Classes from B300. 17/8 Canal Road. 9am-7.30pm

If you want a quick nature reset close to town, Monk’s Trail is one of Chiang Mai’s best easy hikes. It’s about a 30-minute climb through a jungle path to Wat Pha Lat, a forest temple that used to be the main stopping point on the original walking route up to Doi Suthep temple.

You can keep hiking further if you want, but Wat Pha Lat is the real reward – a waterfall runs through the temple grounds, and there are quiet corners to sit and catch your breath, with stunning views over the city below. Start early to beat the crowds and the heat. Sure, a new B200 surcharge may sting a bit after that beautiful hike but we like to think of it as a donation to keep the place so beautiful. Remember, wear appropriate clothes or you’ll not be allowed in – this means covering shoulders and legs above the knee. 

Wat Pha Lat. Sriwichai Alley. 6am-5.30pm

While there are countless boxing gyms around Chiang Mai, our pick has to be Core Combat – a solid option for nomads looking to try our Muay Thai, especially if you want a structured routine beyond the usual drop-in gym culture. 

Fully licensed by Thailand’s Ministry of Education, it offers sessions on Thai and Western boxing alongside MMA, self-defence and Eskrima, all under one roof. 

What we like about this spot is that it's especially practical for nomads and long-stayers – the gym supports long-term visa routes through training, including DTV ‘Soft Power’ packages and ED visas via martial arts courses.

Core Combat Chiang Mai. Changklan Road. 9am-8pm (9am-5pm Saturday, closed Sunday)

Regular gyms are just as ubiquitous as Muay Thai studios, with Muscular Lair standing out for those who want a proper weightlifting gym with serious equipment and a focused training vibe. 

The machines and gear are top quality, imported from the US, Italy and Korea, and the space attracts people who actually come to lift, not just pose. It’s also known for its community feel – we’re talking friendly regulars, helpful staff and a conversational vibe. A real favourite for long-stayers.

Muscular Lair. Sirithorn Road. 8am-10pm

It’s a hat trick of endless options, with massage spots coming in next. There’s really no bad choice when it comes to a good squeeze, but Chiang Mai Foot Massage is one of the most reliable we know. Sure, it’s  a proper no-frills massage spot, but especially good if you like your treatments on the stronger side. 

They have two branches, each as good as the other, with – to no surprise – their foot massage being the best thing on the menu. Expect therapists who properly go in and know how to work out real tension, using tools like guasha and small massage hammers to target tight spots. You can also combine your foot massage with a shoulder or head massage for an extra hit of relief, because why not?

Chiang Mai Foot Massage (Branch 2). Kotchasarn Road. 11am-10pm

One of the fastest ways to waste money in Thailand is through bad ATM habits. If you’re withdrawing cash, try using ATMs attached to banks rather than freestanding machines, which are more vulnerable to card skimming and scams. When you do withdraw, take out the maximum amount you’re comfortable carrying, since Thai ATMs usually charge a flat fee of around B200-B250 per transaction regardless of the amount. 

For cash exchange, banks are also the safest and most straightforward option. Many exchange booths can be extremely picky about the condition of your bills (creases, tears, marks, even small imperfections), while banks tend to be more forgiving.