Pai Circus Hostel
Ever dream of learning fire poi by night and swimming in an infinity pool by day, all to the backdrop of green mountains? For as little as $10 a night you can live in the lap of luxury at Pai Circus Hostel in northern Thailand, while also hanging with rad humans passing joints and beers around every hour, everyday.
The fire show and lessons come once a week, along with open mic nights, but you’ll always find someone spontaneously grabbing equipment and teaching others or themselves. If you’re looking for something quieter and more relaxing, there is also morning yoga and a craft station generally initiated by other hostel members.
I met a few people who had passports stolen or had given the last of their cash to Thai police to pay off fines for carrying pot, who spent the days working as volunteers at the hostel for free accommodation/food until they fixed their situations. They helped out by either painting murals, organizing music nights, working on social media accounts, as a front desk agent or as a yoga teacher. The list was endless. And even if you aren’t broke or stuck, you can volunteer here for a minimum of two weeks for room and board - but be ready to present some sort of useful skill or labour.
With all the numerous activities and bohemian/hippie-esque crowd that stays there, you’ll also find people tripping on mushrooms they dug up from elephant poo or from a mushroom smoothie they bought down the street. Pai’s infamous shakes can be purchased from a bar on one of the main streets, but I suggest sharing one between 2 or 3 friends as they can be fairly strong (even for experienced trippers).
Or just enjoy being in natural surroundings, indulging in a complimentary breakfast, free Wi-fi or renting a motorbike to find secret waterfalls. For some, this hostel can be a little too fun. I woke up several times to girls puking from their top bunks on people below, or else others who drifted with ease into the blackhole of chaos and inclusivity at this hostel, to never really set foot outside of it and explore Pai local life.
This hippie backpacker paradise holds space for all sorts of eccentric travelers and even if you don’t associate with that particular subculture, you still find yourself making friends quickly. Everyone is genuinely interested in holding conversations and getting to know you. My only complaint is that it can be a little clique-y because of a few who still pretend that what they’re wearing or how they’re behaving qualifies them as greater human beings. Just avoid these people, there’s many more gems around.
But as with any place, don’t overstay your welcome. There’s more wonderful places to explore in the colourful country. Plus, there’s only so many days you can sit by a pool completely stoned and drunk for the fifth day in a row (though, probably more).
