Last Updated on August 29, 2024
Sweet & Salty
Pen Cave Homestay is an ideal location for unwinding and daydreaming. Excellent accommodation and the facilities have been built to a high standard with no expense spared.
Since the last 20 years, Pen Cave has served as a homestay. In the jungle, you’re having a really deep Northern Thai experience, close to nature and the local’s way of life.

The aroma of the fresh coffee could be smelled halfway down the road. It’s a real pleasure to sit on a wooden deck and drink while facing the rising sun. Pen is the host, who cooked delicious food for the guests. Anyone who decides to stay will not be disappointed.

She grows organic vegetables and fruits in the garden behind the kitchen, and you can smell and see the local flora. It includes many beneficial herbs and medicinal plants. Here, you can enjoy the sounds of the surrounding jungle.

What about her cottage?
There are 2 lovely teakwood cottages and 1 bamboo hut. The cost starts at 900 THB for 2 people. Of course, each room has a private bathroom with shower and hot water facilities and a private terrace.

The cottages can sleep 2–4 people. If you come with 3 people, the price will be 1,200 THB, and for 4 people, 1,600 THB, respectively.

Facilities
- Car Park
- Free WiFi
- Hot shower
- Garden

How to make a reservation
Pen has stopped booking online through affiliate programs. She does not provide full hotel services. Guests may not have access to her unique style of service. That may not correspond to general needs.
You can book directly through her website. This will involve contacting and confirming your booking via email.

Furthermore, if you have booked a room, please request a transfer service from/to your destination. I think booking should include a private pick-up service if you stay here. Traveling by public bus may also be inconvenient.
Here, you can enjoy the sounds of the surrounding jungle. I usually come over here with our clients from Denmark. Our travel agency, “C&C Travel” has included Pen Cave Homestay in their itinerary.

Restaurant
Sweet & Salty is a nickname and trademark. The shop is a medium-dark yellow building. Decorated with teak furniture. The tables and chairs are designed in an unproportioned way. There is a rooftop deck with hammock-style chairs for relaxing.

There is a standard coffee machine, and coffee beans are grown and roasted herself. The roasted coffee beans are sold in her local product zone.
The kitchen is next to the coffee counter. She has standard cooking equipment. Most of the dishes are taken from her own organic garden.

Pen focuses on non-toxic food. So she has a vegetable and fruit garden that she uses for cooking. She also uses local vegetables that provide nutrition, which she gets from her community nearby.
How to get there
The location is near Lod Cave, and it takes about 1:30 hours by road from Mae Hong Son. You can get directions on Google Maps easily. Or required our car service to reach there.
See Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/FJvjwuUNiLYWmkNSA
From Pai
Get up the van at terminal from Pai District, a distance of approximately 45 km., takes about 1 hour, ticket price is 150 THB, then travel by motorcycle taxi 9 km approximately 15 minutes; the cost is 70 THB to Pen Cave Homestay.
That seems convenient and takes less time. But traveling by public van is not convenient at all.
Because the van has 2 distances: Chiang Mai-Pai and Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son. You will have to wait for the van that will go to Mae Hong Son. There will be no van leaving from Pai to Pang Mapha directly.
If there are no passengers picking up or dropping off at Pai District, the van will not stop by, and you will have to find a ticket or wait for the next round.

From Mae Hong Son
It will be easier to find tickets. Since that is the main starting point,. And there are often stops along the way.
From Mae Hong Son bus terminal to the bus stop in Pang Mapha District, the distance is 70 km, 150 THB, approximately 1.30 hours. Get off and then travel by motorcycle taxi, similar to traveling from Pai.
From Chiang Mai
If you like to travel on mountain roads with winding roads, you can use the van service. Total distance: 170 km, approximately 4.30 hours.
A seat in minivan from Chiang Mai to Pang Mapha (Sop Pong) costs 250 THB : 4 hours. A motorbike taxi from Soppong to Pen Cave Homestay costs 70 THB and takes 15 minutes.
The more convenient option is a car with an experienced driver And you can stop at coffee shops and restaurants along the way. Please contact www.yeschiangmai.com.
Private Transfe
We have a team of van and pickup truck partners from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. You can contact us in advance.
Activities around Pen Cave
There are various activities you can contact and ask for information from here if you don’t mind. Please feel free to plan your trip.

Trekking
If you miss trekking in Mae Hong Son, Sop Pong can support you with another option. There are both 1-day and 2-day treks, which can include Lod Cave.

Cavern
In addition, Pen knows and is an expert on nearby caves. She may take you to visit during your free half day in the morning or afternoon.

Cooking
Pen cooks delicious food. Of course, if you want to learn, just let her know. And the organic plants just walk out of your room. Ask her to give you a special lesson.

Culture
Sop Pong has hill tribe villages nearby, including ethnic Lisu, Red and Black Lahu, Karen, and Hmong. Starting from Pen Cave is easy. Going on your own or having her take you would be great.
All these activities are seasonal; it’s definitely not a special program. During peak seasons, she may not be able to process it for you. Please contact her and plan in advance. She will be able to prepare these activities for you.
Related links
For more information, you can also visit the website at Pen Cave Homestay. You also require our taxi or transfer service to get there.
Prempracha Transport is a public van service provider on the Chiang Mai-Pai-Sop Pong-Mae Hong Son route. Online ticket booking may not cover all sections of your travel.