Weekend in Ubon Ratchathani
Trip Overview
This brisk but unhurried 48-hour loop keeps you inside Ubon Ratchathani city and its languid Mekong fringe. First light gilds century-old temple murals, midday markets hiss with fermented pork and charcoal-grilled chicken, and evenings drift into riverside bars where guitar strings mix with the scent of frangipani. One sunrise flight in, one slow train out, good for travelers who want the soul of Isan without leaving the province.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$70-90 per day
Best Seasons
October, February when the air is cool and the Wax Castle Festival nears
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Buddhist art lovers, Night-market foodies, Weekenders from Bangkok
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Old Town Temple Crawl & Moon River Sunset
Ubon Ratchathani city center
Start among golden stupas and end with a blood-orange dusk over the Mekong.
Morning
Walk Wat Thung Si Mueang + Wat Supattanaram
Start at 7 a.m. when monks in saffron robes glide past teak shutters. Wat Thung Si Mueang's wooden scripture library stands on stilts above a lotus pond, you'll hear frogs plop and smell incense curling from brass burners. Ten minutes north, Wat Supattanaram's white prang throws sunrise back into the river.
Lunch
Jay Boon Rod Sai
Afternoon
Ubon Ratchathani National Museum & Thung Si Mueang Park
The 1920s palace turned museum shelters 7th-century Dvaravati sandstone Buddhas and indigo textiles heavy with forest dye. The adjoining park fills with kite flyers. Cicadas drone overhead while you sprawl on soft grass.
Evening
Mekong sunset at Wat Tham Khuha Sawan + dinner at Sunee Tower Rooftop
Cliff-side temple where wind carries salt and sandalwood. Follow with whole grilled snakehead fish, tamarind sauce sticky on fingers, city lights flickering below.
Where to Stay Tonight
Night Bazaar district, Thanon Phromsawat (Ratchathani Hotel)
Steps from weekend walking street and 5-minute tuk-tuk to riverfront bars
See all Ubon Ratchathani accommodation options →Bring socks. Temple floors are burning at noon even in cool season.
Day 1 Budget: $75
2
Wax Castle Craft & Candlelight Jazz
Ubon Ratchathani craft villages & riverside
Hands-on wax sculpting, spicy mushroom salad, and live jazz drifting across the Moon River.
Morning
Ban Thung Kae Wax Castle Workshop
In a jasmine-scented courtyard 15 minutes south, artisans slice golden beeswax into temple miniatures. You'll press tiny stupas onto banana-leaf trays while incense coils overhead and the sweet smell of warm wax clings to fingertips.
Call the day before. Sessions fill fast in July-October
Lunch
Paa Nid Mushroom Farm Restaurant
Afternoon
Ubon Ratchathani Wax Castle Festival grounds rehearsal
If visiting pre-festival, watch teams rehearse candle parades, giant wax dragons shimmer in the sun, drums echoing off corrugated roofs. Otherwise, wander weekend Talad Nad for hand-woven mat-mee silk that still carries the faint scent of indigo dye vats.
Evening
Moon River Jazz Bar & Night Market crawl
Begin with lemongrass mojitos at Moon River Jazz, move to grilled pork skewers at Thanon Phichit night stalls, finish with coconut ice cream drizzled with palm sugar.
Where to Stay Tonight
Same as night one for easy luggage storage (Ratchathani Hotel)
Late-night riverside bars are 200 m walk; tuk-tuks scarce after midnight
See all Ubon Ratchathani accommodation options →Pack a cotton scarf, river breeze turns cool after 9 p.m. even in March.
Day 2 Budget: $85
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
GrabBike for short hops, tuk-tuks for temple circuits. Airport to city is 15 minutes ($4). Overnight train to Bangkok departs 18:30, book lower bunk for river views.
Book Ahead
Wax Castle workshop slot, weekend hotel room during festival months, train sleeper berth.
Packing Essentials
Light cotton layers, SPF 50, insect repellent, temple scarf, refillable bottle, power bank.
Total Budget
$150-175 for the whole weekend including transport
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay at Sri Isan Hostel dorm, eat at Muang Thong food court, swap workshop for free temple grounds visit, weekend drops to $45 total.
Luxury Upgrade
Upgrade to Tohsang Khongjiam Resort riverside villa, private guide for temple murals, sunset yacht on the Mekong, weekend rises to $250-300.
Family-Friendly
Add Ubon Zoo morning for gibbons and hornbills, choose air-conditioned restaurants with high chairs, finish evenings at Thung Si Mueang fountain playground, kids sleep early.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in Ubon Ratchathani
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Ubon Ratchathani.
See All Ubon Ratchathani Tours on Viator