I've spent months in Thailand. Here are 6 things everyone should do there.

Bua Thong Waterfall, more commonly known as The Sticky Waterfall, is a famous multitiered, limestone waterfall in Thailand.

It's nestled within Si Lanna National Park and conveniently located a short trip from the old city of Chiang Mai.

The waterfall's uniqueness is alluded to in its nickname. Due to the dense limestone deposits, you can effortlessly ascend and descend without slipping.

That means, unlike most waterfalls, you can climb from the base to the top. Most people don't even need any special safety equipment or shoes.

Entry is also free, making it one of my favorite attractions for its outstanding beauty and affordability.

My overnight lake trip remains the best and most memorable thing I've done in Thailand. The experience took place on a breathtaking lake in the Khao Sok National Park.

During the trip, kayaks are at your disposal, and the guides encourage you to paddle across the lake and explore. You also trek through the jungle, where head torches illuminate your path as you come across beautiful caves.

In the morning, you head out on a safari with the opportunity to spot wildlife such as monkeys, snakes, and elephants.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience offered the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and adventure, and I got to see the best parts of Khao Sok National Park.

Although Bangkok is well known for its fast-paced urban environment, you can discover moments of serenity within one of the city's beautiful temples.

The sacred sites are a must-see when exploring the vibrant capital city and offer a glimpse into Bangkok's rich culture.

Three temples stood out to me during my visits: Wat Phra Kaew within the Grand Palace grounds, Wat Arun on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and Wat Pho in the Phra Nakhon District.

Wat Pho, in particular, is home to the famous reclining Buddha.

The temples often grant free entry to guests, but there's sometimes a small fee (a couple of dollars) at the really popular ones.

Koh Tao, a small island off the east coast of Thailand, is one of the most affordable places in the world to earn your scuba-diving certification.

Plus, the island has an abundance of marine life that makes every dive unique.

Many diving schools on the island even offer free accommodation as part of their diving packages. This makes the overall experience more budget-friendly for backpackers like myself.

Taking a cooking class solidified my love for Thai cuisine.

We were taught to cook a starter, three mains, and a dessert under the guidance of skilled instructors. As a special touch, we also visited the lively local morning market before the class to see the origins of fresh produce and grab extra ingredients.

We savored our creations, met some lovely people, and were able to take any spare food home. I also walked away with an in-depth cookbook.

Though the class was just a few hours, it left me equipped with newfound skills to experiment with when I returned home.

There are many boat tours to choose from in Koh Phi Phi, but most include multiple stops at iconic spots along the island group.

Mine stopped at Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed "The Beach," and Monkey Beach, where we got to see dozens of cheeky monkeys.

If you opt for an evening tour, some boats stop on a small island for a buffet barbecue dinner while you watch the sunset.

Another highlight of the evening tour was the opportunity to snorkel with bioluminescent plankton. The glow of these tiny organisms in the dark waters creates a magical underwater spectacle.

Snorkels and life jackets were provided, and even those new to snorkeling could take part.