Krabi province, Thailand

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Krabi, Thailand

When you fly to this country for the first time, it is very easy to get lost among the choice of beach holidays. We did not want to take an organized tour to Thailand, just to find a crowd of drunk party people. Instead, we aimed forthe sea, culture, and beautiful mountains and islands. Therefore, after spending time deciding between Pattaya and Phuket, we chose a different location - Krabi.

Itinerary

Accommodation

Itinerary

Let's start with one of the most frequently asked questions: "Uh ... what sea is next to Thailand?" I will answer right away - on the west side it is the Andaman Sea, on the east - the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea. And as there is the sea, there are also islands. We decided to visit several islands and a peninsula, which can only be reached by water. All of them are listed below. Plus - our base for the trip, Krabi Town. By clicking on each, you can go to the appropriate section and read our impressions of the place and its attractions.

1

Phi Phi ⇨ Go to section!

2

Ko Lanta ⇨ Go to section!

3

Railay ⇨ Go to section!

4

Ao Nang and Krabi town ⇨ Go to section!

The locations are rated based on five parameters listed below. I emphasize that this is only our opinion that we received visiting Thailand in December. It is possible that in the summer there is a completely different story.

1

Sights

How interesting is it in our opinion? How beautiful is it? Are attractions close to each other and are they convenient to get to?

2

Public transport

Are there many public transport lines and how much do they cover the place? Does he walk often enough? Is the price justified for the service provided?

3

Safety

How comfortable and calm did we feel there?

4

Shops

Is the working time convenient? Is the assortment wide? Does the price / quality ratio of goods satisfy?

5

Beaches

Cleanliness, beauty, workload. Is it conveniently located from the city center? Is the beach surface and coastal bottom comfortable? Transparency and purity of water.

Phi Phi

Phi Phi is an archipelago of several islands. The inhabited of them is Phi Phi Don. We had 2 nights on the island of Phi Phi, but we arrived around 4 p.m. and left the island at 11 a.m. Given the fact that you get up there on average at 6 in the morning, this was quite enough.

A few comments about each item

This is an island. Therefore, on the one hand, everything is pretty close. But! Almost all tourists come here to watch the beach from the movie "Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio. So this beach is located on another island called Phi Phi Lee. You have to get there by boat. The beach itself is now closed due to environmental restrictions, so at best you can see its bay and do some snorkeling.

There are no bus or public transport lines here. But joyful boaters are always ready to take you anywhere on a taxi boat. The prices are reasonable, bargaining is appropriate. To reduce the price of your passage, you can find a group of fellow tourists and share a ride.

Nearly on every turn you see a sign with tsunami warning and escape route. This is somewhat scary. In addition, you often run into suspicious giant millipedes. But everything else is very calm.

Several 7eleven shops basically cover everything you need for a comfortable stay on the island. In addition there is a number of small tourism shops with beach clothing and souvenirs.

The two best accessible beaches are not the cleanest due to the huge number of boats. In addition, due to strong tides, there is a risk of being in the water ankle-deep. But as soon as you sail away, the views are gorgeous!

Sights

Public transport

Safety

Shops

Beaches

Phi Phi Lee

It is on this island that the famous Maya beach is located, where most tourists seek to go. You cannot enter the beach, but you can do snorkeling in the bay. It is worth going as early as possible, because the place is very touristy. In addition to this activity at Phi Phi Lee, there is good snorkelling in the Loh Samah Bay, a tiny beach in the Pileh Lagoon, and you can admire the Viking Cave from the water.

Viewpoints

Officially there are 3 of them. Viewpoint 1 and 2 are located on the same territory, the entrance costs 30 baht. Finding the place is very easy, because there are signs with directions throughout the island. The climb is heavy. Viewpoint 3 is separate, the entrance to it costs 20 baht. In addition to these viewpoints, there are at least two more abandoned viewing points. To reach them them, go through the jungle for about half an hour from the viewpoint 3. Take comfortable shoes!

Northern part of the island - Loh Ba Kao and Loh Lana

If you are not afraid of long hiking through the jungle and monkeys, then you can walk to the eastern bay of Lo Ba Khao. By the way, in the city you can find organized excursions for this, but this route can be completed independently and for free. The views are spectacular, down in the village you will find great food. On the way back, I advise you to take a boat in the bay of Lo Lana or Nui beach.

Monkey Beach

There are several of them in Phi Phi Don. We visited the beach in Ton Sai Bay. There were very few tourists at 9 in the morning, the monkeys, for the most part, were still asleep. Those who woke up to greet tourists and have breakfast boldly jumped right into the sea and tried catching bananas that were thrown from the boats. A larger beach with monkeys is located on the side of Loh Dalum. To get there, you can rent a kayak for 200 baht per hour.

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta is an archipelago consisting of two large islands (Ko Lanta Yai and Ko Lanta Noi) and many small ones. We stayed at Ko Lanta Yai in the Haad Khlong Khong area for 2 nights. During this time, there were electricity cuts around 10 times and for about a day there was no water in the taps.

A few comments about each item

It is easy to visit the sights that are indicated on the maps and which all kinds of tourist offices advertise, under one condition - you must have your own transport. Not to feel isolated in Ko Lanta, rent a scooter. We rented our own for 200 baht per day.

From the previous fact follows paragraph 2 - public transport. In addition to the above-mentioned taxi boats, we saw cute mototaxis, but never a bus. The only alternative close to public transport is a shared minivan or large tuk-tuk.

Regarding safety, it is worth noting the local driving style: without helmets, up to four people on one scooter, sometimes without headlights. Add to this the absence of sidewalks and the presence of the ubiquitous macaques, ready to grab a piece of fruit from anyone's hands.
At night I still did not want to step onto something suspiciously rustling in the grass, which could well turn out to be a meter long monitor lizard.

There are a few 7eleven on the island. But when there were power outages, all the ice cream they had melted and was not subject to consumption. It is better to buy fruits from local sellers in the markets.

Everything is fine with the beaches - there are a lot of them, they are diverse. On one you can meet the dawn, on the other - the sunset. On one dance to reggae music and watch a fire show, on the other - admire the stars. But on all beaches you need to be careful so as not to step on a hesitating crab or, again, monkeys.

Sights

Public transport

Safety

Shops

Beaches

Viewpoints

Observation platforms are scattered throughout the island. Some of them are abandoned, but it's still worth getting there. There are several types of restaurants. We liked the View Point Restaurant with views of Ko Bu Bu and Ko Kam, Panorama Restaurant in the south of the island from the east and Bamboo Bay Valley Restaurant with views of Bamboo Beach. The most convenient way to visit them is to get on a rented bike. Choose the time of sunset or dawn in order to enjoy even more spectacular colors.

Khlong Chak waterfall

Khlong Chak is located at the end of a 25-minute walk through the jungle along the river, which you will have to cross more than once. A visit to the waterfall is also included in the programs of many excursions, although the jungle can be accessed for free. If you come here by bike or car, you only need to pay 20 or 40 baht for parking. We came around 8 in the morning when there was no one to pay to. On the way back we met 3-4 groups of tourists. There is a cave in the jungle - not to miss! This is an extremely impressive sight.

Old town

On the east coast of the island you can visit Old Town Lanta. On the maps you can still find the name Baan Si Raya for this place. In fact, this is a village with many souvenir shops, cafes, a pier and a temple on the bay. Very nice relaxed atmosphere. Water links are established with Ko Por, Ko Bu Bu and Ko Ngai.
P.S. The giant pictured crab is located next to the pier.

Railay

Railey is a peninsula located between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. You can get here only by boat. We honestly tried to find a way overland. We arrived with the first possible boat and left unwillingly with the last. This was definitely the best beach we visited in Thailand.

A few comments about each item

The most beautiful beach, the most breathtaking viewpoint, the most difficult hiking ...

Buy a public boat ticket in advance in both directions in order to ensure that you are not left on the island. Otherwise, individual taxi boats are too overpriced. The peninsula itself is small, so you need to walk here on foot.

The biggest danger is to fall when climbing to the observation deck or in a cave. The only thing that can be advised is to take high-quality trekking shoes and train to pull yourself in advance.

Since this is a resort, all shops are hotels. There is another interesting option - boat restaurants. We did not take the risk and still advise you to bring along the necessary food for the day.

The most beautiful is Phra Nang. In addition, two more beaches. But on one of them there is a long pier, and on the other already in the morning a lot of taxi boats with tourists from Ao Nang. Swim on any beach in the morning. Then the tide takes the sea away.

Sights

Public transport

Safety

Shops

Beaches

Viewpoint

With both hands you grab the ropes, with your feet you rest against the clay earth mixed with roots - and go! To the top! 20 minutes of confident cardio, and you are dirty, but happy. The view is fantastic. True, you also have shortness of breath too. And then gently down. The main thing is good shoes. The start of the climb is easy to find: there are always a dozen of timid tourists staring at the brave tree climbers. If you get there when everyone is still sleeping, feel free to go up at the plate "It is not allowed to climb up", hidden next to the path.

Cave between West Beach and Phra Nang Beach

This is the hardest hiking we've ever had. Inside the cave you have to climb 4 bamboo ladders tied to a rock, and pass part of the route, pulling yourself on the ropes. As a result, you will see a breathtaking view and realize that you can achieve more than you think. Sweaty palms, dirty knees come as a bonus. To climb, a flashlight and trekking shoes or sneakers are required. We also recommend taking a light backpack with water and antibacterial wipes.

Phra Nang Princess Cave

This is a place of worship. A small temple and many, many offerings are located at the entrance to the cave. They are put to bring happiness to the family, the birth of a child, fidelity of spouses. It looks quite specific, although you normally come here already prepared and ready to see everything. Around the cliff in which the cave is located, you can take a walk during low tide in the afternoon and there are even laid tracks for climbers. In the shade of the rocks on the beach of the same name, it is comfortable to relax from the scorching sun, but be ready for crowds of tourists.

Ao Nang and Krabi Town

In Krabi Town we stayed for one night upon arrival in the region and two nights after visiting the islands. You cannot fly directly to the islands, you need to take a boat. There are two options: buy a ticket for a boat at least a day before the trip or arrange a private transfer at a convenient time for you with a taxi boat. In a taxi boat, in principle, you can go immediately. But this luxury doesn't come cheap. In addition, in the dark, we did not meet anyone who would agree to go. And it’s dark there after 6 pm and most of the boatsmen go to sleep in the open sea. From Krabi Town we took a boat to Railey and Phi Phi, and by minibus we got to Ao Nang.

A few comments about each item

Krabi Town is a transit point. Therefore, there are no special attractions here. Only a temple with a beautiful observation deck is worth noting. But among the attractions of Ao Nang - hiking on a rickety staircase in the company of monkeys and a fantastic hotel beach.

Finally, there is public transport - open minibuses. On whites you can get from the center of Krabi Town to Ao Nang, on reds you can get to Tiger Cave. You can grab a minibus anywhere on the road, get out - also anywhere, press the button. Give 50 baht and leave. If you start asking for a price, they may take more from you.

The greatest danger is to buy a tour more expensive than being sold at a nearby office. You can actually get to many locations on your own and much cheaper.

The ubiquitous 7eleven, Vogue mall, the night and morning fruit market, heaps of souvenir shops - you don’t have to look for where to spend the money.

There is no beach in Krabi Town, but Ao Nang features beautiful beaches, one of which can be confidently included among Top3 beaches that we visited in Thailand.

Sights

Public transport

Safety

Shops

Beaches

Pai Plong beach

The beach is located between the main beach of Ao Nang and Ton Sai Beach of the Railay Peninsula. You can get there by boat, you can go along the Monkey Trail, and during low tide - bypassing the cliff on the water. At the entrance you need to sign up and check out at the exit. There are hotels on the beach and this is apparently done for the safety of guests. The views are gorgeous. You can take a kayak for 400 baht.

Wat Kaew Ko Wararam in Krabi Town

The second name of the temple Wat Kaev Ko Wararam is the White Temple. Snow-white marble, a long staircase with dragons running down the hill, a small pond. The view from the hill is not bad, but not fantastic either. You can walk around the territory, go inside for free, taking off your shoes according to local tradition. The temple itself was built not so long ago, but the monks have lived on the territory of the temple complex since 1887.

Monkey Trail

Hiking itself is included in the programs of some excursions. But then again - you can go there yourself and for free. It's hard to say whether you will see monkeys or not. I met reviews that they are not there at all. Personally, we met two groups of monkeys plus a one-meter-long monitor lizard as a bonus. Hiking is quite steep, but it does not compare in complexity with the paths of the Railey Peninsula.

Accommodation

We booked all accommodation through Booking.com. But booking through Airbnb using this link now gives a discount of up to 42 euros, so you can try saving some money. On Ko Lanta, the photos of the rooms uploaded to Booking and the room in reality turned out to be inconsistent. Having searched a bit, we found an acceptable hotel for the same amount.

To summarize, would we change our route for this region? No, we really liked everything. The only thing - we would have liked to stay in these parts for a longer time.