Two Week Thailand Itinerary for Bangkok Chiang Mai Phuket Phi Phi and Krabi
Most trips start and end in Bangkok so it’s important to get this part of your trip right. Planning a trip to Bangkok can be overwhelming. There’s so much to see and do in the city that it’s almost impossible to fit it all in one trip without exhausting yourself. But I’ve lived in the city for over five years now and helped many people plan their trips to the city and this three-day itinerary covers the best the city has to offer. This itinerary will cover the most iconic Bangkok landmarks that you need to visit, how to get the most out of the city’s nightlife and the best day trips to take from around the city. Day one is all about the most iconic Bangkok landmarks everyone wants to visit. One of the famous Bangkok temples, right? But which ones are actually worth visiting and what order should you visit them in.
The first spot you should visit has been the official home of the Thai monarchy since the 1700s and is known for being one of the most beautiful buildings in the country although it’s not actually a temple it is filled with Buddhist monuments including the famous golden chedi and the most famous statue is at the center of the palace called the Emerald Buddha. It costs 500 Thai Baht to enter and takes around 2 hours to explore to beat the crowds I suggest getting there around 8:30 a.m. When it opens. I would visit the palace first because it’s the one that gets the busiest the next landmark, though is right next door, and it’s home to the reclining Buddha one of the largest and most famous Buddha statues in the world as well as a stunning garden temple filled with ornate towers called stupas it costs 300 Thai Baht to enter and takes a little less than an hour to explore.
It’s called Wat Pho. At this point you’re probably going to be getting a bit tired after walking around in the Bangkok heat for a few hours. There are plenty of restaurants nearby. But don’t just jump in any of them if you’ve come all this way. You’re going to want a meal with a view one that overlooks the nearby Chao Phraya River but the best temple in Bangkok lies on the other side of the river. You only have to take a short boat ride across for about five baht and it will take you to a monument that combines aspects of Hindu and Buddhist culture and it’s defined by its tower and prangs. If you keep track, yes. This is called a chedi. This is a stupa. And this is a prang. What makes this temple stand out is that it lies peacefully on the side of the river this temple is called Wat Arun and it costs 100 Thai Baht to enter.
But you can’t leave Bangkok without watching a brutal Muay Thai fight. But where is the best place in the city to experience Muay Thai well there’s one stadium that is by far the best in the city for tourists. This stadium is near the tourist spots is the oldest Muay Thai stadium in the world and has the best mix of international and Thai fighters. In fact Bangkok is where all the best Muay Thai fighters come to train so I would recommend watching a fight here in Bangkok over anywhere else in the country this stadium is called Rajadamnern Stadium and it has fights on pretty much every night of the week tickets can be as low as 1,000 Thai Baht but up to 2,500 for ringside seats but if you want to experience Bangkok at its wildest there’s one street you need to check out this street is world famous and was once the capital of the Southeast Asian backpacking scene it’s the place in Bangkok to drink a bucket of rum and eat a fried scorpion.
This is Khao San Road and it’s one of the most popular places in the whole of Bangkok now I’m on record saying the Khao San Road is a bit much it’s a bit loud a bit too busy and sometimes a bit too mental I’ll show you the classier side of Bangkok later in the video but for now I’ve got a few insider tips that will make your experience here much more enjoyable not too far from Khao San Road there’s another road with far better restaurants it’s still got plenty of bars too.
But it’s not a complete mosh pit like Khao San Road and it’s just a bit more fun it’s called Soi Rambuttri and it’s the best place to have a few drinks here before heading into the wilderness of Khao San Road but to reach some of the most stunning sites in central Thailand you have to venture a little outside the city.
Bangkok Day Trips to Floating Markets and Ayutthaya
On day two I’m going to cover the most iconic day trips that you can take from Bangkok. Everyone wants to experience the floating market of Bangkok right? But most tours take you to the tourist trap version in fact the traffic jams in these floating markets are almost as bad as in the city. My favorite floating market in the city is one of Thailand‘s oldest and it has retained its charm and traditional atmosphere over the centuries it has the best selection of food in any Market in the city you can watch as the vendors serve up meals right here in front of you on the boats and this Market is famous for its seafood there’s also a walkway for you to explore with plenty of restaurants and street food stands.
This is the only floating market in the city that stays open through the evening which means it’s the only one. You can enjoy watching a sunset with a craft beer it’s called Amphawa Floating Market and one of the best things about it is it is right next door to another of the city’s most fascinating marketplaces one that’s placed right in the middle of a train track when you come here you have to time your trip right about four times a day trains actually pass through the middle of the market and vendors have to quickly pack up their wares to get out of the way the market is incredibly narrow with only a few feet of space between the train and the market stalls.
So you have to be careful as the train passes through Mae Klong Railway Market is one of the most unique markets in the world and it’s only about a 20-minute drive from Amphawa Floating Market so they can be done together but. Did you know Bangkok hasn’t always been the capital of Thailand outside the city lies the ancient ruins of the former Kingdom of Siam it’s designated as a UNESCO world heritage site and it is the perfect place to learn about Thailand‘s past these temples have stood for over 500 years and were once the residency of the Thai monarchy until the city was invaded by the neighboring Burmese in the 1700s.
The city is best explored by bicycle and it’ll take a few hours to explore these ancient ruins traveling around the city you can see the former Grand Palace where the royal family used to live and you can learn about what life was like in Thailand in the early 1500s one of the highlights is the Buddha head that has become entwined in the banyan tree the head of the statue was chopped off by Invaders and as the city was abandoned the tree grew around the head the ancient city is known as Ayutthaya. It’s free to visit but you do have to pay entry in each Temple but they cost only about 50 Thai Baht each.
Bangkok Sky Bars and Upscale Nightlife
But on the evening of day two it’s time to experience the swankest side of Bangkok. What I love most about Bangkok‘s nightlife is that it has a cheap and hectic side but also a much more upscale side too. One thing that is better than any other city in the world is Sky bars Bangkok has one of the highest skylines in the world and to fully take advantage of this you need to grab a drink on top of one of the city’s many skyscrapers.
There are hundreds of Sky bars and Bangkok to choose from the majority of them are to the Sukhumvit Road area these are the best places in the city to watch the sun go down. One of the most exciting parts of visiting Bangkok is exploring its hidden Corners there’s so much to see and every street feels like it’s hide in the secret.
Bangkok Tuk Tuk Tours Canals and Chinatown Street Food
On day three you’re going to try and cover as much of the city as possible and there are two unique ways to really explore the city that will let you cover a lot of ground and give you a completely different perspective. Probably the most iconic image of the city is the tuk-tuk but these three wheel demons are notorious for psychotic drivers trying to rip off passengers so how can you take one without getting ripped off well, personally, I think the best way to do it is a way that will allow you to see more of the city have a set price beforehand so you know you’re not going to get ripped off and they won’t be trying to do wheelies through busy Bangkok traffic.
By taking a pre-arranged tour you can guarantee that you won’t get ripped off these companies have an online presence so you can check reviews beforehand but they’ll also spend a set amount of time usually a few hours driving you around the city to see some of the best sites including hidden temples winding back streets and colorful markets. But there’s another side of the city that most tourists never see here you’ll see a more authentic way of life far away from the city skyscrapers. Bangkok was once called the Venice of the East. Its extensive network of canals known locally as Kongs spread out across the city. Today, many of the canals still exist and traveling on a longtail boat offers a unique view of the city where you can witness traditional Thai houses on stilts, bustling floating markets, and serene temples.
You can hop on public boats for as little. As 50 Thai Baht I’d recommend doing a canal tour that will take you to some of the hidden corners of the canals including Wat Paknam which is probably the best hidden gem temple in Bangkok. It has a golden Buddha which overlooks the canal and yet you guessed it yet another chedi, stupa, or prang just don’t you know fall in the canal. It’s full of fish, monitor lizards and who knows whatever else is living in there. But do you want to know where to get the best street food in Bangkok in the evening of day three you can experience the single greatest street in Bangkok in fact this street has consistently been voted one of the coolest streets in the world that’s because of its neon light and delicious street food the street is Bangkok at its most intense.
The hanging street signs lurch across the road there’s honking horns and busy traffic as well as huge crowds of people making their way through the winding streets This area has the highest concentration of Michelin-recommended street food stands in the country and possibly even the world. This is Yaowarat Road, and it lies at the heart of Chinatown. This area is where the idea of street food carts was created as Chinese immigrants used to sell to each other at lunchtime. I suggest taking a walk from one end of the street to the other and just grabbing a bit of what jumps out at you some places are going to be absolutely packed with people so that will probably determine where you can actually eat.
Try to eat only small portions because you’re going to want to sample as many different things as possible and right next to Yaowarat Road is one of the best bar streets in Bangkok Soi Nana.
Now,. This is not to be mistaken for Nana Plaza, which is one of the seediest areas of Bangkok, is home to some of the best cocktail bars in the whole of Thailand on this street there are four or five different bars that have their own unique style the bars here try to make custom-made creations that focus on using Thai and Chinese flavors.
Best Bangkok Areas to Stay for Food Families Romance and Nightlife
But one of the trickiest parts of putting together a trip to Bangkok is figuring out where to stay with so many options it’s easy to end up in a chaotic tourist trap or near one of the city’s many red light districts. After living here for five years I’ve realized that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for where to stay it all depends on what you want from your visit here are four of the top places to stay in my opinion. If you’re looking to experience some of the best street food in the country you have to stay in Bangkok‘s Chinatown especially around Yaowarat Road.
This isn’t just a street through Paradise it’s also an area that is one of most historically and culturally important with lots of hidden temples to explore among its busy winding streets. For families check out Phrom Phong on Sukhumvit this area not only has easy walkable sidewalks but it also has green Parks like Benchasiri and kid-friendly malls too it’s a safe central location that has some family-friendly nightlife options too. If you’re after a romantic getaway or you want to stay in one of the finest hotels of the city has to offer you can stay by the Chao Phraya river which is home of the best views in the city and is home at hotels like the Oriental, the Hilton, and the Shangri-La.
And for nightlife you can stay around the Asok area this area combines upscale cocktail bars wine dining pubs and iconic spots like Soi Cowboy it’s also probably the best connected place in the city in terms of public transport so it is a great place to explore the rest of the city from.
Chiang Mai Three Day Itinerary Old Town Temples and Food
But after a few days in Bangkok it’s time to escape the city and get into Thailand‘s stunning nature spots and we’re going to start with a part of Thailand that is one of the most beautiful but actually a lot of people skip over the north of Thailand doesn’t have any beaches which is why it doesn’t quite get as much love as the South but it is absolutely stunning and we’re going to start with three days in the northern capital of Chiang Mai most people waste their time in Chiang Mai just wandering around in circles but in just three days. You can experience its most incredible sites temples and nightlife like a pro I visited Chiang Mai many times over the last 10 years and this itinerary will show you how to make every moment count including how to actually explore the old town without getting tired of all the temples the most stunning nature spots just a short ride from the center and where to find Chiang Mai‘s secret nightlife spots Chiang Mai‘s Old Town is a mustsee but most people make one big mistake they just wander around aimlessly hoping to stumble on something interesting but if you know where to go this place is a gold mine of History culture and hidden gems.
First let’s start the day right with coffee and not just any coffee Chiang Mai is home to some of the best in the world thanks to the perfect mix of altitude soil and rainfall Northern Thailand produces some incredible tasting coffee beans if you’re near Tha Phae Gate you’ll find some of the trendiest cafes in the city whether you want a strong espresso a slow drip brew or a creamy Thai iced coffee. This is the perfect way to start your day. Stop two. Chiang Mai’s Old Town has over 30 temples that’s way too many to see in one day so let’s focus on the three that truly stand out but which are the best temples within the old town in the heart of Chiang Mai‘s Old Town stands the ruins of what was once the tallest structure in the city towering over everything and impressive 82 M built centuries ago this Ancient Temple was a symbol of power for the Lanna Kingdom but fate had other plans a devastating earthquake drew, reducing its Grand Spire to rubble and forever alter in in the skyline of Chiang Mai despite its damage the temple remains.
One of the most an inspiring sites in the city. This is Wat Chedi Luang wants the pride of the L Kingdom and still one of Chiang Mai‘s most breathtaking landmarks but. The next Temple is known for its stunning golden stuper and its classic L style architecture if you come early in the morning you might even catch monks receiving alms a peaceful and a spiritual experience this golden Landmark is called Wat Phra Singh and it’s just a 10-minute walk from Wat Chedi Luang. But hidden in a quiet corner of Old Town is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple dating back to 1296 Beyond its ancient ched and Lanna-style halls it offers something rare a peaceful garden perfect for escaping the city’s Buzz. This is what Chang man and it’s the old Town’s most peaceful historic spot stop three. As you explore don’t miss the ancient walls of Moes surrounding the old town they originally built to protect the city and now make for some of the best photo spots in Chiang Mai Tha Phae Gate is the most famous part of the wall and depending on when you visit you might catch street performers live music or even a cultural Festival happening right here.
Stop four the most unique massages in Thailand after all that walking you’re going to need to rest your feet and Chiang Mai is home to some of the best and weirdest massages in the world if you’re on a budget you can get a foot massage right on the street for about 200 baht which is probably the cheapest out of anywhere I’ve ever seen in Thailand but for a more unique experience check out the ex-convict massage parlors now that might sound a bit strange but most of the women here weren’t Harden criminals they were farmers Northern Thailand is part of the Golden Triangle which was. Once a major hub for opium production many locals were involved in the growing opium trade simply as a way to make a limit today they have been rehabilitated and retrained as skilled massage therapists turning their lives around offering some of the best massages in the city but there’s another unique massage option blind massage therapists some people say they actually give the best massages because of their heightened sense of touch which helps them to find areas of stress in the body more effectively and there are a number of massage parlors that Focus exclusively on blind massages.
But you can’t leave the old town without trying the ultimate Chiang Mai dish. This is a rich coconut based curry with egg noodles usually served with chicken and top of crispy fried noodles for extra texture it’s known as khao soi it’s creamy spicy and absolutely delicious and you’ll find it served all throughout the Old Town now there are a number of places that claim to have the best khao soi in Old Town and sometimes you’ll see queues all the way down the street but personally I’ve never known these to be much better than the San Kamphaeng which is absolutely delicious no matter where I’ve ordered it. But I have one more bonus stop for you if you’re in town on a Sunday you’re in for a treat because that’s when one of Thailand‘s best night markets takes over the Old Town starting around 400 p.m. The streets fill up with vendors selling everything from handmade craft to some of the best street food in the country unlike some markets that Focus only on souvenir this one has a little bit of everything whether you’re looking for a unique gift or just want to snack your way through Chiang Mai.
This is the place to be but. As nightfalls it’s time to experience a different side of Chiang Mai while the city is known for its laid-back no thrills nightlife there’s a hidden upscale scene that most visitors Miss for a truly unique cocktail experience head to Tubar and Intree 12 seat spot where every drink is inspired by local Villages surrounding Chiang Mai expect flavors you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world think coconut rum garlic based syrup and even Thai mushrooms with limited to eating it’s best to get there early or make a reservation but if fine dining is more your style leave the old town and head towards the Ping River where Chiang Mai‘s best restaurants line the Waterfront for the Ultimate Experience time you visit around Sunset the vision of the river has some of the best in the city.
Chiang Mai Day Trips to Mae Kampong Doi Inthanon and Chiang Rai
But there is much more to Chiang Mai than just the old town in fact the real beauty of Chiang Mai lies beyond the Sea vast mountains hidden waterfalls and remote villages are waiting to be explored. On day two I’ll show you the three best options for day trips from around Chiang Mai. About when hours Dy from Chiang Mai Deep In The Misty Mountains lies a village famous for its stunning scenery and world-class coffee nestled among Lush forests this small community is home to the Karen ethnic group, who have lived here for Generations what makes this place so special nearly every house is built from a traditional wood blending seamlessly into the landscape the air is filled with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and as you climb the Steep l in Mountain you’ll pass street food vendors selling local snacks the best way to take it all in grab a coffee at a Mountaintop Cafe with panoramic views of the valley below all C you drink beside a peaceful waterfall surrounded.
By nothing but the sound of flowing water. This is the town of Mae Kampong one of Northern Thailand‘s most charming and peaceful Villages. But if you’re up for a more active Adventure Thailand‘s highest peak is just a two-hour drive away from Chiang Mai this day trip takes you through dense jungle hidden waterfalls and rice patties offering some of the most scenic trekking in the country at the the summit you’ll find the twin pagodas built to honor the former king and queen of Thailand on a clear day the views stretch for miles over the Misty Mountains but the real highlight is the Trek itself you’ll hike through the cool Cloud C of rainforest h of rare plants and Wildlife and to end the trip you’ll visit a hill tribe where you can learn about the unique culture and traditions of the local people. This is Doon Chiang Mai‘s most famous Trek in destination.
But for the most varied and Unforgettable day trip you need to Head North toward the town of Chiang Mai a region known for its towering mountains Lush jungles and Hind gems that most tourists never see.
Start your day with a trip to Araksa Tea Garden a picturesque Plantation where you can walk through Rolling Green Nakkerd Hills learn how tea leaves are harvested and even try your hand at picking them yourself from there you can make your way to Wat Ban Den, one of the most underrated temples in the whole of Thailand tucked away in the mountains this hidden gem features intricately designed statues striking blue rooftops and a peaceful atmosphere that sets it apart from the more tourist heavy temples for a midday refresh stop.
At the sticky waterfalls or Bua Tong Waterfalls, a natural wonder where the Limestone covered rocks create a grip strong enough to let you walk up the waterfall without slipping it’s one of the most unique experiences in Northern Thailand and it is the perfect way to cool off before heading back unwind a natural hot spring and finally and day and changed out a peaceful town on the base of Thailand‘s third highest mountain as the sun sets behind the dramatic Cliffs you’ll see why this spot is known for one of the most stunning golden hour views in Thailand miss.
This trip and you’ll miss some of Northern Thailand‘s most incredible experiences but after a full day of exploring it’s time to dive back into the city’s vibrant nightlife if you you miss the Sunday Night Market check out the night bazaar where vendors sell everything from handcrafted souvenir to some of the best street food in Chiang Mai running every night it is the perfect place to grab affordable gifts and Sample local flavors and experience the city’s lively nighttime atmosphere if you want a truly unique way to end the night though head to Chang Puak Stadium for an authentic Thai experience there are a number of stadiums in the city but this one is located conveniently by the night Bazaar to the east of the Old Town.
Chiang Mai Elephants Cooking and Where to Stay
But on day three you need to really get to grips for the aspects that make Northern Thailand so unique. No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without spending time with Thailand‘s national animal the elephant but there are sanctuaries all over the country so why do you need to do it in Chiang Mai because Northern Thailand is where elephants naturally belong unlike the southern Islands or areas like Pattaya this region has vast forests rivers and mountains giving elephants the space they need to live as naturally as possible Chiang Mai is also home to some of. The most respected and ethical elephant sanctuaries in the country places that focus on Rescue Rehabilitation and conservation rather than the tourist entertainment when you visit Chiang Mai elephant Sanctuary you’re not just seeing elephants you’re actively supporting responsible tourism instead of riding them or watching them perform tricks you’ll get to feed them walk them or bathe with them in a way that respects their well-being if you want to experience elephants the right way. This is the place to do it.
But if you really want to understand Northern Thai culture you need to understand its cuisine unlike Bangkok or the islands where food is more influenced by International flavors Northern Thai cuisine has stayed true to its roots with deep influences from Myanmar, Lao and China and that’s why there’s no better place in the country to take a Thai cooking class Chiang Mai is surrounded by farmland and Fresh Markets meaning almost every ingredient comes straight from the local area many cooking schools here even have their own organic Gardens where you can pick fresh herbs and vegetables before you cook. Another reason Chiang Mai stands out the variety of dishes while pad Thai and green curry dominate menus in the South Northern Thailand has its own unique specialities that you won’t find anywhere else I’ve already mentioned how khao soi is one of the best dishes in the country but there is also sa herbal noen sausages or nam prik ong spicy tomato chili dip taking a Time cooking class in Chiang Mai is an unforgettable experience Chiang Mai is honestly one of my favorite places in the whole country and what I like most about it is that it’s a great base to explore the rest of Northern Thailand from.
If you’re longer than 2 weeks in Thailand you might want to consider also visiting the backpacker town of Pai which is about a three-hour drive through the mountains or the Temple City of Chiang Rai in P you can rent a motorbike and ride through the hills on one of the most scenic routs in the whole country and Chiang Rai is home of four of the most beautiful temples in the country as well as a trekking haven in the Golden Triangle.
But here’s the biggest mistake most people make when visiting Northern Thailand trying to do too much and spreading themselves too thin leading them spending half the trip hanging around in bus stations so for the purpose of this itinerary we’re going to keep it simple and only visit Chiang Mai. So where is the best place to stay in Chiang Mai well luckily it’s actually quite a simple answer to this question most guidebooks recommend staying in the old town however the Old Town kind of shuts down at night I mean the temples aren’t famous for the all night parties are they so if you plan on being awake after 600 p.m.
It’s better to stay a little outside the old town around Tha Phae Gate this will give you easy access to the historic wats but also to the town’s best bars and restaurants but why do.
I recommend Chiang Mai before the country’s beaches well as you’ve seen so far in this trip you’ve had a lot going on with everyday Packer things to do I tend to recommend doing Bangkok on the North first because that’s where you’re doing most of the intense exploring allowing you to wind down your trip towards the end once you reach the beaches.
Phuket Island Hopping from Racha Coral and Phang Nga Bay
But the question is which islands should you visit the problem some people make when putting together their T trip is that they try doing it all flying in a Bangkok then catching a bus all the way across the country to then having to catch a boat to Samui where they spend a few days before taking another boat to Koh Chang which takes whole days of travel that could be better spent drinking a beer on the beach which is why we’re going to stick to one group of islands and we’re going to start with Phuket. Planning a trip to Phuket but don’t know where to start most travel advice about the island has people go to the same old overcrowded tourist hotspots and actually miss out on what makes the island really special luckily I spent months on the island so I’ve managed to combine all of the best things to do into a 3-day trip in this itinerary I’ll show you the best boat trips to take from the island the most important cultural landmarks as well as the best nightlife and street food spots. This is the only Phuket iy you’ll ever need because it can easily be spread out over a week or more.
One of the coolest things to do in Thailand is Hop on a boat to explore secluded islands and Phuket is home to some of the best boat trips in the country the mistake most people make is trying and visit one of the most famous groups of Island as a day trip the Phi Phi Islands are definitely worth visiting but visiting from Phuket means you have to endure long travel times in a noisy speedboat which leaves you with less time to explore each location that you’ll visit on the trip luckily though there are plenty more boat options that you can take that are much closer and just as stunning. The first boat trip that you can take will take you to some beautiful Tropical Islands it can be did in a half day and has short travel time so it’s perfect for families with young kids or people who get seasick easily depending on your budget you can easily do it for cheap in a group Tour on a speedboat or you can rent a private yacht to take here the first stop is to one of the best snorkling spots in the country.
This is your chance to swim with clown fish parrot fish butterfly fish and a whole lot of other fish that I don’t quite know the name of it’ll. Then drop you off to explore the secluded Racha Island. This is home with some beautiful beaches and because it’s not on the main island the waters are crystal clear here not much construction has taken place on the island so it truly feels like a desert island the final stop of Boat Trip one will take you to another stunning island that is a little bigger again the beaches are stunning here but this one does have a small bar and restaurant on it so you can soak up the sun with a few beers what fascinates me about. This island is that it’s inhabited by great hornbill birds which are stunning birds native to Southeast Asia the name of. This island is coral island and this trip is usually referred to as the ratcha island or Racha Island boat trip.
But there is one boat trip that will take you to one of the most unique and fascinating places in the whole of Thailand this trip is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs emerald green waters and its hidden caves this trip is home to Koh Phi Phii a Muslim fishing Village built on stilt over the war the people here are known as the sea gypsies of Thailand and they’ve been featured in a number of different travel documentaries about the country the village is famous for its seafood restaurants and the floating football pitch created by local children. You can also explore the nearby Mangrove forests which are home to monkeys birds and fish your tour might take you through the wind and rivers but you can also explore it more peacefully in a canoe many of the islands in the bay have sea caves that can only be accessed by kayaking inside these caves you’ll find some hidden lagoons to explore but the most iconic Landmark has to be kapoo better known as James Bond Island because it was featured in the 1974 movie The Man with a golden gun and has been known as that ever since this trip is usually called the James Bond Island Tour and the area is known as Phang Nga Bay. This is the more adventurous tour and takes a full day to explore.
After a full day exploring it’s time to enjoy a couple of beers Phuket is home at one of the wildest nightlife spots in the whole of Thailand it’s part bar scene part red light district and part freak Show for some people. This is what they came to Thailand for a few might be put off by it but most people are going to be at least a little bit intrigued for the whole thing the street lies just off Patong Beach, which is one of the more popular places to stay on the island the main strip is filled with bars and nightclubs.
As you head off the strip you’ll find the seed parts of tha nightlife like go- go bars and ping pong shows. This is bangler Road and it’s Thailand at its wildest and most intense Phuket is home to some of Thailand‘s most important cultural landmarks.
Phuket Big Buddha Old Town Cocktails and Sunset Bars
On day two you’re going to visit the Island’s most important Buddhist Monument eat the best street food in southern Thailand and drink Phuket and best cocktails. After a night of sin and debauchery on Bangla Road it’s time to repent and what better way than by starting your day with a climb to the highest point of the island to Phuket’s most iconic Landmark you’ll need wake up early to avoid the Thai heat starting from Kata Beach. You’ll watch the sunrise over the island before walking through Kata town and following the signposts up the hill funny enough the name of this hill is Nakkerd Hill and you most certainly will be knackered by the end of it the climb takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete. At the top you’ll be greeted by both monks and monkeys so you might want to bring a few bananas to feed them the monkeys not the monks I mean sitting on the top of the hill is Phuket’s big Buddha one of the most important iconic statues in Thailand this statue is 45 M tall and sits at over 400 m above sea level meaning you have stunning views of the island below after the hike you’re going to be pretty hungry though luckily Phuket has the best street food scene in southern Thailand but where is the best place to eat on the island well there’s one place that stands out above everything else and it’s famous for its Michelin-star street food stands unbelievable able dessert shops and its beautifully decorated streets.
The first thing you’ll notice walking around here is that the houses have been painted in blues greens yellows and pinks these aren’t your traditional Thai-style buildings this area was originally founded by Portuguese explorers who were the first Europeans to reach southeast Asia the area is known as Phuket Old Town and it’s famous for its mix of European and Asian architectural Styles as you can see European colonial buildings right next door of Chinese style temples but you didn’t just come here to look at buildings though it’s time to we this said area has the highest concentration of Michelin-starred street food stands anywhere in Thailand outside of Bangkok. One of the most famous spots is Roti Thaew Nam which serves roti breads alongside Thai curries there are also a number of noodle stands for you to try to but it’s not just Thai food this area is known for the Old Town is home with some of the best dessert restaurants anywhere I’ve ever seen some of the CAF specialize in making their own chocolates and Torry’s ice cream is a boutique ice cream shop in an Old Colonial building but for the nightlife on day two we’re going to look at some of the classier options for a night out Phuket.
There’s much more at. This island’s nightlife than ping pong shows and go- go bars the Old Town itself has a number of live music bars as well as cocktails and whiskey bars so you could even hang around here for the evening but if you want to try the best cocktails in Thailand they’ll have to venture a little outside the Old Town. In fact the alcohol itself is made right here at this rum distillery, set in the middle of the island. Chalong Bay is a French-owned distillery that produces rum, gin, and vodka. The distillery itself is a beautiful venue and, in fact, I liked it so much that I actually had my wedding reception here. The booze is so good you’ll probably end up leaving with a few bottles, too. This is a much classier alternative to Bangla Road but at Phuket there’s nothing quite like having a few beers to watch the sun go down over the ocean. But where are the best sunset bars on the island?.
Well, there’s one group of bars and restaurants towards the southern tip of the island they sit at top of Cliff so they have stunning views of the beaches and Waters below my favorite is saai Corner which has delicious food but all of these bars and restaurants are located near Karon Viewpoint Phuket is the best place in southern Thailand to see Thailand‘s national animal the elephant however the island is known for questionable practices related to Animal Welfare so where can you ethically see an interact with elephants well there are a few sanctuaries known to carefully look. After their animals a tour of these sanctu starts by learning about the animals from your guide who works with the animal carers you’ll then be given a basket full of bananas and other fruits and you’ll be able to feed the elephants yourselves and they’ll be pretty hungry by the time you get there next up it’s bath time and you’ll get to bathe the elephants in a pool because Thailand is so hot elephants like to cool themselves down by splashing themselves with mud and you’ll get to help them out.
By covering their bodies too make sure you don’t dress up too much because you’re going to get dirty afterwards you’ll need to scrub them down by giving them a shower this works as a kind of massage for the elephant and it’s good for their skin the two sanctuaries that. I recommend visiting Green Elephant Sanctuary and Phuket elephant Sanctuary these half day tours cost around 2,500 Thai Baht per person one problem that some people have with Phuket is that some of its remain beaches like Thong Tan and Karon or Ka do sometimes get overcrowded. So in the afternoon you’re going to head to some of the best and most secluded beaches on the island and you don’t even have to travel that far to get to them just a short boat a scooter ride away from Patong is an excellent snorkling spot with coral reefs just up the beach you can rent snorkel or kayaks to explore the hidden Coes.
This is Paradise Beach and it’s much smaller than its neighbor Patongg but does have an excellent bar and restaurant to chill out in but if you really want an adventure you need to head to the next Beach to get. There you’ll need to hop on a longtail boat or hike down down at the beach in fact the journey getting to this beach is part of the experience. This is one of the only beaches on the island that hasn’t been developed for tourism so you won’t find any hotels or restaurants here. This is called Freedom Beach and it’s a lot of people’s favorite Beach on the island.
Where to Stay in Phuket for Beaches Food Culture and Nightlife
But because Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand you need to choose the right place to stay there’s no quicker way to ruin your quiet and relaxing Beach holiday than by staying right in the center of the red light district here is my guy for the top five places to stay on the island Phuket it’s the biggest island in the whole of Thailand and this presents first time visitors with a problem where the hell should you stay on the island in this travel guide I’ll show you the top five places to stay in Phuket as well as the more popular places that you should actually avoid in the video expect to find out the best area for first timers the best areas for nightlife for street food for culture and deserted beaches.
Before we get started there’s a few things to knowe about the island of Phuket that might affect where you want to stay Phuket can be whatever you want it to be because it’s the biggest island in Thailand it’s also the most diverse in areas to stay now sometimes Phuket gets criticized for being overcrowded or too touristy and this might be true however.
This is concentrated on the southwestern part of the island so if you’re looking for something less touristy or less explore there are other parts of the island you can stay on too.
So it’s important that you Choose Wisely where you want to stay to get the most out your experience for what you want it’s also in my opinion worth exploring different parts of the island I’m in a lot of Thailand Facebook groups so I’m constantly seeing poorly put put together itineraries for example where you might spend 2 Days in Phuket before 2 Days in Krabi and then the whole way across the country to Khao Sok for another 2 days you can see a lot more with a lot less travel time by spending a few days in cat Beach for example and then moving across the island to Cape Pano each of these locations will have a completely different vibe and atmosphere meaning you’ll spend more time actually enjoying your trip rather than spending time on buses planes and trains.
Phuket Tourist Beaches from Kamala to Kata Noi
Now I’m going to start by talking about the more touristy areas that most people are referring to when they talk about Phuket. These beaches incl food Kamala Karon Patong Kata and Kata Noi. I’m going to talk about Kata and Patong in a bit more detail in a second but I want to give you a rundown of some of these other beaches even though I don’t quite recommend them. Let’s start with Kamala Beach Kamala Beach is one of the smaller beaches on the island and. This is the area for luxury resorts if some you value is having a really high class luxury resort this might be the place for you my problem with the area though is there’s not much more to it than that once you step away from the beach there’s not a lot going on in terms of nightlife or street food and the beach itself is not that impressive aggressive the sand wasn’t particularly nice when I visited there on top of that they know it’s for luxury resorts so prices tend to go up near here even if you’re just buying a drink or getting a food it’s generally more expensive.
Now to Karon, which is one of the longer beaches on the island and. I think it kind of suffers because of this because it’s one of the longer beaches it doesn’t really know what it is and it’s the area on the island that has the least distinct atmosphere it’s neither as nice as Kata Beach nor as wild as Patongg a lot of the bars and restaurants are spread out and there’s just not that much to do over on Coran Beach I’ve stayed here before and visited quite a few times and I’ve always found it a little bit boring so I also don’t recommend Karon.
Finally the cat night similar at CA Beach this also has a lot of highend luxury resorts however it’s a little bit quieter and a little bit nicer I don’t think it’s a particularly interesting area to stay. However if you’re looking to stay somewhere near Kata Beach but with a bit of a quieter atmosphere this might be the place for you if you got the money for it Kata Beach is in my opinion the best place to stay for most first time visitors to the island it’s definitely in the touristy part of the island but much less crowded than Patongg which I’ll get to in a minute but that’s okay that also comes a lot of advantages it’s got some really good hotels and there’s lots and lots of things to do on this beach the beach itself is really stunning.
There’s also a good mix of cheap and delicious Thai food and more upscale International restaurants too one of my favorite bars in the whole country is scar bar which is situated towards the southern end of the beach. This is probably one of the best places in the whole island that sit and watch the sun go down all the beaches in the touristy part of town are southern facing meaning you get some amazing sunsets like this right here in terms of things I do I would say cat Beach is one of the best places to enjoy water sports.
There’s surf school here and it’s really good for beginners they’ll really teach you how to do it and the beach actually does get quite wavy at some points of the year it’s also got some good snorkling you do some Paras or paraglide in here too.
This is the only Beach on the Island from where you can hike up to the big Buddha if you don’t know the big Buddha is one of the biggest landmarks on the island and from cat Beach you can hike up through the jungle to it cat Beach is the area where I usually stay on the island although when I go back now I do try and Branch out and explore other parts of the island.
Phuket Kata and Patong Beaches for Activities and Nightlife
The other area in the tourist depart town that I do want to mention is Patong and this might be the most controversial in terms of best places to stay. This is definitely the most popular place to stay and that brings lots of advantages and disadvantages with it if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing Beach. This is not it but it is the area with the most to do nearby it’s easy to rent jet skis or banana boats from here as well as parag guide and parin although it’s one of the busier beaches that are some secluded hidden beaches nearby which. You can explore by scooter Like Paradise Beach or Freedom Beach and basically anything that you want to do you can do here in Pon Beach like go-karting or shooting ranges or anything else that you can think of it’s probably right here. Now. This is one of the most notorious areas in the whole country for nightlife someone explained to me recently that Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phi Phiy Yang are where the young tourists go to behave badly and Patong Beach is where middle-aged people go to behave badly and I probably agree with that.
This is maybe the cdia part of town lots of go- go bars ping pong shows and strip clubs and. This is where people go get up it’s pretty much one of the most mental places you can visit and it’s mental all night every night personally I wouldn’t stay here again. I think there are a lot better places to stay on on the island however I couldn’t do a list of the best places to stay in Phuket without mentioning the most notorious Beach on the island and. Now for Something Completely Different Phuket Old Town Old Town is probably the area with the best street food on the whole island on top of that it’s probably the best place to experience the Island’s history and culture as well as some of the better markets on the island however there’s one major disadvantage there’s no beach if you come to Phuket you probably want to spend at least some time on the beach but it is worth it to spend a night or two here Phuket has the most Mitchell and stars street food stands and restaurants in the whole of the island.
Most of them are based here in the old town There’s a highly recommended breakfast place that serves curries and roties in the morning this opens really early at about 6:00 and closes around 11:00 a.m. So to get some of these street food stands you’ve got to get here early so it’s better to actually stay in the area on top of that there’s a lot of cafes to explore in particular I’ve noticed a lot of Des ERT places around town so there’s places specializing in making chocolate or ice cream. This is one of the more beautiful areas of the island to explore and it’s definitely got the most distinct feel to it. This is because of its history it was first discovered by the Portuguese so it’s got this kind of mix of European and Asian architecture known. As Koh Phi Phi Portuguese and you can still see it here in the town today, with the colorful houses that line the streets there’s also a number of different temples of the area some of them are Chinese style temples some of them are more traditional Buddhist style temples so.
This is probably the best area to experience Thai culture as well, personally, I think there’s nowhere quite like this anywhere else in the whole of Thailand so it’s definitely worth checking out the Old Town while you’re here. Cape Panwa is probably the least explored area of the island. This is the area I’d recommend if you want to go for secluded beaches so I actually got married over this part of the island and we chose it because it would have a much quieter atmosphere than everywhere else but we chose this area so there wouldn’t be a lot of people walking around interrupting in our wedding and that was the case it’s still a really beautiful area we’re stunning backdrops of the island if you’re looking for a quieter experience this might be for you there’s definitely Less in terms of nightlife however there are still quite a lot of beach bars or restaurants where. You can sit relax and watch the sun go down Rai is the area to stay if you want to feel like a local it’s considered the expart part of town so a lot of people actually living on the island live here so this means there’s less big hotels but a few more guest houses there is a beach here which is quite nice however it’s not west facing meaning you won’t get to experience some of the beautiful sunsets at the Island’s known for there’s less song Towers over here so it’s best if you can rent a car or a scooter.
When stay in here it’s a very good place to explore the rest of the Island from You’re the Best of Both Worlds in that you’re near the touristy parts of Kat and Patongg if you want to go experience the nightlife there but also in between here and Cape Panwa so you’re basically in the middle of the less touristy and most touristy places. Finally to a beach I actually haven’t stayed on but have visited a few times and absolutely loved is Bang Tao Beach Bang Tao Beach is a really nice beautiful stretch of the island it’s for people looking for somewhere a little bit quieter than cat pong a little more busy than Cape Panwa again. This is an area that doesn’t have loads going on in terms of nightlife but does have some really nice beach bars Phuket has done quite well to keep a lot of bars and restaurants off the beach but I found on Bang Tao Beach.
There’s quite a few places to sit and have a beer it’s also a great area to stay if you want to train Muay Tha one of the best moai gyms in the whole of Thailand is Bang Tao Beach and that’s right here so this would be the best area to train Muay Thai in the morning then relax on the beach in the evening at it also has the added advantage of being a bit closer to the airport so if you’re only in town for a few days this might be the perfect spot for you.
Koh Phi Phi Itinerary Maya Bay and Island Tours
But the great thing about the islands of the Andaman is that there’s so much variety and on this trip you can visit two more beach towns that have a completely different vibe to Phuket in fact the next island is an absolutely stunning Island that is actually one of the smallest in the country and it’s called the Phi Phi Islands. Planning a trip to Koh Phi Phi but don’t know where to start there’s so much to do on the island but most visitors don’t even cover half of it in this itinerary I’m going to show you how to experience the island properly with a three-day adventure that covers the best nearby Islands to explore where to find the number one snorkeling spot in the whole of Thailand and the beaches most tourists never even hear about.
Personally I’m more interested in how to visit Thailand‘s most beautiful nature spots and this itinerary will be about showing you the best the island has to offer imagine drifting through emerald green waters towering limestone Cliffs on either side and exploring hidden beaches that are only accessible by boat Koh Phi Phi is known for having some of the best island hopping tours in Thailand but you can’t just hop on any old boat one of the benefits of taking these tours from Koh Phi Phi. As opposed to traveling a long distance from Krabi or Phuket is that you get to take the tradition tie longtail boat these are just a bit more fun to ride in than the bigger louder and bumpier speed boats that people have to take when they’re coming from elsewhere.
But which are the best Islands to visit on a tour like this well Koh Phi Phi‘s home are one of the most iconic locations in the whole of Thailand and it’s actually just recently been reopened to the public after being closed down for a few years due to over tourism this beach was made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach it’s every bit of stunning imp person with its crystal clear water surrounded by towering cliffs. This is Maya Bay and it’s definitely the most popular spot on the list so if possible try to get on a tour that heads here first in fact there are some tours that only come here and they set off before 6:00 a.m. To beat the crowds and I believe that. This is the best way to see the beach.
But the waters around Koh Phi Phi have a bright turquoise hue of them unlike anywhere else in the world the best place to experience.
This is the emerald Lagoon Emerald Lagoon’s vibrant green color comes from the sunlight reflecting off the clear mineral Rich water especially the calcium from the surrounding Limestone Cliff faces the Lush Greenery around the Lagoon adds to the effect giving the water it’s stunning em color making it one of the most beautiful places to visit on the island there’s another spot that you to visit on one of these tours that is famous for its mysterious cave paintings and Viking ships it’s unclear where these paintings came from but they were suggested they been drawn by Sailors who being washed up on the island in a storm.
This is Viking Cave and it’s unlikely the paintings were actually drawn by Vikings but it’s still a fascinating mystery but some of these desert islands aren’t actually that deserted monkey Beach is a small secluded stretch of sand famous for its hungry macaques they’ve lived here for Generations due to the abundance of food and the monkeys are used to interact with visitors so they’ll often come down from the cliffs to hang out by the beach but be careful though they might just steal your sunglasses if you’re not paying attention there are lots of different types of boat tours that you can take some are half day trips others full day prices start from around 1,000 Thai Baht but can go up considerably based on the size of the group or the type of boat you take.
Koh Phi Phi Viewpoints and Hidden Beaches
Koh Phi Phi is a uniquely shaped island most of the island is uninhabitable because of its mountainous terrain and steep Cliff faces and the area where most people actually stay and explore is all concentrating on this thin strip of land right here by the in fact the two beaches are only separated by about 100 metres this means that Koh Phi Phi is home at one of the most iconic views in the whole of Thailand. By hiking up to the top of a nearby Mountain you can see where Koh Phi Phi’s two main beaches almost meet on a good day you’ll be able to see the turquoise Waters the island is famous for and the mountains on either side of the island. This is called the Viewpoint hike and I’d recommend doing it in the morning to avoid the heat if you get up there early enough you can see one of the best sunrises you’ll ever see some people also like to come for Sunset but it does get crowded.
At the top the hike only takes about 30 to 40 minutes and it’s clearly sign posted for the center town but what most visitors don’t realize is that you can continue on past the Viewpoint hike to two more stunning viewpoints which are creatively named viewpoints 2 and three by visiting these spots you’ll get a 360° view of the island and of the hidden beaches that you’ll explore in day three. Once you descend, it’s time to treat yourself to some coffee and breakfast all of the best cafes on the island are towards the entrance of the Viewpoint hike and around the walking Street. I recommend grabbing a bite of something around Tonsai and watching as the boats come in and out of the island. But if there’s one thing you came in. This island for it’s beautiful beaches right and Koh Phi Phi does not disappoint this one beach with perfect White Sands and crystal clear waters stretching out in a calm shallow bay it is the perfect spot to chill out in it’s absolutely beautiful with the cliff faces on either side providing a stunning natural backdrop the water here is so shallow and peaceful that you can actually walk out for hundreds of meters making it ideal for wading, swimming or even renting a kayak to explore the bay Emerald Waters plus if you end up having a few too many beers it’ll probably stop you from drowning.
But as it turns into the night time this beach shift gears this tranquil stretch of beach transforms into one of the liveliest nightlife spots in the country as the beach slids up with beach bars and fire dancers. This is called Loh Moo Dee Beach and it’s one of the best spots on the island. Day three is all about getting off the beaten path and exploring the lesser-known beaches of Koh Phi Phi most people who come to the island never leave the area around the pier and Lalone Beach unless they’re on a boat tour but there are actually some amazing hidden beaches to explore on the main island about 30-minute walk from town after a short hike Through the jungle you can reach Long Beach this beach is a much more chill atmosphere than Loh Moo Dee.
It’s the perfect place to chill out at but the real reason they come to this beach is that it’s home to the number. One snorkeling spot in the whole of Thailand just a short swim away from the beach there’s a spot known as shark point which is home to groups of black tip reef sharks don’t worry they’re harmless to humans and they’re relatively small only grown up between about 1 and 1.5 M at this spot you’ll also seen array of colorful starfish brightly colored tropical fish like parrot fish clown fish and butterfly fish the Curren here are pretty strong which is what attracts the sharks so you might want to wear a life jacket just in case some bow ters might actually take you here.
As one of their stops but it’s it’s definitely worth spending some time here on Long Beach to have a better chance of spot in sharks but there’s one more Beach that lies to the far north of the island that most tourists don’t even know exists this beach is so secluded that it’s perfect for the more adventurous explorers it also has stunning coral reef teeming with marine life just off the coast and the views from this beach of breathtaken you can see some of the neighboring islands like bamboo island in the distance making it a picturesque Beach this beach is perfect.
For renting a sea kayak and exploring some of the Hidden Coes in the area too. This is called Laem Tong Beach and it’s located right at the northern tip of Koh Phi Phi to get here you can have hike across the whole island or hop in a longtail boat to take you there Koh Phi Phi still has a reputation as a party island and it’s definitely true to some extent but in my opinion it’s also one of the most stunning Islands in Thailand and can be enjoyed without going all night raves on the beach.
Krabi Island Hopping Ao Nang and the Best Beaches
But the next location on this Thailand itinerary is home to one of the best beaches in the whole of Thailand Krabi is one of the coolest places in Thailand if you know where to go I’ve spent plenty of time here over the past few years and I found that most travel guides actually miss out on some of the best things to do so in this guide I’ll cover the best beaches islands and temples to visit the only tours actually worth doing as well as the town’s best nightlife spots. But first you need to figure out where to stay well luckily there is one location in Krabi that has easy access to some of the best beaches in the country has the best range of accommodations and is the place to enjoy the town’s nightlife.
The area I’m referring to is called Ao Nang Beach and if possible, I try to stay either on the beach front or on the street to the left of it the advantages of staying near Railay Beach however it’s not connected to the roads on the mainland meaning you can only access it by boat which for the purposes of this itinerary will make it more difficult to reach some of the sites that we’ll visit so I strongly recommend staying on Ao Nang Krabi is home to over 200 Islands which begs the question which ones are the best to explore. The most popular Islands to explore by far are the pee islands and hundreds of people leave the Krabi Mainland each day to visit them while the Phi Phi Islands are definitely worth visiting by visiting from the Krabi Mainland you have to endure a longer travel time in a noisy speedboat which leaves you less time to explore each location but what if I told you there was actually a group of islands that were much closer to the mainland that were equally as stunning and much less explored.
The first Islands you can explore on day one are home to some of the most fascinating beaches in the whole of Thailand the island of Koh Kai and Koh Tup are connected by a white Sandbar at low tide you can freely walk across these two stunning Islands next you’ll take a short boat ride to the best snorkeling spot in Krabi known as Koh Kai, or Chicken Island these coral reefs to a beautiful array of tropical fish including parrot fish angel fish and clown fish I’ve previously included this spot as one of my top 10 snorkeling spots in the whole of Thailand despite being.
One of the iconic images of Southern Thailand the next island is actually not very well known it has a towering Limestone Cliff face jutting straight out the ocean and it’s home to untouched White Sands it’s called Koh Poda and you’ll feel completely alone exploring. This island and its Blue Waters.
The most convenient way to explore these islands is by joining an island hopping tour which will take you and small group of people to each of these islands tours usually start from Ao Nang Beach around 8:30 a.m. And can be done for as low as 1,300 Thai Baht.
You should arrive back on the mainland just in time to catch the sunset at Ao Nang Beach but in the evening it’s time to hit the town probably the best and cheapest place to experience Thai food in Krabi is at Krabi Night Market here you’ll be able to sample some of the most delicious Thai Dishes including noodles Fried Chicken curries and roties all while enjoying a few beers whilst Krabi is not known for having quite as wild of nightlife as places like Phuket or Chiang Mai there is still plenty going on in the town all of the best spots can be found in anang there are plenty of bars along the beachfront to explore as well as Soi Seeker if you want to carry on further into the night.
Railay Beach Caves Rock Climbing and Local Wildlife
I’ve spent almost 10 years living in Asia and in that time I’ve explored some of the best beaches the continent has to offer for a long time I thought I’d seen it all and I couldn’t be surprised by beaches anymore that was until I came to Krabi Krabi is home to arguably the single best beach to explore in Southeast Asia its beauty comes from its towering Mountain backdrop with stunning Cliff faces at either end of the beach the beach is Krabi‘s most iconic spot and it’s known as Railay Beach and. As part of this two-day itinerary I’ll show you the best places to eat and drink the hidden beaches and caves to explore and how to spot some of the beaches most elusive Wildlife. The thing that most people don’t realize about visiting Railay is that the journey to get there is actually one of the most exciting parts of the trip.
To get there you’ll first need to head to Ao Nang and from here it shouldn’t be too difficult to spot a longtail boat ticket vendor where you can buy a ticket for about 100 Thai Baht one way boats only leave once they filled up but this usually takes no more than 20 minutes once you’re on the boat you’ll whiz past mountains and Cliff faces as well as other boats for one of the most scenic Journeys you’ll ever take so I’d recommend having your camera ready the journey takes approximately 20 minutes to arrive at the beach once you arrive there. You can spend a few hours exploring the beach itself but there is much more to explore here than most people realize if you’re hungry or need a few beers the best place to grab something is on Railay Walking Street at wind and jungle path they’ll take you past bars restaurants and coffee shops.
But the reason I like Railay so much is that. This is an adventure climber’s paradise there’s some fantastic hiking routes around here and inside the jungle there’s some amazing Wildlife to spot. If you’ve already spent a bit of time in Thailand you’ve probably already seen this type of monkey here called the macaque but Railay is home to a much rarer type of monkey they are much friendlier than the macaque so far less likely to attack they travel in troops so you can try to spot them from a distance by seeing them play with each other in the tree branches and they’re called dusky langur monkeys and they can be identified by their black foot and white rings around their eyes and mouth. But if that’s not adventurous enough for you Railay is home to some of the best rock climbing spots in Southeast Asia half day rock climbing activities cost around 1,500 Thai Baht and it’s possible to learn here even if you’ve never done rock climbing before if that’s not your thing you can also explore inside the mountains Diamond cave will take you deep inside the mountains so you can admire the Maze of rock formations that have been formed over millions of years but there is.
One cave that holds an important Place In tha folkore and mythology this cave is to be home to the spirit of pranang and fishermen and local people have come to this cave to make offerings to the spirit in hopes of receiving blessings for safe boat Journeys what kind of gifts do they give a sea goddess you might ask that’s right you guessed it it’s a penis pron C is home to hundreds of wooden penis carvings which are seen as a symbol AS fertility in Thailand if you keep exploring past the caves you’ll find a number of other hidden beaches to explore that most tourists are unaware even exist.
There is one beach famous for its stunning mangrove trees that grew out the salt War but there is also much less explored Phra Nang Beach and Railay East to chill out in make sure to get the boat back to Ao Nang before 600 p.m. Which is when most boats stop running so make sure you’re on one unless you want to spend the night on the beach in the evening it’s time for something completely different Krabi‘s home to one of the most unique shows in Thailand the blue dragon cabaret show is an hourlong Musical and dance show with a Twist all the performers in the show are transgender lady boys known in Thailand as kathoey.
This is one of the biggest shows in southern Thailand and this one is known for its mix of Thai and Western cultures to be clear. This is a mostly PG-rated show performances take place up to three times a night and cost 600 Thai Baht but if you’re looking for a more vibrant affair Krabi is home at one of the bigger Muay Thai stadiums in southern Thailand tickets cost around 1,000 Thai Baht and fights take place every Tuesday Thursday and Saturday.
Krabi Tiger Cave Temple Emerald Pool and Mangroves
There is much more on the Krabi mainland than beaches and Islands to explore though on day three we’re going to head Inland to find some of the coolest sites in southern Thailand. The first thing you realize as you explore the mainland is that the landscapes are like nowhere you’ve ever seen before the mountain Landscapes that you saw at the beach continues further backwards and the drive to the first site will take you on a journey through the mountains. The first destination of the day is one of the most sacred temples in southern Thailand as you arrive you’ll be greeted by a steep climb of 1,260 steps which is a challenging climb but you can stop along the way to admire some of the shrines and monuments at the top of the staircase visitors are greeted by a large golden Buddhauddha statue and a small pagoda the summit offers breathtaking 360° panoramic views of Krabi‘s lush rainforest limestone cliffs and distant Islands the temple is known as Tiger Cave Temple as in the past Tigers were known around the area and it’s likely you’ll get to see monks going about their daily routines at the top of the mountain.
Not far from Tiger cave Temple is a national park that will take you to a unique location unlike anything else in Thailand in the middle of the jungle there’s a thermal hot spring the Emerald Pool is known for its stunning turquoise green water the water is crystal clear making a perfect spot for swimming nearby the Emerald Pool though is another natural wonder called the blue pool however swimming is not allowed in the blue pool due to its fragile ecosystem to access these pools it costs around 400 Thai Baht.
But one of the most unique experiences on the Krabi Mainland will take you to the mangrove forests and the best way to explore these areas is by renting a kayak you can do this on your own or through a guided tour which will take you through the mangroves jungles and rivers.
