Krabi-a province in popular tourist Thailand, is located opposite Phuket, namely-in the opposite part of Phang Nga Bay. Every year, travelers are attracted by rocks, beaches, and uninhabited islands. In Krabi (Thailand), nature and infrastructure are conducive to travel. Most of the uninhabited islands are reached by local boats, modern speedboats. In addition, there are many attractions in Krabi, so there are almost unlimited leisure options.
General information
Krabi province is considered the most beautiful in Thailand. The resort is located near the Malaysian border, on the coast of the Andaman Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean. This picturesque coast is sure to appeal to tourists who like to discover the corners of nature that have not yet been touched by man.
Krabi province in Thailand is more than three dozen beaches, more than two hundred islands, exotic vegetation in the tropics, mountains, waterfalls and caves. If you want to experience the local flavor, buy a wooden boat ride. If you prefer comfort, take a trip on a modern boat or ferry. The shallow waters off the coast of Krabi are a good place for snorkeling, and tourists can enjoy kayaking in the bays and lagoons. The caves are filled with stalactites, stalagmites that have formed over the centuries.
Interesting fact! It is in the province of Krabi that the oldest limestone deposit is located – the cemetery of shells-scientists believe that the age of the natural attraction is more than 75 million years.
The population of Krabi is 360 thousand inhabitants and every year less time is spent fishing, and more money is invested in tourism. Hotels are being built, coconut oil is being produced, and infrastructure is being developed. And in Krabi, you should definitely visit the local markets – day and night. The region is a place with unusual and memorable landscapes and comfortable beaches.
Vacation in Krabi province
For several decades, the infrastructure of the province in Thailand has been actively developing, so here you can find housing for every taste and budget. Of course, the cost of staying in hotels of different categories is significantly different.
Accommodation
If you are interested in budget accommodation, pay attention to hotels where the price of a room per night varies from 500 to 900 baht. The price includes a clean, fairly comfortable room, furniture, bathroom, air conditioning.
It is important! The closer to the center of the resorts and further from the coastline, the cheaper it is to rent a room.
Accommodation in a 3-and 4-star hotel on the first line will cost 2500 baht per day. The cost of apartments in a five-star hotel starts from 3500 baht.
Many tourists plan a long vacation in Krabi – a month or longer. In this case, it will not be financially profitable to book a hotel room. It is better to rent an apartment, bungalow or private house from local residents or. The cost of a house of 80 m2 with two bedrooms and two bathrooms will start from 15 thousand baht per month. A small one-bedroom house will cost from 10 thousand baht per month.
Important to know! It is better to book accommodation in Thailand in advance, as prices depend on the season. In the dry season, prices are maximum, and in the rainy season – they decrease by 1.5-2 times.
Food
Prices for food depend on where you prefer to eat, and what cuisine you prefer. The minimum cost of lunch in the city of Krabi is 80 baht, it is cheaper to eat in makashnits or street Thai eateries. The average cost of a meal here is about 60 baht.
In Ao Nang, where the main number of vacationers come, prices are slightly higher (in Thai baht):
- Tom Yam Soup-150
- Pad Thai-100
- Steak-400
- Fruit shake – 70-100
- Local beer 0.5-120
- Curry with chicken – 120.
Krabi Town
Krabi Town in Thailand is the main tourist center of the Thai province. A distinctive feature of the city – cheap hotels and a large selection of guesthouses-the average cost of living is 200 baht. Krabi Town is chosen by tourists who are fed up with European cities that have lost their color, and want to plunge into the authenticity of Thailand. It should be noted that there is no beach in the city, but you can rent a transport to get to the nearest beaches of Ao Nang.
Ao Nang
If you are interested in a resort that is maximally adapted for a comfortable European holiday, choose Ao Nang, located two dozen kilometers from Krabi Town – the administrative center of the province. The main attraction is Ao Nang Beach with excellent conditions for diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, numerous cafes and restaurants. The beauty of this resort can be judged by numerous photos of tourists.
Detailed information about the resort with photos is provided in this article.
Krabi Beaches
The beaches of Krabi in Thailand are located east of Phuket, tourists are attracted by picturesque rocks, soft, fine sand and privacy. This part of the country is perfect for tourists who relax on their own and seek peace, young couples who are attracted to romance, as well as for families with children.
The main advantage of Krabi beaches is easy accessibility – you can go around the entire coast and make your own personal rating of places for relaxation or active recreation. Krabi’s coastline is diverse. Many travelers mistakenly believe that we are talking about islands, but in fact-this is the mainland of Thailand, the province also includes picturesque uninhabited islands. Most of the beaches are located on the mainland.
Useful to know! You can go to any of the islands on your own or purchase an excursion. Since the islands are uninhabited, there is no infrastructure, so you will not be able to stay for an extended period of time.
The coastline of Krabi stretches for 15 km, there are many beaches, each of which has its own characteristics and advantages. When choosing, keep in mind that some can only be reached by water.
The most crowded beach with developed infrastructure is located near Ao Nang. Here you can eat and buy drinks. East of Ao Nang, the coastline is more focused on visitors to expensive hotels. The Raleigh Peninsula is separated from the roads by high cliffs and can only be reached by water.
Another distinctive feature of a beach holiday in Krabi in Thailand is the lack of a large number of entertainment options. There are no jet skis, parachutes, or bananas. The beaches of Krabi can also not be called fully equipped – there are no abundance of sun loungers and umbrellas. This decision was made by local residents consciously, in order to preserve nature as much as possible untouched. In fact, the lack of umbrellas and sun beds is easily solved with a blanket or mattress, as well as the shade of palm trees.
Tides and low tides
In the province of Krabi, the ebb and flow are very pronounced. In order not to find yourself in an unpleasant situation and not come to the shore when the water goes several hundred meters, you need to study the tables of natural phenomena. There is a lot of such information on the Internet.
Useful to know! During the full moon, the tides are more pronounced, and during the waning moon they become less noticeable.
At low tide, the water goes so far that it becomes simply impossible to swim, and at high tide, the water near the shore becomes somewhat muddy and restless. It is most comfortable to swim on days when the difference between high and low tide is minimal. As a rule, this period coincides with the high tourist season. But in summer, the differences between the tides become too sharp.
Krabi Province Attractions
Krabi Province is notable not only for its comfortable beaches, but also for its natural, historical and architectural attractions. If you get bored of relaxing on the beach, you can always take a trip to the nearby islands, visit temples, waterfalls and caves.
Reilly Peninsula
A trip to the peninsula will be a memorable holiday experience in Thailand. Millions of tourists from all over the world celebrate the white sand on the beach, and the fancy rocks give this place a special charm. Be sure to visit the Diamond attraction-a cave located in the eastern part of the peninsula, its length is 180 m.
Useful to know! Railay can only be reached by water, and boats depart regularly from Krabi Town and Ao Nang. You don’t need to pay for visiting the peninsula. You can purchase a two-day sightseeing tour and spend the night on Railay.
More detailed information about the peninsula, all its beaches and attractions can be found here.
Phi Phi Don Island
This is the only one of the Phi Phi Islands where there is a port and hotels are built. Its dimensions are 3.5 km by 8 km. The eastern part is more comfortable and suitable for tourist recreation, while the western part is covered with rocks. The coastline is very diverse – there are places with developed infrastructure, mainly near Ton Sai Village, and you can find a secluded part of the coast. Be prepared for the fact that most roads are not designed for long walks in the dark. It is most convenient to explore the natural beauty, moving on the water.
On Phi Phi Don, there are six large beaches ranging in length from half a kilometer to 700 meters, and about ten small ones – no more than 50 m.
The island of Pee-Pee-Dong is described in detail on this page.
Phi Phi Lei Island and Maya Bay
The island has an area of 6.6 sq. m. The complex consists of cliffs 100 m high, as well as picturesque coves. Phi Phi Lei is uninhabited, but it is its solitude that attracts thousands of tourists. Most travelers settle here, and on Phi Phi Lei they go on an excursion to see natural attractions.
The main interest is the bay of Maya Bay, which became famous thanks to the film “The Beach”. The attraction is a beach covered with white sand and surrounded by stone cliffs and picturesque coral reefs.
Useful to know! Today, this part of Thailand can hardly be called deserted and uninhabited, since hundreds of travelers come here every day. If you want to enjoy peace and quiet, come to Phi Phi Lei no later than seven o’clock in the morning or after five o’clock in the evening.
Things to do:
- snorkeling;
- visit a Viking cave;
- try the swallows ‘ nests.
How to get to Pi-Pi-Lei, useful tips for visiting and photos, see this article.
Bambu Island
This tourist attraction of Krabi in Thailand is included in the list of places that must be visited when traveling around the province. The nearest resort is Phi Phi Don, just 5 km away, while Krabi Town is 32 km away. An easy way to visit the attraction is to buy a guided tour in Krabi or Phi Phi Don. You can rent a boat and go on an independent trip.
Useful to know! Bambu is part of a national nature reserve, so all travelers are charged a fee of 400 baht for an adult and 200 baht for a child.
People come here for the sake of picturesque nature, exotic vegetation and the purest sea. The lowest number of tourists is early in the morning – up to 7-8 hours. There are no sun beds or umbrellas on the island, but you can rent bedding and a life jacket. Be sure to bring a mask to observe the life of the coral reef.
All details about visiting Bamboo Island can be found on this page.
Tiger Temple
The property is 13 km from Krabi Town. This is a Buddhist complex with many religious symbols and statues. The journey begins in a cave with statues of panthers and tigers. The goal of visitors is an observation deck, which offers a great view of the entire province. The road to the observation deck is more than 1,237 steps.
Useful to know! Along the way, tourists are accompanied by wild monkeys. Entrance to the attraction is free, you can visit it during daylight hours.
More detailed information about the temple can be found here.
Poda Island
Are you bored of lying on the beach and don’t know what to see in Krabi (Thailand)? Please note the 10 km by 6 km scenic spot located 5 km from the shore, opposite Phra Nang Beach. A distinctive feature of Poda Island is its geographical location – in shallow water. At low tide, a sandbar appears between small islands, along which you can travel and admire the landscape beauty. Well-fed macaques hide in the shade of trees, which watch tourists with interest and boldly take treats directly and from people.
Useful to know! Poda is the most popular boat trip in Krabi province. The attraction receives tourists all year round, visiting is paid, since Poda is part of the National Park.
The most famous entertainment – Deep Water Solo-everyone is taken out to sea, right from the boat you need to climb on a rock and jump into the water.
Another feature is the lack of infrastructure – there are no hotels, shops, and local authorities managed to preserve the impenetrable jungle. For tourists, there are several gazebos, bars, toilets, places for changing clothes.
Poda Beaches
The island has only one beach, divided into two parts – north and south.
- The northern part is where boats dock, the wide coastline allows you to choose a secluded place to relax, the main attraction is the rock. The entrance to the water is gentle and soft.
- The southern part is less comfortable, there are a lot of stones, the descent to the sea is also rocky, and the nature is not so picturesque.
Useful to know! The best time to visit is before 12: 00 or after 16: 00. At other times, there are a lot of tourists here.
Before traveling to Poda, stock up on food and drinks, there is a bar on the shore, but it can be closed, the prices for treats in it are several times higher than in other places in the province. Guests can enjoy fresh, refreshing drinks and traditional Thai food on a regular basis.
Photo: Krabi, Thailand.
How to get
There are several ways to get to the attraction:
- sightseeing tour, which includes four islands, the cost depends on transport and what is included in the tour;
- rent a motor boat in Ao Nang;
- rent a private boat – this option is more suitable for large companies.
Blue Lake
During your vacation in Krabi, Thailand, be sure to visit the Khao Pra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, where there are picturesque lakes filled with the purest water. You can see the Blue and Emerald Lakes during a guided tour or on your own. The main feature of the reserve is unspoilt nature, fresh air and exotic jungle.
Be sure to take a map of the attraction where hiking trails are marked. The first one on the way meets the Emerald Lake, it is better to go to it on a long route – this road is more picturesque. There are signs on the routes.
Useful to know! The descent to the lake is slippery, you need to be careful. It is recommended to swim no longer than a quarter of an hour. The water temperature is about +25 degrees.
About 600 m from Izumrudny there is another attraction-the Blue Lake. The reservoir delights tourists with its amazing blue color due to the large accumulation of minerals at the bottom. Swimming in the reservoir is prohibited, so local authorities are trying to preserve the natural beauty of the attraction.
Interesting fact! Go to the shore and clap your hands – air bubbles will appear on the water surface. This phenomenon still defies explanation.
Entrance to the territory of the attraction:
- for adults – 200 baht;
- for children – 100 baht.
The park’s opening hours are from 7-30 to 17-30. Plan your trip on a weekday.
If you are driving on your own, follow Route 4 and turn onto Route 4021. The journey takes a little less than an hour. Parking at the entrance to the park is paid.
Weather and climate
Krabi Province is affected by the monsoon, which forms the climate and weather conditions, as well as the amount of precipitation. There are three seasons in the province:
- hot weather (from the beginning of April to the end of May);
- cool (lasts from November to the end of March);
- rainy season (from June to October).
The best time to travel to Thailand is during the cool season, when the average air temperature during the day is +30-31°C, and at night it drops to +23-25°C.
On the territory of Krabi on the coast of the Andaman Sea there are two types of monsoons:
- southwest – brings rain and thunderstorms, lasts from mid-summer to mid-autumn;
- north-east – brings the long-awaited coolness, begins in November and lasts until March.
In the off-season – the period between monsoons-the weather is hot, the air warms up strongly – up to 33 °C during the day and 26-27 °C at night.
The water temperature in the sea is kept in the range of +28-30°C throughout the year.
Useful to know! When is the best time to relax in Krabi in Thailand? Plan your trip from November to March. If you want to celebrate the New Year in Thailand, book your hotel rooms several months in advance.
Public transport links
Krabi Town is located near the airport, which accepts domestic and international flights. The length of the runway is 3 km, and the terminals serve about 700 thousand passengers a year. The airport cooperates with numerous airlines, so getting to Krabi province is not difficult.
Useful to know! The airport building has two terminals – for domestic flights and for international and charter flights.
The airport is small, but it has everything you need for the comfort of travelers.
How to get around the city
- Songteo-a transport that resembles a pickup truck. The cost of travel depends on the color of the transport and the length of the route – the most budget option will cost 20 baht (brown songteo), the most expensive-60 baht (blue transport). Songteo blue and red offer a trip for 40 baht.
- Taxi and motorcycle taxis. Taxi-transport is red in color, prices, like everywhere else in Thailand, are negotiable. A motorcycle taxi is a rather rare form of transport for a large city-the passenger is offered to ride in the back seat of a motorcycle. The trip costs an average of 150 baht.
- Knock, knock. Transport resembles songteo. The most common way to get around in Thailand.
Useful to know! As a rule, local drivers do not understand English very well, so it is better to show the route on the map.
Krabi Province (Thailand) is undoubtedly the best choice if you want to relax on the beach and enjoy the many attractions. This part of the country is not yet sufficiently promoted, the more attractive the scenery looks and the brighter the travel experience will be.
