First of all, you need to know that Krabi is not one island, but a whole province on the mainland with stunning sheer cliffs and a bunch of small islands. Krabi is located near Phuket.
All tourists and winterers stop in the small town of Ao Nang (Ao Nang and Nopparat thara beaches), which is located right on the coast. The place is known for serving as a staging post for those who go to the Railay Peninsula, the beaches of which are included in the TOP of the most beautiful beaches on the planet..
The content of the article
Preparing for the trip
Description of the resort and why go to Krabi
Why do so many people come here? Because there are stunning sheer cliffs everywhere! Almost like in the movie Avatar. The whole province is "poutykana" by them. And the disadvantages of the beaches in the village of Ao Nang can be compensated for by the Railay Peninsula and its beautiful beaches (sail from Aonang for 10 minutes), as well as several islands, where everything is also fine with the beaches (sail for 30-40 minutes).
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As I said at the very beginning, everyone who travels to Krabi stops in the village of Ao Nang. And specifically, there is no bounty here, if we talk about beaches. Well, in my opinion. But the sunsets are very beautiful! You need to understand that opinions about beaches are quite subjective, since everyone perceives them differently, and perhaps someone will disagree with me.
The fact is that, firstly, visually, the beaches in Ao Nang look so-so compared to the same Koh Samui or Phuket, and, secondly, the daily ebb and flow are very important. You can come to swim, but the sea is not. Absolutely not. It took about 200 meters from the shore and to reach the water is not a trivial task. You also need to understand that here, even at high tide, it is relatively shallow - up to the neck or a little deeper (although you can just swim). You need to track the ebb and flow of the table from the Internet and come at a certain time, more in my post. On the other hand, shallow water is good for children, so they often come here with children..
Thus, if you lack nature and beauty in your life, but the sea and the beach are not so important (or you are ready to swim on the Railay every day), then this is the place for you. I must also say that in general there are fewer people here than in Phuket, even in peak season, I know, for some it is important. Or, if you have a short vacation of 1-2 weeks, but at the same time you are ready to move from place to place, then you can come to Ao Nang and Railay for at least a few days, and then return to the same Phuket.
Krabi province is very beautiful
Which beach to choose
In fact, you have practically no choice, since there are few beaches and they look like each other. Arriving in Aonang, you will be staying in a hotel or near Aonang Beach, or about Noparat Tara beach, they are adjacent to each other. The most central place is, of course, Ao Nang beach, and the closer to the coast, the more hustle and bustle. But I would not say that there are a lot of people there, if you compare with Phuket, the village is still small. There is less civilization on Noparat Tara, but there is also.
And, if, on the contrary, you want to be away from everyone, then it makes sense to consider the Klong Muang beach (it is on the sidelines and it takes 20-30 minutes to drive from Ao Nang to it) or the Railay Peninsula with its beaches. Only on the first one you will almost always be out of the crowds of people, then on Railay only early in the morning and already in the evening, because in the afternoon many boats with tourists come there..
Overview of all beaches in Aonang and Krabi >
Reilly needs to be mentioned separately. It is a peninsula with 4 beaches, 2 of which are considered to be very beautiful. Although it is a peninsula, Railay can only be reached by boat, sailing for about 10 minutes. In principle, you can live in Aonang and swim on Railay every day for the beauty and a good beach, but not everyone who comes on vacation will like this scheme. Therefore, you can initially book a hotel on Railay and go to live there..
However, it should be borne in mind that apart from a number of cafes, several hotels, a couple of caves, an observation deck and kayaks, there is no other entertainment. Perhaps you should go there for a few days, taste all the delights of wildlife and relaxation, and the rest of the time to live in Aonang. See for yourself. But as I said, in the season you will see wildlife only early in the morning and already closer to sunset. Details about Railay Peninsula read in my post.
Railay Beach in Krabi Province
How to choose a hotel or house
The main resort in Krabi is Ao Nang. Therefore, for most tourists, I would recommend staying in Ao Nang. There are hotels for every choice, from budget to expensive resorts, and the largest amount of necessary infrastructure. Stands apart excellent hotel Centara with its own beach, which can be reached from Ao Nang, either on foot along the mountain trail in 15 minutes, or by boat. This is if you want to separate a little.
It is also possible to book a hotel in the area between the beaches of Ao Nang and Noparat Thara. The beaches themselves are separated by a small mountain, but it does not interfere with movement in any way, since the road along the sea goes practically without differences. And on this site (near this mountain) there is a street extending perpendicularly from the sea inland, there are many inexpensive and good hotels on it, I myself lived there. The main and a bit noisy street of Ao Nang is nearby, but you can't feel it.
All hotels in Ao Nang >
My selection of the best hotels in Krabi >
For winterers and those who come for a period of 1-2 months, I would initially advise considering only Aonang for living (Noparattara is also possible, but there are fewer options). In Ao Nang there is a medium-sized Tesco supermarket and, more recently, Makro, and if you need large shopping centers, you can go to Krabi Town, it is 30 km away. But the most important thing is that it is in this area that the largest selection of housing per month (my catalog of houses).
Unfortunately, on the first, second and even third lines, you will not rent a house or apartment, there are only hotels. The nearest complexes of houses are 15-20 minutes away on foot, but closer to the New Year everything is already occupied there, especially in the budget range. But if the distance is not important to you (will take off the bike), then the number of options expands significantly, because on the outskirts of Aonang, most winterers live.
If you are traveling to Thailand for the first time, then I recommend booking a house or apartment in advance. This is done only through a realtor. Yes, they do not deal with the cheapest housing and take a commission, but this allows you to avoid unnecessary hassle in an unfamiliar country. Believe me, independent searches on the spot are difficult and not worth it. You are going to rest.
Send me a request to advise a trusted realtor, whom I myself trust. And then recently there have been a lot of scammers.
Send request >
How to get to Krabi
Krabi is located near Phuket, 2.5-3 hours by minibus. Actually, this is one of the options to get to Krabi. Transfer minibus can be taken upon arrival, but it will take time. Therefore, it is better to pre-order a transfer online through Kiwitaxi, then they will immediately be waiting for you at the exit from the arrival hall with a sign. A transfer to Krabi costs about 3,000 baht per car, regardless of where to take it.
Alternatively, fly to Phuket airport and rent a car. Again, it is better to do this in advance, since the car season is snapped up. It is better to book through proven Economybookings, as it is cheaper through it. But renting a car rather makes sense in order not only to get to Krabi, but also then to drive around the surroundings. It will be possible to return it either at the Krabi airport, or by returning it back to Phuket at the end of the vacation, thus saving on transfers.
Transfer from Phuket to Ao Nang >
Car for rent with a discount >
Krabi also has its own airport, which is located near Krabi Town, and where you can fly from Bangkok or Phuket. I have a detailed post, how to get from Bangkok to Krabi, read there all the ways, including bus and train. You can also fly to this airport from other countries, but there are no direct flights from Russia, all with a transfer (watch traditionally at Aviasales).
Therefore, if your task is to get from Russia to Krabi, then you need to either look for flights with a transfer between Russia-Krabi, or first fly to Phuket or Bangkok with one ticket, and then get from them to Krabi (by land or again by plane ). But the plane is justified only if you follow from Bangkok, then you can save a lot of time. And from Phuket it will be faster to get by transfer by land. It won't take long to go there. But decide for yourself which is more convenient for you..
Climate and weather in Krabi
Krabi is the southern province of Thailand, so the climate here is hot and humid almost all year round. On average, the air temperature always keeps slightly above 30C during the day, and 23-26C at night..
The best months to travel to Krabi are December, January and February. They are the coolest and with a minimum of rain. The only negative is that there are many tourists, housing is being dismantled and prices are higher. In March, the tourist season ends, it is still clear and sunny, but the air temperature is rising.
The hot season begins in spring, when temperatures rise to 36C and humidity increases along with the likelihood of rain. There are already fewer tourists, but this kind of weather for a European is quite difficult, not for everyone. The water warms up very strongly since spring. Again, not everyone likes to swim in 30C water, it is not refreshing.
The low season and the rainy season begin with summer. Rains in the form of heavy and fast tropical showers are not very disturbing, but the sea often has big waves, it becomes dirty and it is not very pleasant to swim. But there are few tourists and although some of the establishments are closed, in the rest there are discounts in the low season and you can relax in silence and solitude, there are no crowds on the streets and on the beach.
In autumn, the temperature gradually decreases, and the weather is increasingly clear. By the end of autumn, the high tourist season begins again.
Upon arrival at the resort
How to get to your hotel
If you arrive by transfer from Phuket by land, you will not have this question, you will be taken directly to the hotel. And, if you first arrive at Krabi airport, you will need to get to the hotel somehow..
From the airport to Ao Nang can be reached by bus for 150 baht or taxi for 600 baht. The bus travels for about an hour, as it calls into Krabi Town and does not go fast, but a taxi for 20-30 minutes. The bus schedule is more or less adjusted to the flights, but you still have to wait. You can take a taxi at any time and leave immediately. More details about how to get there.
Also, you can order a transfer via the Internet from Kiwitaxi, it's convenient. You will be met with a sign at the airport, your luggage will be taken and taken directly to the hotel. That is, a minimum of communication on site upon arrival and the solution of any issues. I have already traveled through them several times and wrote your review.
Airport transfers to Ao Nang >
You can also take a transfer from your hotel when making a reservation, if it provides such a service. But this is a matter of taste, of course, hotel transfers are usually the most expensive..
What to see from the sights
Since Krabi is located on the coast, then, first of all, many are interested in various sea excursions. You can swim on your own or as part of a group on the Railay Peninsula, the beaches of which, as I said, are included in the TOP beaches. It will take one day. Another 1-2 days can be spent on trips to the surrounding islands, also for the beaches, swimming and snorkeling. Even on the well-known island of Phi Phi, you can swim from here, but I would recommend going there with an overnight stay.
In Ao Nang itself, there are very few attractions and they are quite ordinary, so it makes sense to visit a little more remote places. Where can you go from Ao Nang? First of all, you need to climb to Tiger Temple (Wat Tham Seua), which offers stunning views of the entire province, and swim in Emerald Pool (Emerald Pool). Then you can visit hot thermal springs (Prutiew Hot Springs) and nat. Than Bokoranee National Park, walk the footbridge over the mangrove forests.
What to see in Krabi and Ao Nang >
The main excursions boil down to visiting the natural beauties of the mainland (I have already listed some of them above), as well as various sea excursions, starting with small islands where you can swim and snorkel, ending with the Phi Phi resort, where you can stay overnight.
Where to eat, in which cafes
In Ao Nang, since it is a developed resort, there are many cafes with both local Thai cuisine and various European dishes - pizza, pasta, even Scandinavian dishes can be found. An interesting feature is that there are quite a few Indian cafes and even Arabic cuisine can be found. That is, for almost every taste.
There are several places with seafood, mostly on the waterfront, directly overlooking the sea. Seafood Street, "seafood street", is located on the part of Ao Nang Beach that adjoins the hill that separates it from Nopparat Thara Beach, next to by the Krabi Resort. Seafood Street consists of five large outdoor and indoor buffet cafes. Sala Bua is considered one of the best seafood restaurants here. All seafood cafes on the waterfront are great for a romantic dinner at sunset, and in the season here in the evenings all tables are usually occupied.
Quite expensive, but very atmospheric restaurant - Lae lay grill. Near it is the equally famous The Hilltop Ao Nang, but the first is better 🙂 Lae Lay Grill is located on a green hill above the sea and offers a wonderful view, especially at sunset. Nice place for a romantic dinner. Tables are located in the open air and on the terrace. This restaurant is often recommended for celebrating any holidays..
There are many cafes-bars with cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. If you walk along the Ao Nang beach to the left (if you face the sea), then almost at the end of the beach you can see thatched gazebos with massage tables, and then there will be several beach cafe-bars with tables right on the sand. The Last Cafe is one such place with a pleasant atmosphere. Here you can watch the sunset to unobtrusive music, numerous lanterns and candles are lit in the evening. You can order simple dishes such as fried rice in pineapple, a large selection of cocktails, beer, ice cream.
Another interesting thing is a cafe with steaks and a characteristic feature of Ao Nang - halal. Since there are many Muslims in the south of Thailand, halal food is common here. For example, a good, albeit not cheap, place with steaks is Carnivore Steak and Grill. And if you want democratic and flavorful, then this is Burger Bung - a halal burger with a large selection and prices are very pleasant.
In Ao Nang there are also pretty coffee shops and pastry shops that are quite European in quality. However, cafes and restaurants designed for tourists are quite expensive, especially in comparison with local food. If you want European food and more, on the main street, where McDonald's and Starbucks (yes, they are also present here), there is a cafe with a buffet where you can build your usual dinner in a European way or try Indian cuisine. At Taj Palace it will cost only $ 10-15 and the reviews about this place are good.
And if you are more attracted to Thai cuisine, then along the same street, which runs perpendicular to the sea, there are several cafes with tables under thatched roof, where there is also local cuisine and a few dishes adapted for tourists and the prices are affordable. Nice cafes with Thai food - Tonsai and Thailandia. Prices and choice are pleasing here.
For fans of fast food chains, on the same street, you can see signs that are familiar to everyone and almost relatives: McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Company, Starbucks. There is even a Burger King in Ao Nang.
Transport on site
In the surrounding area, you can ride small tuk-tuk (taxi) or buy a transfer, if for a long distance. On foot from Ao Nang, you can walk along the monkey trail to the neighboring Pai Plong Beach, where the Tsentara hotel is located, or in the other direction, to the Nopparat Tara beach and along it to the confluence of the river into the sea, from where boats leave. But on foot from Ao Nang it is quite far to go there, on a tuk-tuk this distance is overcome in 15 minutes.
So it is better to rent some kind of transport in Krabi, the easiest way is to rent a bike. Or a car, especially if you are several people, have a child, or are going to drive around the neighborhood. About the car I will immediately say a recommendation - it is necessary to take it from international distributors in a world famous so as not to have problems. And take it through Economybookings, which gives out prices 2 times lower than on the official websites of the companies. I do this myself all the time. More details in my instructions.
Rent a bike and car in Krabi >
Longtails - long-tailed boats - also go to the nearest islands and beaches in Krabi as a taxi. They connect hard-to-reach beaches with each other. Boats depart from the pier in Krabi Town, Ao Nammao and Ao Nang. From Ao Nammao, boats go to the East Railay Beach, from Ao Nang to Tonsai and West Railay. From Ao Nang, Noparat Tara and from Klong Muang you can swim to the island of Hong, Chicken and others. Just in case, it is cheaper to sail to Hong from Klong Muang or even from Tub Kaek, as the water is already getting much closer..
Krabi Map
Krabi Map
Krabi Map:
P.S. Ask questions, I will add if something is missing. And leave your feedback about your vacation in Krabi, how you liked it there or not 🙂
Life hack 1 - how to buy good insurance
It is unrealistically difficult to choose insurance now, so I am making a rating to help all travelers. To do this, I constantly monitor forums, study insurance contracts and use insurance myself..
Insurance rating
Lifehack 2 - how to find a hotel 20% cheaper
First, we choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base of offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel can often be found 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.
Hotels with discounts
