Welcome to Thailand's Tropical Paradise: Krabi.
Krabi is a unique province, located on the West Coast of Thailand, and is well known for its impressive limestone cliffs and its many beautiful beaches. Initially, this coastal destination may seem like many others but rest assured, Krabi has plenty of hidden gems and I am going to show you what this aesthetic escape has to offer whether you are a backpacker or looking for a luxury holiday.
Best Time to Visit Krabi
December – February are the optimal months to visit if you are looking for sunny beach days, but this does not mean that you cannot have an amazing (if not more relaxing) time during other parts of the year.
High Season: This normally occurs from November to March but the exact dates can sometimes be a little unpredictable. Most tourists will gather during these months and the average temperature is a comfortable 28 degrees. You can expect a lot of sunshine but do be prepared for the occasional shower as after all, you are on a tropical island!
Hot Season: Krabi can get extremely hot and humid during the months of April and May, with temperatures ranging from around 27-36 degrees. You are likely to experience some thundery storms during these months but rest assured these are usually over as quick as they started.
Low/Monsoon Season: You will want to pack your raincoat if visiting during the wet season, which usually occurs between June and October. Don’t be put off though, you can still get frequent sunny spells and it is a lot less crowded – and a lot cheaper for accommodation!
How Long to Stay in Krabi
I would personally recommend staying 5 days in Krabi to truly get the most out of your stay. This will also give you plenty of time to relax and to take a boat trip to one of many neighbouring islands. If you are tight on time, you could lower this to 3-4 days but if you are looking to stay put in one place, you will still be easily occupied for a whole week, if not more.
How to Get to Krabi
Krabi is easily accessible as it has its own international airport connecting it with numerous countries. Most visitors will take a connecting flight from Bangkok which takes on average 1 hour 26 minutes.
You can also reach Krabi easily by ferry from a range of nearby popular Thai destinations, including: Surat Thani, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
Getting Around Krabi
Transportation in Krabi is plentiful and easily accessible.
Tuk Tuk – These 3 wheeled bicycles are one of the cheapest and most convenient ways of getting from place to place for short trips.
Moped/Scooter – A budget way of getting around as and when you’d like is by renting a scooter for about £4 a day!
Car Rental – I drove in Krabi and rented a car for about £20 a day. I felt extremely safe, the roads were in great condition and very quiet once out of local towns. Be sure to have your international driving permit if renting a vehicle to avoid any fines.
Longtail Boat – A convenient way of getting from beach to beach for minimal cost.
Where to Stay in Krabi
The two most popular locations to stay are Ao Nang and Railay Beach. Ao Nang is more popular for budget travel as it has a variety of accommodation, whereas Railay Beach is home to many high-end luxury resorts. Railay Beach is the more picturesque, relaxing and isolated location but Ao Nang Beach is also beautiful, just a little more crowded.
I personally stayed in Ao Nang and have only good things to report on. There is a diverse range of restaurants, beachfront bars and markets. Railay Beach is only a 10 minute trip away by longtail boat so it really is down to preference and your budget on which location you choose.
Discover Krabi's Hidden Gems
EMERALD POOL
There are two routes available to reach the Emerald Pool, one a 800m path and the other a 1.4 km nature trail (definitely choose this one if you can). You will walk on a walkway across swampland, jungle and crystal clear streams before reaching the final destination: a dreamy blue pool. The entry fee is 400 baht (approx £9.00) which is fairly expensive but this hidden gem is definitely worth it.
TONSAI BEACH
This beach is certainly one of the most beautiful in Krabi and is a lot less crowded than other popular beaches as it is only accessible by boat. Experience the cosy hippie environment of the small village of Tonsai but make sure to bring some cash as ATM’s are not available.
KRABI HOT SPRINGS
Take a dip in Krabi’s natural jacuzzi: a true hidden gem of Thailand. If you have come to Krabi to relax and get in touch with yourself, then look no further. Lots of tour companies run day trips to the hot springs alongside the Emerald Pool but don’t be afraid to hire a car/motorbike for the day and visit these yourself for a more relaxed schedule – the roads are in great condition in Krabi and are fun to drive around.
DRAGON CREST MOUNTAIN - VIEWPOINT AND HIKE
Feeling adventurous and want to witness one of the best views in the whole of Krabi? This hike isn’t necessarily difficult but is steep at some points. Plan on spending approximately 3-4 hours for the complete hike (you hike back on the same path). The views that you will encounter are truly amazing, this is a must do and one of Krabi’s hidden gems. To reach the starting point you will need to get to Khao Ngon Nak National Park, a 25 minute drive from Ao Nang.
MONKEY TRAIL - AO NANG
This trail begins at the end of Ao Nang Beach (by Centara Resort). You will then find the walkway/steps which take you on a short hike through the jungle. Be careful as these wooden steps are quite steep at points. At the end of the trail, you will come to Pai Plong Beach – a cove only accessible by longtail boat or this pathway. Expect to find numerous monkeys, especially at the start of the trail. Just make sure to keep a reasonable distance and your personal items close!
TIGER CAVE TEMPLE
The Tiger Cave Temple is probably my favourite experience from Krabi. It consists of 1260 step climb to the top where you will have a 360 panoramic view of the surrounding jungle and coastline. Be warned that these steps are very steep and this hike is strenuous but we did see a variety of people completing it and everyone was keen to encourage each other. Make sure to wear trainers and bring plenty of water as you will get very hot in the Thai humidity.
MARKETS
Walking Street Krabi Town – This is the most famous market and also the liveliest. It is a weekend market, open from Friday to Sunday. Expect to find a variety of crafts from clothes and accessories to household items and handicrafts. After shopping, explore the food stalls and grab yourself a cocktail if you’d like! Live music is usually on and you can easily spend an entire evening here.
Ao Nang Night Market – It is likely that you are staying closer to this market unless you are in Krabi Town. Although it is called a night market, you will still be able to find many food stalls open in daytime. By no means is this the largest market but it does offer a variety of food and a great atmosphere.
RAILAY BEACH
Railay Beach is unfortunately no longer a hidden gem in Krabi but it still remains one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. It is surrounded by rugged limestone cliffs and many tall palm trees – picture perfect! We visited in early November on an overcast day, as you can see there was barely anyone in sight. You can reach Railay Beach by longtail boat from Ao Nang. Luckily, if you forget your lunch, there are many restaurants and facilities located just behind the beach.
Other Recommendations
THAI MASSAGE
Do yourself a favour and get a Thai massage at least once! We had a full body massage at Sankara Ao Nang and it was amazing for only 299 baht (£6.70).
VEGAN RESTAURANT
Make sure to check out Plant-Erian in Ao Nang whether you are vegan or not. We ate here almost everyday – they offer a huge menu with amazing breakfast options and deserts. I appreciated the menu here as someone who is dairy intolerant. Their acai bowls and pancakes are delicious.
MOSQUITO REPELLANT
Personally, I found tiger balm to work wonders in Thailand to prevent mosquito bites as well as to heal. It is recommended to use DEET spray, which you can find in most pharmacies. Unfortunately, I did suffer from bad mosquito bites throughout Thailand and the worst were from when I went to the hot springs in Krabi so be aware and use your spray.
SIM CARDS
In order to avoid high roaming costs, be sure to grab a sim card on arrival in Thailand. If you are on a budget, I would advise against buying one at the airport as they are usually more expensive. You can purchase a sim card in any 7-11 or in a shopping centre for reasonable prices. I used TrueMove for my travels through Thailand and experienced no issues whatsoever.
DRINKING WATER
Be sure to avoid drinking tap water throughout Thailand as it can contain harmful bacteria and contaminants. It can be very common to get ill from drinking tap water so you will want to buy bottled water instead.
So this concludes my travel guide to the beautiful coastal paradise of Krabi. I am sure you can now understand why soo many travellers prioritise Krabi in their Thailand itinerary. There is soo much on offer here and many hidden gems to uncover.
