Krabi Travel Guide

Not as lively as Bangkok, as bustling as Pattaya, or as dazzling as Phuket – that doesn’t mean Krabi isn’t worth paying a visit, with all the very unique charm of its own. Hope to take lots of brilliant trip photos to share on SNS? Wishing to discover places that are not too affected by human activities and the tourism industry? This “forgotten paradise” might be the perfect choice for you.

General Information

Krabi

Krabi is a beautiful province located in the south of Thailand, about 500km from Bangkok, and its capital of the same name is a resort town near the Andaman coast. It is considered a hidden gem for possessing beautiful beaches that are among the top in the world, yet have not been heard about by many tourists. 

If you are a fan of island tourism, you definitely can not miss a chance to visit Krabi – one of the most attractive archipelagos on the planet. It’s home to ecological wonders with all the adventurous and picturesque scenery a traveler could dream of for a trip, along with thriving marine life and one of the most beautiful coral reefs to ever exist. Moreover, its famous limestone cliffs promise to satisfy unflinching hearts looking for a brand new exciting challenge. 

Weather in Krabi

Climate chart in Krabi

The ideal period to visit Krabi is from November to March. Krabi has a consistent tropical climate all year, with daytime temperatures never dropping below 27°C. The weather in Krabi can be divided into two seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season is from December to April, with temperatures gradually increasing each month. From May to November, the region is more prone to rainfall, with September and October being the wettest months. Traveling during the rainy season can be unpredictable, with chances of experiencing anything from brief showers to heavy rain, potentially affecting your outdoor activities. However, you might also be in luck to enjoy perfectly sunny days for a lower price, cooler weather, and quieter surroundings. 

Getting to Krabi 

Plane

Most Krabi visitors choose to fly to Bangkok, and then catch a connecting flight to Krabi Airport (KBV). Once you land, you can take an air-conditioned shuttle bus to major resorts (฿90), or you can choose to take a Songthaew (two-row, open-back taxi) for around ฿40. Car rental stores like National also offer a useful option if you plan to drive yourself during your stay.

Train

Although you can’t travel by train directly to Krabi, it’s possible to travel from Bangkok to nearby Surat Thani (for the cost of ฿600). From there, you can catch a public bus (฿140), book a taxi (about ฿250), or take a shuttle (about ฿200) to get to Krabi. The journey from Surat Thani should take several hours. 

Car

If you opt for renting a car from Krabi Airport, the fastest way to get to the beach resorts is to follow Highway 4 north for about 5 miles, then turn left toward the beach, which will take you to major resorts such as Ao Nang and Krabi Town.

Bus

Traveling by bus from Bangkok to Krabi and vice versa gives you the option to choose from second-class, first-class, and VIP services, all departing from the capital’s Southern Bus Terminal. You should prepare to pay around ฿600 for the ride, or ฿120 from Phuket.

Getting around Krabi

Public Transportation

Krabi Town and the surrounding areas lack a solid public transportation system. However, the bus station offers good connections to nearby cities and attractions.

Taxi

For many tourists, the most common means of transportation are the open-backed Songthaews or standard taxis. Both options are very affordable. Taxi fares can vary, but for example, a ride to the Tiger Cave Temple might cost around ฿200, while a Songthaew ride from Krabi Town to Ao Nang is about ฿50.

Songthaew

Car

Renting a car is a highly convenient and popular choice for exploring Krabi. Car rentals are available at the airport or you can book with us in advance here. Having a car allows you to easily travel to Phuket within a few hours or visit different beaches effortlessly. Rental rates are typically around ฿250 per day. 

Where to stay in Krabi

Krabi has two main areas: Krabi Town and Ao Nang, with Krabi Town being the more busy and crowded one. If you prefer some quiet time when traveling to Krabi, you can choose to stay in Ao Nang and rent a motorbike to go to Krabi Town.

If you want to stay at luxury places, you can choose 5-star resorts such as: Beyond Resort Krabi, Krabi Resort Pool Villa, Pooltara Resort Krabi, and Seashell Resort Krabi.

If you have an average budget, you can choose hotels ranging from 2 stars to 5 stars, which are all spacious and fully equipped to ensure the most convenient experience. For the most budget-friendly option, you can book cheap hotel rooms in Krabi or choose affordable motels and homestays. Some low-priced hotels you can refer to are Lanna Beach Guesthouse, Baan Bida, Andaman Bay Bungalow, etc.

Best Places to Visit in Krabi

Neighbouring small islands

As a part of Thailand’s island paradise, it is advised that the first thing you should do when coming to Krabi is to explore the surrounding small islands and their respective beaches, such as Poda & Tup Islands, Hong Islands, Lading Islands, Phi Phi islands, etc.

A must-visit has to be Koh Phi Phi – one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world. If you’re looking for a fascinating natural wonder, stop by Chicken Island to see limestone cliffs that greatly resemble a chicken, which will surely pique your interest. If you have time, take a detour to Poda Island, where there is a rock formation that sits in front of a white sand beach and crystal clear water, making for a great photo backdrop. Plus, it’s a peaceful place to see contemporary coastal life in Thailand up close!

Koh Phi Phi Island

Emerald Pool

This is a natural lake with water flowing from limestone mountains. The clear lake water has a beautiful jade green color.

Located just about an hour’s drive from Krabi Town, Emerald Lake is nestled in the Khao Pra Bang Khram rainforest. This is a natural lake with water flowing from limestone mountains. The clear lake water has a gorgeous jade green color. If you come on a nice sunny day, you will see the blue sky reflected on the lake’s surface – just by standing there, you are pretty much guaranteed a stunning photo! 

Emerald Pool

Khlong Thom Hot Springs

Located near Emerald Lake is Krabi natural hot springs. The temperature ranges from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, and contains many natural mineral salts that are very beneficial for health. You can leisurely soak in the hot water while appreciating the beauty of the surrounding forest. Due to the high concentration of natural minerals and salts in these streams, soaking in the hot springs is believed to treat body aches, skin conditions, rheumatism, and other diseases as well. If you are a relaxation guru, a nature lover, or a wellness pursuer, we bet you will find it hard to leave after the refreshing experience here! 

Khlong Thom Hot Springs

Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)

Wat Tham Suea, or Tiger Cave Temple, is located in the middle of a long-standing jungle in the Khiriwong Valley area. This place is covered by dense forests and mountains, giving the temple a marvelous and antique look. 

The charm point at Wat Tham Suea is the Buddha statue placed on top of the temple. This is where the “footprints of Buddha” exist, according to Thai people’s legend. To see this Buddha statue, you will have to climb 1,237 steps to reach the top of the temple. More specifically, this area becomes even more dangerous when the stairs are unevenly distributed and have many different slopes. Therefore, this will be a good fit for sporty people who like a bit of a challenge before being able to witness with their own eyes the panoramic view of wild mountains, majestic green forests, and the sacred beauty of the Buddha statue.

Wat Tham Suea

Tree Top Adventure Park Krabi

Tree Top Adventure Park is nestled beneath a dense forest canopy and surrounded by limestone cliffs. This is a place for those who want to experience the most fun sensation with adventure games. Coming to this park, you can participate in all types of game such as rope bridge walking, Tarzan swing, and zipline jumping, challenging participants to balance themselves and overcome their own fear. After all these exhilarating sensations, you can rest and enjoy lunch with delicious Thai dishes before ending the journey.

Tree Top Adventure Park Krabi

Things to Do in Krabi 

While traveling to Krabi, in addition to discovering fascinating locations, you can also take part in many interesting entertainment activities such as:

Kayaking and canoeing

Ao Thalane is a mangrove forest with rugged canyons and towering limestone mountains. Kayaking through the forest is an extremely interesting way to explore the tropical flora and fauna here.

You can also choose to take a canoe through Pang Nga Bay and take in its stunning landscape. To the locals, this sharp rocky island is called Koh Tap, which in English means “Nail Island”. But today, it is often called James Bond Island after gaining worldwide attention for appearing in the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”. 

Rock Climbing

Look for a thrilling experience? Then you must be in luck since Krabi is a province with many steep limestone mountains along the coast. Therefore, this is also an attractive destination for climbers from all around the world. The main climbing spots are concentrated mainly at Ton Sai, Railay, and Phra Nang, offering stunning views of the Andaman Sea.

It is recommended to head to Railay Beach and grab yourself a tropical rock climbing opportunity to conquer the towering limestone cliffs – a truly popular spot for rock climbers and curious tourists. With over 700 routes of varying difficulty, this destination offers various options to suit every skill level, whether you’re a beginner hoping to spice your trip up with a little risk, or a seasoned climber wanting to mark this place on your list of conquests.

Rock Climbing at Railey Beach

Cruising and diving

You can take a cruise around Ao Nang Bay by yacht, and admire the scenery of Chicken Island, as well as Poda, Tup, Si, Ta Ming, Wasam, and Gai island. What’s better than basking yourself in crisp air and gentle breeze to wash away any boredom or the hustle and bustle of life, while immersing in 360-degree images of gleaming sandbanks, rocks, and mountains? Don’t forget the “golden hour” to end a day full of excitement by admiring the glistening color changes reflected on the sea surface at sunset – an easy recipe for beautiful photos and sweet moments. 

Moreover, you can even choose to take a dive to get a close look at the astonishing coral below the ocean surface. Make sure to check out Koh Phi Phi, one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world – and the best part about it? Swimming among native saltwater creatures such as schools of glittering goldfish or the vibrant clownfish – a postcard-perfect sight that will also make for some great social media shots!

Diving in Krabi

Experiencing Thai massage

Going for a massage is an experience you definitely should not miss when traveling to Thailand, and Krabi is no exception. Thai massage stands out from other types of massage for its unique techniques in movements and pressure appliances. Their special service will surely bring you comfortable moments after a whole day of moving and exploring. 

What to Eat in Krabi 

Coming to Krabi, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy special local food, such as:

Hor Mok

Hor Mok is a fish dish steamed in banana leaves. The combination of fish with seemingly unrelated ingredients like coconut milk, curry powder, Thai kaffir lime… brings an extremely impressive flavor. The sweetness from the fresh fish fillets mixed with the flavor of curry, spices, and the fatty taste of coconut milk will surely make your dinner much more enjoyable.

Hor Mok

Mango sticky rice

Thailand is famous for mango sticky rice. But this dish in Krabi has a special point, which is being made from top-quality rice and mango. The fragrant sticky rice mixed with the rich sweetness of mango and the greasy taste of coconut milk makes it a difficult taste for visitors to resist.

Thailand’s mango sticky rice

Pancake

This cake is the most famous in Ao Nang. Just hearing the sizzling sound in the greasy butter pan, taking in the sweet scent and the golden color of the round cakes can already make us want to savor right on the spot. The first bite reveals a perfect balance of crispiness and softness, with a delicately sweet flavor. Often enjoyed as a street food delight, these pancakes would certainly bring you an enjoyable experience.

Coastal seafood

Krabi is a coastal area with extremely rich seafood resources. It’s such a waste to travel to Krabi without enjoying fresh seafood. Many restaurants in Krabi serve seafood caught daily, ensuring every dish is as fresh as possible. Dining by the beach, with the aroma of grilled seafood mixed with the salty sea breeze, is an experience that will easily capture both your taste buds and your heart. Don’t miss the opportunity to try local specialties like Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup) and Pla Pao (grilled fish), which truly highlight the unique flavor of this coastal haven.

Coastal seafood in Ao Nang

Souvenirs of Krabi 

Traditional Batik paintings

Batik art in Krabi

Batik art is a prominent feature in the cultural identity of many Asian cultures. Originating from Ambatik, which means marking a piece of fabric with dots, this idea which dates back 2000 years ago is still the foundation for many innovative creations by artists around the world. 

Although many countries are proud of their distinct Batik heritage, not everyone has the opportunity to see an authentic piece of Batik. But in Krabi, you will be able to explore and even witness the creation process of Batik, including different forms of expression of this craft. Additionally, if you have enough room for small souvenirs, this is the top thing to bring home. You might visit some well-known Batik stores like Dahla Batik, and Varich Krabi Batik, etc., and feel free to choose from many unique and charming pieces here to commemorate your Krabi travel!

Carved soap

Soap’s carving in Thai market

Intricately carved soap bars shaped like flowers, fruits, or animals are a well-favored souvenir choice for tourists. Can you believe these flowers are made entirely from bars of soap? The tool to create these works of art is simply a carving knife, and the beauty of the flowers depends heavily on the skill, ingenuity, and creativity of the artist. Under the skillful hands of artisans, the flower petals appear so soft, delicate, and natural – on top of that, they also have a very pleasant scent.  These colorful and fragrant soaps can make lovely decorative items for your house or meaningful gifts for your loved one.