Overview

Despite being highly populated and very popular with tourists, Krabi has managed to maintain much of its natural beauty and not surrender to an abundance of man-made attractions. There are many beautiful views on offer as well as stunning forests, beautiful cliffs, pristine beaches and of course coral and marine life under the sea.

Krabi Town

The capital of Krabi province, Krabi Town is a great place to visit to gain a small insight into Thai daily life. It is largely unaffected by tourism as people bustle around the local markets and do what they have been doing for decades. The town can easily be walked around and there are plenty of local restaurants where you can sit back and enjoy the opportunity to people watch. There is also the chance to enjoy some shopping, take a walk along the river or visit one of the many temples found here.

Railay Beach

Railay beach is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful on the coastline. Sheer cliffs provide a stunning backdrop to the beach which is home to a number of resorts. There are a number of activities available on Railay which include rock climbing, cliff diving, cave and sea kayaking and diving. Nightlife and dining options are plentiful with the chance to sample fresh sea food before relaxing over a couple of cocktails on the beach.

Nooharat Thara Beach

Within easy walking distance of Ao Nang, this small beach is untamed and has not yet been developed. There are a few small resorts but most people visit for the natural beauty. At one end of the beach, visitors will find a small pier and a small estuary which, at low tide, can be walked through to get to some of the nearby small islands.

Wat Tham Sueu

This famous temple attracts people from all over the world. It is located within a cave in the cliffs and is a committed centre for meditation. There is a stunning chedi located here as well as a number of Buddha statues which are worth the hike up the steps. There is also a viewpoint here offering panoramic views across the coast.

Ao Nang

This is the main resort area in Krabi. Long Beach is the main beach here, which like Railay, is overlooked by imposing cliffs. The areas directly in front of the cliffs are very peaceful and serene - a perfect place to escape from the crowds. The rest of the resort is very developed, boasting top hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. It is a popular tourist hot-spot within Krabi and a good base to explore the rest of the town from.

Shell Cemetery

This pre-historic attraction can be found between Ao Nang and Krabi Town. It is home to thousands of fossilised shells which date back over 75,000 years. It is a great place to visit for an afternoon and a must for budding archaeologists.

Overview

Krabi is a popular destination with outdoor-sporting enthusiasts. There are a number of activities available such as diving and snorkelling, rock climbing, kayaking and hiking and many of these are family friendly and exhilarating for all. If however less active options are more appealing, there are many opportunities to take advantage of Krabi’s stunning natural beauty with many national parks and nature spots available. After a hard day, there is no better way to relax than in one of the many spas.

Rock climbing

This is one of the most popular activities in Krabi, largely due to the number of cliffs towering over the coast. It is famous among climbers from all over the world who gather here to tackle some adrenaline-fuelled climbs. Ton Sai Beach is the most popular place for climbers to visit as there are the largest number of marked and bolted routes here. Regardless of what standard you are, you will have the option to climb as lessons are given to novices by trained instructors and all equipment can be hired.

Diving and snorkelling

The Andaman Sea lapping at the coast of Krabi is home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand. It is possible to enjoy a single-day’s dive or take advantage of the clear waters on a live-aboard dive trips offering two or three night’s stay on board a dive boat. Reefs, fish and other marine life is found in abundance throughout the year although the best time to dive is from November through March. Those without diving experience or qualifications can take their PADI course here and become an experienced diver in no time. Snorkelling is also available for those not wanting to dive and because the sea is so clear, it is possible to see some impressive underwater scenes.

Kayaking

Krabi is surrounded by small rock islands, caves and secluded beaches. It is the perfect place to hire a kayak and take it out into the open sea. Many caves are within a very short distance from Ao Nang and easily paddled, although by booking through a travel agent you will have the chance to explore further afield in places such as Hong Island and Pha Nga Bay.

Biking

This is a great way to explore the interior of the town. Much of Krabi is made up of forests and secondary jungle which are perfect for mountain biking. There are many trails to follow taking you through quaint villages and coconut groves although it is also possible to explore by yourself, making your own trails up as you go. Bikes can be rented from shops throughout Krabi and there are also organised biking tours to join if you do not want to go it alone.

Spas

Spas are very popular in Krabi. They are an ideal way to relax and unwind after a hard day’s exercise. Indulging in one of the spas is also a great way to spend the afternoon should you want to escape the beach. Regardless of whether you have a massage, detox session or beauty treatment, you will feel completely revitalised and ready for anything.

Dining and shopping

As with the whole of Thailand, food and eating is very important in Krabi. Restaurants can be found in abundance, serving up local specialities and international cuisine.

Prices of dishes range from a few baht in the local establishments to hundreds of baht in the top-class restaurants and the choice of food available includes fresh seafood, Thai curries, pasta, pizza, burgers, Indian and Japanese.

Ao Nang offers the most choice with many of its roads lined with restaurants all competing for trade.

Krabi Town houses the more authentic Thai eateries such as noodle shops, cafés and food stalls. Eating outside is common due to the lack of rain, although many places offer indoor air-conditioned seating for those wanting to escape the heat.

Some of the more poular and well-known Thai dishes include: green curry (khang khieo wan), spicy red curry (kaeng pet), tom yum (spicy, sour soup) and tom kha gai (coconut, mushroom and galangal soup served with chicken) som tam (un-ripened green papaya salad) is also very popular, although this is renowned for being very spicy. Dishes which are associated with southern Thailand include: Penang curry (a mild red curry popular with pork) and massaman (yellow curry with potato).

Seafood is also very popular in Krabi and is usually freshly caught on the day it is served. Fish is usually fried or steamed and served with an infusion of herbs and spices and worth trying at least once. Other popular Thai dishes such as mixed vegetables, chicken and cashew nuts, fried rice and pad Thai can also be found.

Shopping in Krabi is very good, although it is not a destination particularly associated with shopping. There are many markets and stalls found throughout Krabi selling beachwear, beach equipment and beach accessories although you will also find many souvenirs and gifts. Popular souvenirs from Krabi include turtle dove cages, dried fish, shrimp paste and toei panan mats (made from pandanus leaves).

Jewellery is another popular buy with many necklaces, earrings and bracelets being handmade by their seller, and Thai gold and silver being sold at very reasonable prices. Many tourists like to pick up a bargain and the many markets found across the town will cater to those looking for counterfeit goods, cheap designer handbags and locally made clothing. The best places to head for cheap Western fashions and accessories are the roads linked to the beaches, while for more traditional Thai goods Krabi Town offers the best prices, especially Uttarakit Road.

Other popular buys include Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques although only buy them if they have a guaranteed seal of approval. Some items are forbidden to be taken out of Thailand such as Buddha images, but any reputable dealer will be able to offer advice. Bartering for goods is expected throughout Thailand, although some things will have a price tag and not really available to be bartered for. It is important to always remain polite while bargaining and to come to a price which is beneficial for all parties involved, not just the cheapest you can get.

This is regarded by many as being one of the best Thai restaurants in Krabi. Every dish is carefully crafted and with an enormous menu to choose from, everyone will find something that they like. Southern Thai is the focus, with many local dishes available. The restaurant is outdoors in a beautiful garden which adds intimacy to this unique dining experience

Overview

Krabi is home to its own airport which receives a number of domestic flights every day. However, the much larger Phuket Airport is within easy reach (just one hour’s drive) and many international passengers arrive here, taking ground transportation to Krabi. There are also daily buses connecting Krabi with Bangkok, Phuket and other areas in the south. When visitors arrive in Krabi, they will not be short of options to get them around. Renting bikes and cars are one option as well as many choices of local transport.

Airports

Phuket International Airport is a large facility receiving many daily flights from Bangkok as well as other destinations throughout Thailand such as Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. International destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong also have connections. There are limited flights from European cities, but these are often chartered planes.

Due to the number of passengers seen arriving and departing every day, Phuket Airport boasts excellent facilities which include restaurants, shops, duty-free, bars, banking and ATMs, a post office, information desks and lounges.

Ground transfer options from the airport include shuttle buses and private taxis to Krabi. However, these can be very expensive so if you are on a budget, a good idea would be to travel into Phuket Town and catch a public bus from here.

Krabi Airport is a small facility serving a small number of flights every day to and from Bangkok, Singapore and a small selection of European cities. Facilities are basic and include a couple of small restaurants, ATMs, lounges and smoking rooms. The airport is, however, comfortable but not ideal if you need to spend a long time here. Ground transfer options are limited to taxis, but they offer good rates and a reliable service.

Public transportation

There are a number of options to choose from if you do not fly into Krabi. Public buses are available from Bangkok, Phuket, Surat Thani and other destinations in the south of the country. They all arrive at a small bus station just outside the main resort and taxis are on hand to give people a short ride into town. Buses are very cheap and a number are available. For the budget conscious, government buses offer a cheap, reliable, yet often uncomfortable service, while VIP buses offer air conditioning, comfortable seats and free refreshments.

There is no rail service linking Krabi to other destinations although there are stations nearby where connecting buses can be picked up. There are sleeper services available for overnight trips and these provide a comfortable journey. Ferry services run from Phuket, Phi Phi, the Yao islands and Koh Lanta and offer a scenic alternative. There are daily ferries available to and from all of these destinations.

It is also possible to hire a car from Phuket and drive to Krabi. The drive is very straightforward and passes some beautiful scenery. However, it is important to be alert at all times.

Once on Krabi, most visitors walk around their resort without the need for public transport at all. However minibuses, taxis and songtaews (red pick-up style buses) are all available for hire. Long-tail boats are often used to get from one beach to another and also used to take visitors to and from the surrounding islands.