Krabi, also known as Krabi (กระบี่), means "sword" in Thai, and its ancient name comes from "coral." Located on the southern coast of Thailand, Krabi is about 80 kilometers from the famous resort island of Phuket. Comprising 33 small islands, Krabi Province is one of the most beautiful places on the Andaman coast. Ancient and pristine, it is one of the earliest inhabited places in Thailand, with shell mounds dating back millions of years and prehistoric drawings found in caves and other natural wonders.

On this pristine island, everything remains in its natural state, offering unspoiled island beauty, beaches, and a slow-paced lifestyle far removed from the hustle and bustle. If Krabi were to be compared to Phuket, Phuket...

The island is like a noblewoman adorned with gold and jade, while Krabi is like a simple and beautiful country girl without makeup. This is the most fitting interpretation of Krabi's natural landscape.

Krabi boasts stunning scenery and has been a frequent filming location, appearing in movies such as the "007" series and "Robinson Crusoe," contributing to its fame. Krabi's seascape is renowned for its ubiquitous limestone mountains. The islands, each with its unique shape and charm, dot the azure waters, creating a striking landscape. Krabi is also a paradise for diving enthusiasts, with its clear waters and white sand beaches. The best time to visit Krabi is from November to April.

When traveling to Krabi, remember to bring sun protection products, a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• Accommodation: You need to bring your own toothpaste, toothbrush, and slippers, as many hotels do not provide them. In Bangkok...

• Medications: Please bring some commonly used medications and emergency medical supplies in case of emergency.

Transportation: Traffic in Thailand follows the opposite direction to that in China; drive and walk on the left.

Shopping: When shopping in Thailand, try to use credit cards or traveler's checks. For the same item, use a credit card...

When paying by card, it is advisable to settle the entire amount at once. When using a credit card, you should confirm the amount on the receipt before signing.

Krabi Island Tourism Official Website: www.krabi-tourism.com

Traffic in Krabi

airplane

Direct flights to Krabi are available from Bangkok and Hat Yai in Thailand (Thai Airways, PB Air), Singapore (SilkAir), and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The flight from Bangkok to Krabi takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, with Thai Airways operating three daily flights at approximately 2,500 baht. AirAsia also offers flights from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to Krabi at lower prices than Thai Airways.

Krabi Airport (KBV) 66 75 636541 www.krabiairportonline.com

train

The closest train stations to Krabi are Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat, where tourists can transfer to buses or taxis to reach Krabi.

Long-distance bus

Krabi Bus Terminal is located 4 kilometers north of Krabi Town, accessible by bus for just 20 baht. Buses depart from here to Bangkok, Hat Yai, Phuket, and other destinations. Specific routes are as follows:

Krabi to Bangkok: There are approximately 7 long-distance buses daily from Krabi to Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. The route passes through Phang Nga, Trang, Khumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, and Bangkok, covering a distance of 946 kilometers and taking about 12 hours. The ticket price is approximately 400 baht.

Krabi to Hat Yai: One bus per hour, the journey takes 4-5 hours. Air-conditioned bus tickets cost about 180 baht, while regular bus tickets cost about 100 baht.

Krabi to Phuket: One bus per hour, the journey takes 3 to 4 hours. Air-conditioned bus tickets cost about 120 baht, while regular bus tickets cost about 70 baht.

Longtail boat

There are many longtail boats available for rent at Ao Nang Beach; you can rent one if you want to go out to sea.

Krabi Taxi

Krabi's taxis are quite unique. While not as stable as those in big cities, they are very flexible and convenient, allowing you to better enjoy the ride. Like tuk-tuks, they can take you anywhere.

Krabi Accommodation

Krabi's hotels and resorts are mainly concentrated on Ao Nang Beach, Krabi Town, and Koh Lanta. There are also some resorts and hotels on other surrounding islands. During peak tourist season, it's essential to book your accommodation in advance. For tourists planning to dive or go on boat trips, convenience of transportation should be a key consideration when choosing a hotel.

Star-rated hotels and resorts

Pimalai Resort & Spa ★★★★★

Located in the stunningly beautiful Bakantian Beach area of ​​Koh Lanta, Pimalai Resort is one of Krabi's most popular hotels, catering to both business and leisure travelers. From here, you can easily access the city's major tourist attractions, shopping destinations, and restaurants; Long Bay, the Deep Sea Fish Diving Center, and the Liquid Lens Academy are also within easy reach.

Bimalai Resort Hotel has earned widespread praise from guests for its excellent and attentive service and convenient facilities. The guest rooms are meticulously designed with comfort and convenience as the highest standards. Each room features a living room, minibar, bathrobes, bathtub, and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel's top-notch recreational facilities are also ideal for relaxation, including a steam room, garden, fitness center, tennis court, and spa. Bimalai Resort Hotel is the perfect accommodation for tourists visiting Koh Lanta, offering guests a one-stop shop for high-quality service.

99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150, Thailand www.pimalai.com

Koh Jum Beach Villas ★★★★★

Located on the scenic island of Koh Chiang, Koh Jem Beach Villas offers stunning views of Krabi and is a perfect choice for enjoying the beach. The hotel is 40 kilometers from the city center, providing easy access to popular attractions.

This comfortable hotel offers room service, a safe, tour services, a bar, and bicycle rentals. In addition, the hotel boasts a full range of recreational facilities and restaurants, including a garden, massage services, and delicious food. With its first-class service and prime location, Kojem Beach Villas is Krabi's premier accommodation choice.

320 Moo 3, T. Koh Sriboya | Nua Klong, Koh Jum 81130, Thailand www.kohjumbeachvillas.com

Krabi Thai Village Resort ★★★★

Krabi Thai Country Resort is a popular leisure resort on Ao Nang Beach, nestled in a tranquil corner of Ao Nang Bay, built into the hillside overlooking the water. The resort boasts unique architecture, consisting entirely of two- or three-story Thai-style villas, each with a private balcony. Facing the mountains and forests, the accommodations offer a charming environment blending Thai cultural elements. With well-equipped rooms and attentive service, it's a top choice for a relaxing vacation in Krabi.

66 75 637710 From 4700 THB/night (for reference only) Mueang Krabi District, Krabi www.krabithaivillage.com

Krabi La Playa Resort ★★★★

Krabi Lapraa Resort is located on Nopparatara Beach, a 10-minute drive from Ao Nang Beach. The resort's biggest advantage is its excellent location and convenient transportation, being the terminus of the Krabi Airport shuttle bus. Krabi Lapraa Resort boasts a beautiful environment and cozy, comfortable rooms; a sea-facing room can be booked for approximately 600 RMB per night. 66 75 637015 From 3780 THB/night (for reference only) 143 Moo 3 Tambon Ao Nang Amphur Muang Krabi 81000, Thailand www.krabilaplaya.com

Budget accommodation

Glur Hostel

Nestled against the mountains in a tranquil area of ​​Ao Nang, the Gera Lodge is a 15-minute walk from the beach. The lodge offers both private rooms and dormitories, all featuring bright blue walls, air conditioning, white furniture, private lockers, and toiletries. Guests are provided with complimentary laptops, books, and reed mats; tourist information is also available.

The hotel can also arrange tours for guests; free Wi-Fi is available in public areas; and free private parking is available on site. Guests can cook meals in the shared kitchen, which is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. Coffee, tea, and hot and cold drinking water are also provided free of charge. Kera Hotel is a 45-minute drive from Krabi Airport and a 15-minute boat ride from Tonsai Bay and Railay Beach.

22/2 Moo 2, Soi Aonang 11/1, Ao Nang, Krabi Town 81000, Thailand Pak-Up Hostel

This boutique backpacker hostel is located in the heart of Krabi Town. Guests can enjoy a variety of drinks at the bar, and massage services can be arranged at the front desk. The hostel features coin-operated laundry facilities, luggage storage, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and bicycle rentals. The dormitory-style rooms are air-conditioned and include large under-bed lockers. Shared bathrooms have rain showers. The hostel is just a 1-minute walk from Chaofa Pier, a 15-minute drive from the airport, a 20-minute boat ride from Railay Beach, and a 20-minute drive from Ao Nang.

87 Utarakit Rd, Paknam | Maung, Krabi Town 81000, Thailand

Krabi attractions

Krabi's climate is very similar to Phuket's, both being humid tropical climates. The rainy season in Krabi is from May to October, while the best time to visit is from November to April of the following year. In mid-April, Krabi hosts a grand Songkran festival; and November offers mild weather, blue skies, sunshine, and azure waters with gentle waves, making it the perfect time for diving.

Special tour

rock climbing

Krabi is a dream destination for rock climbers worldwide, boasting some of the world's most beautiful climbing spots and numerous climbing schools offering all the necessary equipment. It's not just for seasoned climbers; hundreds of locations cater to climbers of all levels. Local guides are happy to encourage you to ascend. The picturesque scenery, lush jungles, and golden beaches, combined with the unparalleled exhilaration of reaching the summit of a 100-meter cliff, create an unforgettable experience.

Explore Ao Nang Bay by boat

Ao Nang Bay, located on the north side of Krabi Island, is Krabi's most famous tourist area. Over a hundred elegant and comfortable thatched-roof houses are scattered under the shade of coconut palms along the beach. At your feet is a soft, snow-white sand beach, and at the end of the beach is a cliff covered with lush, primeval forests.

Ao Nang Bay's beaches are bustling with activity every morning from 8:00 to 9:00. Large and small yachts gather along the waterfront in front of the resort, where tourists can rent boats to explore nearby islands. Boating through Ao Nang Bay offers many amazing natural views, including limestone mountains, dense mangrove forests, strangely shaped stalactites and caves; at Phivatok Cave, you can see prehistoric rock paintings; and at Thampuk Khanlani National Park, you can admire the magnificent natural rivers.

See strange sea animals

Watching the fishermen hold these strange-looking creatures is a newly developed tourist attraction in Krabi in recent years. These "strange creatures" are actually the well-known pufferfish. There are two types of pufferfish here: one inflates its body into a ball shape when it leaves the water, which is very cute; the other is a "square boxfish," also a new specialty of Krabi.

diving

A trip to Krabi wouldn't be complete without diving. Its beautiful coastline, turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life make it a world-class diving destination. It's recommended to bring your own snorkel and mask to ensure both proper fit and hygiene.

Canoeing

Paddling a canoe on the picturesque Andaman Sea, observing the simple and honest Krabi fishermen and mangroves—what could be more interesting and pleasant than this?

Festivals and events

Rock Climbing Festival

Railay Beach in Krabi is a popular spot for rock climbing. The cliffs on both sides of the beach serve as natural practice areas, with people practicing climbing almost daily. Krabi has been hosting a rock climbing festival since 2003, attracting many climbing enthusiasts.

Vegetarian Festival

During the Vegetarian Festival, religious precepts must be observed, and a vegetarian diet must be observed for nine days and nine nights. Tourists visiting Krabi at this time should respect the local people's beliefs and can pray for good luck at 40 temples. The celebration begins at 12:00 on October 21 and ends at 17:00, at the Pilar Temple in Krabi Province (located in front of Krabi City Hall).

Famous attractions

Ao Nang Beach,อ่าวนาง

Ao Nang Beach, located about 20 kilometers from Krabi Town, is Krabi's most bustling and famous beach. It has complete living facilities and convenient transportation. Most tourists visiting Krabi gather here, similar to Patong Beach in Phuket.

Ao Nang Beach boasts fine white sand stretching all the way to the foot of the famous limestone mountains, while its convenient amenities attract a large number of European tourists, making Ao Nang resemble a European town. Its lively yet tranquil atmosphere makes it a top choice for a long vacation.

This is Krabi's coastal transportation hub, where tourists can rent boats from Ao Nang Beach to explore nearby attractions. From Krabi Airport, take the airport shuttle bus (150 baht) for about 30 minutes to reach Ao Nang Beach. From Ao Nang Beach, a tuk-tuk ride to Krabi Town costs approximately 40 baht per person.

Koh Lanta, Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta, located at the southernmost tip of Krabi province, covers an area of ​​150 square kilometers and is a national park comprised of several beautiful islands surrounded by coral reefs. Having only gained electricity in 1996, Koh Lanta is now a renowned holiday destination.

Besides Koh Lanta, there are other islands nearby, such as Koh Langkawi, Koh Ha, Koh Nai, and Koh Lonne, where swallows can be seen nesting. Nearby are several villages where people make their living by fishing in the Andaman Sea; the inhabitants are called "Chaolay," meaning "sea gypsies." They fish among the islands, mainly catching crustaceans. Because their dwellings are temporary, moving frequently with their fishing spots, they are truly "nomadic."

From Krabi, you can reach Koh Lanta by car and ferry. The ferry crossing is to Ko Klong, and each ferry ride takes 10-15 minutes. If you are driving, there will be a wait for the car ferry, and the entire journey takes about 2 hours. During peak tourist season, there are also direct speedboats.

Noppharat Thara Beach, หาดนพรัตน์ธารา

Nopparatala Beach stretches for approximately 3 kilometers and is about 6 kilometers from Ao Nang Beach. The beach is covered with tiny seashells. Locals used to call it "Hat Khlong Haeng," meaning "dry canal beach." At low tide, the canal dries up, transforming the area into a long beach, the headquarters of Nopparatala Beach National Park, located here. This park is vast, encompassing both land and sea areas.

Nopparatala Beach, with its tranquil evergreen trees as a backdrop, offers a variety of scenic views, featuring limestone coastlines and 40-million-year-old shell fossils. It's also a popular vacation spot for locals, where families can be seen sitting on the beach with food and blankets, or playing in the sand.

Noppharat Thara Beach, Krabi

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is divided into three sections: East Railay, West Railay, and Phra Nang. The overall area is relatively small; it only takes about 10 minutes to walk from East Railay to West Railay or Phra Nang. Railay Beach is famous for its rock climbing, featuring numerous rock walls and caves. The beach is situated at the foot of these rock walls, offering a unique experience.

East Railay is a pier with no sandy beach; it's a mudflat, especially at low tide. The mangrove-covered section of the beach is East Railay's biggest highlight. West Railay has a slightly larger beach and is where tourists congregate. Phanang Beach is also small, located below a rock wall, and features a stalactite cave containing a goddess statue believed to ensure the safe return of boatmen. The entire Phanang Beach has a secluded, idyllic feel.

Long-tail boats depart from East Railay to Krabi town, and long-tail boats depart from West Railay to Ao Nang beach.

Limestone Hill

Krabi's seascape is renowned for its ubiquitous limestone mountains. This is a lava field where volcanic eruptions have created numerous small islands of varying shapes and sizes, each with its own unique charm. Few have names; most are unnamed. Few are bustling with activity; most are relatively quiet. The islands seem to have been casually scattered across the turquoise sea by an "invisible hand," making them Krabi's most striking feature. Because of this, compared to Phuket, Krabi's natural beauty possesses a more serene and unadorned charm. Among them, Khao Khanap Nam is the most famous limestone mountain, considered a symbol of Krabi.

You can only tour by chartering a boat or joining a half-day or full-day tour. A full-day boat tour costs approximately 600 baht, and a half-day tour costs 400 baht.

Fantastic Four Island

The Four Magical Islands refer to Chicken Island, Moh Island, Poda Island, and Tup Island. On Tup Island, a "straight beach" appears at high and low tide, a famous local attraction. These four islands were a filming location for the movie "Cutthroat Island" and are a must-visit destination in Krabi.

Phi Hua To Cave

Phivatu Caves, commonly known as "Big Head Ghost Cave," is located about 51 kilometers from Krabi city. It's a huge, two-tiered cave hidden in a high hill covered in mangroves. Inside, you'll find stalactites, stalagmites, and fossilized seashells, among other wonders. Prehistoric murals have also been discovered on the cave walls. Most remarkably, one mural depicts a human body covered in red lines, with the head of a horned animal, hence the cave's name.

Wat Tham Suea

Tiger Cave Temple is located 7 kilometers from Krabi town. It is named after a tiger that once roamed the site, protecting the ascetic monks who practiced asceticism there like a deity. Tiger paw prints can still be seen on the stones inside the cave. Furthermore, the temple is rich in historical relics, with numerous ancient artifacts unearthed here, including stone tools, pottery fragments, and Buddha footprints.

Tiger Cave Temple is located at the foot of a dense jungle mountain, and many tourists come here specifically to climb this 600-meter-high hill. Although it's only 600 meters high with 1327 steps, all of them are steep slopes of 70° to 80°, especially after the 200th step, which are almost vertical, requiring the use of both hands and feet to climb. Upon reaching the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of Krabi town and the distant, undulating limestone mountains. It's about a 5-minute drive from Krabi town; from Ao Nang Beach, it's about a 30-minute drive, and a tuk-tuk costs 300 baht per vehicle.

Krabi cuisine

Krabi's dining scene is mainly concentrated in Ao Nang Beach and Krabi Town, the earliest developed areas. Ao Nang Beach boasts numerous seafood stalls offering delicious and affordable food. Additionally, many good restaurants are located in star-rated hotels, and there are some high-quality restaurants in Ao Nang Village. Restaurants in Krabi Town, compared to those on Ao Nang Beach, offer more local flavor, with authentic stir-fries, barbecues, and specialty drinks at the night markets…

Specialty restaurants

AoNang Cusine

AoNang Cusine, located on the busiest street in Ao Nang Beach, claims to be the beach's first restaurant. Their Thai glass noodles with stir-fried vegetables and chicken are delicious and inexpensive; Tom Yum soup and Southern Thai curry fish are also classic choices. Ao Nang Beach Rd, Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Thailand 66 75 695399

Bella Vista

This is a pizzeria run by Italians, serving authentic Italian thin-crust pizzas with fresh ingredients and a wide variety of flavors, with seafood pizzas being the most popular. Before enjoying your delicious pizza, you can witness the entire cooking process and admire the beautiful sunset and starry sky on the beach. Ao Nang Beach. Average cost per person: 180-280 Thai Baht. 11:00-23:00

Ruan Mai

This restaurant emphasizes greenery and nature, with a refreshing and lush green decor. It offers authentic Southern Thai cuisine, with signature dishes including Keang Som Pla (spicy and sour fish soup) and Pad Sato (stir-fried shrimp with stink beans). Located on Maharaj Road in Krabi Town, prices range from 120 to 350 baht. Opening hours are 10:00 to 22:00.

Lachaba Fish Ball King

The name "Fish Ball King" comes from its incredibly fresh and flavorful fish balls. Despite being a small wooden-fronted shop, it's always packed with customers. The owner uses freshly caught local fish daily to make fish balls, fish slices, and noodle soup, allowing the fish's sweetness to fully infuse the broth, resulting in a truly delicious dish. Located on Shukon Road in Krabi Town, fish balls are 25 baht per bowl, open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Diamond Restaurant

This is a nice Thai restaurant with many outdoor tables on the beach. Krabi Royal, 403 Ut-tarakit Rd., T. Paknam, A. Muang, Krabi 81000, 66 75 611584, 80-200 baht, 7:00 AM - 1:00 AM the next day.