{"id":19706,"date":"2017-04-29T00:24:22","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T14:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=19706"},"modified":"2025-04-22T14:08:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T04:08:12","slug":"krabi-thailand-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/krabi-thailand-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Krabi, Thailand should be on your radar"},"content":{"rendered":"

When people think of Krabi, they don\u2019t think of much.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s a\u00a0quick place to stop off before heading to Phi Phi, or an overnight before a trip to Koh Samui or Phuket, and little else beyond that. But for those of us who\u00a0live here, Krabi is so much more. Krabi is a way of life, and here\u2019s what I\u00a0mean by that:<\/p>\n

Starting your day right<\/h3>\n

Krabi isn\u2019t Bangkok,\u00a0so you can expect a much more tranquil experience here than in the country’s capital. Nothing personifies this better than tai chi by the river in Krabi Town. On mornings it\u2019s typical to find a friendly group of older ladies (with the occasional man) practising this art as the sun rises above the mangroves and the karsts that fill the horizon. Practising mindfulness while the sun glistens on the water beside you is the best way to start your day and the perfect way to recover from the night before.<\/p>\n

Best walks in Krabi<\/h3>\n

More than just parties and bars, Krabi is one of Thailand\u2019s most beautiful provinces, with thick forests, imposing mountains and gorgeous beaches aplenty.<\/p>\n

\"KrabiThe best way to see all of this is from higher ground, and there are two different ways to get there.<\/p>\n

The first is Tiger Cave Temple, a strenuous 1,237-step climb up and around a mountain, with a great payoff of panoramic views of Krabi and beautifully ornate Buddhist carvings and statues at the top. Located just a mile or two outside of Krabi Town, it\u2019s not an easy task, but with ample opportunities for rest, it\u2019s accessible for most people.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s typical to see monks at the top making merits, and to see muay thai fighters somehow going up and down several times as you look on in wonder and frustration from your resting point just a few hundred steps up. As climbers on their way down will assure you, it\u2019s most definitely worth it; the views are breathtaking, stretching far beyond Krabi Town and into the sea. Just be careful of the monkeys on the way up!<\/p>\n

\"Tiger

Tiger Cave Temple<\/p><\/div>\n

The second is the Khao Ngon Nak trek, or ‘Dragon\u2019s Crest’ as it\u2019s also known. Located further out just past Tub Kaek beach, this trek is harder and not recommended for beginners. That said, the initial section is a gruelling uphill walk at a steep gradient but, once you have that out of the way, it\u2019s an easier and enjoyable climb. As a bonus,\u00a0birdsong, bug sounds and trickling creeks provide a soothing soundtrack.<\/p>\n

Breaks in the trees will reveal gorgeous views of Krabi, and at the top there\u2019s a rock ledge sticking out which makes for great shots of you hanging hundreds of metres above the ground with the luscious green valleys, mountains and forests serving as a wonderfully picturesque backdrop. Once you\u2019ve returned to the start, Tub Kaek beach is just a couple of minutes away and this pretty, often-empty beach provides the ideal opportunity to cool down.<\/p>\n

\"Khao

The rock at Khao Ngon Nak trek<\/p><\/div>\n

Both climbs are recommended early in the day to avoid the full heat of the sun, and taking plenty of drinking water is advised.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Best beaches around\u00a0Krabi<\/h3>\n

The most popular beaches in Krabi are Ao Nang beach and Maya Bay. While they are beautiful, their tendencies to become wildly overcrowded even in low season means you won\u2019t find many locals here, or even room to put your beach\u00a0towel down.<\/p>\n

For beaches with sheer limestone rock-face backdrops (ie. perfect\u00a0for selfies), no place does it quite like Railay. Cut off from the mainland by mountains, Railay is only accessible via a short boat journey and is absolutely worth it. Its Phra Nang and Tonsai beaches offer various activities, such as snorkelling, rock climbing and cave exploring, and plenty of space for visitors to bask in the heat of the sun. The sand is soft and the water is warm, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you refreshed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Railay beach<\/p><\/div>\n

A little farther out is the lesser-known Hong Island. ‘Hong’ translates to ‘room’, referring to the emerald-green lagoon on the island, which is mostly surrounded by mountains, creating the impression of entering an enclosed space. Hong\u00a0can get busy, but it\u2019s possible to rent your own boat for the day, meaning you can come and go at your leisure.<\/p>\n

Related: the best beaches in South East Asia ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing quite like a sunset among tropical islands, and a sunset on the ride home from Hong can be breathtakingly beautiful.<\/p>\n

\"Krabi

The caves of Ko Hong<\/p><\/div>\n

For more relaxing beaches on the mainland, Klong Muang and Tub Kaek are the places to go. While they don\u2019t boast the impressive cliffs of the other beaches mentioned, the line of trees on the edge of the white sand offers much-needed shade, and there\u2019s a good\u00a0chance that you\u2019ll share the beach with only a handful of other people.<\/p>\n

With no bars around the corner, these beaches are perfect for relaxing and reading a book with the comforting sounds of the sea in the background and waves lapping at your feet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Best\u00a0place to eat in Krabi<\/h3>\n

Undoubtedly the best place to eat in Krabi is the Walking Street weekend night market. The food here is the typical Thai fare you probably know such as pad thai, but there are several other delicious dishes you should try: basil chicken (pad kapow), papaya salad (somtam) and all manner of spicy curries.<\/p>\n

Food here can be as little as a quarter of the price of eating in a restaurant, which means you can afford to be adventurous and sample several of the aromatic and spicy dishes on offer, freshly cooked in front of you and to your liking.<\/p>\n

\"Night<\/a>

Night market in Krabi<\/p><\/div>\n

Tables are hard to come by, but should you find one you\u2019ll be treated to the talented Krabi residents taking advantage of the open-mic stage. From school children showing off their Thai dancing skills, to teenagers covering The Cranberries and older folk crooning in Thai, it\u2019s an authentic and wholesome experience with good food and good company, with both backpackers and locals filling the tables beside you.<\/p>\n

After eating, there are market stalls selling handmade crafts, clothes and souvenirs – a perfect opportunity to purchase the quintessential backpacker elephant pants. Many of the goods on offer have a ‘Made in Krabi’ label, so you can shop knowing you\u2019re contributing to the local economy.<\/p>\n

Tempted by Thailand? We don’t blame you. Check out our range of trips in this gorgeous country.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Image Credits (top to bottom): Intrepid Travel x2, iStock x2, Kyle Hulme, Intrepid Travel, iStock<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More than just parties and bars, Krabi is one of Thailand\u2019s most beautiful provinces, with thick forests, imposing mountains and gorgeous beaches aplenty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15909,"featured_media":19710,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[455],"tags":[180,952,641,385,35],"class_list":["post-19706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-asia","tag-beaches","tag-guide","tag-south-east-asia","tag-thailand","ipf_region-thailand"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBeach paradise: What to do in Krabi, Thailand | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"More than just parties and bars, 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