Krabi Province makes many a traveler’s eyes water with longing. This is the Andaman Island region known for knifelike shards of limestone karst jutting out of pristine turquoise waters which are home to bright fish and corals. The beaches are almost impossibly white, with fine, soft sand, and the local communities are colorful, friendly and heavily reliant on visitors. The best places to stay in Krabi can broadly be divided into great value guesthouses and super high-end resorts - some of which aren’t necessarily as expensive as you might think they’d be.
There are 150 or so islands off the 120kms of shore, many of them uninhabited, but it’s a lot of territory to explore and enjoy, and you’ll probably want to do quite a bit of this. So sort yourself out some boat tours or a private hire.
Krabi Town is the province’s main hub, and, for many the entry point to the Andaman Islands. For that reason there’s a busy visitor’s scene, with plenty of guesthouses and tour operators vying for your business. But it’s not spoiled, there are some wonderful temples and a great local scene as well as the numerous restaurants and gift shops geared towards those heading out to the islands.
Although the area used to be renowned for its production of rubber and oranges, tourism is now their bread and butter.
What not to Miss
- If you’re pining for the temples of Bangkok visit Wat Tham Suea, a fantastic temple on a peak with a good half an hour stair climb to reach the top. But once you're there you can enjoy incredible views out to sea and over golden Buddha statues. Beside the temple is a wonderful labyrinth of natural caves and an ancient jungle-y valley. The complex is just outside Krabi Town.
- If you’re interested in the region’s heritage visit Ban Is Raya on Lanka’s eastern coast, a charming old port known for its still houses built a hundred years ago or more. There are cute shops and some very nice restaurants with fantastic views.
- If you’re not here to dive it might still be an idea to give it a try - there are few more rewarding spots on the globe. Hin Daeng is certainly up there as a great local sight, it’s a feeding place for large pelagics and you’re guaranteed to see a lot of marine life. Hin Muang is the other local highlight.
- For natural treasures above the ground visit Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Walk and relax amongst these pristine and protected scenes.
- Phanom Bencha National Park has some wonderful pools and waterfalls for inland swimming, including the Emerald Pool, which is worth seeking out.
- Or walk up to Phi-Phi viewpoint for one of the most spectacular views this province has to offer. Ko Phi Phi is where “The Beach” was filmed.
- If you’re here to climb then it’s Rai Leh you probably know you’ll be heading for.
However don't forget that though unspoiled this is still a popular destination. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Krabi, get organized and book well ahead.
