Krabi, located on the coast of the Andaman Sea and with a coastline of limestone mountains rising majestically from the ground, is known primarily as a beach destination for good reason. However, it should not only be known for this, as inside there are many attractions, beauty spots and activities. It is this combination of sea and land that makes Krabi a unique destination.
The center of tourism in mainland Krabi is Ao Nang. Ao Nang started out just a few years ago as a sleepy fishing village and although it has grown rapidly and continues to do so, it still has a village feel to it. If you start from the beach and walk in any direction, a short 15-20 minutes and you will be in the countryside. For many, it is this closeness to nature that truly separates a Krabi holiday from almost any other destination in Thailand, Asia or the rest of the world.
Ao Nang itself is divided into multiple areas by mountains and cliffs which have ensured that wherever you are, you are never far from an amazing view.
A few kilometers further up the coast is Klong Muang beach and a little further up is Tup Kaek beach. Klong Muang and Tub Kaek have established themselves as home to many of the highest starred international resorts such as Sheraton and Sofitel Resorts. This type of resort appeals to clients who want to spend most of their vacation within the confines of the hotel, on the beach and with some organized excursions. Klong Muang village has some restaurants, but it really can’t be considered as a tourist destination. The road from Ao Nang to Klong Muang has recently been widened and improved (it’s actually still under construction in some places) and travel time from Au Nang is about 20 minutes by car. A popular method is to rent a moped, it’s inexpensive and great fun just cruising the local roads.
Klong Muang and Tup Kaek beaches have really beautiful sand and clear water. For swimming it’s great at high tide, but at low tide it’s quite rocky which can make it a bit uncomfortable. However, the beauty of the beach really makes up for this, it is always covered in scattered shells and for children, it is a paradise just spending the day playing. Along the beach there are many trees that create some shade.
The beauty of Krabi is that each beach area is actually a national park. There are no private beaches, no areas excluded from the public, and resorts cannot mark areas for their exclusive use. This means you can stay in a 2 star guest house and use the same beach as any of the 5 or 6 star resorts. Another benefit of National Park status is that no permanent structures are allowed on the beach, no banana boats or jet skis.
Krabi hinterland
Krabi has a great infrastructure with mostly good quality roads linking it to Phuket to the north and Trang to the south. They are mostly two-lane roads and the traffic moves quickly. Apart from these roads, however, there are hundreds of small country lanes that meander through the countryside in all directions. Most of the countryside in Krabi is actually oil palm and rubber plantations, which means that most of the smaller roads are beautiful and cool.
krabi town
The main city of the province is actually still a small place. It’s right on the river and the center of town is just two roads that run parallel to the river. In the center is a newly built temple which, while quite spectacular, lacks the history and character that make temples in Thailand so interesting. The choice of shops is not very good from a tourist point of view. There are a few gift, souvenir and jewelry shops along the street by the river, and the next street has the Vogue Mall, a three-story store that sells mostly brand name and luxury goods at reasonable prices.
There is a wide variety of dining options, from street food and noodle vendors to sit-down restaurants of all varieties and tastes.
There are hotels and guest houses in Krabi Town but considering that Krabi is becoming a major tourist destination, it still doesn’t feel like a tourist town.
inland attractions
The Tiger Cave Temple, just outside Krabi Town, is one of the must-see attractions. It’s a really beautiful place and if you can muster the energy to climb the 1,237 steps, it’s well worth seeing.
Hot Springs and Emerald Pool
These two attractions, being close to each other, are easy to visit in one trip. However, either one deserves its place. The hot springs are quite remarkable, a flowing river and waterfall of hot water is a truly amazing experience. The Emerald Pool (also known as Crystal Pool) is also a fantastic place. The scene features a beautiful jungle setting and the water really is as emerald and sparkling as the name suggests.
Phanom Bencha National Park
This park is one of the least visited places in Krabi. However, the most popular feature is the waterfall. There is a parking lot and a visitor center and then you walk about 1 km to the waterfall. In the low season, it is not very spectacular, but in the high season, it is a very nice place to spend an afternoon with three levels of waterfall, each with its own pool to cool off. The park is never busy, well maintained and ideal for small children.
Thalane Bay
Thalane Bay is one of the most stunningly beautiful bays in the world rivaling Ha Lung Bay in Vietnam. A walk along the road that borders its edge is worth it. There are no real resorts or popular swimming beaches, but the scenery makes the trip worth it. At the end of the road is the Thalane Bay kayak center, here you can take a kayak tour through the mangrove forests. The mangroves are full of amazing wildlife and whether it’s raining or hot, it’s a trip no one complains about. The kids especially love kayaking, there is something about rowing a boat on the river that draws them in and keeps them interested.
Conclution
There are, of course, all the local islands in Krabi that are the main reason people visit this amazing province, but if you visit and miss some of the inland gems that Krabi has to offer, you are really missing out.