More about Krabi
Krabi is the capital of the Krabi Province, situated on the west coast of southern Thailand. The town lies on the south of Bangkok and is the economic center largely on tourism. A range of national parks, beaches, islands, and other scenic landscapes are dispersed throughout the town, along with various top outdoor activities in panoramic surroundings.
One of the major Krabi islands, Phi Phi Island, is located between the large island of Phuket and the Strait of Malacca coast of Thailand. Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island in Phi Phi Islands, while the most-visited beaches are on the second largest island. Ko Phi Phi Le. Accessible by boats/ferries, the islands feature the breathtaking natural environment protected by national park status. Other top sites on Phi Phi Islands are Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, Mosquito Island, Viking Cave, Laem Tong Beach, and more.
Fancy something to eat? No worries–Krabi offers an array of restaurants for all foodies globally. From beachside fine dining to cozy eateries by the sidewalks, Krabi would satisfy every palate. In addition to fresh seafood and authentic local dishes, many dining spots in the town serve Western, Asian, and European gourmets. You just have to keep your eyes wide open to discover all of them! Now that you have a plan to go for a trip to Krabi, take a look at some details below, including what to do in Krabi, how to get around the town, Krabi restaurants, shopping areas, and more.
Best Things to Do in Krabi
Have you got your itinerary ready? If not, you gotta include several highlights of Krabi below:
Phi Phi Islands Day Trip by Speedboat from Krabi
Do you want seamless island-hopping in Krabi? Reserve your Phi Phi Islands Day Trip by Speedboat tickets now on Traveloka! This 7-hour tour provides a pick-up from your hotel and adventures by speedboat to Phi Phi Islands, Maya Beach, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island. You would also have a chance to savor delicious buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don.
Krabi 7 Islands Sunset with BBQ and Plankton Night Swimming
Can’t get enough of Krabi’s island hopping? Plan the next day for Krabi 7 Islands Sunset with BBQ and Plankton Night Swimming. After picking you up from the hotel, you’ll cruise by a longtail boat to Railay Beach, then Koh Yawasam, Tan Ming Island, Chicken Island, Tup Islets, Mor Islands, and Poda Island. This package also allows you to have some water sports, like snorkeling and diving, then–the best part of this tour is–night swimming with bioluminescent planktons at Koh Raeng!
Blue Dragon Cabaret Show
In Krabi, you will also find an interesting show, presenting the cultural identity of Thailand as well as the beauty of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian national dances. Performed by graceful and charming talents, the Blue Dragon Cabaret Show would invite you to swing your feet and body along the rhythm for an hour. Then, you’ll leave the show with amusement.
Emerald and Blue Pool Krabi
Now, it’s time for you to have a relaxing session in Krabi. Head to Emerald and Blue Pool located in the Thung Teao Forest National Park for a natural water paradise. In the middle of luxuriant greenery, take a dip in emerald green color pools to get your mind refreshed. A 15-minute walk from Emerald Pool, you’ll arrive at the Blue Pool. Unlike the Emerald ones, this beautifully-looking blue pool isn’t a spot to swim, since the bottom consists of quicksand and the water temperature varies between 30°C-50°C.
Krabi Elephant Sanctuary
Do you know that elephants are one of the most iconic animals in Thailand? In Krabi, there’s the first non-bathing elephant sanctuary in Khlong Thom Nuea National Park. Here, you can take a guided tour to feed, walk with, and learn about elephants. Committed to the elephants welfare, this sanctuary doesn’t offer activities, like elephant rides, performances, or bathing shows that can be harmful for the elephants’ physical and mental health.
Transportations in Krabi
Compared to other big cities in Thailand, Krabi might not have broad public transport system, but there are still some options to get around the town and its nearby beaches, like:
Songthaews
Songthaews are one of the popular transports in Krabi. This shared pickup truck with benches in the back typically operates from 6 am to 6 pm. You can flag them down anywhere along the route. Krabi to Ao Nang Beach, Noppharat Thara Beach, and Krabi Bus Terminal are common routes of this truck, with the fares starting from RM 5,15 to RM 7,72.
Tuk-Tuks
Another popular transport in Thailand is tuk-tuks, small motorized vehicles often used for short distances or in areas not covered by other public transports. For short rides within the town, you can spend around RM 5,15 to RM 12,87, depending on the distance and your negotiation skills. Hence, always make sure to negotiate the fares before starting the trip, since this transport has no meters.
Motorbike Taxis
You can also consider motorbike taxis for short distances when you’re traveling solo. It’s a quicker and more affordable method to navigate Krabi; depending on the distance, the average fares of the motorbike taxis are around RM 2,57 to RM 12,87.
Longtail Boats
For traveling between beaches and islands, longtail boats are the most effective transport in Krabi. From Ao Nang to Railay Beach, it approximately costs RM 12,87 to RM 19,30; while for island hopping tours, check out the packages on Traveloka Xperience to get the best deals.
Recommended Krabi Food
Satisfy your taste buds in Krabi’s culinary delights by visiting these amazing restaurants below and see why the town is a haven for food lovers:
Gecko Cabane
Address: 1, 36-37 Soi Ruam Jit Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Operational hours: 5 to 10.30 pm daily
Gecko Cabane is one of the oldest restaurants in Thailand, maintaining the green decor on the walls with contrasting brown paneling. The hanging live plants and rustic wooden furnishings also offer welcoming and warm atmospheres. It’s the best place to try out Thai, European, and Asian dishes prepared with local ingredients at affordable prices.
The Grotto
Address: 2R4Q+6GP, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Operational hours: 12 to 4 pm, and 6 to 9 pm daily
Nestled under an ancient limestone cliff on the edge of Phranang Beach, The Grotto is a unique spot for you to enjoy a leisurely lunch and dinner amidst the charming coastal surroundings. Various seafood menus: prawn satay with peanut dip, crispy vegetable spring rolls with plum sauce, tom yum po tak talay, etc are ready to serve side by side on your tables.
Shopping in Krabi
Now that you’re stuffed, give yourself time to explore some shopping centers in Krabi–it could be a way to sweat your calories off after eating, too!
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
Address: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Operational hours: 4 to 11 pm daily
If you still have spaces for food, Ao Nang Landmark Night Market also offers an array of street food at affordable prices. There are various hawkers selling treats, like grilled potato with garlic butter, butter corn on the cob, traditional Thai desserts, and lots of refreshing beverages. Then, other parts of the area are filled with souvenir shops and clothing stalls worth checking out, too.
Krabi Walking Street
Address: Maharat Road, Mueang Krabi
Operational hours: 6 to 10 pm (Friday to Sunday)
Only 20 minutes away from Ao Nang, Krabi Walking Street is another most-visited shopping area in Krabi. It provides a very lively atmosphere with the local artists’ performances around the area. Get around to get your favorite nicknacks first, then sit in front of the stage to enjoy the live performances. Don’t forget to also buy some souvenirs to bring home.
Best Time to Visit Krabi
Krabi has a typical tropical climate throughout the year, so the season is divided into 2, including dry and rainy. The driest weather begins from December to April, and the weather gets hotter with each month. Meanwhile, the wettest months in Krabi are September and October. Therefore, the best time to visit Krabi is between November to March when the town experiences the dry season; as the temperatures are warm and the sky is clear. It enables you for outdoor adventures and beach relaxations. Going on a vacation to Krabi during the wet season is a bit tricky, since you can encounter short to heavy showers–that must give impacts to your outdoor plans. However, traveling during the off-peak season may result in more affordable prices of transports, accommodations, and activities.