Krabi, on southern Thailand’s west coast, is a province characterized by sheer limestone cliffs, dense mangrove forests and more than a hundred offshore islands.
Krabi is a must-visit island for a family or a couple who prefer a quiet laid-back vacation. This isn't a place to do shopping, so keep luggage light at best for there will be lots of exploring and sightseeing to do here. One can get to Krabi from Bangkok by flight, either Thai airways or airasia.com airways. Thai airways is better, colorful and preferred over airasia and just about the same cost if booked over the counter. However Airasia is cheaper if booked much in advance but the downside to it is that everything in flight is extra, apart from cost on every 5kg of extra luggage.
Taxi from the airport to the city is a long way so would roughly cost around 1000 baht. The vehicles the people here use are primarily the step-through bikes, pick-up SUVs and sedans. Interestingly, the preferred vehicles that is seen on the roads are Isuzu, Toyota and Nissan pick-ups, SUVs and trucks with a few handful of Honda, Mazda sedans and Ford pickups. The local mode of transport here are the buses and the tuk-tuks. The tuk-tuks here are of two kinds - the red minivans and the step-through bikes with attached side-cars to seat 3-4 people in it. The latter is the one that's more fun to go in and besides being cheaper. Visitors who are fit and adventurous can opt to renting bikes or even cycles.
There are many good hotels to stay ranging from 1500 to 4500 baht to secluded luxury resorts by the beach ranging from 3500 to 25000 baht and probably more during peak season. Take a tour of the catfish farm, emerald pool, hot spring and the tiger cave temple. There is the one-two hour of elephant trekking, nature trek on foot and swimming/relaxation at the nature river park. Every Friday to Sunday, there's the night market near the Krabi ''caveman' traffic light, short distance from the Vogue Shopping Center. Here mostly thai food, fruits and other stuff are sold. Worth mentioning is of the pristine beauty of the tranquil setting and sunsets at Klong Muang beach.
Some of its most popular beach destinations include the Phi Phi Islands, which jut from the sea like giant rainforested boulders, and Railay Beach, accessible only by boat and a prominent rock-climbing spot.
The local pier where the boats start from are at Ao Nang beach and the Railay beach. Travel by water is either on the speed boat or the long-tail boats. The speed boat works out cheaper and faster but need to tag along other tourists. However, the long tail boat costs a tad bit more and is slow but the experience is worthwhile and fun for a group of 4-5 people. Please note that most if not all boat trips start at 8am.
From Ao Nang Beach, one can visit the many other smaller islands by boat. Based on your preference, rent a long tail boat or the speed boat from the local tour agencies that are aplenty by the main beach road. A half day trip to the four islands (Pranang Beach, Tup Island, Chicken Island and Poda Island). Next half day trip to Hong island, Phi Phi Islands, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Yai & Noi, Koh Hong, Koh Poda, Koh Talu or the James Bond Island (where the movie 'The Man With The Golden Gun' staring Roger Moore and Christopher Lee was filmed in 1974). Snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking are activities to definitely do at these islands, besides relaxing by the beach. There is the cruise along the Jilad canal or the Tara park, Chaofa Pier, Kanabnam hills on the catamaran - boat with two parallel hulls.
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