Krabi is a southern province on Thailand’s Andaman seaboard with perhaps the country’s oldest history of continued settlement. After dating stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains found in the province’s many cliffs and caves, it is thought that Krabi has been home to Homo Sapiens since the period 25,000 – 35,000 B.C. It was one of twelve towns that used, before people were widely literate, the monkey for their standard.
I came across this interesting fact about Krabi in Wikipedia :). We spent two lovely days in this beautiful place and one of them we devoted to travelling around 4 islands in the Krabi region. Amazing nature, wonderful beaches, beautiful sea, too many people though. Take a look at some of my photos I prepared for you!
Alyona Privet!
Superb blog and great help, right ahead of our Thailand trip.
OK, I think your pics are convincing me to prefer Krabi over Koh Samai.
In your write up you have not indicated where you recommend travelers should stay at Krabi. Did you hire a bike / scooter at Krabi also?
Please tell about the best beaches of Krabi which are not too crowded!
Cpacibo bolshoi!
Hi Deepak, thank you for your comments! I agree it’s a tough decision. It’s difficult to choose between these 2 places, since they are really different and it depends on what you expect from your trip.
Krabi has an advantage as it’s located in the main land and you can easily travel around. Just rent a scooter. Can’t tell you where is the best place for it in Krabi since we went there by car with our friends. But I am sure it won’t be a problem to find a motorbike. It’s very affordable in Thailand and you find places for hiring vehicles everywhere.
As for the beaches, Ao Nang is the most popular one (that’s where we stayed). You can rent a long tail boat and go to Railay or Phra Nang. These beaches are very famous, beautiful, but also crowded. You can also buy a tour or rent a boat for your family only and visit surrounding islands, there are a lot of them!
If you have more questions please let me know.
Oh God Alyona….why it has to be so tough to decide….?? 🙁
You said if it was you, you would choose Koh Samui………and then I read some comment that says between Krabi and Koh Samui prefer Krafi in December as it might be rainy season at Koh Samui.
Like you, my wife is a Russian beauty. And she prefers quietness and solitude. Whereas I wouldn’t want to be on an absolutely deserted beach where safety of girl might be a concern.
What do you suggest? If at Krabi which are the beaches we should spend our time on? You didn’t mention. the white sand Railay beach in your beautiful pic report. Any reson for that?
One more thing…..the travel agent is offering some packages…..do we take those or do some things on our own based on your recommendations?
Travel Agent’s package is something like this for Krabi:
1)KRABI RAINFOREST DISCOVERY TOUR INCLUDE PICNIC LUNCH [SIC BASIS] : 2750 INR per person.
Krabi Rainforest Discovery Tour (Operate Daily)
**Vegetarian Lunch available , please inform Destinations of the world in your territory in advance.**
An educational and fun day out at the Khao Nor Chu Chi National Park to admire and appreciate some gifts of nature. Go walking along a shaded, wooden platform and stop at pure freshwater pools, a waterfall, hot springs and rubber plantations. Also a visit to Krabi ‘s famous forest temple Wat Tum Seua or Tiger Cave Temple.
Full Day Program with lunch
08:00 – 08:30 Pick up from your hotel.
09:00 Scenic journey through countryside, destination Krabi Rain forest
1st Stop Hot Spring Waterfall
Thermal spring pools enriched by natural mineral salts in shaded rain forest. Ideal for bathing and soothing aching muscles.
2nd Stop Rubber Plantation
Demonstration of a rain forest product. See how rubber is tapped and produced into latex sheets by local workers.
3rd Stop Nature Trail
Informative jungle walk in Thung Theo, the last major area of lowland rain forest left in Thailand, and rich in biodiversity.
4th Stop Emerald Pool
Spectacular river ‘s source, a warm water crystal clear pool, 1-2 metres deep, like a gift of nature in the middle of the jungle. + Picnic Lunch
5th Stop Tiger Cave Temple
Cultural and meditation center, a unique forest temple with caves, 1,000 year old trees, and the best viewpoint of Krabi.
2)Phi Phi Islands by Speed Boat (Operate Daily) 3500 INR per person
Full Day Program with lunch
08:00 – 08:15 Pick up from hotel by minivan + transfer to Koh Phi Phi Tour Pier at Nopparat tara Beach .
08:30 Depart by Speed Boat, destination Phi Phi Islands.
1st Stop Bamboo Island
Wonderful desert island with superb beach and excellent coral reef to explore by snorkeling
2nd Stop Hin Klarng
Phi Phi ‘s No. 1 snorkeling reef in the open sea, where the most coral fish are to be found
3rd Stop Monkey Beach
Well sheltered bay on P.P., home to all kinds of marine life and even some beach monkeys !
4th Stop Tonsai Bay
Delicious Thai lunch at beach side restaurant
5th Stop Viking Cave
Brief tour of cave with ancient wall paintings, where birds nests are collected for soup
6th Stop Pi Leh Bay
Hidden sea lagoon of outstanding beauty with high limestone cliffs on all sides
7th Stop Lohsamah Bay
Colourful snorkeling in clear, calm and shallow waters just off a small, quiet beach
8th Stop Maya Bay
Relax and admire the remarkable scenery from Leonardo Dicaprio ‘s The Beach movie
16:00 – Return to pier + hotel transfer.
Deepak, I told you that both of places are really good. And in some of my replies to your comments I mentioned Railay beach as well and told you that it’s very famous and beautiful. The only reason why I didn’t mention it in my post, is because I didn’t have my own photos of this place. As I said Krabi offers more activities, and probably it would be better for you and your wife if you are going to Thailand for the first time. While staying in Krabi you will have an opportunity to see more things and maybe travel around on the main land. Make sure to visit also Phi-Phi, James Bond Island, Monkey Island.
In Samui you are limited by the island and nearby islands. Though still it’s a great place for vacation. I said I would prefer Samui beacuse I’ve been to many places in Thailand and I would just go there to relax. But it’s your vacation, not mine. You have to choose :).
The plan you posted here seems pretty good. But I would buy all trips right there. There are tons of agents and different combinations of tours, you can choose from there. Anyways, it’s up to you.
As for the weather in Samui, yes, it’s true, I just forgot that it will be December. It may rain. My mistake. So, just go for Krabi, I am sure you don’t want it to rain during your holiday. I can assure you, you and your wife will have a wonderful vacation. And don’t be worried about empty beaches if you see some, these places are safe :).
Thanks a lot Alyona…..you hav been a great help! We are at Bishkek by the way……Capital of Kyrgyzstan and a beautiful CIS country with World’s second largest Alpine lake Issykul. Almost 180 kms of lake with beautiful beaches and surrounded by snow capped mountains on all sides. Majestically gorgeous!…….May be you must plan a trip this side……summer is for lake, beach, trekking, horse riding………….winters for some of the world’s best skiing ranges and winter tourism! Do give it a think……..surely you would love it! 🙂
You are welcome! Yes, I will visit it for sure one day 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for such a beautiful post. I just wanted to add a couple things.
1. Staying on the outskirts of Aonang in the Krabi region is a great option. Here there is a greater diversity of activities available. Also a big benefit is that the expenses is 60% cheaper. They must ship all food by boat to Railey and Tonsai. It is especially important to stay on the mainland if you are looking for something quiet. The deserted beach idea isn’t going to happen in any of the hotspots.
2. Check out the rise of holiday homes available on airbnb. With these homes you get much more value for your baht. Plus you get a proffesional host who can show you off the beaten path. When people stay with us, I can show them that deserted beach location.
Check us out!
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2107140
https://www.facebook.com/houseinkrabi
Thanks,
Ryan and Tukta
Hi Ryan,
Thanks a lot for your information!
Hi Alyona, for a romatic get away, would you recommend Koh Samui or Krabi?
Hi Chrissy, I would choose Koh Samui. Krabi is too crowded and touristy in my opinion, though of course very beautiful as well.