Among its natural visual grandeur, Krabi’s magnificent coastline and fascinating beaches remain its greatest attractions. Known as the area’s top asset, here are some of the best beaches that you must definitely check out when visiting Krabi Province.

Klong Muang Beach

This is a relatively new beach destination in Krabi which has become famous for its tranquil setting and idyllic beach. It also offers an authentic Thai experience for tourists, which significantly boosted its charm. The Klong Muang Beach is less crowded compared to other beaches in Krabi since it has just recently showed up in the tourism radar so not many people know about this beach yet. So, if you are looking for a soothing retreat where you can enjoy a less-crowded beach area, then Klong Muang Beach is definitely the place to be.

Ao Nang Beach

Also known as Ao Phra Nang, Ao Nang Beach is considered as the most popular beach destination in Krabi. It is mostly dominated by towering cliffs featuring a commanding view of a huge expanse of white sand. Recognized as the tourist center of Krabi, Ao Nang offers guests with a peaceful and calming small town atmosphere combined with the alluring beauty of a beach resort and the comforts of modern accommodations. The friendliness of the locals also make the stay more worthwhile and very welcoming.

Koh Lanta

The laidback and serene Koh Lanta Island lies in the southern part of Krabi Town. It features a long stretch of sandy beaches and is comprised of fifty-two islands, including Koh Lanta Yai, which is dubbed as the largest island. Recently, Koh Lanta is getting a lot of press coverage as of late thus helping to boost tourism in the island. Since the area is still being developed, expect that it will be less crowded compared to other Krabi beaches. Because of that, tourists who want to quiet away from the touristy areas in Krabi often choose to come to Koh Lanta. The area’s natural and unspoilt beauty as well as its low-key development is regarded as its top attraction. Koh Lanta boasts of gravel and sand beaches, untouched coral reefs, gorgeous emerald waters, and traditional Thai lifestyle. Guests would surely find a charming retreat from their fast-paced modern life when they come to this magnificent island.

Other great beaches in Krabi that are also worth a visit include the Railay Beach, Phi Phi Islands, Tubkaak Beach, and Nopparathara Beach.

Many boat and cab drivers do not speak nor read English. This is the reason why hotels, restaurants and other businesses print their information in Thai script so make sure not to lose that card while traveling. Here are some interesting means of transportation in Thailand.

• Metered Cabs - These are present within the major cities. Metered cabs provide you with air-conditioned and comfortable ride around the area. Drivers charge on the meter but at night, they leave it off. Before getting in, negotiate a fare or insist the driver to turn on the meter.
• Skytrain - Located in Bangkok, this line is the cleanest and fastest way to explore the city.
• Tuk-tuks - These are motorized cabs with 3 wheels which are perfect for short distance travels. A tuk-tuk is cheaper than a cab and often speedier too. Negotiate a fare before taking the tuk-tuk because it is not metered.
• Samlor - This is a bicycle rickshaw that has three wheels. Unlike the tuk-tuk, a samlor does not have a motor and the driver pedals the rickshaw to get you to places.
• Local Bus - If you want to experience a more authentic Thai tour, then you must try taking the bus and rub elbows (literally) with your seatmates.
• Train- Since the state-run rail is inexpensive, why not give it a try? Though it is slow, your travel is assured to be comfortable.
• Intercity Coach - Planning to go from one city to another? The inter-city coach service provides ride from Bangkok to other cities in the country. Though it has the tendency to feel more crowded than the train, it is definitely faster and reasonably priced.
• Public Ferry and Boat - This is a very cheap option and it offers a more relaxing way to tour around the place.
• Rental Motorbike - If you are a daredevil, renting a motorbike is one of the most dangerous things you can do in the area. You just need to have a helmet and you can rent a motorbike at a very inexpensive price.
• Rental Car - Before choosing this one, make sure you have assessed all the other cheaper modes of transportation.

Art

In terms of visual art, Thai art is traditionally Buddhist. This means that images of the Thai Buddha is dominant in temple art, architecture and other artworks. On the other hand, literature is very much influenced by Indian Hindu. Music includes folk and classical such as the mor lam and piphat.

Cuisine

All around the world, Thai cuisine is known for blending the four fundamental tastes—sweet, sour, salty and spicy. A number of Thai dishes try to incorporate most of these flavors to create a unique taste. Thais also use a lot of herbs and condiments when cooking. Chili, garlic, lime, basil, lemongrass, coriander, turmeric, pepper and shallot are just a few of the herbs and spices you can find in the kitchen.

Religion

Majority of the people in the country are Theravada Buddhist but other minority groups include the Muslims, Christians, Mahayana Buddhists and other religions as well.

Marriage

There are two parts in a Buddhist marriage: the first one is the Buddhist component and the other is the non-Buddhist component. The first part is composed of prayer recitations and food offerings to the monks as well as Buddha images. The last part revolves in folk traditions and the couple’s families.

Funeral

In Thailand, funerals traditionally last for an entire week. You will never hear anybody crying at the funeral because Thais believe this practice would only worry the spirit of the deceased person. To provide merit for the dead, monks are invited to lead and chant prayers and to give protection against the return of the dead as a malevolent spirit.

Holidays and celebrations

Songkran (Thai New Year) is one of the most important holidays in the country. This is celebrated from April 13 to 15 every year. The Thais celebrate the occasion with water throwing which is believed to have originated from washing the images of Buddha.

Beliefs and Customs

People believe that the head is very sacred so they do not touch it. If you need to step on to get to another spot, do not step over anyone but walk around them instead. Thai people also consider the upper body as sacred while the bottom part is unclean. You need to wash your upper and lower garments separately. When bathing, use separate towels as well for the upper and lower body.

Krabi is very famous for its natural and picturesque scenery aside from its eye-catching beaches, which draw millions of tourists in the area every year. It houses a slew of coves and bays that were once home to sea gypsies, pirates, merchants thousands of years back. Archeological evidences (found in the province) suggest that Krabi was first inhabited 25,000-35,000 years ago.

If you are traveling to Krabi for the first time, be sure to take note of the visitor’s checklist below to ensure that you won’t be encountering delays and hassles by the time of your actual vacation to the province. Having your vacation overseas is truly a remarkable experience but if not planned carefully it might turn into a complete disaster. Therefore, it is critical that you are well-prepared for your upcoming Krabi trip.

Book your airfare tickets and hotel accommodation in advance. Whether you are coming to Krabi or other tourist destinations, it is always a good idea to do your booking reservations way ahead of time. If you will be traveling from another country, you have to check for available flights to Krabi at least a month before (or earlier) than your desired date of travel. Hotel accommodations, meanwhile, can be book at least 21 days in advance. If you make your airline and hotel recommendations early, it is likely that you will spot great discounts, which can help you save more money that you can use up for your actual vacation in the province.

Know the weather in Krabi to help you figure out what kinds of clothes to bring. It would be prudent to check the 10-day weather forecast in Krabi online so you can plan your travel itinerary appropriately. Krabi has two seasons — dry (from November to April) and rainy (from May to October), Knowing that, it would make sense to bring clothes made from breathable fabrics to match Krabi’ hot weather but you should also bring layers of thin clothing that you can add or remove if the climate starts to get cold.

Bring a map and an English-Thai dictionary with you. Be sure not to leave home without carrying a detailed and reliable map of Krabi. This will come in handy especially if you decide to explore the area on your own. While it will be a good idea to hire a professional tourist guide, this means additional expenses for you. So, if are good with maps and you do not mind exploring Krabi by foot, then it would be better to embark on a self-guided tour of the province. You should also carry an English-Thai dictionary which will help you ease the language barrier, and allow you to effectively communicate with the  locals.

To help you find the best accommodation during your planned vacation to Krabi, here are some of the nicest hotels and luxurious hotel resorts that are sure to offer anyone a relaxing stay.

Pimalai Resort & Spa

Nestled within one-hundred acres of tropical hillside grounds, the Pimalai Resort & Spa overlooks the mesmerizing Lanta Island. The resort-spa provides five kinds of accommodations, with a selection of 121 villas and rooms. The resort is popular for its serene and secluded location as well as lush surroundings. Pimalai also offers guests with eco-based activities (that can be enjoyed the whole day), and fine dining complimented by tasty wines which guests can enjoy at night.

Layana Resort & Spa

Featuring three beach suites, three ocean deluxe suites and forty-four  garden pavilion rooms, Layana Resort provides guests with authentic Thai experience. The resort also offers utmost sensory pampering by allowing their guests to dine on the beachside. Enjoy great Thai food while you feel the cold night breeze on your face and sand in between your toes.  If you are looking for a tranquil and breezy vacation in Krabi Province, then Layana Resort & Spa is definitely the place to be.

Rayavadee Resort

Stretching from the beautiful Phra Nang Beach to the east of Railay, the Rayavadee Resort is overlooking some of the stimulating and visionary formations of limestone in the world. Set in an atmospheric and outstanding location, the resort offers seventy-seven pavilion sets, eight of which features hyrdo pools and outdoor Jacuzzi.

The Tubkaak Krabi

Tubkaak, which means visitors cove, offers guests with villa-style accommodations right on the beach. It also showcases epic and picturesque views of the Phang Nga Bay. Enjoy a tranquil gastronomic experience when you dine at Arundina Gourmet Restaurant. Since the resort is secluded, guests can take pleasure from pure serenity and calmness.

Dee Andaman Hotel

Found right at the center of the town of Krabi, this hotel is a 100% non-smoking establishment that offers well-appointed rooms with a private balcony. It also offers full-service amenities which include free wi-fi access, in-house restaurant and 24-hour front desk.