Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Krabi has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- Tour operators will tell you that the best view of Krabi is up near Tiger Cave Temple (which is definitely worth visiting), but we think the coolest vistas comes from high up the cliffs of Phra Nang. However, to get ‘high up’ you’ll need to climb. Sign up for a rock-climbing course, heave yourself up the sheer limestone cliffs that dot this gorgeous bay, and your sense of achievement will still be overshadowed by all the natural, geology-master-class beauty around you.
- Arts and culture
- Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Tham Sua, is a historic complex where ancient stone tools, pottery shards and holy images etched onto clay have been excavated. Housing temple and monastery, the peaceful area is shrouded by natural forests and a host of limestone caves. Be warned: with close to 1,300 steps, the journey up to the temple is often said to be a pilgrimage in itself – but the reward is a 360-degree panorama of ocean and forest.
- Something for nothing
- Thailand’s beaches are free to the public. With an abundance of definition-of-paradise beaches to explore on Krabi, you can skip, hop and laze your way through them at no cost. Fossil Shell beach, 20km from Krabi town, is especially fascinating; its shoreline is jam-packed with fossilised shells dating back millions of years.
- Shopping
- While quality shopping in Krabi is admittedly sparse, there are some night markets within Krabi town. For those wanting to grab some souvenirs, touristy trinkets are available almost everywhere, particularly in Ao Nang, as are the ubiquitous silk scarves, hammocks and sarongs.
- Daytripper
- Streams, wildlife and waterfalls are bread and butter at Khao Phanom Bencha National Park (20km outside of Krabi town), but the crème de la crème is Tham Kao Ping, a cave of huge stalactites and stalagmites with walls glittering with mineral deposits.The Namtok Huai To waterfall is a particular stunner and runs down to 11 large pools. Be sure to wear a sturdy pair of shoes, as some hiking is inevitable.
- Best beach
- By far the best beach in Krabi is Phra Nang Beach, a secluded slice of duvet-soft sandy heaven only accessible by long-tail boat. As the beach is located behind Rayavadee, guests can walk right through the resort to secure their territory for the day.
- Activities
- Krabi, with its craggy limestone cliffs and sight-for-sore-eyes powder beaches, provides ample opportunities for hiking, sea sports and, for daredevils, rock-climbing. Because most operators tend to be somewhat backpacker-centric, do ask the hotel to recommend a reliable operator. Some of the best rock-climbing spots in Krabi can be found at Railay (www.railay.com). Fans of spicy, piquant Thai cuisine will be pleased to find that there are a number of cooking schools that are more than willing to impart the secrets of local tongue-tingling dishes. The Krabi Thai Cookery School in Ao Nang – the town’s first – comes highly recommended (http://thaicookeryschool.net).
Diary
April Songkran is the New Year according to the Thai calendar. After honouring local monks and family elders, the populace hit the streets for massive water fights. May and October Floating Boats of the Sea Gypsy (Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival): on the day of the 6th and 11th lunar months’ full moon, the sea gypsies of Koh Lanta gather at the beach near Ban Saladan village to float boats on the water, banishing misfortunes and bringing good luck. November The Andaman Sea Festival celebrates the opening of Krabi’s tourist season; expect lots of fanfare with cultural shows and various watersport competitions. Loy Krathong is Thailand’s most romantic festival. At dusk, the launching of handmade banana leaf vessels down the river, and lanterns into the sky, symbolises the release of sins.
