48 hours in Krabi
Getting There
The best thing about Krabi is their accessibility! There are more than 10 domestic flights from Bangkok every single day as well as several international flights going to Krabi International Airport. Also, there are lots of buses and cabs in the airport premise that will get you to your accommodation.
Although you can visit Krabi all year round, the best time to travel here is November-March, when humidity is not too high, and the weather is relatively cooler.
Places to Stay
Ao Nang Beach was and is still the most popular among travellers for its convenience and strategic location. Ao Nang is located just beside the ocean while the main Krabi Town is still some distance away. This is why most people will go straight to Ao Nang Beach. This beautiful beach town houses a good range of accommodation, from cheap hostels to luxurious hotels — that’s what makes this town perfect for all kinds of travellers.
For those looking for a romantic getaway, Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resortwill be a lovely place to stay with some rooms facing the gorgeous white sand, clear sky and sparkling blue Andaman Sea.
For budget or solo travellers, there are many backpacker hostels or dorms available at Ao Nang. Since we would spend most of our time outside, we didn’t see any point in staying in a resort.
What To Do
Day 1: Evening/Night – Reach Krabi
Day 2: Morning/Afternoon – Island Hopping
The only downside? Too many tourists. We travelled there in December, which is the peak period for Krabi — so we can’t blame anyone. To enjoy a more private Maya Bay, you should consider travelling during off-peak season or arranging for a private boat.
Phi Phi Don Island is one of Thailand’s most famous destinations for scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and other marine recreational activities. The beautiful underwater world around the area and the influx of tourists have resulted in a boom in the scuba diving industry here.
P.S. Scuba diving here is relatively affordable as compared to other places (probably with Koh Tao as an exception), so what are you waiting for?
Dive shops can be found side-by-side every few metres, and accommodation is also aplenty on the island. Phi Phi Don is a great place to spend a night or two if you love (or want to learn) scuba diving.
We had unknowingly spent half a day on the boat, and it’s time to get back to Ao Nang!
Evening – Sunset
After getting some quick bite, we headed to one of the numerous beaches around Ao Nang to enjoy the gorgeous sunset. We were lucky not to miss the breathtaking sunset view on the beach.
Strolling on the beach
Too bad that day was quite cloudy, as such we didn’t manage to get a gorgeous sunset. Nevertheless, the sky still gave us a pretty shade of colours 🙂
Night – Local Food and Happy Hour
Time to eat some real Thai food! Indulge yourself by strolling around the main road and getting some of their street food. My favourite? Pad Thai, coconut ice cream, and mango fruit juice… and also, mango sticky rice, tom yam, green curry… (probably I should stop here). No trip to Thailand is ever complete without trying their street food!
Besides great food, Ao Nang also offers a very vibrant nightlife although it may not be as famous as Phuket’s. Walk into one of those pubs to enjoy some local beers along with some live music. We really loved the relaxed night atmosphere at Ao Nang, which was neither too loud nor too quiet for our preference.
Day 3: Morning – Kayaking
Never tried to kayak before? Don’t worry! The tour guide will give you the basic instruction on using the paddle, and the guide provides life vests as well. The pace was just right for a first-time kayaker; we cruised on flat calm water (which may not appease those adrenaline junkies). If you are still not comfortable, you can opt for a double kayak, just like what we did. What’s better than riding the current with your friend or loved one?
We went for a half-day kayaking package from around 8 AM to 1 PM, with a minivan fetching you to/from your accommodation. The short duration of the activity makes this suitable to be scheduled on your last day here, so you wouldn’t have to rush for your flight.
Afternoon – Food time! (again)
Reward yourself with more local food after the kayak! We had been there, and we knew that one day was not enough to try all the delicious-looking snacks sold there. It was the last chance to stuff ourselves silly before leaving the beautiful town.
Mini youtiao/deep-fried dough with condensed milk or kaya jam
#1 thing to try in Krabi: fruit juice!
(Unhealthy) Fried satay with Thai sauce
Evening – time to fly back
Make sure you’ve eaten to your heart’s content, and have bought enough souvenirs for your friends and relatives back home before getting to the airport. My favourite souvenir from Thailand would be their chips and seaweed snack. They have a lot of different flavours that you can rarely find outside the country!
Getting back to the airport is as easy as getting to Ao Nang from the airport. Set aside enough buffer time just in case there is some traffic on the way, or the minivan/taxi doesn’t come on time.
So it’s finally time to bid Krabi goodbye! It was short, but nevertheless, the past 48 hours had been an absolutely great getaway from the hustle bustle of city life. So, until we see each other again, Krabi!
