Krabi Province makes many a traveller’s eyes water with longing. This is the Andaman Island region known for knifelike shards of limestone karst jutting out of pristine turquoise waters which are home to bright fish and corals. The beaches are almost impossibly white, with fine, soft sand, and the local communities are colourful, friendly and heavily reliant on visitors. The best places to stay in Krabi can broadly be divided into great value guesthouses and super high-end resorts - some of which aren’t necessarily as expensive as you might think they’d be.

There are 150 or so islands off the 120kms of shore, many of them uninhabited, but it’s a lot of territory to explore and enjoy, and you’ll probably want to do quite a bit of this. So sort yourself out some boat tours or a private hire.

Krabi Town is the province’s main hub, and, for many the entry point to the Andaman Islands. For that reason there’s a busy visitor’s scene, with plenty of guesthouses and tour operators vying for your business. But it’s not spoiled, there are some wonderful temples and a great local scene as well as the numerous restaurants and gift shops geared towards those heading out to the islands.

Although the area used to be renowned for its production of rubber and oranges, tourism is now their bread and butter.

What not to Miss

• If you’re pining for the temples of Bangkok visit Wat Tham Suea, a fantastic temple on a peak with a good half an hour stair climb to reach the top. But once you're there you can enjoy incredible views out to sea and over golden Buddha statues. Beside the temple is a wonderful labyrinth of natural caves and an ancient jungle-y valley. The complex is just outside Krabi Town.
• If you’re interested in the region’s heritage visit Ban Is Raya on Lanka’s eastern coast, a charming old port known for its still houses built a hundred years ago or more. There are cute shops and some very nice restaurants with fantastic views.
• If you’re not here to dive it might still be an idea to give it a try - there are few more rewarding spots on the globe. Hin Daeng is certainly up there as a great local sight, it’s a feeding place for large pelagics and you’re guaranteed to see a lot of marine life. Hin Muang is the other local highlight.
• For natural treasures above the ground visit Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Walk and relax amongst these pristine and protected scenes.
• Phanom Bencha National Park has some wonderful pools and waterfalls for inland swimming, including the Emerald Pool, which is worth seeking out.
• Or walk up to Phi-Phi viewpoint for one of the most spectacular views this province has to offer. Ko Phi Phi is where “The Beach” was filmed.
• If you’re here to climb then it’s Rai Leh you probably know you’ll be heading for.

However don't forget that though unspoiled this is still a popular destination. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Krabi, get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Krabi

For Luxury

• Rayavadee is surrounded by nature’s most beautiful sights: lush foliage opening out onto a white, sandy beach or limestone cliffs, and this five-star hotel doesn’t disappoint then it gets to the indoors either. There are private villas or rooms and suites in the main hotel - most with large bath tubs and some with private pools. There’s plenty to entertain your kids if you have them, and an air of romance if you don’t - helped by the choice of four restaurants. The hotel’s boats will take you on outings and you can walk the local trails and not need to leave the immediate vicinity.

For an Apartment or Private Villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in a self-catering apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Krabi International Airport is about 10kms outside Krabi Town and is the way most people enter the region. Once you’ve arrived you might prefer to travel by boat as much as possible.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• For unbridled sunshine, aim to visit from November to May. There’s also the added benefit of a cool breeze at night. August and September can be rainy but the rest of the year is typically nice and warm.

Still not sure which is the best place to stay in Krabi for you?

• Consider expanding your search to include Ko Samui, about six hours away,
• or Phuket, which is just two hours away,
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.