Krabi is paradise—stunning limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, hidden beaches, and mouthwatering local food at every stop. Curious how to experience it all? Read my guide!

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated

August 04, 2022
Manila, Philippines

Date of Trip: July 27-August 01
Krabi, Thailand

I was ecstatic to be traveling once more, and this time I was going somewhere other than the Philippines. I had been to Thailand before, but just to Phuket, so I agreed to go to Krabi with my friend. It’s a good thing we went to Krabi instead of our original destination of Bali. It was a sensible move.

Krabi serves as the capital of southern Thailand. It is by far my favorite and most tranquil area of Thailand. I adored every aspect of Krabi. It has spectacular limestone karst formations, mouthwatering cuisine, immaculate white sand beaches, and mangroves. It also has amazing landscape. We already have plans to return next year but to visit the other island, Koh Samui. It was an incredible journey.

I was planning our trip to Krabi and had no idea that 6 days was too little. I was awestruck by all the things we were going to accomplish. I relished every aspect. Here is a sample itinerary that I created. You could also look into it krabi-trip-sample-itinerary-1

Visa Requirements

Philippine passport holders visiting Thailand for tourism do not need a visa. As part of ASEAN, Filipinos are given visa-free stay in Thailand for up to 30 days.

FLIGHT

In order to visit my friends, I scheduled a ticket on Scoot Airlines with connections in Singapore. It was less expensive because a round-trip ticket from Manila to Singapore to Krabi only cost Php10,264.11. You still have the option of taking a direct flight. *There is no option of direct flight going to Krabi from Manila. You have to connect through Bangkok or Singapore.

Language

Thai language or Siamese is the official language in Thailand.

Currency

The Baht (THB/฿) is the official currency

ACCOMMODATION

We booked two hotels as we moved to different towns

Krabi Town – Krabi River Hotel for 2D1N
Price: PHP 1,867.30/2 = Php933.65 or Php933.00 each or SGD24

Ao Nang Pakasai Resort for 4D3N
Price ₱ 8,355.45/2 = Php4,178 each or SGD105 each

Best time to Visit

Krabi has a dry and a wet season. The best time to visit Krabi is during the dry season from November through March.

The off-season in Krabi begins in April and lasts until October. In Krabi Province, April is the hottest month and October is the month with the greatest rainfall. Just as what occurred to us, it is still possible to experience lovely weather throughout the wet season. Despite some days having rain or drizzle, the sun shone the entire time we were on vacation.

BUDGET

1 Philippine Peso = 0.64 Thai Baht
1 SGD = 25.87 Baht

My budget for this trip was Php40,000/25k Baht/900 SGD.
Flight = Php10,264.11
Hotel for 6D5N = 5,111.65
Activities = Php15,217
Pocket money for food = Php10,000

I overspent in Krabi because it was just too difficult to pass up all the amazing opportunities for experiences and adventures—it was a trip to remember! The following time I came here, I would spend less.

Day 1 July 27 (Wednesday)

I flew out of Manila for my holiday to Krabi around five in the morning. The airport was a complete mess. Thankfully, I was there three hours before my flight. I’ll have to pay a Php1,620 travel tax when you leave PHL. I waited two hours in queue to board my connecting Scoot flight to Singapore. When I got to immigrations, I was interrogated, but I was ready for it. Since I had a connecting flight to Singapore, where I had previously worked, I knew they would question me about why I was going back. It is common because the majority of people leave the Philippines in pursuit of employment and better opportunities without proper documentation. I have to convince them that I was leaving because of vacation. They asked my friend’s race, my credit card’s balance employer etc. As long as what you say is accurate, it’s fine plus it’s my right to travel. After the initial interview in the baggage claim area, there was a second one. They didn’t hold me; I just had to explain that I was going back to Singapore so I could take a flight from there to Krabi. All I can say is that, in light of everything that transpired, I actually needed to change my passport’s nationality!

I was relieved that, despite a slight snag at immigrations, the trip had gone without a hitch and that I was now traveling to Singapore to see my buddy Yi Tzeng. We met in 2019 at a party, and our relationship blossomed over time. While he was concentrating on his internship, I was beginning to get entangled in something else. Short story short, we stayed in touch for many years after that. He is a wonderful friend to have.

Changi Airport served as the meeting place for our trip to Krabi. I exchanged my cash for Baht at Changi Airport. I should have exchanged money in the Philippines earlier to avoid the issue. It is advisable to always be prepared when traveling abroad and do research on these concerns because while we were in Railay, Krabi I made the error of exchanging money at awful exchange rates

Krabi International Airport

The airport at Krabi was modest and resembled the domestic airport in the Philippines. Singapore and the Philippines are one hour ahead of Krabi in terms of time. It was orderly and well-planned. They required your immunization proof, which you had to provide when they asked for it at the airport. Since it was just Wednesday, the airport was practically deserted when we got there. I realized then that I would enjoy Krabi. We left towards Krabi town on the first evening.

Who Can Travel to Krabi

Depending on their vaccination status and country of origin, visitors can enter Krabi with or without quarantine.

Vaccinated Travelers – A copy of the vaccination certificate must be on hand for travelers who have had vaccinations both before boarding a flight and when they arrive. There is no requirement for RT-PCR or Pro-ATK testing prior to departure for children under the age of 18 who are traveling with immunized parents.

Unvaccinated Travelers – Before coming to Thailand, unvaccinated travelers need to complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen (Pro-ATK) test through a clinic or medical professional. The test result must be issued within 72 hours before departing for Thailand.
*You can find more in https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/thailand-travel-restrictions

Update as of September 9, 2024: These requirements are no longer in effect. However, individuals without immigration issues are allowed entry.

Krabi Town

At our first hotel, Krabi River Town, we left our luggage. Our initial purchase of a Thai SIM card from 711 was 100 Baht and included unlimited calls, texts, and data for seven days. We ate a late lunch at Chalita’s Cafe, which was delicious, and then we strolled along the river toward Chao Fah Pier. A boatman then came up to us and offered us a 1,000 baht per person tour of the Khao Khanab Nam Caves and the Krabi River.

To get to Khao Khanab Nam’s limestone hills, we boarded a traditional longtail boat. The Pak Nam Krabi river’s mangrove lining is 100 meters away from Khao Khanab Nam. The caves, which were located 10 minutes from the dock, were also explored by us. Massive prehistoric human relics that portrayed Thai stories were on display to us. There are regional myths about giants in Thai. While the term Krabi in ancient Thai means sword, the official logo of Krabi province features two crossed swords. The two swords were thought to have appeared following a conflict involving a giant and a huge snake fighting for a lovely maiden. Both of them ultimately perished and transformed into the Khao Khanab Nam mountains. Archaeologists are still looking into the legends to see if they are true. After exploring the cave, we arrived in Koh Klang, a fishing community. The caves were incredible, and they are so steeped in history. We had a great time on the 2-hour longtail boat cruise, and I was so transfixed by the beauty of Krabi Town that we almost dozed off. haha! I’ll absolutely repeat this!

Day 2 July 28 (Thursday)
Ao Nang, Krabi

We got up early in order to travel to Ao Nang, another town. The main district in Krabi is Ao Nang, which is predominately made up of eateries, bars, taverns, and shops. Since it is convenient to everything and the food was fantastic, this is actually my favorite area of Krabi.

We arrived early at our new Pakasai hotel and checked in. I adored everything about this hotel: the employees, the rooms, the service, and the low price for a four-star establishment. For our first tour, which cost Php2,549 per person and included a snorkeling, sunset, and barbecue, we also enjoyed an early lunch. The organizer met us up at the hotel because I had booked the excursion through Klook, which made things run well.
Please take note that the best way to avoid getting food poisoning when traveling is to avoid eating on a boat tour, especially if I don’t know how it was made and everyone was simply using their hands to eat.
On the five-island excursion, snorkeling was combined with sightseeing at Chicken Island, Yawasam Island, Tan Ming Island, and Poda Island as well as nighttime bioluminescent plankton snorkeling in Koh Raeng. My personal favorites were Poda Island, the plankton at Koh Raeng, Chicken Island, and snorkeling with Nemos. The plankton was the most enjoyable, and I would have preferred to see it in the morning as well. When I go to Krabi, I’ll probably repeat this.

Day 3 July 29 (Friday)
Again, we arrived early for our second island excursion; this time, it was the Krabi to Phi Phi Day excursion by Speedboat, which cost Php2,528 per person. The group of islands included Maya Bay (where the Leonardo di Caprio film The Beach was filmed), Viking Cave/Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi Don, and Bamboo Island. Maya Bay and Phi Phi Don are two of my favorite islands overall. Due to the fact that it was a public holiday in Krabi (Birth of the King Bridge), many tourists decided to visit Maya Bay, which has towering limestone monoliths and was reopened in June 2018 after undergoing an extensive repair program. From August 1, they’re going to close this lovely island once more. We were fortunate to see this magnificence; the azure ocean and pristine white sand were breathtaking. Swimming was prohibited during this time due to the chemicals used to restore the island, yet you can’t help but dive into the ocean. Just to see this beauty, I’ll return.

We also visited the Phi Phi Islands, where we stayed for lunch. Because there were so many people on the tour of the Bamboo Islands, we decided against going back. The island of Phi Phi offers beautiful granite formations and immaculate beaches. Although I prefer Maya Bay to Phi Phi, it is more commercialized, so the next time we visit Krabi, we’ll definitely stay in Phi Phi because there are more dining options there. After Phi Phi, we traveled to Railay beach, where there are beautiful limestone structures.

Phi Phi is a boat ride of one hour and forty-five minutes from Railay. It was quite far away. It is split into the East and the West. Because it is surrounded by mangroves and Phra Nang Beach has amazing limestone formations, East Railay is used for docking rather than swimming. We were unable to visit Tonsai, which is at the north end shoreline and has hotels and treacherous cliffs for rock climbing.

The majority of beachgoers in Railay travel west. High limestone cliffs encircle it. The long tail boats that travel back to Ao Nang wait there as well. There are numerous restaurants lined up along a strolling street. I adore Phra Nang beach and Railay in general. When visiting Krabi, this is a must-see location.

Day 4 July 30 (Saturday)

Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool & Hot Springs
Price: Php2984/2 = Php1492/each or SGD38

The history of the Tiger cave temple in Krabi dates back to 1975 when a monk was meditating in the cave. During his meditation, he witnessed tigers roaming around the cave which led to the discovery of the temple Wat Tham Sua. The name of the temple also comes from the discovery of tiger paw prints on the walls of the cave.

The first we did was to climb 1,260 steps to reach the summit of the Tiger Cave temple (Wat Tham Suea). It is located at the bottom of the complex and as with most temples in Asia, you need to cover up your shoulders and knees to go inside. It was so tiring early in the morning but was it worth it? I actually would really suggest to try this once in your life but not do it again, I liked the view atop with lush forest but there were better views in Krabi other than this.

After the climb, we were pampered with a peaceful day at the mineral hot springs to rejuvenate and relax. We also dipped in the Emerald pool which was amazing, it’s like a swimming pool in the jungle, very natural. I enjoyed this experience but it was just fine, I’d prefer the sand and the beach.

After the climb and relaxation, we headed over to Railay beach to try out the night kayak from Freebird Paddle Co for 1,600 baht. They also have SUP (stand up paddle) but I preferred kayak at night. The kayak was transparent so you can see the fishes below and has a light to see what is underneath you at night. It was so fun! I was so hesitant at first because I was really tired but it’s an amazing experience seeing the sunset and of course the plankton again, this time in kayak. I can’t even describe how happy I was seeing the planktons while I row! 🙂

Day 5 July 31 (Sunday)
Elephant Sanctuary Ao Nang in the morning Php3,611
Railay Rock Climbing in the afternoon c/o Railay Rock Climbing Shop

I headed out first in the Elephant Sanctuary Ao Nang to see the elephants, feed, bathe, mud massage with them. I only did this tour because Yi Tzeng did not want to see the elephants. haha This was also by far the most expensive tour I had. In the sanctuary, we were taught how to feed the elephants, bathe them and care for them. We also did the protein balls to feed them. Their goal in the sanctuary is to rescue elephants of all ages and offer best living conditions for them. In their website they say that they can’t release them into the jungle because they weren’t born there and have no idea how to survive in there. The elephants age range from 20-60 years old. It’s fun to get to know them and of course help them by being in this tour. I had a great and relaxing time with the elephants and I had to most refreshing coconut juice in this sanctuary. I will come back for sure!

Railay Rock Climbing with Cave Connection and Abseiling c/o Rock Climbing Shop = 1,200 baht

We headed out to Railay to do our last activity which was rock climbing. All I can say is Railay has the best rock climbing activity, it is also known as the rock climbing paradise. The view of the stunning karst when you rock climb was beyond imaginable. Railay Rock Climbing shop also offers all the equipment you’ll need for climbing at a great price. We also met Jane, the owner and the only female who rock climbs in Railay. Getting to know her and her passion for climb was so amazing. It was lovely meeting her. The rock climb was so exhausting, I used to do this in Singapore but only wall climbing haha. I didn’t reach the top but it was one hell of a climb – I screamed all the time haha! After we rock climbed, we did the cave connection but first we had to hike going to the cave. It was very tough as we were only using our flip flops and it was slippery! We were not informed to bring our shoes and I was carrying a rappelling bag which was heavy. When we reached the cave, I thought we were just going to take photos but no, we did spelunking in flip flops! haha It was really scary but the adrenaline rush pushed us forward and we survived the endless ladders. When we reached the top of the cave, the finale was abseiling, also known as rappelling, it is the controlled descent of a steep slope, such as a rock face, by moving down a rope. I must really admit this was an unexpected and unforgettable adventure. My outfit was in a bra too because I did not bring any sports wear for this trip. It was one hell of an experience and glad we did it! I will never forget this!

After the unforgettable experience, we went to hike again and right after, I swam in West Railay beach for one last time, it was windy and wavy but still a good swim in this beach.

We went back to Ao Nang beach, we rode a long tail boat as it’s the only transportation available. Before 6pm, it cost 100baht, however, we had to book it in private as we have been waiting for others to join but only 3 of us are going back to Ao Nang. We met a girl from Ukraine, her name is Tanya, it was great talking to her. She was hopeful and kind even though there is still an ongoing war in Ukraine. I wish her and her family the best.

Once we arrived in Ao Nang, we went to Massage Corner near our hotel to get a Thai Massage. I got Coconut Body Scrub + Thai Massage for only 970 baht/1500php. It felt so good, oh my god! Thai massage is the best! I could do this everyday, I could be in Thailand everyday!

Day 6 August 1 (Monday)

After having early lunch in Ao Nang, we headed over to Krabi International Airport. I hate to leave Krabi, I really had so much fun! I will go back and for sure more activities again. I’d definitely try Ton Sai and Koh Lanta next visit in Krabi.

I had a connecting flight in Singapore and meet my friends for 8 hours. I had wine with them, ate Singaporean food! I missed my friends and Singapore. Singapore will always have a special place in my heart.

Before I left SG, there are other requirements to be presented in the Philippines – One Health Pass, Vaccination Certificate and boarding pass. It was a hassle in the Philippines as it’s not well coordinated when you reached the airport. They had to test the One Health Pass again manually instead of letting you pass through, it’s online for convenience. But anyway, I reached home by 6am August 02.

Krabi was one hell of an adventure. I will always have fond memories of Krabi. They were so advanced that every stores are already in online payments, the beaches were pristine and aquamarine in color. I love the karst formation. The limestone cliffs are so stunningly beautiful, food was delectable and affordable – they have huge and fresh seafoods! They are also practicing sustainable tourism. The hotels are so clean and affordable, never had a blast in hotels and people are so kind and polite. I also like the fact that it feels like home. I hope Krabi stays warm and exciting. I will always go back to Krabi. 🙂

Love,
Maria, sometimes, Niskie