Ratings by backpackers :

Description : An OK town with splendid surroundings !

Comments : Krabi Town is usually considered as a transit point to beautiful beaches with amazing limestone cliffs. But it is not an unpleasant place to spend a few days. This is also where to take the boat to Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi.

What to do ?  Walk the promenade on the river front / Book a tour to James Bond Island & a great Muslim Village on stilts (see Phang-Nga for more details) / At low tide, visit a "shell cemetery" (Susaan Hoi, 20km ). There are only three such place in the world ! / Then head toward your paradise / Say "wow !" when discovering the scenery / Rock climb : Krabi is a famously magic world spot !  / Dive, snorkel, fish, windsurf,... Lots of businesses around ! / Dream at beautiful sunset / Meet Thai Muslim / 

What you may not like ?  The basic GH for B80-150 in town / The cost increase on the beaches / The crowd and difficulty to find a cheap place in HS / 

How long ? A few days at least...

When to visit ? The monsoon make swimming hazardous in some places from June to October. Some GH closes as well. December to March is the busy season.

Hotels  << Get precise info, book online and save money !

The beaches ?

• Ao Nang : the traditional backpacker's place with the cheapest bungalows (around B150). Beautiful rocks scenery, serene atmosphere and good excursions around, in particular toward Nopparat Thara Beach, part of the Phi Phi Islands National Park.
• Rai Leh Beach : accessible by boat only (B70, 40mn from Krabi), this place is packed in HS  and therefore more expensive. Count on B300. Amazing limestone cliffs (rock climbing is a must there), dotted with caves, superb beaches, pretty islands,...
• Tham Phra Nang Beach : arguably the nicest beach, it is accessible by boat only and offers only deluxe accomodation at the Dusit Royavadee Resort. 

Backpacker's Tips : Kelley Turner, USA (April 06)
 « Krabi Town : Stop by Ibris Travel (23 Isara Road) to check your email and talk with the charismatic owner Naruenat Chontoem. We didn't take any tours through this agency, but Naruenat offered great tips and advice. Eat at the night market along the riverfront.

Ao Nang: Overall, touristy with many nightclubs and upscale resorts, but nice though crowded beaches nearby. SeaBeer Guest House was the cheapest available place we found to stay over the New Years Holiday at 400THB for a double with shared bath. They also have lockers for storing valuables and the owners are very friendly. On the way to the beach from the G.H., stop at the food cart on the right side of the street for some great curry, fried noodles and rice. You can even sit behind the cart where the chefs will serve you. Instead of taking a tour, we rented a motorbike and headed South on Hwy 4 out to the Sa Pan Hot Stream Waterfall and Crystal Lagoon. You have to pay to get into both locations, but the
Hot Stream features many private, natural soaking spots if you head off the main trail on your own. The Crystal Lagoon offers a great walk through a bog and lowland forest to a popular, but large natural spring pool.

Ton Sai and Rai Leh: From Ao Nang you can easily catch a boat to Ton Sai which offers many G.H. that are pretty packed during the high season and also a more relaxed atmosphere (due to the large climbing community) than the nearby Rai Leh beach. If you are there to climb and don't mind the crowds of climbers and spectators, it is an amazing location with tons of routes. During low tide you can walk around a small point on the beach to Rai Leh Beach and during high tide you can take a coastal or inland trail over to Rai Leh. This gives you the opportunity to take advantage of all the beaches in the area without having to pay for a boat. Overall, the area encompassing both of these beaches is relatively small and seems environmentally strained with all the new resorts, guesthouses, travel agencies and restaurants. Beautiful views, but don't expect to find solitude.»

How to reach ? Krabi is well connected to the rest of Thailand. From town, boats or songthaew go to the various beaches for B30-50. Boats also go to Ko Phi Phi for 

Next destinations : Phang-Nga / Phuket  / Ko Lanta / Penang in Malaysia (soon) via Hat Yai