Author: Tatiana
Is it worth going to the island? We collected reviews of tourists about Phuket and asked to check them for the reliability of our author from Thailand.
- Hey! I am Tatiana, I live on Koh Samui.
I visit Phuket from time to time as a vacation spot “close by”. I change one "village" for another, as experienced travelers would write in reviews about Thailand, but I disagree - Phuket has an excellent infrastructure for tourist recreation.
I found Phuket in different periods: both in summer and in winter. Traveled all the beaches, interesting things, noticed a bunch of standing cafes. I'll tell you about this!
We, the HowTrip team, have also been to the island - 3 times. Therefore, through joint efforts, this text turned out to be a full-fledged guide / guidebook / assistant for a trip to Phuket (both independent and "package"). |
Where is the best place to relax in Phuket? My review
In total, we spent more than a month in Thailand
Almost all reviews about Phuket are written by those who rested in one of the three main areas, the beaches of the island:
- Patong - cheap, angry and funny.
- Karon - more expensive, quieter + a long and wide beach with golden sand, which also creaks underfoot (as for me - brr, like nails on a board).
- Kata - far from the airport, compact and most expensive. But even this does not save from the crowded season.
Phuket is a rather big island, and, of course, vacation locations are not limited to the mentioned beaches. Those three are popular because they have long been firmly mastered by Russian tour operators, and many local hotels are included in the "flight + hotel + transfer" package.
Among other places for recreation, I will single out (and note that there are an order of magnitude fewer tourists here):
- Kamala beach - north of Patong; the beach itself is narrow, but I liked the constant shade from the palm trees; you can also go here on a tour.
- Bangtao beach - north of Kamala; the beaches are similar - there is also a shade from the trees, about a dozen hotels are available by voucher; only Bangtao is wider and less crowded.
- Naiharn beach - in the very south of the island; such a cozy calm bay, where, however, a lot of people gather.
- Phuket Town - the capital of Phuket; a large city where the Thais themselves live; cheap apartments, well-developed infrastructure - a paradise for a winterer who doesn't care about the beach.
- District of KatU - also the territory of the locals with all the aforementioned advantages for longsteers (for example, fried rice in Kathu - 40-50 baht, and in Patong - 100 baht).
I will tell you more about all the beaches in 2 sections. Which ones are preferred by families with children, which ones are preferred by young people and bloggers, etc.
Season in Phuket: weather reviews
The extreme point of Phuket - Cape Promthep (came here by bike)
The tourist season in Phuket lasts from November to May. Small spoiler: hot weather and warm sea here all year round. The rainy season is characterized by: a) high humidity; b) strong waves and storms on the water; c) frequent showers.
In winter, rest in Phuket is also not complete without rains - they fall 10 minutes closer to the night. This has its own charm: getting under a warm tropical stream of water :)
When to go to Phuket island?
| December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November |
Green - high season
Red - low season
Yellow - transition period, 50/50 weather
Dec
December
Four words: it's high season, tourist. Let's fly!
- Average temperature during the day: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 26 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Add-on from HowTrip: a December holiday in any Asian beach country is a great idea. Because from year to year we observe such a magical period (≈ from December 1 to 20), when vouchers in all directions collapse in value. People are busy with New Year's and plane / hotel seats are empty. In Thailand, for example, you can find a tour for 50,000 rubles for two from Moscow for 10 days! Where to find such prices? Next section ↓
Jan
January
The peak of the active tourist season begins in January. The weather is fine, always sunny - in a word, the way Thailand is represented.
- Average daytime temperature: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 25 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 28 ° С ... + 29 ° С
Add-on from HowTrip: the only thing we didn’t like in January was the prices for yellow mango. In May, we bought at 50-60 baht per kg, and in winter Thais lomat for 90-150 baht! Because the low season is for fruit.
Feb
February
Beach vacation is the main thing to do in Phuket in February. The weather whispers! Plus, there is the least amount of rainfall in a year.
- Average temperature during the day: + 30 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 26 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 28 ° С ... + 29 ° С
March
March
The season is still dry, but temperatures are already rising. I want to swim constantly, it's a pity that the sea does not cool. It is the same fresh milk.
- Average daytime temperature: + 31 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 27 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Apr
April
It's the hottest month in Phuket ... Food and mango motivates you to get out from under the air conditioner - it finally ripens and floods the counters (and during the spring and summer everything gets cheaper and cheaper).
- Average daytime temperature: + 31.5 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 28 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 30 ° С ... + 31 ° С
What else you need to know: from April 13 to 15, the Thai New Year - Songkran takes place. Traditionally, humans pour water on each other from buckets and water pistols. In principle, it is clear why it is celebrated in April :)
May
May
In May, the weather is changeable - the rainy season is just around the corner. Humidity turns up, waves rise on the beaches. Some boat trips may be closed due to rough seas.
- Average temperature during the day: + 30 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 28 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Add-on from HowTrip: we perceived the remark about humidity as something insignificant, well, high and high. It turned out to be important - stickiness and heaviness stood in the air ALL THE TIME. In winter it feels much easier. By the way, it rained only 1 time in 10 May days.
June
June
I call it "How Lucky" month. This is a full-fledged wet season, but a downpour can charge for the whole day or break up several short-term times a day. Important! Pay attention to the signs on the beaches: SWIM HERE - you can swim, NO SWIM HERE - you can not swim. They are not just put.
In the section about beaches, I throw in a list of places where you can swim even in the worst off-season (there are few of them, but they are).
- Average temperature during the day: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 28 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
July
July
The weather situation is the same as in June. It is often cloudy, but you can get sunburned and even burned through the clouds. Thais are bored and gladly agree to a sale, please (a discount, that is) - for example, a bike.
- Average daytime temperature: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 28 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Aug
August
If there is something permanent, then it is Phuket in the summer. August is still rainy, restless and quiet (there are no tourists).
- Average temperature during the day: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 27 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Saint
September
The rainiest period in Phuket begins - the first two autumn months. There is not much to catch, except that the low prices for everything - from vouchers to fruits. And if there are vouchers, then tourists are still coming.
- Average temperature during the day: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 26 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Oct
October
If in September I do not recommend flying at all, then in October I already admit the thought of having a rest. But only after the middle of the month, when most of the precipitation fell, and the sea calmed down at least a little (note, I am not saying that there are no waves).
- Average temperature during the day: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 26 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С ... + 30 ° С
Nov
November
Remember that November, like May, is a transitional month? That is, it may or may not be raining. As the weather says (but more often it pours until the middle, and then seasonal dryness sets in). The water is more and more “flat”, but sometimes it scares you with too intense “lambs”.
You can go!- Average temperature during the day: + 29 ° С
- Average temperature at night + 26 ° С
- Sea temperature: + 29 ° С
Reading weather reviews is a thankless task. Also, confidence in the decision (purchased tour) dispels. They are all contradictory, because for one a minus, for another - a plus.
On my own behalf, I will say this: rest from November to May - and you will have sunny Phuket!
Phuket Tour Prices - 2021
Since Thailand is the # 1 resort among Russians in winter, tours from tour operators with a direct flight "..." - Phuket - "..." are available from 42 cities of Russia.
In order to find out if the route from your city has been established, as well as to see the current prices for tours, I always recommend online aggregators:
- Travelata
- Level.Travel
- Onlinetours
These search engines collect offers from all the leading tour operators - no extra charge! - and conveniently filtered in order from cheap to expensive or by popularity. Plus, on hotel pages, they show the latest reviews of tourists from the largest and most trusted reviewers.
What are the prices?
✓ A standard 10-day vacation in Phuket in 2021 during the high season costs from 70,000 rubles for two.
✓ A good hotel (so that at least 3 stars, not a bug and the guests like it) - from 85,000 rubles for the same period.
✓ Traveling with your family? Count on the composition "mom, dad, child" from 100,000 rubles for 10 days.
✓ All inclusive works in Phuket. But oh-oh-very expensive - from 200,000 rubles for a vacation for two!
Add-on from HowTrip.
1. We have booked tours on aggregators 5 times. And for our readers we have agreed on a special promotional code with Travelata - AF2000Thowtrip - what will give a discount in 2000 rubles for tours to Thailand from 100,000 rubles!
2. The Fortuna Phuket tour is a tour without a specific hotel, so it is so inexpensive. You know the number of stars, the resort, the type of food, but the name will only be told to you at the Phuket airport (how the system will distribute). We tried Fortuna in Turkey and Greece, we were lucky with the hotel :)
Reviews of tourists about the beaches of Phuket
Karon became our favorite beach - it is conveniently located and there are fewer people here
Where is the best place to relax in Phuket? The descriptions of the resorts here coincide with the beaches. Yes, beach = resort = neighborhood.
- All beaches in Phuket sandy, with the same entry into the water. Wide, and therefore, so that palm trees hang over the beach, not everywhere.
- Along the three main ones (Patong, Karon, Kata) there is a lively road.
- The beaches public - sunbathe on a towel as much as you like. The usual "Turkish" amenities - a sunbed and an umbrella - for the money.
- But there are also paid beaches: somewhere you give money just for the beauty around, somewhere - for service and a sunbed. There are not many beaches at the hotel (private).
- Uncrowded beaches can still be found. But they are either difficult to access (off-road, descending on stones), or they are far from the tourist zone.
- As a rule, the basic amenities of resort life are organized near each beach: cafes, tents with masseuses, stalls with fruit shakes... But Thais forget about showers and toilets.
- Water sports (bananas, parasail) are common.
Patong
Sunbed + umbrella: 200 baht.
I must say right away - there is nothing wrong with the beach! And then you look at the reviews about Patong in Phuket and imagine some kind of brothel with a swamp.
Here is the same golden-white sand, a lot of space, an embankment and a warm sea. Yes, the water is a little less transparent and there is garbage - but this is the main beach of the island. Considering how many people sunbathe here every day, Patong can even be called clean.
In general, Patong (the area adjacent to the beach) is the most crowded and lively area. The center of Phuket entertainment with a developed infrastructure (a bunch of budget hotels, shopping centers, tuk-tuk at every corner). And the local Bangla Road is a concentration of the most vile institutions with noisy discos and exciting performances.
Add-on from HowTrip: we lived in Patong. And they concluded that when you know that there are more picturesque beaches on the island, you want to go there. But when the reluctance to shake the bike for half an hour outweighs the aesthetics, then Patong is beautiful! Oh, yes, there are also the cheapest tours to Phuket.
Patong hotels on the first line (remember, there are few of them):
- 5 * Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
Tour for 10 days: from 200,000 rubles - 5 * La Flora Resort Patong
Tour for 10 days: from 250,000 rubles
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 7 The cleanliness of the beach 7 Sand 9 Infrastructure 10 Beach length 8 Night life 10 Vacation with children 5 Karon
Sunbed + umbrella: 200 baht.
Drive from Patong ≈ 25 minutes.Karon is one of my favorite beaches and, after reading reviews about Phuket, I realized that not only me.
- Perfect golden sand, clear and turquoise water and just-oh-oh do their job.
- According to my impressions, Karon is the longest and widest beach. There is no excessive concentration of tanning bodies.
- Many tourists come here on vacation with children: reviews note the gentle entrance to the water, not crowded, dense sand for Easter cakes. Karon is the golden mean for families between the road Kata and the too active Patong.
- From entertainment - water things, volleyball nets. Massage points, as in Patong, I do not remember.
- The big disadvantage of the beach is the lack of shade. On the sand it is not there at all, except as self-created (an umbrella, that is). And in the cruel Thai sun you burn out instantly.
- In the season, waves still happen - small, you can jump. But in the low period it is like an open raging ocean.
- Oh, this "singing" sand, for the sake of which "you should definitely visit Karon!" (tourist quote). Well, it just creaks underfoot. Moreover, it is unpleasant for those who are sensitive to sounds.
Add-on from HowTrip: we also rested on Karon (there is also an article about our reviews of Karon Beach). Every evening we went to meet the sunset - in Tae they are beautiful :) - and ate deliciously. It was here that we found an excellent inexpensive cafe with local cuisine, and a point with cheap fruits and necks (the names were written in the food section). Of the three main ones, Karon is the best beach in Phuket for us.
Karon hotels on the first line:
- 5 * Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
Tour for 10 days: from 230,000 rubles
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 9 The cleanliness of the beach 9 Sand 10 Infrastructure 7 Beach length 10 Night life 4 Vacation with children 8 Kata
Sunbed + umbrella: 200 baht.
Drive from Patong ≈ 40 minutes.Reviews about Katya are good. But I don't really like the beach.
- They say it's quiet and calm here. Probably, they mean the absence of young people who are tipsy and Tagil. Because it cannot be quiet and calm on Katya by definition ↓
- The beach is small. And there are a lot of tourists during the season! So that very small pile is formed. A sunbed on a sunbed, a tourist on a tourist.
- There are no complaints about cleanliness, infrastructure and beauty - the sand is right, the sea is blue, the landscapes are picturesque, pharmacies, cafes, exchangers are nearby.
- Why is Katu loved by grandparents with grandchildren and parents with babies? The first is "quietly and calmly", the second is a shallow and gradual entry into the water, the third is that it happened and is passed from mouth to mouth.
Add-on from HowTrip: a couple of times we stopped by Kata. Not for sunbathing, but for surfing - from April, when the waves rise, surf schools start working. Board rental ≈ 200 baht per hour.
Kata hotels on the first line:
- 5 * Katathani Phuket Beach Resort
Tour for 10 days: from 230,000 rubles - 4 * PGS Hotels Casa Del Sol - Recommended Children's Hotel
Tour for 10 days: from 140,000 rubles
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 10 The cleanliness of the beach 10 Sand 10 Infrastructure 7 Beach length 5 Night life 4 Vacation with children 9 Bangtao
Sunbed + umbrella: 150-200 baht.
Drive from Patong ≈ 60 minutes.Most often you have to choose: an uncrowded beach for privacy or a developed infrastructure with bars, where you can go in the evening. I found a place that combines everything - Bangtao Beach.
In 2019, reviews of tourists about holidays in Phuket in Bangtao were off the charts. And all because we got to the beach…. Insta bloggers. Moms are insta bloggers.
Well, okay, they have chosen a place to rest and really worthy.
- It is beautiful here - especially the view of the dense palm grove from the water, the sand is cleaned daily, and the beach line stretches for kilometers.
- Bangtao is the most shady beach I know. And the shadow is not only from the palms, but also from the pines. Spending a whole day on a towel with your child is a pleasure.
- Massage, fruit, food included.
- The entrance to the water is shallow, no waves are observed.
- Despite the small number of holidaymakers, the Thais also organized standard water entertainment.
In general, relaxation without people - it is here in Bangtao. If you lack privacy, move to the northern part of the beach. The only drawbacks are the undeveloped area by tour operators (several hotels are available on the voucher) and the remoteness from Patong and southern attractions.
Bangtao hotels on the first line:
- 5 * Angsana Laguna
Tour for 10 days: from 160,000 rubles - 4 * Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa
Tour for 10 days: from 180,000 rubles
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 10 The cleanliness of the beach 10 Sand 10 Infrastructure 6 Beach length 9 Night life 5 Vacation with children 10 Surin
There are no loungers.
Drive from Patong ≈ 40 minutes.Twin brother of Bangtao, but more popular - apparently because it is closer to Patong. At the same time, Surin is less than four times.
Which of the pros:
+ Clear and clean water.
+ A coconut grove that protects from the sun, and also ideal for photographs.Cons:
- There are no sun beds, bedding is rented instead.
- Vacationers sometimes do not fit.
- A small selection of hotels.Despite the downsides, many believe that this is a good beach in Phuket for families with children.
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 10 The cleanliness of the beach 10 Sand 10 Infrastructure 5 Beach length 5 Night life 3 Vacation with children 8 Kamala
Sunbed + umbrella: 200 baht.
Drive from Patong ≈ 30 minutes.Continuation of the series of beaches Bangtao-Surin. More people hang out here, because Kamala - probably already understandable - is even closer to Patong.
The beach is "saved" by its length. It is also distinguished from the two previous ones by less shade, sometimes a muddy sea and complaints about the flowing river, which "fiddles".
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 8 The cleanliness of the beach 10 Sand 10 Infrastructure 5 Beach length 9 Night life 3 Vacation with children 7 Naiharn
2 sun loungers + umbrella: 200 baht.
Drive from Patong ≈ 40 minutes.This beach is already in the very south of Phuket. By the way, it is one of the few that has an organized parking lot. Due to the specificity of the location, you often cannot ride here, so I like to capture Naiharn on the way to Promthep Cape. I arrive 3-4 hours before sunset (just the sun is gentle), lie around, sunbathe, drive on.
There is not enough natural shade here, and there are enough people (many people know about the beach). I am glad that there is no water entertainment - do not look suspiciously at this parachute over your head. You lie, admiring the beauty around. Or you jump on the waves (they are almost always here). Or you smell the coniferous aroma (the grove is nearby).
Naiharn hotels on the first line:
- 5 * The Nai Harn
Tour for 10 days: from 220,000 rubles
Criterion Score (10 is the maximum) The purity of the sea 10 The cleanliness of the beach 10 Sand 10 Infrastructure 5 Beach length 5 Night life 3 Vacation with children 8 - 5 * Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
The bay and beach of Nai Harn is a comfortable small beach,
but with a lot of people
As promised, here is a list of beaches without waves:
- Tri Trang - because it is not located towards the sea, but as if perpendicular (look at the map). Eh, if everything were perfect ... The entrance to the water is strewn with small corals, for convenience, you need slippers.
- Ao Yon - beach in the bay + other coast of the island = no waves even in low season! Getting here is difficult, and not everyone gets there. This is probably why my cheapest sun lounger in Phuket happened here - for 50 baht!
- Paradise Beach - entrance is paid (200 baht per person) and ... a sunbed in this price
Excluded:( I do not advise the beach at low tide, stones, corals are exposed, and, in principle, do not swim.
What more i can say? Do not be afraid to organize a vacation in Phuket where a package tourist has never gone before. Not Patong, Karon and Kata as one!
Prices for holidays in Phuket
Most of the fruits in Phuket we bought mango / A for Starbucks coffee
went to Central Festival
Here we will focus on food primarily. Entertainment, transportation and all that stuff will go on.
I almost forgot. Tourists' reviews about Phuket are written not only by “packers”, but also by “savages”. An independent trip to the island is no more difficult than a trip.
- Flights are searched for on Aviasales (a good price in the season is 25,000-30,000 rubles for one round trip from Moscow).
- Hotels are booked on Hotellook, villas or condos on Airbnb.
- Insurance is bought at the last moment (just not a day!) On Cherehapa (800-1000 rubles, and rest easy).
- Transfer from the airport is caught on the spot (special buses will take you to the main beaches for 150-170 baht).
So, food.
Food and groceries
In Thailand - baht. 1 Thai baht (THB) ≈ 2 rubles.
The perfect sunset spot - Kata Rocks Resort
Stores where to make edible purchases:
- 24/7 and ubiquitous 7/11 (7 Eleven) and Family mart - for the momentary and nowadays
- Supermarkets Macro, Tesco Lotus and Big C - for solid
- Shopping centers Central Festival and Jungceylon - in which the same supermarkets are located
Prices for some products from Macro supermarket:
- Chicken breast, kg - 60 THB
- Shrimps, kg - 445 THB
- Cottage cheese, 250 gr - 180 THB
- Ice cream (Movenpick) - 200 THB
- Beef steak, kg - 800-1600 THB
- Eggs, 10 pcs - 70 THB
- Water, 1.5 l - 10-20 THB
- Coca-Cola, 0.5 - 15 THB
- Local beer in a bottle - 50 THB
But what is the value of products to us? We are from-dy-ha-eats. Give real feedback on prices in Phuket!
How much does it cost to eat in a cafe and drink in a bar?
| Hike to a tourist cafe for two (two dishes, two drinks) | 300-400 baht | 630-840 rubles |
| Tom yum soup or tom kha | 100-150 baht | 210-315 rubles |
| Baked mussels | 150-200 baht | 315-420 rubles |
| Something close to Russian cuisine | 200-300 baht | 420-630 rubles |
| Hike to a cafe for locals (two dishes, two coconuts) | 150 baht | 315 rubles |
| Big fries at McDonald's | 85 baht | 180 rubles |
| Horn at McDonald's | 10 baht | 21 rubles |
| Venti cappuccino at Starbucks | 200 baht | 420 rubles |
| Cappuccino in a coffee shop (small / large) | 70/90 baht | 145/190 rubles |
| Beer at a bar on Bangle | 150-200 baht | 315-420 rubles |
| Cocktail | 250-300 baht | 525-630 rubles |
Next in line - street food.
- Fried ice cream - 100 baht
- Pancakes with mango, nutella or banana - 50 baht
- Cockroaches, locusts, worms on sticks - 20 baht
- Fried rice - 30-50 baht
- Corn on the beach - 50 baht
- Fruit shake on the street - 50-100 baht
My special love is the evening markets in Thailand. At first, walking on them was fun for me. Here you can find live music, seafood, cocktails, unusual food and clothes. Even if you don't buy anything, the market is worth a look at because of the atmosphere.
Popular Phuket Night Markets:
— Malin plaza (Patong) is the # 1 market for those who live in Patong. Bargain, prices are overpriced.
— Banzaan night market (Patong) - opposite the Jungceylon shopping center.
— Karon Night Market on the Temple grounds - on Googlemaps it is indicated, it works on Tuesdays and Fridays.
— Kata night market - everyday.
And for sweets ... prices for fruits per kilogram:
(multiply by 2 - we get rubles)
- Passion fruit - 70-90 THB
- Yellow mango - 60-90 THB
- Green mango - 40-70 THB
- Mangosteen - 120-180 THB
- Avocado - 100-150 THB
- Coconuts - 20 THB
- Bananas - 30 THB
- Pineapples - 30 THB
- Papaya - 60-80 THB
- Longkan - 80 THB
- Guava - 50 THB
- Dragonfruit - 70-90 THB
Such price tags are found on fruit shops for tourists and in supermarkets. Local markets (which, alas, are mostly in Phuket Town - for example, Phuket Town Central Market) can be found cheaper, but not critical. Bananas for 20 baht or passion fruit for 70 baht.
Bonus! What to try in Phuket?
+ Tom kha soup with chicken and tom yam with shrimps.
+ Pad tai (noodles) and khao pad (rice) - roll in or ask for more nuts, tofu and sprouts.
+ Mangosteen, Longkan and Durian (the latter is sold in portions in supermarkets).
+ Shark and crocodile meat (60 baht per stick) at the night market.
+ Pure mango ice cream from Macro (healthy berry and mango brand is drawn) - a kind of PP-alternative (135 baht). Delicious and sinless.
+ Toast from 7/11 or Family Mart (25-30 baht). For a snack - just do not take it with tuna :) And do not forget to ask the cashier to warm it up in the toaster.
Where to eat? Cafe
HowTrip recommendations:
- Pad thai shop (Karon) - very cheap and very tasty! A cafe for local hard workers - either pad thai or fried rice with chicken, crab or shrimp, all for 50 baht. Yes, the tables are dirty and noisy, it is better for refined sissies not to meddle :) We lived on Karon for a week and dined only here.
- Sabaijai (Karon) is already a tourist cafe, but with really good (Thai) cuisine. Tom kha - luxurious (100 baht). We only regretted that we tried the local coconut shake (80 baht) on the penultimate evening :(
- Thum pizza (KatU) is a cozy place from a Thai who has traveled the world and decided to bring culinary knowledge to the Thai masses. The atmosphere is like a grandmother's at a party! There is also an alternative to local cuisine - European breakfasts (125-150 baht), fried rice (40 baht!), Smoothies (25-30 baht), pizza ...
- Coffee House Cafe (Kata) - again, when you get bored with Thai food. In general, this is a coffee shop with good coffee for 70-90 baht, but in the morning you can have breakfast - granola, pancakes, sandwiches.
- Crepes Factory (Chalong) - but here exclusively for pancakes: in addition to the Phuket classics such as the banana-nutella filling, they also cook with cottage cheese (180 baht). And if there is cottage cheese, then there will be cheese cakes (140 baht)!
Recommendations from me (the author):
- Doo dee thai food (Patong) - divine tom yam, as well as meat in oyster sauce and shrimp.Basically, all meals are 80-100 baht. You can eat cheap and tasty, lunch for two will cost about 250-300 baht.
- Capri noi (Karon) is an Italian restaurant, prices are average. I ate the most delicious pasta with seafood there. The portions are large. I recommend it to all lovers of pizza, pasta and European food. The establishment is run by two Italians, which is why everything is so good there.
- Veranda Restaurant (Kata) - the restaurant is adored by families with children. Firstly, cartoons are shown on TV, and secondly, there is Russian cuisine here - okroshka with borscht for 150 baht, a children's menu with mashed potatoes and cereals.
- New York Bar (Bangla Road) - a bar for fans of live rock hits. I heard a lot of recommendations, gave up and looked in the evening - I really liked it!
Housing prices
View from our apartments / Favorite Karon Beach
This is for the self-employed.
In Phuket, they live either in a hotel, or in a villa or in a condominium. The latter is an apartment in an apartment building with all the amenities like security, swimming pool, gym, laundry, etc.
- If you plan to live in a condo or relax in a villa - so that the landscapes are wow and private - then the Airbnb rental service will help here (follow the link - a discount of up to 4000 rubles on the first booking).
There are many villas in Bangtao and Kamala districts; smaller on Naiharn. An important point: huge houses are snapped up like cakes, look for them 3-6 months before the vacation. - Well, good old hotels are selected on search engines - Hotellook or Booking.
Please note that Patong, Kata and Karon beaches are separated by a road. And hotels on the first line with direct access to the sea can be counted on one hand (in the section about beaches they are indicated), and even fewer with a private beach.
Accommodation prices in Phuket (for two per night):
| Hostel | from $ 10 |
| Hotel 2 stars | from $ 15 |
| Hotel 3 stars | from $ 20 |
| Hotel 4 stars | from $ 40 |
| 5 star hotel | from $ 85 |
| Apartment with Airbnb (condo) | from $ 40 |
| Airbnb Villa | from $ 60, if for two from $ 100, if for four or more |
Best Phuket hotels - top 9
PATONG
- 3 * Baramee Resortel
Tour for 10 nights: from 105,000 rubles - 4 * Best Western Patong Beach - with a rooftop pool. Nearby in 3 minutes a night market.
Tour for 10 nights: from 110,000 rubles - 4 * Beyond Hotel Patong - Friends, friends of friends, etc. have stayed at the hotel. Everyone is happy. On the territory of street cafes, near Bangla Road.
Tour for 10 nights: from 125,000 rubles
Kata
- 3 * Kata Sea Breeze Resort - every evening - open cinema with films and cartoons in English
Tour for 10 nights: from 125,000 rubles - 3 * Orchidacea Resort - a hotel on the mountain, the view from the rooms is gorgeous.
Tour for 10 nights: from 125,000 rubles - 4 * Sugar Marina Resort FASHION - my friends stay at this hotel for the 4th time. It is more for quiet rest and relaxation.
Tour for 10 nights: from 120,000 rubles
CARON
- 3 * Baan Vanida Garden Resort
Tour for 10 nights: from 115,000 rubles - 4 * Andaman SeaView Hotel - both honeymoon couples and families with children love to come here.
Tour for 10 nights: from 120,000 rubles - 3 * Grand Sunset Hotel - there is a swimming pool on the roof of the hotel, in the evening you can watch the sunset, drink a free cocktail or eat ice cream.
Tour for 10 nights: from 110,000 rubles
Transport
Every time in Thailand we rent bikes - without them, unfortunately,
getting around is both more expensive and more difficult
How can you get around the island by public transport:
1. From airport - SmartBus buses run, they will take you to Patong and Karon for 150 baht, to Kata for 170 baht.
2. Island:
- Songteo buses - 40 baht per trip. There are several routes, I often used Kata-Karon-Phuket Town to get from Karon to the Central Festival shopping center. They work until 16:00.
- Tuk-tuki - essentially the same taxis. The price must be negotiated, they often get impudent.
- Taxi - from 250 baht and above, as agreed. Patong-Karon, for example, ≈ 300 baht.
3. Bike rental:
From 200 baht per day. The longer you take, the more you bargain.
For 10 days they gave me 130 baht.
You can rent a bike literally at every corner. They will ask you to leave a security deposit or a passport (better, of course, money - usually $ 100). At the time of lease, no rights are required. To be honest, half of Thais do not have them either.
Since I only travel around Thailand by bike, I am often asked: is it possible to ride without a license? You can ride. But you can also get a fine (≈ 500 baht). If you are wearing a helmet, the probability of being stopped is minimal (for helmetlessness, the fine is also 500 baht).
Add-on from HowTrip: we do not have a category A license, and one day we were stopped on a bike by a policeman (we were wearing helmets). They showed everything that is - namely, the old-style driver's license, so big - rolled! They were released without a fine.
A few tips from me:
- Before renting a bike, carefully check its condition for scratches.
- Keep in mind that the traffic on the island is very intense, few people follow the rules, you can be overtaken on bikes from all sides.
4. Rent a Car. Read the link for a detailed guide - how, where and for how much?
Excursions and entertainment in Phuket
Promthep Cape / Observation Point overlooking Karon Beach - here you can
to get both by taxi and by bike
One of the reasons why you can return to Thailand all the time is a large number of interesting places and excursions.
Must-visit location in Phuket (well, or the best attractions):
* mark on the map in your phone
- Big Buddha statue
- Bangla Road - the same street (clubs, bars, trans)
- Promthep Cape (southernmost point of the island) and lighthouse
- Beach with planes (taking off and landing) Mai Khao
- Viewpoint Karon - but Kata and Patong are also visible
- Cape Sri Panwa - here is the Phuket Aquarium, and the beautiful promenade Laem Panwa Viewpoint
- Splash Jungle Waterpark - 1,450 baht per adult, 700 baht per child aged 5-11
- Wat Chalong Temple
- Monkey Hill - a place with a bunch of monkeys
- The Memory at On On Hotel is a hotel in Phuket Town where DiCaprio was filmed in The Beach. You can walk along the hall for free, it's atmospheric
- Ma Doo Bua is a cafe with a terrace by the pond with oh-oh-very Instagram huge water lilies. You can take pictures on them both sitting and standing, but with weight restrictions. And for a fee, of course (350 baht).
It is quite possible to get to them on your own - by bike or by taxi. You can read about each place in detail in our separate article - what to see in Phuket.
Monkey Hill - there are really a lot of monkeys here / Here is the footage
I had to catch several hours
Tours.
But excursions in Phuket have mixed reviews. However, as elsewhere (for someone the air conditioner blew too much, for someone the guide gave little information).
The most popular excursions in Phuket:
| Khao Sok National Park and Cheo Lan Lake | 2000 baht / 1600 baht (adult / child) | 4200 rubles / 3400 rubles |
| Similan islands | 2000 baht / 1800 baht | 4200 rubles / 3800 rubles |
| Phi Phi Islands | 1000 baht / 800 baht | 2100 rubles / 1700 rubles |
| Day trip to Krabi province | 2000 baht / 1600 baht | 4200 rubles / 3400 rubles |
| Khao Lak | 1000 baht / 800 baht | 2100 rubles / 1700 rubles |
| Phuket overview | 1100-1300 baht / 500-900 baht | 2300-2800 rubles / 1000-1900 rubles |
| Phuket Fantasy Show | 1850 baht / 1700 baht | 3900 rubles / 3600 rubles |
There are also super exotic excursions, for example, to Singapore - from 11,000 baht per person.
I do not like excursions in their classic performance: these huge buses full of tourists, 30 minutes at a location and no more, a guide, who would just say without stopping, but what exactly is not so important ...
Therefore, I was very happy when I found out that the Tripster made it to Phuket! This is a service for booking individual excursions around the world - for a limited number of people, ideal for a family or a group of friends. Even better, the excursions are conducted by local residents (our compatriots who have moved).
See which ones are popular:
Massage.
Try Thai massage for a special kind of pleasure. Legs, back, neck, whole body - whatever you like. In salons, prices for massage are from 250 baht per hour. There is a surcharge on the beach and already from 400-500 baht per hour.
The case when my recommendations coincided with the latest reviews about massage parlors - here are some of the best in Patong:
- Let’s Relax
- Sweet Lemongrass Massage
- Puluang 1 Thai Massage
Water entertainment.
- Parasail - 1500-2000 baht per person
- Banana ride - 600 baht
- Catamaran - 1500 baht for 30 minutes
Reviews about the country are not complete without peppercorn show... How are things in Phuket?
- In Bangla, they lure you to a ping-pong show - free entry (free entry), but inside you need to buy a drink (hoo prices)
- Wake Up Club - tickets can be grabbed on the street for 700-800 baht per person
- Room 88 - trance show, 700-800 baht.
Pros and cons of Phuket
We arrived at the Kata Rocks hotel - to see the view, it is enough to take a cocktail
After my move to Thailand, everyone asks which resort is better: Pattaya or Phuket. I will say right away that I will never give an answer to this question, for me it is the same as asking whom you love more: dad or mom. Both resorts are worth seeing.
We have also written a kind of guide around Pattaya - only it is, rather, financial: what is how much it costs, what amounts to take with you. Are we reading? >> |
Pros / cons of the island:
* deduced personally and fished out from tourists' reviews about Phuket for 2019
+ Tropical weather and warmer sea. In contrast to the Russian winter - just some kind of fairy tale!
+ Luscious green nature. But, I must admit, this will seem to beginners in Asia, because the same Bali is more impressive with its vegetation.
+ Wide sandy beaches are also beautiful.
+ Unusual cuisine - spices, rice, coconut milk, seafood, spiciness and fruits, LOTS OF FRUIT.
+ You can take a ticket to Phuket with a direct flight from many cities in Russia.
+ Well, the time has come when we can say that the Thais-Phuketites have learned basic Russian ... There is no language barrier, if only because our compatriot will always be at hand (possibly with knowledge of English).
- Heavy traffic, crazy traffic. There are a lot of bikes, and you don't cross the street, you run across. But, they say, I have not been to Vietnam ...
- Dirty and unpleasant odors.
- Someone thinks that there are few attractions.
- Burning and burning in the sun is as easy as shelling pears. Even through the clouds.
- There are a lot of people during the season. Chinese, Russians - still, this is our favorite winter resort!
Karon Beach
How much money should I take with me for 10 days?
The budget consists of the cost of the tour + additional expenses for food, excursions, shopping, transport, entertainment.
- Minimum budget: ± 70,000 rubles for a tour for two and extra. expenses 15,000-20,000 rubles each.
- Average budget: ± 90,000 rubles per tour and extra. expenses 25,000-30,000 rubles each.
If you are traveling on your own and for a long time, I will cite the experience of friends:
- Flights from Moscow - 60,000 rubles for two round trip.
- Housing (condo) - 10,000 baht (21,000 rubles) + 2,000 baht (4,200 rubles) for a communal apartment. We picked it up on the spot, it took 3 days to find it.
- Bike - 4000 baht (8400 rubles) per month.
- Food - 12,000 baht per month or 850 rubles per day (if you cook at home).
Add-on from HowTrip: our budget for food in Phuket was ≈ 1200-1500 rubles per day for two. We had breakfast at home, had lunch and dinner in a cafe.
We reviewed the best beaches in Phuket
Tips for Phuket from someone who lives in Thailand.
- So that the rest does not disappoint, proceed according to the scheme: first, choose the BEACH according to your preferences, and then choose the HOTEL there. Not the other way around.
- If your priority is seaside vacation, consider the seasonality. Adjust your vacation for December, January or February.
- It is more profitable to fly on a voucher - check it on the travel search engine Travelata.
- It is better to change a little money at the airport if you arrive early in the morning or late in the evening, when the exchange offices at the resorts are already closed. You can't buy anything on the island for dollars, but you will want to eat.
- Many are interested in the issue of baby food (completely baby food). So, mixes like Nan or Similac in supermarkets cost from 400 to 700 baht per can.
- And sunscreen costs between 200 and 500 baht. Well I do not know. It is more economical to bring with you (a suitcase is definitely included in the tour :)).
- What to bring to relatives-friends? Thai toothpaste (on the market there are 3 pieces for 100 baht), shorts with elephants (100 baht), mangoes.
And the last thing. I must warn you: Tai is addictive and there is an urgent need to come back again!
