Hotel Experience: krabi

There are several family activities in Krabi. The most popular among which include elephant trekking, island hopping, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, rock climbing or simply relaxing by the beach at sunset. The town doesn’t disappoint shopping enthusiasts either and you’ll be pleased to know that Krabi’s retail scene is as vibrant as its food scene.

The local markets are mainly of three types – (1) Walking street markets, where you get everything from clothing, accessories and souvenirs to meat, fish and vegetables; (2) Night markets, where you get great bargains on household items as well as great street food; and (3) Daily local markets, where you get great fresh produce, dry goods and again, great street food.

Walking-street markets are exactly what they sound like, street markets where pedestrians walk and shop around. These markets are set up on a weekly basis by closing certain streets to traffic and setting up stalls on both sides. The Krabi Town Walking Street provides the most attractive set of activities and if you’re in Krabi over the weekend, it is a must-see. The market is open from 6pm to 9:30pm from Friday through Sunday.

Krabi Town hosts two night markets daily, one opposite City Hotel on Mahart Road and the other on Khong Kha Road. Local markets can be found in every Krabi village, on different days of the week. Most are found by the beach and if you have time to visit just one, head to the Klong Haeng Saturday market. The daily markets for fresh produce in Krabi Town are best visited early in the morning.

The local cuisine is marked by the heavy use of aromatic herbs and spices that make individual dishes look and smell as good as they taste. Try the seafood from Seafood Street and head to The Hilltop for fancy dining. The street food in Krabi is one of the best in the world and you can find every famous Thai dish to serve your taste buds.

In addition, there are several international restaurants, cafes and eateries headed by expats who treat fellow travels with popular food from their homeland. You will find Australian, Chinese, European, Indian, German, French, Italian, Irish, Japanese and Mexican cuisines with great ease in Krabi.

The most popular restaurants include Mr. Krab-i, Gecko Cabane, Frog and Catfish, Khaothong Terrace Restaurant and Chalita Café & Restaurant. Boogie Bar Ao Nang, Amy’s Bar, Smile Bar, Roots Rock Reggae Bar and Rick’s Bar are among the most popular bars for fancy beverages, alcohols and fun.

Popular destinations include Phra Nang Beach, Poda Island, Railay Beach and Viewpoint, Tup Island and Phi Phi Islands. In addition, here are six family-friendly places to explore:

The Tiger Cave Temple or locally known as Wat Tham Sua is a temple complex with natural maze-like caves where monks live and pray. Susan Hoi is a shell cemetery with fossilized shells from 75 million years ago.

The Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is a stunning lowland forest with crystal-clear lagoon, natural trails and rich bio-diversity and Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, a popular attraction complete with waterfalls, trecking trails, sheltered flora and fauna plus more.

There is also the Klong Thom Hot Springs where its located close to the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, the springs are believed to be therapeutic as well. Last but not least, Krabi Town. Located at the heart of Krabi, the town has a provincial, wonderfully laid-back and charming feel to it. It is also the place to soak in authentic Thai culture, hospitality and food.