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Phuket

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Best time to go

The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April, temperatures are cooler but you are still guaranteed sun. During summer (June–August), daily temperatures can reach 40°C- perfect for snorkelling but too much for Cairo.

Redseaholidays, JTA holidays, Classic Packages, Instantholidays, Olympic holidays (especially if they have discount code offers),back office activities.

 

Sharm el Sheikh                                             Hurghada

Nabq bay (Main Strip).                                   Downtown (Historic, 10 mins from airport)

Royal Albatros Moderna                                  Hurghada Marriott Beach

Steigender Alcazar                                         Hilton Hurghada Plaza

Rixos Premium Seagate                                    Sunrise Holidays (Adults)

Charmillion Club Aquapark                              Grand Palace

Parrotel Aqua Park Resort                                  Seagulls

Rixos Sharm el Sheikh (adults)

                                  Sahl Hasheesh (Main strip)

Naama Bay (Lively, bars, shops)                       The Oberoi                     

Naama Bay Promenade                                  Old palace

Stella di Mare Beach Hotel & Stay                    Gravity Sahl Hasheesh

                                                                  Rixos Premium

Old Town (Historic, better shopping)                  

Aqua Blu Sharm                                            Makadi Bay (Best snorkelling)

Tivoli Hotel Aqua Park                                    Steigenberger

                                                                 Serenity Fun City

Soho Square (Upmarket)                                 Grand Waterworld Jaz Aquaviva,

Four Seasons                                                Jaz Makadi Gardens (adults only)

Royal Savoy                                                 

                                                                 El Gouna (Upscale-more for couples)

                                                                 Sheraton Miramar

                                                                 Movenpick Resort

                    

Most popular supplier(s) to use

Recommended Resorts:

Snorkeling

Must do activities/excursions

Recommended Activities

  • Phuket City Tour: Karon View Point, Big Buddha & Wat Chalong

  • Jet Ski Tour from Phuket

  • Simon Cabaret Show at Phuket with Return Transfer

  • Phuket Instagram Tour: The Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive)

  • Patong Boxing Muay Thai Stadium Real Fight

  • Muay Thai Boxing Class for Beginners

  • White Water Rafting 5 km, Flying Fox, ATV

 

Big Buddha

The 45 meters high Buddha statue (Phra Phuttha Mingmongkhon Akenakkhiri) is one of Phuket’s landmarks. The temple complex is free of charge and houses an exhibition with the story of Buddha and most of the time there is also a monk present who blesses the visitors before you reach the huge statue.

Naka Weekend Market

One of the biggest weekend markets of Phuket and takes place every Saturday and Sunday a little bit outside of Phuket Town. The stalls open about 4 p.m. and most of them close about 10-11 p.m.

Wat Chalong

The biggest and most famous temple on Phuket 

Phuket Old Town

Colourful buildings, cafes, shops- discover some sights like the Chinese Temple or the Sirikit Park (which was built in honor of the Queen).

Wat Khao Rang

Big golden Buddha statue is another temple building. The staircase is protected by a temple guard in the form of a giant statue. There are also some interesting statues from 3 Hindu gods.

Phuket Trick Eye Museum

Interactive museum with 3D images. You can take some amazing pictures where it seems like you are actually inside those pictures.

Bangla Road

If you like to go party, then you are just right at the Bangla Road in Patong. It is probably the most famous red light district in Thailand, but also good to do a pub crawl

Kathu Waterfall

It consists of three cascades. The first level is easy to reach and offers a great fresh water pool. Here you can relax or cool down in the cold water. A nice change in the heat of Phuket.

Watching airplanes at the Mai Khao Beach

They approach the airport directly above the beach. A fascinating experience, if you want to see something like that.

Recommended Islands:

  • -Phi Phi

  • -James Bond

  • -Similan

  • -Krabi

  • -Koh Samui

  • -Koh Lanta

  • -Koh Mak

  • -Koh Lanta

  • -Koh Phayam

  • -Koh Chang

  • -Koh Yao Noi

Places to Visit

Image by Nick Linnen

Best time to go

The best time to visit is between November and April when the weather is most settled. The hottest month of the year is March with an average daily maximum of 35 C and an average low of 25 C. 

Best supplier to book is through Major travel, JTA.

Karon

Karon is the next region south of Patong and also only a short distance from Kata. The usual water sports are available, including surfing, and the range of resorts is fantastic. Many are ideal for families, but some of these are at least half a mile from the beach.

 

  • Le Meridian Beach- secluded beach

  • Centara Villas

  • Centara Grand Beach Resort- family friendly and spa rooms have jacuzzi’s on balcony

  • Mandarava Resort and Spa- 10 minute drive from Patong, free shuttle to Karon Beach

Kata Yai and Kata Noi

South of Karon (see below) are the attractive twin coves of Kata Yai (Big Kata) and Kata Noi (Little Kata), both agreeably distant from the main road and ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba-diving. Much bigger, Kata Yai offers many likable boutique hotels and mid-range resorts

 

  • Katathani Beach Resort- beachfront hotel and spa is located on the beautiful Kata Noi Bay- stay in Thani wing for ocean views, good for families, kids club with splash pad- taxi and car rental services available

  • Sugar Marina Resort

  • The shore at Katathani- adult only-ultra luxury

Patong

More for groups of single men- families please avoid this.
Not surprisingly, the widest selection of things to do after dark is at Patong, the most popular and developed tourist region on the island. Some streets and sois (lanes) – particularly around the (in)famous Bangla Road region – are filled to the brim with bars, some in triple-level ‘entertainment complexes’ that are open 24 hours. Stags and bachelors, here is where you find the bars with strippers, barely-dressed hostesses, and very unsavory shows that should not be encouraged by attending.

 

  • Amari- private beach and 0.9 miles from Bangla Road

  • Holiday Inn Resort Phuket in the centre of the nightlife, restaurants and shopping areas

  • Burasari Phuket Resort & Spa- Boutique, good for young couples. 10 minute walk from nightlife and 10 minute walk from Jungceylon Shopping Mall.

  • Sheraton four points- On Patong Beach.

Bang Tao

About halfway along the west coast and peacefully distant from Patong, Bang Tao is a large area of mostly 4 and 5-star resorts. Many resorts in the southern part face the beach and are within walking distance of a main road with a limited array of shops and cafés, while those based around the manmade lakes (often called a ‘laguna’) can be more than a mile from the sea. The beach is extended and uncrowded, and guests not lazing by the pool or sea can enjoy massages and water sports offered at any of the resorts. Great for villas.

 

  • Angsana Laguna Phuket-Great for families, kids club-private pool suites here are divine, 7 min walk to the beach

  • Anantara Layan Phuket Resort-fantastic for large families, largest housing up to 14 people! A 2-minute walk from Layan Beach. Thai language classes, Island day trips to Phi Phi, Muay Thai lessons, Cliffside wedding chapel for anyone looking to get married out there

  • The Pavilions, Phuket-fantastic private pool villas-Phuket’s highest points-Guests can enjoy complimentary return access to Layan Beach and Laguna shopping centre via hotel shuttle service, which is under 5min away, daily in-house complimentary cultural activities. Private chef can come and grill BBQ at your villa.

  • SAii Laguna Phuket-1 minute walk from the beach- family friendly, kids club and babysitting

  • Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket- great for larger groups and families. Largest accommodating 7 people in a Seaview penthouse

Kamala

This low-key region squeezed between crowded Patong and upmarket Bang Tao is pleasingly hindered from overdevelopment by peculiar road design, so it does, remarkably, maintain the vibe of a fishing village and is ideal for families

 

  • Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa - Great for larger groups with private pool suites. 9 min walk to beach.

  • InterContinental Phuket Resort-a few steps from Kamala Beach-great for honeymooners seeking private pool or jacuzzi suite.

  • Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach-3-minute drive from Phuket FantaSea theme park, great for families of 4, kids club

  • Kamala Phuket Suites and Resorts-4 minutes walk from the beach. Situated around an outdoor pool with a waterslide, kids club here

Khao Sok National Park

One of the oldest and most bio-diverse jungles in South East Asia, the lush rainforest of Khao Sok National Park is set against a backdrop of towering limestone mountains. The park is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including elephant and the Malaysian sun bear. There are also some 180 species of birds in residence. Experience this spectacular park by guided walk and canoe ride with time to relax and swim in the river. Most family tours in Thailand include Khao Sok, including our Thailand Jungle and Islands Adventure.

 

*Can combine Phuket and Khao Soy stay

  • Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary

  • Elephant Hills Thailand's First Luxury Tented Camps

Most popular supplier(s) to use

Where to stay and why

Image by Denys Nevozhai

Activities/excursions

Insider tips

  • Swimming in Phuket: The sea can be very rough during low season (especially June–August), with very dangerous riptides. Avoid swimming if a red flag is flying on the beach and stick to areas marked as safe by lifeguards

  • Water: Do not drink from the taps. Always use bottled water.

  • Ice: Always made with clean water – perfectly safe.

  • Mosquitos: Dengue fever does occur in Phuket, but is not common. Malaria is rare to the point of non-existence. Avoid getting bitten by using insect repellent and covering up at night.

  • Drugs: The penalties for all drug-related offences are very severe.

  • Driving: Be very careful on the roads – accidents are common.

  • Emergency: In case of an emergency, dial 191 for police, 1155 for tourist police, and 1669 for ambulance.

  • Temples: Dress appropriately – cover your shoulders and legs (at least to the knee). Remove your shoes and hat before entering temple buildings.

  • Buddha: Images of Buddha are highly regarded in Thailand. Buying statues and getting Buddhist tattoos (if you are not Buddhist) is considered disrespectful, sometimes even illegal.

  • Royalty: The Thai royal family is highly respected – public criticism of them is illegal. The national anthem is played on the radio and in some public places at 8am and 6pm, as well as before movies in the cinema. You'll be expected to stand for it.

  • Feet: Gesturing with your feet is considered very rude.

  • Buddha Days: You can't buy alcohol on Buddha Days (certain religious holidays in Thailand).

  • Alcohol sale: Convenience stores will only sell alcohol from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to midnight. Restaurants and bars offer alcohol at any time of the day, except on religious and royal holidays.

  • SIM cards: Available at the airport and convenience stores across Phuket, generally priced from 50 baht. You will need to register the number by showing your passport.

  • Currency: $1 = 30 baht (rates may vary)

  • ATMs: Widely available all over Phuket, accepting international cards and providing instructions in several languages, including English. Thai ATMs eject cash before returning your card.

  • Bargain: Most market vendors will haggle and respond well if you're polite. It's not possible to haggle in convenience stores or shopping malls.

  • Tipping: Not necessary, but always appreciated.

  • Grab APP- There are metered taxis just outside the airport terminal, as well as tourist areas like Patong and Phuket Town. Fares start from 50 baht for the first 2 km and 8 baht per additional km. For longer distances, your taxi may charge a flat rate. A 100-baht surcharge will be levied if departing from the airport. Air-conditioned car taxis can be hired at all the main resort areas and in Phuket Town. Rates are similar to tuk-tuks, so it's a good idea to bargain your fare in advance. Many of these are being converted into metered taxis in an island-wide drive to improve the transport system. A convenient way to hail a taxi in Phuket is by downloading the Grab app into your mobile phone.

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