Highlights

• Lie on the beach at Railay. The highlight of a trip to Krabi is relaxing on one of its flawless beaches and luxuriating in its warm waters. Railay beach, actually a peninsula with four main beaches, is about as good as it gets. Phra Nang Beach, near the tip of the peninsula, is said to be one of the most beautiful in Thailand. You can only get to Railay by boat, which adds to its getaway feel. 
• Climb some rocks at Tonsai. While you’re on the Railay peninsula, try out some rock climbing. The location is world-famous for its spectacular climbing, so it’s easy to find a route that fits your experience level. Rental gear, guides and instructors are easily available and there’s always a community of climbers to swap tips and stories with.
• Go fossil hunting at Susan Hoi. Also known as Fossil Shell Beach, you won’t have to do much hunting. This popular site is made of immense slabs of limestone formed from the fossils of millions of ancient mollusks. It’s one of only 3 fossil shell sites in the world.
• Find inner peace at Wat Tham Sua. The temple complex is at the foot of a cliff and features a series of caves and shrines to the Buddha. If you can make the climb up the 1237 steps to the top of the mountain, you’ll see the “footprint of the Buddha” and experience some of the best views of Krabi province.

How to Get There

Krabi is about 800 kilometres south of Bangkok and around 170 kilometres east of Phuket. You can fly direct to Krabi from a few different countries (including Singapore, China, Malaysia and Qatar) or catch a domestic flight to Krabi airport. The airport is only 15 kilometres outside Krabi Town, the province’s major town.

Public buses from Bangkok to Krabi Town are plentiful, as are minivans. The trip can be up to 10 hours, so many opt for an overnight trip. Tour operators will often arrange transportation from your hotel. If you plan to travel to Krabi from Phuket, the trip is shorter, at 3-4 hours. You can also take a ferry or speedboat across Phang Nga Bay instead.

Best Time to Go

The best months to visit Krabi are November to April, when the weather is driest. Those are also the busiest months so be prepared to navigate crowds, practice your best crowd-avoidance strategies or venture off the beaten track where possible.

Image credit: chee.hong