PATTAYA HOTEL REVIEWS

When to visit Krabi
Weather-wise, the ideal time to visit Krabi is in late January and February, when you will enjoy nearly perfect conditions: calm, glassy seas; clear blue skies; moderate temperatures; and only a tiny chance of shower burst. By coming at this time, you also avoid the peak season hotel supplements charged around Christmas and New Year.

This time is, naturally, extremely busy here, so you may find popular hotels and beaches full. Some people prefer to visit Krabi in the ‘rainy’ season, despite the risk of showers, as it is cooler, cheaper and much less crowded - it is even possible to have a whole island to yourself!

Booking a holiday in May-October remains, however, a gamble: while the typical rainy season pattern is of sunny days punctuated by short, heavy afternoon showers, you could just as easily end up with ten days of straight rain - or sun!

For more information about the rainy season, see our guide to the tourist low season in Krabi.

General climate in Krabi
Krabi is in a tropical climate zone, only 8 degrees above the equator. There are two seasons here: hot and dry; and ‘cool’ and wet - although the temperature rarely drops below 27C year round. These weather seasons roughly correspond with the tourist high season (from November to April) and low season (from May to October) - most people prefering to visit during the hotter, drier months.

But, unfortunately, the monsoon winds that control Krabi’s weather do not switch direction on time every year, which means that the rain (like last year) can start late in June, stop for a couple of months and continue well into January.

So there can be rain during the ‘dry’ season, particularly at the start, as well gloriously sunny spells for sometimes weeks at a time during the ‘rainy’ season. The only weather that can be almost guaranteed during the year is a dry heatwave in March and April (up to 37C) and prolonged rainy spells in September and October.

Yearly temperatures in Krabi average around 28-32C during the day, with a maximum of around 36C during March and April and a minimum of 20C - a temporary drop during a big rainstorm. During the night, the temperature drops around 5-10C and you may feel chilly if you have been out in the sun all day - you should pack a light, non-woolly sweater or shawl for the evenings.

Humidity levels are high throughout the year, from 75% to 100% - if you are sensitive to humidity, avoid going on any jungle treks or visits to National Parks where the greenery makes things worse.

The sea temperature is a very pleasant 28-30C all year round.

VISAS FOR THAILAND
Visitors to Thailand must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in the kingdom. Citizens of 41 countries qualify for a 30-day ‘permission of stay’ stamp, which is given out when you pass through immigration at the airport. There is no charge for this. Others are granted only a 15-day ‘Visa on Arrival’.

People who do not qualify for this permission of stay, or who wish to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days must apply for a visa at their local Royal Thai Embassy before departure. The standard tourist visa is a single entry, 60-day permit, which can be extended by one month while in Thailand, on payment of 1,900 Baht.

For a full list of countries that qualify for visa exemption (i.e. permission of stay granted at airport), ‘Visa on Arrival’ and further information about all types of visa, see the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

THAI MONEY
The only unit of currency accepted in Thailand is the Thai Baht, available in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 (notes) and 10,5, 2 and 1 (coins). It is best to exchange money once you are here as rates are much better than those abroad. For the latest exchange rates, click here. Currency exchange booths in Krabi accept cash and travellers’ cheques in most denominations: dollars, euros and sterling being the most popular.

ATMs are another option for withdrawing cash in local currency as you need it from your bank account at home. Machines are widely available in Krabi Town and Ao Nang; however, offshore and in more remote areas you may have problems finding one.

Krabi is slightly more expensive than other areas in Thailand; however prices in general are much, much lower than in the West. So how much spending money to bring? Click here to see our new holiday budget planner.

PACKING ADVICE FOR KRABI
Pack lightweight clothes, unless you’re coming in the rainy season (May - October), in which case you should bring a light (non-woolly) sweater or cardigan. Laundry services are widely available at around 35-40B a kilo.

Sunglasses are a must - the sun is extremely strong. Cheap, original, designer sunglasses can be bought from opticians here. Bring at least one pair of flip-flops or slip-on shoes (or buy them here). As well as being cooler, they are also easily removed before entering a Thai home or temple. A small flashlight can be useful for occasional power cuts or to find your way back to your bungalow at night if you are staying at the beach or at a remote guest-house.

Other holiday essentials such as suncream, most types of camera film, mosquito repellent as well as brand-name toiletries such as Colgate and Nivea are widely available here, so there’s no need to panic if you run out!

If you plan to spend a great deal of time in the water, you might want to bring your own snorkel and mask - although these can also be purchased here. Some people may want to bring their own specialised equipment for diving and climbing.

ELECTRICITY IN THAILAND
The standard voltage in Thailand is 220V with a frequency of 50Hz. Most laptop computers do not require a converter but check with your manufacturer before you come. The type C (two pin, round head) outlet is universal in Thailand. This is the plug used by the majority of Europe, Asia and Africa, and adaptors are not needed for electrical equipment bought in these regions. Most standard sockets also accept flat two-pin plugs. Any other type of plug (UK, US) will require an adaptor.