Ao Nang is a popular tourist destination in Thailand. It is a short drive from the airport of Crabby, which makes it particularly accessible, and offers beautiful beaches alongside an urban city with a large selection of attractions and entertainment, good food and pampering hospitality.
When should you visit Ao Nang?
The best weather A trip to Bao Nang is in the months of December to March, in the dry season. The heavy monsoon season in the region is between May and October and then the temperatures drop. Even in such a season there is a chance that you will experience two completely dry (or rainy) weeks, so you can take the risk.
How do you get to Lao Nang?
There are three main ways to get there:
- Flight to Krabi Airport (KBV). Most local airlines operate Daily flights to Krabi From various destinations throughout the country, most of them are low cost flights. From the airport you can take a Songethaw ride, which will take about two hours and cost about 100 baht per person. Another option is to take a van or taxi from the field to the city (150 and 600 baht respectively).
- Bus to Krabi (and from there as detailed above). Buses to Krabi leave from many places in Thailand, especially on night trips.
- boat / Ferry from nearby islands Ferries and motorboats from Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta and more arrive at Krabi Pier every day. The pier is about half an hour's drive from Krabi town (a 100 baht trip at Songethaw) and from there you can reach Lao Nang by the routes listed above.
Lodging and accommodation in Ao Nang
Bao Nang has a wide variety of accommodation options, in a price range that will suit any budget:
Recommended low-budget hotels:
- Aonang Smile Hotel – A simple but clean and accessible hotel, located 5 minutes from Ao Nang Beach. Many of the rooms have balconies overlooking the sea.
- I Krabi Hostel Aonang - Habib Hostel that offers dormitory rooms alongside private rooms at cheap prices.
- Mini Boxtel Aonang Hostel – Hostel with dorm rooms and private rooms, with a cool sitting area on the roof.
Recommended high budget hotels:
- Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve - Luxury villa hotel with spa. Located 30 minutes drive from the city, in the heart of nature.
- Aonang Phu Petra Resort - A four-star resort with a beautiful view of the rocky cliffs in the area. The rooms are spacious and luxurious and outside there is a large pool.
- Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa - a hotel that is especially recommended for hosting families. The place operates a swimming pool and amusement facilities for children such as water slides.
- Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas - A hotel located on top of a hill, which gives it a spectacular panoramic view of the area. The environment is quiet and remote and there is a selection of luxury villas, suites and rooms.
Orientation in Ao Nang
Throughout the city there are various options for transportation - tuk-tuk, bicycles, motorcycles and scooters for rent (cost of about 200 baht per day) or walking for the best.
Ao Nang is a coastal town, the main interest lies in its beaches. Moving between the beaches is easy and accessible (a short boat ride). There are 4 main beaches:
- Ao Nang Beach – The lively and touristic area of the city of Ao Nang. Beyond the soft white sand and incredibly clear water, you can find a successful nightlife and good restaurants along the coastline. From Ao Nang beach, boat trips to the three nearby beaches depart every day with high frequency.
- Beach Nopparat Thara - is on the north side of the city and is a quiet and peaceful place to stay, with several hotels and resorts in the heart of nature. Many of the travelers come to it for a day trip, or for a romantic dinner at sunset.
- Tubkaek Beach - A quiet and pastoral beach located about 30 minutes' drive from Ao Nang Beach. What makes it an attraction is mainly the fact that it is a site that was used for the filming of the famous comedy movie "The Hangover 2".
- Railay Beach - A spectacularly beautiful beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand. It is one of the hottest and most popular destinations in the south of the country, and it's no wonder, given its towering stone cliffs, surrounded by turquoise waters.
Attractions in Ao Nang
The four islands tour
A HOP-OFF-ON-HOP style sailing tour that includes stops at the nearby islands: Koh Poda, Koh Gai, Koh Tup, Koh Mor. You should take into account that this is a touristic and highly sought-after tour, and that most of the organized tours have the same schedule, so the stops on the islands tend to be few taxis. If you want to do the tour at your own pace and time, you can rent a private boat for that purpose. The cost is about 2,000 baht per - The 4 islands or about 300 for one. Each such boat has room for 6-8 people.
Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature trail
A daily trek that will lead you to a panoramic observation point for the beautiful view of the area. This is a climb of about two hours. The track is outside the city in a somewhat remote location. You can take a tuk-tuk, motorcycle, bicycle or a taxi driver who will wait for you to arrive and return.
Diving and snorkeling
The area and the nearby islands have a spectacular underwater landscape that is just perfect for diving or snorkeling. Some of Thailand's famous diving sites are very close, for example King Cruiser wreck. You can come independently or inquire at the local diving agencies about diving or snorkeling tours that leave the city every day.
Where to eat in Bao Nang?
Several recommended restaurants in the town:
- Lae Lay Grill – A luxury restaurant on the beach that serves a selection of traditional Thai dishes.
- Bussaba Thai Restaurant - a Thai restaurant that offers a particularly delicious menu, at cheap prices.
- Carnivore Steak and Grill - A successful western restaurant specializing in steaks and grilled meats.
- Wanna's Place - An incredibly diverse restaurant, in the huge menu you can find, among other things, French, Thai, Indian, Italian food and more.
- The Hilltop - A luxurious restaurant specializing in seafood and containing a quality wine bar. The big advantage is the location that allows diners a good view of the entire beautiful area.
- Smiling Dog Café – A popular cafe located on Ao Nang Beach. The place offers breakfasts, desserts and hot and indulgent drinks.
