Ao Nang Beach travel guide Krabi
While Krabi Town may be the provincial capital, it's Ao Nang that is tourist central in Krabi. With the highest concentration of hotels, resorts, restaurants and shopping, as well as good transport infrastructure inland and offshore, it's the ideal place to base your holiday.
There's a wide choice of accommodation on offer, although prices tend to be comparatively higher than those in the north and Bangkok - but this is true of all the beaches and islands in Thailand. Hotels guide for Krabi.
Despite its rapid development in the last five years, Ao Nang cannot be considered 'spoiled' - although many visitors who have been coming here since the first bamboo bungalows opened 15 years ago feel that the recent opening of a McDonald's was a step too far. But the area is far from becoming like Phuket or Samui: for one, it is much smaller, with no high-rise buildings; and most of the businesses are still locally owned and run, giving the place a laidback charm.
Because everything is concentrated in a small area around the main beach road, Ao Nang is also very convenient to get around. Most places, including the beach, will be within short walking distance from your hotel.
Ao Nang Beach itself is a pretty, palm-lined stretch of sand, dominated by the large cliffs at its southern tip. You can spend the day here swimming and snorkelling, or just relaxing in a beach café; although most people use Ao Nang as a jumping off point for day trips to the islands and inland, coming back in the evenings to eat, shop and enjoy a night out.
Tour agents line the beach road; most organised trips depart from here and operators will be able to pick you up directly from your hotel. If you want to go it alone, longtail boats can be found on the shore, waiting to take you to the islands; and you can also hire a car and driver / guide for the day anywhere along the beach road.
After sunset - which is often a spectacular show seen from the beach - the beachfront comes alive as people return from the islands and set off, freshly showered and dressed up for a night out. Shopping, eating and drinking are what is done best here. There's a large choice of restaurants, particularly for western food - so much so that the beachfront has earned the nickname of 'Little Italy'.
Shops sell everything from souvenirs to fake Rolex watches and DVDs (buyer beware!) and bargaining is a must. Massage shops, spas and beauty parlours stay open late, so you can indulge after your hard day island-hopping. Alternatively, you can sit in a roadside bar and people watch, or sip a pina colada under the stars at a beach bar on the sand. Discover some Unseen Thailand sights as recommended on our forum.
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