Top 10 Destinations in Thailand - 2021

Where is the best vacation in Thailand? Details about the coolest resorts in the country that will appeal to any category of tourists!

Let's say you've already thought about your vacation time carefully. It's time to decide which resort is the best to choose in Thailand. Islands, Pattaya, Krabi - where is the most atmospheric way to take photos for Instagram, and where can you immerse yourself in Thai culture? 🙂

Which resort to choose in Thailand

The list of resorts in Thailand is quite impressive. The country attracts with comfortable beaches, unique tropical nature, and a variety of nightlife. Not surprisingly, for those planning a vacation in Thailand, the question of where to go will always be relevant.

The best resorts in the country:

• Pattaya is a fun, partly riotous place for adventure lovers;
• Phuket is the most popular and most popular island with developed infrastructure and beautiful landscapes;
• Krabi - a place of rest, loved by Europeans, for a comfortable seclusion;
• Bangkok - the colorful capital and center of shopping and sightseeing;
• Koh Samui is the best resort in Thailand for staying among the pristine nature;
• Phangan - a noisy, youthful island, but, nevertheless, one of the budget;
• Koh Chang - a beach resort in Thailand for a calm and romantic pastime near the sea surface;
• Hua hin - a very respectable place;
• Chiang Mai - Thailand's best resort for cultural development;
• Ko Samet - for those who strive for a relatively untouched nature.

Whichever resorts you choose in Thailand, you are guaranteed a fascinating vacation near the gentle waves of the ocean and among the splendor of exotic landscapes. You can look at beautiful photos for a long time, but it is better to see all this with your own eyes.

We recommend booking tours to Thailand on online travel services. The largest ones that we have personally checked are the following:

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

Perhaps you, like me, find it difficult to imagine that such and such a city is located on the southeastern isthmus of something 500 km from Bangkok. Therefore, first - a map of the resorts, and then - a detailed analysis of each :)

Holidays in Pattaya

Now it's hard to believe that Pattaya was a small fishing village a few decades ago. Today, the life of the country's most cheerful resort is in full swing. People go to Pattaya at any time of the year, because there is the most favorable climate with little rainfall.

Pattaya and Central Beach View
(photo from the Hilton hotel, tried the buffet there)

While compatriots will try to keep warm in the severe frosts, you will enjoy all the benefits that a vacation in Pattaya in December provides. On the eve of the New Year, a lively atmosphere of an eternal holiday reigns here. A wide variety of bars, nightclubs and even a decorated Christmas tree near the Central Festival - see the picture, see? 🙂 - attracts lovers of an adventurous life.

Holidays in Pattaya in December are convenient for attractions such as the Big Buddha Temple and the Temple of Truth, Mini Siam Park, floating market, Oceanarium, crocodile farm. But whether they are worth visiting is another question.

Hotels in Pattaya - for every taste: from luxurious apartments to modest, but quite comfortable and affordable bungalows.

Note for independent tourists: from Bangkok airport to Pattaya it is comfortable to get there by transfer from KiwiTaxi - it costs around 3000 rubles (up to 4 passengers), and the driver meets with a sign 🙂

Reviews of tourists indicate that one of the main advantages of Pattaya is low prices for recreation and shopping. Those who primarily seek to soak up the beach should be warned. In Pattaya itself, the sea is rather dirty, so tourists prefer to go to the nearby islands. Pattaya is also unattractive for diving and surfing. Families with children or elderly couples are better off settling far from the center, where most of the entertainment venues are located.

• Rest in Pattaya in 2021 costs at least 77,000 rubles for 10 days for two (in season)

Where is better: Phuket or Pattaya?

Which of these two popular resorts is preferred? There is no definite answer to this question. It all depends on the specific desires of the tourist.

If the main thing is entertainment (well, you know, alcohol, go-go bars, crowds of young people and not so much, but under the degree) or an excursion, and then only beaches, the choice will be in favor of Pattaya. Phuket is a holiday destination in Thailand, famous for sandy beaches and beautiful exotic views, although there is also a "Pattaya" here.

Surprisingly, how much we do not like parties, and would have stayed in Pattaya for the winter. Firstly, everything is cheaper: housing, transport (unlike Phuket, it is developed, we did not even take a bike), food. Secondly, next to Bangkok, where you can unwind from the resort atmosphere. Thirdly, the beaches of Ko Lana are more "heavenly" than in Phuket 🙂 But, again, we are considering the prospect of a long stay.

Phuket: Nai Harn Bay and Beach / Rent a bike for 150 baht per day,
to explore the island on your own

Holidays in Phuket

The largest island in the country with a developed tourist infrastructure and all the conditions for a good rest, holidays in Phuket 2021 are chosen by both youth companies and families with children. It is convenient to get to the island, as the airport located here receives international flights.

Where is a more varied vacation, in Pattaya or Phuket? The island matches Pattaya in the number of shops and places for entertainment. Holidays in Phuket 2021 compares favorably with the fact that tourists have the opportunity to spend time on beaches with clean sand and calm sea.

Read about the three main beaches in Phuket:

• Patong
• Karon
• Kata (Coming soon!)

I would like to immediately dispel the persistent myth that prices for holidays in Phuket are much higher than in other resorts in the country. More expensive hotels and restaurants are located on the first line, going a little inland you can find good accommodation at affordable prices. So, vouchers with accommodation on Patong Beach, on average, are 5-10% cheaper than vouchers to neighboring Karon and Kata - all because of the more fashionable hotels.

After three trips, we can say that for the first time in Thailand, the best vacation is in Phuket. There is a bit of everything here: the sea is turquoise, the nature is luscious, there is something to see, and more or less clean.

• Prices for tours are reasonable - from 80,000 rubles for 10 days for two

Good news. We have agreed on a promo code with Travelata, a service for booking tours online. If the tour is more expensive than 100,000 rubles, coupon AF2000Thowtrip will give a discount of 2,000 rubles.

In addition to Travelata, it makes sense to compare the cost of tours to Tai and other services:

• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

Yes, they all set prices directly from the tour operator, but it happens that someone will quickly update the database of offers and find the tour more profitable.

Kata Beach in Phuket (photo from our trip)

Holidays in Phuket with children

Resting abroad with a child is always an additional responsibility. How justified is a vacation with children at sea in 2021 in Phuket, and which beaches are suitable for little vacationers? Reviews of tourists point to the beaches of Karon, Kata, Kamala. These are sandy resting places with low waves and convenient entry into the water. They are located away from noisy discos and large shopping centers, so a quiet rest is guaranteed for parents and children.

The best hotels in Phuket for families with children are Kata Beach, Kata Sea Brezze, Sunwing Ramala Beach. The first line hotels have swimming pools, playrooms, recreation areas for kids. Together with children, you can visit the zoo, national park, waterfalls, temples, and also try your hand at a master class on cooking Thai food.

Ang Thong National Park - near Koh Samui

Koh Samui

This picturesque corner of nature is simply created for relaxing in Thailand for two. If you look at the island of Koh Samui on a map, you can note its distance from the mainland. Thanks to this geographical feature, the island has managed to keep the tropics intact.

The tourist boom of the 20th century could not but affect Koh Samui. Now it is the second most popular destination after Phuket. Tours to the island of Koh Samui are in demand, despite the fact that you can only get here by sea or by plane.

The price of a vacation on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand in its eastern part is slightly higher. The south of the island attracts those tourists who have been renting accommodation in the country for a long time. People come here to get acquainted with Buddhist culture and for meditation. However, Koh Samui is not always sunny and welcoming. Sometimes there are such showers and storms that the island "floats". When to go? Read ↓

The best beaches of the island are located in its eastern part. There is an excellent infrastructure with comfortable hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops. The north coast is popular with romantic couples and families with children. In this part of the island, resort life is more calm and measured. The famous 12 m high Buddha statue is also located here.

• 10-day tours to Koh Samui - from 110,000 rubles for two

Photos from our trip to Krabi province

Holidays in Krabi province

Krabi province on the coast of the Andaman Sea offers all conditions for relaxation: a large number of well-groomed golden sandy spits, a clear sea, cheap Thai food and a significant share of attractions. Holidays in Krabi are an opportunity to combine a leisurely beach holiday with active excursions to beautiful waterfalls, mysterious caves and unusual temples.

From Krabi it is convenient and not so time-consuming to visit the island of Phi Phi (or Pee-pee? :)), the same one where the movie with the handsome DiCaprio was filmed. Although we never sailed there either from Phuket or from Krabi, it is too touristy. There are crowds of people, and apart from an organized excursion or a scheduled boat transfer, there is no way to get there.

However, your vacation in Krabi will not be complete if you do not visit the Temple of the Tigers, which is nestled among the riot of rainforest at the base of the cliff. On the net you can read rave reviews of tourists about his cave, sculptures, observation deck at the top of the mountain. Ours is also enthusiastic, but to climb 1237 steps, you have to sweat 🙂

• Tours to Krabi - the same 10 days, 2 people - cost from 100,000 rubles. But personally we, as well as several acquaintances "on the spot", drove independently. Still, package holidays in Krabi are not yet so developed.

Koh Phangan

Bluerama hotel with infinity pool on the mountain, may enter
anyone / Salad Beach

The island is located in the Gulf of Thailand. The tourism industry has begun to develop relatively recently, but the resort has already become popular among young people from European countries.

Holidays in Phangan are ideal for those who like fun evenings and hot parties. Equally attractive are the beaches of Haad Rin in the southeast, Tong Nai Pan Yai and Tong Nai Pan Noi in the north. Haad Rin Beach is known far beyond its borders for its parties that take place on a full moon night.

Tourists have an excellent opportunity not only to enjoy mountain landscapes and tropical landscapes, but also to get acquainted with the beauty of the underwater world, including coral reefs.

Accommodation on Koh Phangan is both modern hotels and traditional wooden bungalows for the country. One of the most compromise housing options in Phangan is renting a guesthouse, equipped with all the amenities.

When deciding which resort to choose, one must pay attention to the sights of the island. These primarily include the natural beaches themselves with tropical vegetation and waterfalls. Lovers of nature and romance enjoy visiting Than Sadet National Park. You can come here at any time of the year to look at the waterfalls and Lake Lem Son, surrounded by coconut trees.

Reviews of tourists destroy the myth that a vacation in Phangan is a constant stay among informal individuals and haunted youth. The island is hospitable to all visitors, providing them with the beauty and benefits of modern civilization.

• Tours to Koh Phangan - from 145,000 rubles for 10 nights. It is obvious that it is more profitable to fly on your own.

Central part of Bangkok, have been in the city for 3 days

Rest in Bangkok

Noisy, colorful, huge and a little extravagant. This is how Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, appears before visitors. The city surprisingly combines elements of Eastern culture with European traditions of a large metropolis.

Rest in Bangkok is an opportunity to see luxurious Buddhist temples, relax and sunbathe in numerous entertainment establishments, enjoy exotic shopping in local markets, and taste masterpieces of street food.

One of the types of recreation in Bangkok is medical tourism. It offers tourists an excellent quality of services and highly qualified specialists trained in leading clinics in the world.

It is a misconception that Bangkok lacks a beach holiday. Not far from the metropolis, Bang Saen Beach is located, which meets all the requirements of those who crave sun and sea. Vacation prices depend on the level of comfort and location of the hotel.

Flights >>
Accommodation >>

Koh Chang Island

Koh Chang Island in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand is a worthy competitor to the famous Phuket. Holidays on the island of Koh Chang in Thailand are chosen by tourists looking for a quiet time alone with nature. Most of the island is occupied by impenetrable jungle and protected nature reserves. The rest of the territory is being actively developed by the tourism industry.

Every year, the number of modern hotels, restaurants of local cuisine, beaches on Koh Chang is growing. The most luxurious holiday on Koh Chang island in Thailand is on its west coast. Here, as in many other Thai resorts, it is customary to organize full moon parties.

Which resort to choose in Koh Chang? Wherever you go, the cleanest sea, the freshest air, excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities await you.

Holidays on the island of Samet

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city and strive for peace and solitude? Your choice is Koh Samet Island in Thailand. Its advantages are obvious: proximity to Pattaya and Bangkok, convenient transport links, places of untouched nature.

The most developed part of the island is its eastern coast. For seven kilometers there are hotels, cafes and bars. The beaches of Koh Samet have convenient access to the water, which is very important for families with children. More secluded beaches are found in the northern and southern parts of the island. Koh Samet hotels provide a sufficient level of comfort, and the fashionable and stylish Paradee resort complex receives the most positive ratings and reviews.

If you buy a tour to Ko Samet, you are guaranteed good weather at any time of the year. The island belongs to the driest holiday destinations in Thailand. Even during the rainy season, there is little rainfall, and the prevailing weather is sunny.

Hua Hin Thailand

If most of Thailand's resorts began to develop relatively recently, Hua Hin resorts were known at the beginning of the last century. It was not for nothing that the reigning King Rama and his family preferred to rest in Hua Hin, spending time in their summer palace.

Today, the beaches of Hua Hin are open to everyone who wants to relax on the clean sand by the gentle sea. The nearby hotels are built in an elegant English style. A wealthy tourist usually comes here who wants to relax on the best beaches of Hua Hin.

Tours to the resort include visits to the royal palace and the temple with the largest statue of Buddha. Fans of outdoor activities who purchase tours to Hua Hin from Moscow will not be bored either.For them, they organize yachting, windsurfing, horseback riding, golf, fishing, elephant trekking.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Where to go in Thailand if you want something unusual? We advise tours to Chiang Mai, the second largest city in the country. Here you will learn the most interesting facts of the history and culture of the country, you can feel closer to its traditions. The city serves as a starting point for expeditions to the jungle or distant settlements high in the mountains.

Chiang Mai is a regular square with bastions that have been preserved since the 17th century. It is curious with unique temples, unusual museums, a zoo where Chinese pandas live, and a large aquarium. One of the main attractions of Chiang Mai is the night market. Here you can buy souvenirs and products of local craftsmen, which are not found in other resorts of the country.

When planning your vacation in Chiang Mai, include in your plans visits to the mountains and distinctive tribes living in remote places.

Prices for holidays in Thailand with flight. How to save money?

Thailand attracts more and more tourists every year. How can you save money on your trip without compromising the quality of your vacation? First of all, you need to carefully study the prices for holidays in Thailand with flights depending on the season.

As with every resort, costs can vary depending on the weather. Prices for trips to Thailand increase significantly during the New Year holidays and the high season in winter, when every European wants to travel back to summer. By planning your vacation in early autumn or late spring, you can save up to 30-40% on the tour.

Prices for holidays in Thailand with a flight are lower if you follow the 10 rules for searching for tours. Try 🙂

Prices for all-inclusive holidays in Thailand are usually higher, but you should not expect to see a second Turkey or Egypt here. This cost does not always pay off. Eating in inexpensive restaurants, buying ready-made street food or groceries in supermarkets, you can save a lot of money. In addition, Thailand is so rich in sights and natural beauty that you hardly want to spend a lot of time in a hotel.

A price comparison chart never hurts, right?

Kata Beach in Phuket (photo from our trip)

Thailand Monthly Weather. When is the best time to go?

In Thailand, there are no seasons in our understanding. In the country, it is customary to talk about three seasons: rainy (June-November), cool (October-February) and hot (March-May). To find out when is the best time to go to Thailand, consider the weather in Thailand by month. More about:

• February
• June
• September
• November

The period from January to April is the best time to travel. The weather in the resorts of Thailand at this time is sunny, precipitation is rare.

The rainy season lasts from mid-May to August. At different resorts, it is not the same, but sometimes the rains are real showers and go for days. At this time, the number of tourists decreases markedly, and the cost of recreation falls. In some resorts, intermittent rains occur mainly at night, they do not last long and bring a pleasant coolness.

Monthly weather in resorts in Thailand also depends on the location of the resort. Pattaya has good weather all year round with moderate rainfall. On Koh Samui, it rains from November to December, while in Phuket and Krabi, the weather shows its character from May to October.