One of the most exotic countries in Asia has always enjoyed increased popularity among tourists from all over the planet. Paradise delights with secluded beaches, nightly entertainment, amazing landscapes and unique attractions. Colorful Thailand fascinates guests who come here in search of adventure.
Travelers who are acquainted with the fairy kingdom plunge into eternal summer and forget about all the problems. Tourists who feel welcome guests in the resorts of the country admit that they have found a real paradise that you do not want to leave.
Description of the archipelago
The original islands of Phi Phi (Thailand) are located in the province of Krabi and are located 40 kilometers from Phuket. The Phi Phi Islands archipelago consists of six islands, the most famous of which are the popular Phi Phi Don and the picturesque Phi Phi Le. Since they are located far from the mainland, you can only get to them by ferry, and the journey from the pier to the resorts will take no more than an hour and a half.
The islands of Phi Phi (Thailand) are equally beautiful, but are distinguished by the fact that one is completely uninhabited, and the other is full of vibrant day and night life. The natural charm of the resort makes an indelible impression on vacationers.
However, not everything is as wonderful as it seems at first glance. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm because numerous tourists violate the island’s flora and fauna, and the archipelago itself cannot cope with such an influx of guests.
Best time to visit the resort
When is the best time to come to the fabulous islands of Phi Phi, reviews of which are full of not only enthusiasm? The most favorable time for visiting an exotic archipelago with a tropical monsoon climate is the period from October to March. In the dry season, when the weather itself favors a relaxed or active holiday, the average water temperature is 29 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature is about 30. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until September.
Phi phi don
The largest island of the archipelago, whose area is approximately 28 km 2 , is divided into two parts and connected only by a narrow isthmus (Ton Sai Village). It delights tourists who long to swim enough in the warm waters of the ocean and sunbathe on snow-white beaches. This is a relatively new, but already rapidly developing resort, gaining popularity.
The island, whose population ranges from two to three thousand inhabitants, is famous for entertainment venues for every taste. True, tourists note that Phi Phi Don is a rather expensive vacation spot, since they do not grow anything here - all products are imported.
There are no cars on the island, and the main transport is bicycles. Those who have a heavy suitcase can use the services of porters, which lead to the hotel. As experienced tourists say, often the road is replaced by loose sand, which causes difficulties. Therefore, it is better not to save, and give a hundred baht to a person who will help with the delivery of luggage.
Near the mooring of Ton Sai is a village considered the heart of the island. There are bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, diving centers, laundries, massage parlors and hotels. This is a favorite place for all inveterate party-goers, and guests who prefer privacy and do not want to save on the necessary choose the east of the island, where the most respectable boutiques and hotels are located.
Phi phi le
The second largest island of Phi Phi Le (Krabi, Thailand), which is a limestone monolith rising above the water, is surrounded by two bays - Lo Sama and Maya Bay. The latter gained fame after the release of the drama "Beach". You can get to the mesmerizing unique beauty of Maya Bay, where the main events of the Hollywood movie took place, in a few hours from Phuket by ferry. The beach, surrounded by majestic cliffs, is litigated for many years.
Litigation
The fact is that the film company in 2000 significantly changed the appearance of Maya Bay to give it a "paradise" look. The fantastic beauty of the beach was created artificially: coconut trees cut down and poured giant sand dunes. However, the company did not fulfill its promises to restore the natural landscape, and the damage to the ecosystem could not be filled. The government of the state was suing the film crew, but in 2004 mother nature intervened, having made its own adjustments.
Tsunami
The islands of Phi Phi (Thailand) belonging to the Krabi province were in the midst of the tsunami caused by an underwater earthquake. Killed more than a thousand local residents and foreigners who arrived on vacation. A monument to the victims of the elements was erected at the picturesque Phi Phi Don, and every year a tribute is paid to those who left this world so early. However, according to experts, it was the tsunami that restored the ecosystem of the island's bay.
Paradise with pristine nature
12 years ago, there was no tourist infrastructure on Phi Phi Le. Everything changed after its inclusion in the Marine National Park. This stunningly beautiful tropical paradise with pristine nature is a must-see. People often come here for a day to meet the dawn and fully enjoy the impregnable cliffs escaping from the deep sea, amazing lagoons and explore mysterious caves lurking a lot of interesting things.
What else to see on a desert island?
The observation deck is another amazing place that can not be missed by tourists who come to the picturesque islands of Phi Phi (Thailand). View Point offers stunning views of the luxurious corner, created for relaxation and bliss, and two bays from a height reminiscent of the wings of a huge butterfly, preparing to take off. Ascent to the site takes about 40 minutes, and often because of the heat, tourists abandon the adventure, so the best time to visit it is morning or evening.
The mysterious Viking Cave, home to the swallows, is a sacred place for the people of Thailand. On the walls of the grotto, which can be accessed only through a bamboo bridge, images of ships and animals are immortalized.
In a paradise, you can go snorkeling or diving, dive into the waters in the area of the sunken ship, practice rock climbing, rent a kayak (kayak) and explore the archipelago on your own.
Phi Phi Islands: description, beaches
The largest beach of the island is Ton Sai with coconut palms and white sand. This is a great place for youth recreation, as the bulk of discos and bars are located here. Ships with new tourists arrive at Ton Sai Bay, and guests from Thailand sail to nearby beaches, which cannot be reached by land. In the center, Ton Sai is always crowded, so to swim, you have to look for corners in other places. It is an affordable, but quite dirty beach with a pier, where new ferries and boats constantly arrive, so the muddy water here is not very suitable for swimming.
On the other side of the isthmus is Lo Dalam Bay - a clean and comfortable beach. True, tourists admit that Loh Dalam Bay is rather small, and during low tides the water leaves almost 200 meters. Young people love him for nightly outdoor parties that last until the morning.
Monkey Beach is often included in the excursion program of pleasure boats. The beach of the colorful island of Phi Phi in Thailand with cute, touching animals is very popular with foreign guests who love to feed cheerful monkeys with bananas and slices of pineapples.
Long Beach can only be reached by boat from Ton Sai Bay. There are always a lot of tourists on the beautiful beach with clear water, so for those who like solitude, you can advise Laem Tong Beach (Laem Tong), on which several luxury hotels are built for travelers who prefer peace and quiet.
Where to stay?
There are about 80 hotels and guesthouses of various levels of service. Accommodation here is much more expensive than on other islands of Thailand. It is worth considering that in the midst of the tourist season, prices increase several times.
Guests of the paradise recommend staying in the north of Phi Phi Don island in a few hotels located near the secluded beaches of Laem Tong Beach or Long Beach. And the poor youth who came to have fun can advise the resort center, where everything you need for a fun holiday is located.
Tourists choosing luxury hotels in Phi Phi island (Thailand) will have to fork out for 1800 baht per night. Those who wish to save money can choose the so-called beachfront-hotels, in which there is nothing but a bed and a fan (600 baht per day). They are located in the village of Ton Sai, where life boils even at night.
Perhaps the most famous hotels and guesthouses are Viking Nature Resort, Phi Phi The Beach Resort, Phi Phi Dream Guest House, Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa, Phi Phi Banyan Villa.
Guest reviews
Tourists note that the tropical island of Phi Phi (Thailand), reviews of which are quite contradictory, is incredibly beautiful and makes many people want to stay here longer. Unfortunately, not everything is so rosy, and we note the main problems that concern vacationers.
Many note the inhospitableness of local residents, which is striking after visiting other resorts in the country, for example, Phuket. Perhaps the dislike for tourists is due to the fact that recently a huge number of foreigners have flocked here. The beaches are crowded, it is difficult to walk through the narrow streets, the distinct smells of the sewers spoil the appetite. Sometimes it’s not even clear how such a small archipelago accommodates such an incredible number of people, so the irritation of the inhabitants is understandable.
Tourists often regret that they spent considerable sums on vacation on the island of Phi Phi (Thailand). They expected to visit a place kissed by God, and it turned into a huge party where faces change every day. The resort does not cope with the flow of guests, the bulk of which are young people drinking in local bars.
It is impossible to capture the beauty of the archipelago and to take high-quality pictures without people: wherever you turn, crowds of tourists, and at night you can’t sleep because of the loud noise of music at beach parties.
Dining at the resort is a sore subject for those who are lucky enough to get to the fabulous Phi Phi islands. The pearl of Thailand, admiring the pristine nature, is disappointing that the locals are completely unfamiliar with the rules of hygiene. It is advisable not to buy food from the shelves, as the Thais lay it out with dirty hands.
Rest on the exotic archipelago of Phi Phi leaves an indelible impression. Of course, some tourists fall in love with the unique atmosphere of eternal fun, while others do not understand what you can admire here. To make up your mind, be sure to visit this amazing resort in Thailand, charming with unique natural beauty.