One of the most popular paradises is the island of Phuket. In the reviews of tourists left on social networks and on thematic sites, it is often said about the beautiful nature that can be found here and about possible entertainments. In addition, travelers very often note excellent conditions for relaxing in local hotels. There are also two of the most famous beaches in the world: Karon and Patong, where various tour operators recommend going to rest.
What are the features of vacation on the island? Where is it better to relax and what is worth seeing? About it further.
general information
Phuket is an island that belongs to the territory of the exotic state of Thailand. It is here that every year a huge number of travelers come who purchase tickets in advance from tour operators.
Among all the islands that are managed by Thailand, Phuket is the largest and most vibrant. It has a small connection with the mainland in the form of a bridge, which allows tourists to get to it using only land transport. This, according to many vacationers, is very convenient, since you do not have to adapt to the flights of passenger ships that run between the islands.
This island is washed by the warm and incredibly clean Andaman Sea, which delights vacationers with the blue of its waters. Many tourists in reviews of Phuket and holidays on this island say that the water in the sea is constantly warm, since the air temperature is especially pleasing at any time of the year - even in winter it reaches 30 degrees here.
Climate
The climatic conditions that prevail on the island, of course, delight tourists. This geographical feature is located in a humid tropical climate, within which a certain amount of precipitation falls during a certain season - this period falls from May to early autumn. Many reviews about the rest in Phuket say that fans of the bright sun and mild heat should fly here in the winter, when the air temperature does not rise above 30 degrees, and sunny weather can be observed almost daily.
Popular Phuket Cities
The island is quite large, which is why it is divided into several administrative units - small cities. Which of them are the most beautiful? Many tourists in their reviews of Phuket speak of the unusualness of Phuket time. This settlement is a kind of capital, within which a huge amount of entertainment for different categories of tourists is concentrated. This city has a large population - more than 70,000 people. In many comments, travelers recommend visiting the local historical center, where you can get acquainted with the culture of the people, as well as enjoy the Sino-Portuguese buildings, as well as oriental temples.
Another popular city in Phuket is Patong. This settlement is very popular due to the beach of the same name, which is located on its territory. Many travelers prefer to visit it, as they are aware of the clean and warm water that bathes it, as well as the incredible nature surrounding this place. There is also a large number of places for recreation and hotels, which at the height of the holiday season, as a rule, are fully populated.
Among the popular cities of Phuket, Chalong is often mentioned - a settlement located near the capital of the island, as well as at a relatively short distance from the international airport - literally 40 kilometers away. Tourists in their reviews of Phuket often talk about the favorable location of this city, which makes its resort hotels very popular among vacationers. In some reviews, travelers notice that the beaches of Chalong are not the best beaches. However, rest on them is also pleasant.
Patong
Patong is the most famous beach of all those that are available not only in Phuket, but also in Thailand. Reviews of Phuket by tourists often refer to the beauty of the local nature. Fans of active nightlife are attracted by noisy parties that take place here every day and last until the morning. In hotels located not far from this place, mainly groups of friends stay - almost all of them are designed for youth recreation.
The total length of this beach is quite large - 3 kilometers, and its width is 30 meters. Along the coastline you can find a large number of restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, as well as magnificent spas in which you can truly relax.
In reviews of Patong (Phuket) it is said about the cleanliness of the coastline, that the beach has all the conditions for recreation for representatives of different categories of tourists, as well as a lot of entertainment. Also, many of them recommend a large umbrella to rent for a visit to this beach, which will save from the harmful effects of direct sunlight, since there is practically no natural shadow.
On the shore of such a beach there are a considerable number of hotels, the cost of accommodation in which varies from 300 (550 rubles) to 5,000 (9,000 rubles) baht per day.
Karon
Another huge and famous beach in Phuket is Karon. It captivates tourists not only with its size (the length of the coastline is 5 km), but also with perfectly clean white sand. Reviews of Karon (Phuket) say that its coast is washed by clear sea water, the state of which is monitored by a special service. The beach has its own small feature - the sand with which it is covered makes an unusual creaky sound when walking. This is due to the high level of quartz in its composition. For this, Karon is often called the "singing beach."
On the southern part of the beach there are several points where a favorite entertainment is offered by many - scuba diving. It is here that the picturesque coral reef is located, which attracts the attention of tourists.
Other beaches of Phuket
In reviews about the rest, one can often find comments of tourists regarding other beaches, which are also available on the outskirts of the island. Many travelers like visiting coastlines with such names as Nai Harn, Kata Noi, Kamala, Liberty, Yanui, Laem Singh and Panwa.
In reviews of the beaches of Phuket, Kata, a coastline with white and very soft sand, located near Karon, is often noted by a large number of positive comments. Its length is relatively small, only 1 km, but impeccably clean water that washes this coast attracts many.
Entertainment
In reviews of Phuket, it is often said that this place is ideal for relaxation, if only because there is a large amount of entertainment, among which mainly water.
Many tourists who stay here do not give up the opportunity to learn the surfing skill, which the instructor teaches here for an additional fee. At certain times, surfers competitions are held off the coast of the beaches. The best of them can be seen on the beaches of Patong and Kata, as well as Kalim and Kamala.
Since there are coral reefs of incredible beauty along the coastlines of some beaches in Phuket, diving is very developed in Phuket. Many of his fans come here only to admire the beauties of the underwater world, immersed in the best points: Koh Dok Mai, Anemone Reef, as well as at Shark Point.
Fishing is also one of the favorite activities of tourists who visit Phuket. The thing is that in the sea waters you can catch the most unusual types of fish that you definitely can’t meet, for example, in Russia. Everyone can rent the equipment necessary for such an activity, but the pleasure is not cheap, as vacationers managed to notice.
Excursions
Many tourists staying in Phuket prefer to go on excursions in order to get acquainted with the sights of the island and take a photo as a keepsake. In reviews of Phuket, they talk about unusual things that were lucky to see.
One of the most popular attractions here is bungee jumping, which is a huge bungee with a length of 50 meters. School of Thai cuisine attracts much attention of vacationers, where travelers also often go. Many admit that, having been here, they discover the secrets of preparing many original dishes. Here you can also sign up for a paid training program, which lasts five days.
Many fans of sea voyages prefer to go to the picturesque Similans, whose nature truly conquers. To get to them you need to swim, on a ship that runs on schedule. Fans of island travel can also take advantage of the economical offer of a trip to Phi Phi, which is carried out by speed boat. The price of such a trip is not more than 1,500 baht / 2,700 rubles, when you can get to the Similans for at least 3,000 / 5,400.
Tourists who have visited Phuket often recommend visiting the local dolphinarium, as well as Khao Sok National Park, in reviews of excursions.
Purchases
Almost no tourist, resting in Phuket, does not leave here empty-handed. This is due to the fact that trade is well developed on the island. It sells various souvenirs, locally-made clothes, and for shopping you can visit both small shops organized in private houses and large shops where unique designer products are presented.
The list of shopping centers in Phuket lists a huge number of points of sale. Among them, the most popular are: Phuthai Souvenir Market, Turtle Village, Tesco Lotus, as well as Big C. As for the markets, you can find cheaper, but no less original products in them. Among these, especially famous among tourists are: Market Expo, Phuket Indy Market, Weekend Market and Downtown Market.
Hotels
Almost all vacationers in their reviews of Phuket (Thailand) recommend that travelers go here to rest only on a package purchased from a trusted tour operator. As practice shows, at any time of the year all hotels on the island are busy with tourists and, not knowing the language, it will be quite difficult to find a room for themselves.
What are the best places to relax? In reviews of hotels in Phuket, tourists often share their impressions of the service and the conditions provided for their stay. So, judging by the ratings compiled on the basis of the comments of vacationers, the best among them are: Double Pool Villas, Eden Villa Phuket, Andara Resort Villas. Many of the most expensive holiday destinations offer rental of detached villas, in the territory of which there is a personal spa, as well as a pool and garden.
As for cheaper, but no less worthy options, a quite decent price for accommodation is set in such hotels as: Dwell At Chalong Hill, The Cove, The Beach by Glitter House, as well as in Baan Prayong Villa.
Restaurants
A large number of tourists prefer to visit local catering establishments, the variety of which in Phuket is simply amazing. In reviews of Phuket, it is said that in local institutions you can find dishes prepared in the best traditions of Italian, European, Russian and Asian cuisines. However, the most popular are those that offer Thai-style food. Many tourists in their reviews recommend travelers to try fish cooked in the most original ways.
The most famous restaurants in Phuket are: Blue Elephant, Savoey Seafood, Tung Ka, Rockfish, as well as The Cliff.
As for simple cafes, they can be found at almost every step. According to tourists, the price of dishes indicated in the menu is quite low - the average bill per person here is about 400 rubles (in terms of local currency).
Phuket Attractions
In any country, local attractions attract a lot of tourists' attention. Phuket is no exception, especially since there is something to see. Inspecting many of them, you can learn about some of the intricacies of the culture and life of the population, as well as explore the features of oriental architecture.
Architectural and cultural sites such as the Thalang National Museum, Chalong Temple, and Big Buddha are widely popular among island guests.
Fans of nature prefer to go to the local botanical garden, which presents a wide variety of tropical plants unusual for the Russian tourist’s eye, as well as to the orchid garden. A huge number of photographs taken by tourists cannot convey all the beauty that reigns here.
Animal lovers prefer to visit local nature parks and zoos. It is in Phuket that you can admire the rare species of snakes that are represented on the large Chalong farm, as well as visit the Butterfly and Insect Garden, which also displays the most striking exhibits from the fauna world. The Kingdom of the Tigers park attracts vacationers with the opportunity to explore wildlife in walking distance, and by visiting the mountain of monkeys, you can get acquainted with some primates.
What other places were and remain popular on the island? Many travelers are advised to visit the Palace of Arts, which presents cultural exhibits. Together with the children, you can go to the large aquarium or to the dolphinarium, where interesting performances are shown every day. It will also be very interesting for the child to visit the Dino Park, where an exhibition of dinosaurs in real sizes is presented, as well as the flora of the primitive period is recreated.
During a trip to the island, you also need to plan a visit to Bang Pae Waterfall.