Phi Phi Island Hotels
People come for the beauty, stay for the party then find themselves missing the island for months afterwards. Phi Phi is at once seductive, vibrant and fascinating with its colourful scenery and prolific nightlife.
Located roughly halfway between Phuket, Thailand's biggest island, and Krabi Province, Phi Phi Don, the largest of the five-island Phi Phi island group and the only permanently inhabited one is the centre of tourist-related activities. The bright turquoise of the water in Ton Sai Bay contrasting with the rich hues of the vertically rising limestone cliffs makes for an unforgettable first impression.
Hotels in Phi Phi
Phi Phi has lots of budget and midrange accommodation, there are fewer high end choices however they're all top notch and drop-dead georgeous. The main choice is whether to stay in Tonsai Town/Bay or somewhere on the quiet east coast.
Some great hotels to checkout are Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi, Zeavola, Phi Phi Island Cabana and Phi Phi Island Village. Here's the full list of Phi Phi Hotels. (Read more...)
Phi Phi Tours
Where do you go if you're already in a tropical paradise? This is a question many active holidaymakers must ask themselves once arrived in Phi Phi. Still, the island offers a veritable kaleidoscope of activities for those who want to do more than lounge on the beach or by the hotel pool with an umbrella cocktail.
For a start, not many know it but Phi Phi is a famous rock climbing destination and a lot more goes on in the hills surrounding Ton Sai Bay than people give credit for. And for once, snorkelling is not the poor man's scuba diving as Phi Phi's shallow waters are teeming with tropical fish and perfect for a mask and fins. (Read more...)
Phi Phi Beaches
Phi Phi's beaches are the jewels in its crown. Given the amount of coral around the island, its rich marine life, the bright turquoise of the water and the soaring limestone cliffs rising up out of it, it all makes Phi Phi's beaches a heady brew of seaside beauty.
With more than ten beautiful and highly individual beach locations to visit you will be spoilt for choice when deciding on which beach to spend your day in paradise. Several beaches also feature shoals of vividly coloured tropical fish just offshore and going for a swim and a snorkel there is a colourful experience. (Read more...)
What to See in Phi Phi
Phi Phi is almost a shock to the optic nerves, it's that beautiful. But once your eyes get used to all the lushness it's worth heading up to the viewpoint at the southern end of the island's 'dumbell' shape, especially when the heat of the day dissipates. It's not a particularly taxing climb but you'll want to wear good shoes.
Phi Phi has a veritable maze of back alleys with coffee shops selling books and book shops selling coffee. There's even a rent-a-guitar shop near Long Beach. For bazaar-like shopping it's a really fascinating place to wander around. (Read more...)
What to Do in Phi Phi
The scuba diving and snorkelling is great in the waters off Phi Phi. If you think that the scenery is colourful, just try the underwater world offshore and you'll be even more amazed. Longtail boats can be hired for island hopping and impromptu taxi rides (Phi Phi has no roads or cars).
Watersports are available off Loh Dalam Bay and the kayaking on this side of the island is spectacular. Wear plenty of sunscreen. As on the mainland in Krabi Province, rock climbing is spectacular and there are many climbing routes to choose from. (Read more...)
Dining in Phi Phi
Again, you won't want for dining out opportunities in Phi Phi Don. You will find very reasonably priced Thai food in the alleys linking the two bays and good seafood in the restaurants lining Long Beach on the southern side of Ton Sai Bay. In the centre of the isthmus there are many choices ranging from sandwich bars to pub grub to steaks.
A good, reliable option is Mama's Restaurant near the pier and of course you can always try one of the many hotel eateries (Zeavola's restaurant comes recommended). Nearby Mama's, Le Grande Bleu offers good gourmet fare while Hippie's BBQ restaurant is a large, beachside affair. (Read more...)
Phi Phi Nightlife
Come sundown, Phi Phi's signature drink - mickey-sized bottles of gin, vodka or whiskey with a bucket of ice and mixers – appears for sale along the sidewalks. This is a popular drink among the many backpackers visiting Phi Phi. Nightlife is fairly wild on the island with beach fire-dancers, a few live bands and a lot of people milling around looking for the action.
The Reggae Bar in the centre of the isthmus is popular and features Thai Boxing and the occasional westerner pulling on the boxing gloves. Just upstairs from the Reggae Bar is a club – the only dancing venue on the island (apart from the beach that is) and Phi Phi's alleys are lined with good pubs and bars. (Read more...)
Shopping in Phi Phi
Shops in Phi Phi don't sell any goods that are entirely unique to the island but still there is a good and wide range of articles on sale here should the shopping bug bite. All the usual suspects are on offer: T-shirts, shorts, beachwear, sandals, hats and holiday paraphernalia as well as secondhand books and jewelry.
There are several convenience stores, a 7-Eleven by the pier and clothes boutiques are not hard to find. As in other beach destinations, you will find pirated DVD's and computer games as well as fake designer clothes. There are also several pharmacies. (Read more...)
