Phuket
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Phuket is Thailand’s largest island. It’s absolutely gorgeous with its picaresque ocean views and sandy beaches, as well as tropical vibe. Due to its location, Phuket was an important stop in many trade routes, introducing a variety of cultures and languages to the region. Compared to other parts of Thailand, Phuket is quite multi-cultural and boasts a colorful history. It’s definitely a tropical paradise where you could spend endless days relaxing, eating amazing food, and connecting with kind locals.
Places of Interest
Koh Phi Phi Island: One of Phuket’s most popular destinations, Koh Phi Phi’s teal water, endless sunshine, and kind people are a must-visit for obvious reasons. From Phuket, you can plan your own excursion or hire a company for one or more days in and around the islands. I chose to book with a local company that provided transportation, meals, and snorkeling gear for an all-day adventure.
Phuket Old Town: Old Town Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese architecture is impressive and lends to the islands historical past. Much more low-key than nearby Patong, Old Town is a great place to soak in an eclectic mix of different cultures while in Thailand. There are small markets and shops throughout, making it a nice area to stay. At night, Thalang Road, Old Town’s main street, becomes rainbow-hued with pretty lights. It transforms into a walking street with night markets, crafts, souvenirs, and food every Sunday evening.
Patong: In this overdeveloped resort town, you’ll find beautiful beaches with warm ocean waves and people partying until daybreak. This area of Phuket has the most restaurants and shopping places, as well as various bars and nightclubs. It’s not the most authentically “Thai” place, but it is fun-filled and full of friendly people. If you don’t like crowds and touristy places, I would avoid Patong.
Phuket Weekend Market: Phuket Weekend Market is the largest night market on the island. You can find a variety of goods—from tacky souvenirs to cool clothes to tasty food—at pretty low prices. It is difficult to find antiques or original items here, but it’s definitely a place worth experiencing.
Fresh markets: In Phuket Old Town, you will find two fresh markets that are open daily. Talad Sod Satarana is located on Ranong Road in a huge building. It’s open every morning and filled with fresh and dried foods, pre-prepared foods, flowers, clothing and more. Downtown Market is open basically all hours, in which you can find vegetables, meat, seafood, exotic fruit, and more. Local markets are great places to pick up some fresh produce and to get a glimpse at a more traditional side of Thai life.
Travel tip #1: Phuket has tons of places to explore, including animal parks, Buddhist temples, and countless islands. What I have listed above are the spots I checked out while in Phuket. There are activities for all types of people, so be sure to look up what peaks your interest prior to traveling.
Food
Pineapple: The best pineapple I’ve ever eaten was in Thailand. Freshly sliced pineapple supplemented each meal I had while in the country. It’s hard to resist and can be found almost everywhere. Some people say to be careful about eating sliced fruit because the water used to wash it and the knives could have bacteria on it, but I never got sick.
Fried insects: Commonly seen throughout Southeast Asia, deep-fried insects line market rows, intimidating all who pass. Honestly, fried insects really aren’t bad at all and are actually somewhat healthy. Because of the way they’re prepared, they mostly taste like crunchy fried bits. Go for the grasshoppers to start off with—they’re smaller and crispier.
Pad Thai: Pad thai is a Thailand’s famous stir-fried rice noodle dish. It’s commonly served as a street food and can be found almost anywhere. The dish usually includes shrimp, chicken, or tofu, as well as peanuts, scrambled egg, and bean sprouts.
Khanom chun: If you’re into jellies and jellos, this is the dessert for you. It’s made with sugar, coconut milk, and flour which are mixed and set to harden into a jelly. This is a very traditional and popular Thai dessert that’s not too sweet, but can be a tad oily from the coconut milk. Green versions usually have pandan in them, giving the jello a fragrant flavor.
Thai sticky rice: Thai sticky rice is a special type of glutinous rice that has a lengthy cooking process. It’s most popular in Thailand and is commonly served alongside grilled meats or mangos.
Fish balls: These are popular throughout Asia, but more typically found in China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. At first glance, they don’t look very appetizing. However, give them a chance and you’ll soon understand why they’re everywhere and come in a variety of flavors.
Mojitos: Phuket’s tropical and laid back vibe makes it the perfect place to grab a mojito. Made with fresh mint and Thai rum, they’re served at many bars and restaurants and even night markets.
Beer Chang: Pronounced “ch-ah-ng,” this beer is relatively popular in Thailand and is one of the cheaper beers available. The word “chang” means elephant in Thai, which matches the company’s elephant-adorned logo. Although it is easier on the wallet, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad option and you’ll see people sporting Chamg shirts across Thailand.
Travel tip #2: Street food is safe to eat in Thailand, and I recommend you eat all of the street food you can, just like the locals do. If you’re unsure where to eat, look for the place with the most locals–that’s a strong indicator of quality and taste. Check out my Bangkok Travel Guide for more food recommendations!
Transportation & Accommodation
When you first leave Phuket Airport, avoid the higher priced taxis and opt for the airport bus that is a fraction of the cost and takes you into Phuket Town. Even though the bus will take a bit longer, it’s much friendlier on your budget and is a nice way to see different parts of Phuket.
When you reach your destination, you can rent a motorbike from a shop—a passport is typically kept in exchange for the bike and you pay upon returning it—or even tuk-tuk. Buses are slow yet cheap options, while taxis are the easiest way to get from beach to beach or to other destinations.
There are hostels, guesthouses, and hotels galore in Phuket. As a major tourist destination, the island has ample options for travelers. It’s fairly easy to find inexpensive and decent accommodation in Phuket, as well as luxury options.
While on the island, I stayed at Backpacker Hostel Phuket in Old Town. The location is awesome—close to shops, markets, and bus stops—and the staff were kind, friendly, and cool. Their English was decent, too. The rooms and spacious common areas were all kept very clean. I greatly enjoyed my stay here and would recommend this hostel to others who are not into the party scene Patong offers. It’s also very inexpensive—shared dorms starting at $5 USD a night! Look for more options in Old Town here and browse Patong accommodation options here.
Travel tip #3: Compared to Cambodia, tuk-tuks have a less favorable reputation in Thailand. If you choose to use a tuk-tuk, always agree upon the fare beforehand and bargain (hard) for the price because they will try to overcharge. For solo female travelers, it’s best to avoid taking a tuk-tuk alone, especially at night.
Climate
With a tropical climate, Phuket varies between warm, cool, and rainy. Peak season is from November to February, as it’s relatively cool and dry. Temperatures start climbing at the end of dry season until May, when monsoon/ wet season begins. September and October have the highest amounts of rain, so it would probably be best to avoid Phuket if rain puts a damper on your plans.