Friendly people, free beaches, and lots of sunrays-it cannot get much better than a trip to this amazing island. The case for spending a long weekend in Phuket is easy. You will enjoy great weather, fresh seafood, enjoy the company of good people and will get plenty of options for the tourists of every budget. And how can we forget the beaches- thanks to its forested and dense landscape, this island known as “the pearl of Andaman” provides an abundance of well-hidden, romantic beaches to select from.
As a destination, Phuket is a breeze to navigate. The entire island is accessible by road, and none of the beaches needs an admission fee. Reaching there is even simpler- with nearly 59 flights from Bangkok every day, tourists can show up pretty much on an impulse. Once you reach here, you can choose from nature hikes, massage, diving or at least a day trip out to the places surrounding Phi Phi islands, narrow sea caves of the Phang Nga Bay, and the Similan Islands.
How to plan the perfect vacation in Phuket
Roam around like a local- Motorcycle is the most preferred mode of transportation on this island, as it allows easy access to the off-road beaches and the smaller neighbourhoods of the island. If you are feeling adventurous, try to hop on a Songthaew, blue buses that the local use. It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel, and in this, you can travel to all the main beaches. If you have plenty of time, it is a great idea to hop on and just travel along.
Visit the jungle
Sirinat National Park is one among the two popular national parks in Phuket. It covers an eight-mile stretch of beach along the northwestern edge of the island. Though the mangrove forest and Hat Sai Kaeo Beach is worth seeing, this area can get a little touristy, thanks to the closeness to Phuket Airport, along with various mega-resorts along the water.
Rather, try Khao Phra Taew National Park, on the opposite side of the island. It is the last virgin rainforest remaining in Phuket. It is a natural and fresh habitat for wildlife like barking deer, monkeys, and langurs. For those who want to enjoy the best hiking adventure, this is a great place.
Go for a relaxing massage
After some real trekking and hiking, it’s time for enjoying a traditional Thai-style massage. You will get plenty of options when it comes to body massage in Thailand. For example, at the Luxe Banyan Tree Phuket, you will be rubbed down in the open-air pavilion. Here, the staff is well-trained, and they use traditional Ayurvedic herbs and oils to treat everything from muscular tension, dehydrated skin and much more.
Choose any beach
Layan Beach, which is at the finishing line of Bang Tao Beach on the western side of the island, is a famous spot for tourists. It backs up to a thick forest, providing large numbers of shady corners to cover the sandy bodies from the hot sun. Further away from built-up stores and tourist areas is the attractive Kata Noi Beach, which is situated near the southern tip of the island, at the finish of narrow cul-de-sac.