With over five million visitors a year, after Bangkok, Pattaya is Thailand’s largest tourist destination. Why? Well for a start it’s the nightlife capital of Thailand! But it’s also so much more. It’s the country’s largest beach resort with the driest weather on the east coast. It’s got an abundance of fantastic restaurants, quality shopping and loads of great attractions ranging from huge crocodile parks and open zoos to ancient hand-crafted temples and floating markets. The city is also wonderfully cheap (always a bonus!) Not so surprising then that so many people choose to go on holiday to Pattaya.
When to go to Thailand
Choosing the best time to go to Thailand can be a bit tricky due to its annual wet season (it gets really wet!). November to March would be the most popular months with its superior weather, but its popularity means hotels often double their rates. This can be a very pricey time to visit so you’d need to be booking months in advance!
An alternative would be to go between May and August, the more pleasant of the rainy months. I went in mid-June and honestly thought the weather was great! So ok, when it rains, it POURS, but it only happened maybe once a day (around mid-afternoon) and after a couple of hours, the whole place is bone dry again. We still got many beautiful rain-free days too, and with many hotels offering up to 50% discounts, it’s really worth considering visiting during low season if you want to keep costs down.
Where to stay in Pattaya
This depends largely on personal preferences but it’s definitely worth noting that Thailand’s luxury hotels are among the finest in the world. This may not be enticing for the budget conscious, but the price of five stars hotels in Pattaya (which is known for its cheapness) compares incredibly favourably to its US and European counterparts.
We stayed at the five-star Royal Beach Cliff Hotel. All I can say is wow! Luxurious rooms with beautifully elegant décor; tropical gardens overlooking a turquoise ocean, a spa so good you’ll find it tough leaving once you step through its heavenly doors. The hotel also boasts a private beach, tennis courts, a top of the range fitness gym, 10 restaurants (yes, 10) as well as Thai cooking lessons if you’re looking to do something a little quirky during your stay. I couldn’t recommend this place enough.
What’s the food like?
Have you ever met anyone who’s been to Thailand and told you they didn’t like the food? Chances are you haven’t because Thai cuisine is, to put it simply, absolutely delicious. The food I had in Pattaya was the best I have ever tasted to this day. Everything is steeped in flavour – wonderfully delectable flavours!
If you’re like me and you have a low tolerance for spicy food, order everything “mai pet” which means “not spicy”. By Thai standards this means only one chilli so, unless want to be sweating buckets with tears streaming down your face, order anything hotter at your peril!
What’s the nightlife like in Pattaya?
Saying that Pattaya has a good nightlife would be the understatement of the century – it is literally insane! With well over 1,000 bars and clubs, there’s something to cater to all tastes every night of the week. Walking Street, in particular, is a neon-lit party paradise so outrageous and wild that you never know what you might end up seeing!
It’s worth noting though, that this side of Pattaya can be easily avoided if so desired. When I went there I was with my family and so the last place my parents wanted to go was Walking Street! There are plenty of more sophisticated bars in the city away from the craziness, where you can enjoy a relaxing drink or two in peace. It’s simply a case of what part of the city you go.
What is there to do there?
The list is never-ending! It’s nearly impossible to cut it down but I just about managed to pick my top 5 must see:
- The Sanctuary of Truth – A beautifully hand-crafted temple made entirely from wood and without the use of a single nail. The carvings in the wood are so intricately detailed they’ll leave you speechless.
- Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm – I’d never seen so many crocodiles in my life – there are actually hundreds in this park, as well as baby tigers, giraffes, elephants and even grizzly bears. Don’t miss the crocodile show if you go here (eye-popping stuff!).
- The Tiffany Show – Such a laugh! The world’s premiere transvestite show, this cabaret has style, energy and flamboyantly fabulous performances.
- Ko Larn – Rent a boat to the island to uncover some of the most jaw droppingly beautiful beaches you’ll ever see. Crystal clear water with sand so fine you won’t even think it’s sand!
- Floating Market – Incredible. Such a wonder to see all the wooden houses in the middle of the water. It’s also great for unbelievable bargains on traditional Thai foods and handcrafts.
Tempted yet?
If so, you might want to check out ClickandGo.com and scout out our cheap and easy to book holiday packages to Pattaya. Flights? Check. Transfers? Check. Accommodation? Check. Just make sure you bring your own insect repellent – mosquitoes are the worst enemy known to man!
About the Author – Cathy Cannon
Cathy is a recent graduate of DCU’s Master in Multimedia, and also holds a degree in Journalism. She has a passion for all things news and media related, and spends pretty much all of her free time reading, eating, watching movies and travelling every chance she gets.
