Ao Nang is Krabi's vibrant tourist centre. It has the relaxed vibe
of a small town, the beauty of a beach resort, the modern comforts
of home, and the friendliness that sets Thailand apart.
The town itself is small; an hour-long stroll takes you from one
end to the other. Given that floating buildings are impractical
and sheer cliffs don't readily lend themselves to development, this
paradise won't be paved over anytime soon.
By road, Ao Nang is just minutes from Krabi Town and Klong Muang
Beach and mere seconds to Noppharat Thara Beach. Via the sea, Railay's
beaches - including Ton Sai - and a grab bag of small, intimate
islands are nearby. Pick a direction and give your waterborne taxi
thirty minutes. A world of adventure waits.
Of course, leaving Ao Nang is far from necessary. Great food, interesting
people, cheap shopping, and a stellar beach make it a stand-alone
destination. For plenty of travellers, this is the end of the road.
Use it as a jumping-off point to see the rest of Krabi's wondrous
secrets, or make it your only target. Either way, you'll thoroughly
enjoy Ao Nang.
As the first holiday resort area in Krabi, Ao Nang has a range
of accommodation from basic bungalows to smart resorts and guesthouses.
Ao Nang's development - although rapid - has been carefully managed
to keep the resort free of the high-rises which have blighted other
places.
A number of low-rise hotels have incorporated Thai-style design
features and offer good value for the money. It gets busy at peak
holiday season (Christmas and New Year) and it's best to book in
advance. (More)
Room service can bring you food, ice, and small items on special
request but seeing the sights and participating in the action will
require – brace yourself – getting out bed. And it’s worth
the effort. Reached by a short stroll or a respectable hike, in
the belly of a boat or the back of a truck, the Krabi experience
is never far away. Read on for a taste of what to do and how to
get there, because no matter how high your opinion of the room service
staff, they can’t actually move mountains. (More)
You will not go hungry in Ao Nang. Whether your appetite finds
you gravitating towards rice or fleeing from it, options abound.
Ambiance ranges from street side cafeteria to upscale class replete
with candles and - gasp! - real cloth napkins. (More)
Ao Nang's nightlife is as crazy as Krabi gets. But it's not Bangkok,
Pattaya, nor Phuket; not even close. It's mild-mannered and mellow.
It's watching the sunset, shooting a game of pool, and meeting new
people from all parts of the globe. (More)
Shopping is excruciating enough in an air-conditioned mega-mall.
It would be inhumane, impossible, even torturous, under the tropical
sun. Wait for the sunshades to retract, the umbrellas to fold, and
the sun to retreat. Bargain without being under the influence of
sunstroke. (More)
