Jessica Subrow
If you are planning a trip to Phuket, Thailand, then here’s a traveler’s guide to the island. We’ll tell you about the top attractions, weather, and best time to visit. Phuket is a great place to go for a beach vacation, but you can also take advantage of the cultural attractions that aren’t on the tourist itinerary. And we’ll cover what you should wear. After all, Phuket’s beaches are famous the world over.
Traveler’s guide to Phuket
Before traveling to Thailand, it’s important to know how to use the public transport system. There are plenty of buses and taxis throughout the island, but the best bet is to take a metering taxi. While this may be a bit tricky to find, it’s worth noting that Thai taxi drivers tend to refuse to use the meter, so you’ll often be charged twice as much. Another way to save money is to use the public buses. Public buses go to most parts of Phuket Town, but they’ll take longer than you think.
Another popular way to get around Phuket is by tuk-tuk. These small yellow or red trucks are a convenient and atmospheric way to travel around town. But be warned – they can be expensive, especially if you want to go out of town. If you’re on a tight budget, you can try the cheaper songthaew, which is shared by several passengers. In any case, you should be able to bargain for a cheap ride.
Another popular way to explore Phuket is by taking a tour. Tours can take you to popular places like the temples and elephant sanctuaries. Depending on your preferences, you can also opt for a private tour or a guided tour. Some tours even include the elephant sanctuary! The options are endless, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly. When booking your tour, make sure to ask your tour operator if you can take a tour that will include both sites.
Top attractions
For an authentic Phuket experience, you should start in the provincial capital, Phuket City. The streets of Old Town are lined with Sino-Portuguese buildings and colorful 19th-century shophouses. A 1903 mansion, Baan Chinpracha, is worth a visit for its Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows, and antique furniture. The 1930s manor is now the Thai Hua Museum, which exhibits cultural artifacts and art.
For a night out in Phuket, the weekend walking street market is a must. This market is open every Sunday from 4pm to 9pm and is packed with people looking for bargains and souvenirs. You can try some delicious Thai food and buy some cool souvenirs from the market. While visiting the night market, don’t forget to bring your camera. You’ll probably want to take some photos to capture the fun and excitement of the event.
Another must-see attraction is the Phuket Simon Cabaret. This show features elaborate costumes and set designs, as well as glitzy performers. You can also watch short movies with English subtitles. The show also features Thailand’s famous ladyboy dancers. The Phuket Simon Cabaret is one of the best ways to enjoy a night on the island. The performances last about two hours and are a must for any Phuket traveler.
Best time to visit
December to January is the driest time of the year in Phuket. In December and January, the sun is out for twelve hours and thirty minutes longer. Moreover, these months are quieter and have fewer tourists than the peak season. December and January also offer ideal weather and nightlife. Moreover, this time of the year also offers cheap airfares and accommodation. Here are some of the best times to visit Phuket. Listed below are the best months to visit Phuket.
The rainy season is generally from May to October, and the airport’s international arrivals are lower during this time. Despite the rainy weather, there are still plenty of sunny days, and airfares and hotel rates are lower than in other months. However, September is the wettest month of the year, and most tourists tend to avoid Phuket during this time. In spite of the rainy weather, October is one of the cheapest months to visit Phuket. The weather is pleasant in October, but you’ll still have to take a raincoat.
December is the coolest month in Phuket. It gets around 8 hours of sunshine every day, and temperatures remain between 230C and 310C. This is an ideal time to visit Phuket if you want to enjoy the beach, and water activities in the evening. If you’re planning a multi-centre holiday, December is an excellent choice. It’s also the ideal time to visit Phuket if you’re looking for the best weather.
Weather
The weather in Phuket can be quite unpredictable, but generally the region enjoys pleasant temperatures year-round. In January, there are little chances of rain and the average temperature is between 23 degrees and 32 degrees. In February and March, there are few clouds and the seas are calm, but temperatures can still be hot. The summer months are very humid and you may want to pack a high-SPF sunscreen. In June and July, there is the risk of heavy rain, while the rest of the year has mostly sunny days.
From June to October, the area experiences rain and snowfall. This season is characterized by the southwest monsoon that brings warm, moist air to the island. The rainfall in Phuket is typically about 2500mm (or 100 inches) and lasts for approximately four months. Rainfall during this time is typically heavy and short, but it can be intense, making it difficult to enjoy the sun. The rainy season also causes the beaches to be bumpy and can result in flooding and mudslides.
High season begins in November, but the peak of the tourist season in Phuket doesn’t begin until December. During this time, the weather is sunny and warm, and the number of tourists increases dramatically. However, the hottest time of year is still June to August. The transition from dry season to rainy season lasts about a month and is unpredictable. While this is considered the most pleasant time to visit Phuket, October to November is the coolest time of the year.
Food
For a truly local experience, try the local specialities. For breakfast, head to Boonrat 1, a cafe serving a selection of Portuguese-style tarts and Chinese tea. Once you have finished your meal, you can expect to be plied with a steady stream of fresh dishes from the staff. For lunch, head to Po Lamai, a legendary kanom jeen shop, on the corner of Satun and Dibuk Roads. The white coils of noodle served at Po Lamai are best eaten between 6am and 10am.
For dinner, try the noodle dish kao phad, which looks like standard fried rice but can be customised to your taste with vegetables, chicken, or beef. Moo hong is a classic street dish and one of the most popular in Phuket. The dish consists of tender pork belly dipped in a sweet soy sauce and flavored with aromatic coriander root and garlic. In addition to the spicy black peppercorns, star anise, and palm sugar, Moo hong can be spiced up with table condiments.
For vegans, there are several places to eat vegetarian. Pure Vegan Heaven has four locations throughout Thailand and hopes to expand to other locations soon. It also has locations on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Go Fresh Organic Cafe is another vegetarian cafe that serves vegan dishes and international vegetarian and vegan fare. No matter where you decide to eat in Phuket, there are plenty of choices available to satisfy your cravings. There are also many vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Phuket that are perfect for a vegetarian holiday.
Road safety
The Department of Land Transport is considering privatizing driver education as part of their efforts to improve road safety in Phuket. This initiative is a step in the right direction but the reasons for the problems remain far deeper than bureaucratic reform. Road accidents in Phuket are on the rise, and there seems to be no end in sight. Every day, at least one person dies on the island. Those accidents once required front-page newspaper coverage, but nowadays they are a matter of routine.
The roads in Phuket are notoriously unsafe, with many drivers driving at high speeds and riding motorcycles. Many foreign visitors are unaware of the conditions in Thailand and are therefore not aware of the rules of the road. In addition, tourists are often just as guilty of driving drunk. If you want to drive safely in Phuket, it is important to follow these rules. By following these rules, you can enjoy your vacation without having to worry about accidents. The Phuket roads are also a great place to learn about road safety.
The first thing you need to know about road safety in Phuket is that drivers drive on the right side of the road. Motorbikes and cars in Phuket drive on the wrong side of the road. In addition, Phuket roads are narrow and prone to potholes. During rainy season, roads get incredibly slippery and dangerous. If you do not know where to drive, you might want to consider renting a motorcycle or scooter instead.
