We want to spend a relaxing week in either Phuket or Pattaya at the end of a Southeast Asia vacation in November. I would like opinions on which destination seasoned travelers to Thailand feel is the
We want to spend a relaxing week in either Phuket or Pattaya at the end of a Southeast Asia vacation in November. I would like opinions on which destination seasoned travelers to Thailand feel is the best. We have timeshares and they are available in either place. Any help would be appreciated. Posted by sunnieaz1
If you actually intend to swim at a beach then Phuket will have the better beach. Pattaya does have a busy beach front where you can sunbathe, shop at malls, eat at good restaurants, etc. But most tourists do not swim at Pattaya Beach! So, if a pool is perfectly acceptable then Pattaya may okay.
Phuket has the nicer beaches, but hotels cost more than Bangkok and Pattaya. Transportation in Phuket will be more expensive than Bangkok and Pattaya. For Phuket you would have to pay for a plane ticket, for Pattaya you can take a bus from Bangkok Ekamai bus terminal for 113 baht or from the airport for 124 baht. Pattaya/Jomtien/Naklua is only about 2 hours away from Bangkok by taxi or bus.
Pattaya does have quite a few bars that someone always mentions but they also have many modern malls that are crawling with tourists, many of them women traveling in groups, family groups and single women going there for the cheaper hotels. Local transportation in the Pattaya City area is only 10 baht using the baht buses.
At the end of November the weather improves in both places. If you want to save some money and actually swimming at a beach is not a priority Pattaya offers good value for the money. In the Phuket area you have better beaches but you also pay more for little things like transportation, etc. I live in Pattaya a good part of the year so I am a little biased. Both cities will have good restaurants to choose from, many street vendors, nightlife and travel agencies for tours or transportation. Travel agencies will have a list of tours you can sign up for. Nong Nooch is popular, Sanctuary of Truth, Bottle Museum, Koh Larn Island, Mini Siam, Million Year Stone Park, etc.
For either place there are some scams involvolving jet skis that you ought to Google up if you are interested. Wait until you get to Thailand to change any money over to Thai baht for the best exchange rate. No problem changing money at the airport 24 hours a day.
most of traveler's prefre Phuket area.... as the sea water are much more clear and many activities and tourist attractions are available for tourists....... Also the weather for Phuket during November would be perfect for you to visit.....
Phuket for sure as it is the "Jewel of the Andaman Sea" with veriety of activities and beaches. In fact Phuket has its own "Pattaya" which is called Bangla Road at Patong Beach, if you are into that sort of things.
If relaxation is your goal, Phuket has to be the best option out of these two. Pattaya is my own personal favourite, but I love it for the nightlife and all that it entails, you can get a good flavour of the place via this website: http://www.pattaya-adventures.com/
Phuket has got some excellent beaches, but you will have to pay a premium. Prices for just about everything are much higher in Phuket than in Pattaya. Have a read on this website for more info on phuket: http://www.phuket.com/
