Phuket is one of the most charming destinations in SE Asia! If you have never been to Phuket before then you have really missed something in your travels. The various pictures of this beautiful place which are postcard-like are very tempting indeed. But before packing your bags you must get adequate information about this amazing desination. If you are not in a mood to spend countless hours on the net, then just browse through the following facts which will give you most of the viable information you need before arriving.
The Beaches of Phuket
The nice sandy beaches are all located on the western coast. The most popular beaches are Patong, Bangtao and Kamala. The eastern cost is covered by mangrove but offers beautiful views of the nearby islands. Major portions of the coast are rocky but there are one or two hidden beaches such as the Laem Ka.
The Nightlife
The nightlife in Phuket is very unique but it is mainly restricted to the Patong and Kata Beach. There is a bit of nightlife in almost every beach but Soi Bangla is considered to be the hottest place on the island. Although the official closing time is 2am, the party extends beyond these hours. The gay nightlife is very active and the most popular nightlife sites are the Go Go Bars and the beer bars.
The Main Attractions
The highest point in Phuket is Radar Hill which affords great views of Patong. Wat Chalong is the most visited temple but the most famous landmark in Phuket is easily the Heroine Monument. This monument is located on the way to the airport and it was constructed in the memory of the two sisters who defeated the Burmese in the 18th century. Many hotels and resorts around Phuket, just like Renaissance Hotel Phuket, offer many activities and attractions to the visitor such as the Splash Jungle Water Park.
Around Phuket
There are lots of beautiful places to see around Phuket and such as the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay and the much renowned James Bond Island which is situated just 75 km from Phuket.
The cuisine at Phuket
Thai food is famous all around the world and one must try local food at any of the restaurants to have a real Thai experience. It has been noted that food in Phuket is generally spicier than in the rest of the country. Some of the most popular dishes are spicy sour prawn soup and chicken soup with coconut milk.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Phuket is between December and March as the temperature oscillates around 24 C. People should avoid coming during March and April as they are the hottest months but some tourists still prefer to come to enjoy the Songkran festival.
One more thing about Phuket
Phuket is considered both an island and a province. In fact, it is the largest province in Thailand and is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. Most of the population in Phuket is Buddhist and it also has an international airport that is served by Thai Airways and Air Asia.
If you are now convinced to visit Phuket in the winter then start packing your bags and make all the arrangements as soon as possible. Hotels should be reserved in advance as there is a huge rush but one will hardly face a problem in finding rooms as there are plethora of hotels and resorts in Phuket. There has been a recent trend among tourists to stay in boutique hotels like Renaissance Hotel Phuket as they offer more comfort, luxury and most importantly, exclusivity.