Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular islands and for good reason. The island possesses beautiful beaches, fantastic weather and fun nightlife. It is the largest island in southern Thailand with a population just shy of 1 million residents. The west coast sees the majority of Phuket’s tourism. This region of the island possesses a long stretch of white sandy beaches where you will find most of Phuket’s resorts and hotels.Introduction to Phuket
Introduction to Phuket
Phuket has many different attractions to offer the tourist including temples, waterfalls, streams and beautiful national parks. There are too many experiences to mention on this page so we will just focus on the top 3 places that you should visit when you first arrive on Phuket.
Sticky Waterfalls – Doi Suthep is the home of many waterfalls in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This area also has a temple that people come to pray at very frequently. Whether you are religious or not, the temples are beautiful and make for some great pictures. The waterfall is just a bonus that everyone enjoys when they are here.
Khao Phra Thaeo NP – Being in Phuket means you have to head over to the nearest national park especially since you will be spending quite some time at the beach so why not head there early in the morning and enjoy views of greens and a nice breeze. Go for a hike around the park or just take a leisurely walk to enjoy the environment
Hin Ta and Hin Yai – The stone elephants, also known as The Rock and Pillar of 2 Elephants is located in Phuket not far from Patong Beach. These two rock formations are where people come to find peace and enjoy a hike through this natural park. There is even an option to go swimming in the water at the base of these giant structures.
How to get to Phuket
From Bangkok – Take an overnight train from Hua Lamphong station or take a bus from Mo Chit, both are very reasonable priced and has free wifi throughout the journey.
From Phuket International Airport – It is a short ride in a tuk-tuk to the main town area. If you are going to take a taxi, make sure you get an official one by finding it at the airport and that there is a meter installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. Use your smartphones GPS for directions as they are pretty accurate.
What to pack for 3 days in Phuket
1. Bring your swimming gear with you. You can never go wrong with bringing a swimsuit and some sort of cover up that will keep you from dying of heat exhaustion if it’s too hot out which it probably will be.
2. Sun protection is a must while in Phuket. You will want to bring lots of sunscreen since you are going to want to use it every day. The sun on the island is very bright and strong so be sure to bring some shade with you by bringing a hat or even an umbrella if possible.
3. For footwear, it’s best that you bring some sort of comfortable walking shoes. They don’t have to be actual hiking boots but you will want something that is going to give your feet a little bit of support on the long walks around the island or even just walking up and down from the beach to your hotel if it’s not too close by.
4. If you are planning on doing any activities while in Phuket, plan to bring them with you. Surfing gear, kayaking equipment and paddle boards can be rented but it’s a lot more pricey than bringing your own so save yourself some money by just taking it with you.
Where to stay in Phuket
If you are looking for the vacation of a lifetime you should stay at one of the many luxury resorts or even in a hotel since Phuket has more hotels than any other place in Thailand. There are both budget choice and high-end choices when it comes to accommodation so there is something for every traveler no matter if you are looking to party your trip away or enjoy a relaxing vacation with your family.
What to do in Phuket in 3 days
Day 1: You can start your first day out shopping and enjoying some street food since you get off the plane hungry but be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen because it’s very strong here and even if you are use to the sun back at home it’s still wise to wear extra protection as the heat is very strong here.
Day 2: Enjoy a day on one of many beaches in Phuket. There are about 8-10 main beaches that you can enjoy whether you want some seclusion or prefer the beach filled with people.
Day 3. Head over to Kata Noi Beach to go on a hike. There is an actual trail that will take you up the mountain where there is a lot of trees to walk around and beautiful views to see.
If you have time on your hands head over to Tonsai Bay for some amazing views and if you plan ahead enough, you can watch the sunset as well.
*These itineraries are just a recommendation. You may also find some more to do and see in Phuket on my post about the best things to do in Phuket .