Karon and Kata beaches in Phuket

Karon Beach And Kata Beach Travel Guide – Budget Travel In Thailand

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Karon Beach and Kata Beach offer a less hectic alternative to Patong on the island of Phuket.

After spending five wonderful nights in the charming old town of Phuket, it was time to hit the beaches. We decided to visit the Karon and Kata beaches in Phuket before moving to another island.

It seemed silly to start our island-hopping adventure without checking out at least one of Phuket’s beach resorts. We decided against Patong beach: expecting it to be too much of a party scene. From our research, Karon and Kata, whilst still lively, were not party-all-night resorts.

How To Get To Kata Beach From Phuket Town 

Getting to Kata Beach could not have been easier. Just outside the central market in Phuket town is a makeshift bus terminal where songthauws regularly leave to all the beaches on the island (map). We were on a bus immediately after arriving. In a matter of minutes, we were on our way. The cost was 40 baht per person and the journey takes less than an hour.

Paying The Bus Driver From Phuket Old Town

The driver does not take any money when you get on the bus. When the first person presses the bell to indicate they want to get off, the driver then collects everyone’s fares.

The price was 40 baht, wherever you go. When you want to get off, simply press the bell and the driver will stop. There are no bus stops.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST HOSTELS IN KARON & KATA!

FOOD AND DRINK IN KARON AND KATA

Things To Do In Karon

As it is a touristy beach resort, there was not a massive amount to do in Karon other than soak up the sun.

Big Buddha Of Phuket

If you travel from Phuket old town to Karon, you might spot the Big Buddha on the way. You might even see him high in the sky whilst you are relaxing on Kata beach. A visit should be on your agenda, if only to get you away from the tourist-heavy centre of Karon.

If you are crazy, like us, you might decide not to take a tuk tuk, or even a motorbike, but instead decide to walk. Yes, there is a trail that leads you right up to the Big Buddha but be warned. It is NOT an easy trail!

To get on to the trail, head for the main Patak Road. You need to take a turn onto Patak Soi 12 (map). From here it is signposted. Basically, go up!

Start of climb to Big Buddha.

Start of climb to Big Buddha.

There are points where you can stop and take a look at the view but it is only putting off the inevitable. You have to keep going up, up, UP!

Joanna feeling the heat!

Joanna feeling the heat!

I’d like to say it gets easier towards the top but it really doesn’t. It just keeps on going UP! Take a rest. You’ll need it.

Joanna will NOT be defeated.

Joanna will NOT be defeated.

Once you get to the top there is another 15 minute walk (some of it uphill) before you reach the Buddha so don’t get too excited. When you see this sign, you’ve made it. Almost.

Appropriate name!

Appropriate name!

Jut after this, the Buddha comes into view.

Buddha comes into view.

Buddha comes into view.

Once you get to the top, take your time to enjoy the views and treat yourself to a cold drink or an ice cream. You’ve deserved it! And besides, you have more stairs to climb.

Stairs to the Buddha.

Stairs to the Buddha.

You can enter the temple below the Buddha. It’s not that impressive. But you’re only here to see the Big Buddha, right?

Big Buddha Of Phuket Opening Times: 8 am – 6 pm, every day.
Big Buddha Of Phuket Entrance Fee: free admission.

Big Buddha, Phuket.

Big Buddha, Phuket.

Once you’ve finished, simply go back the way you came. It is MUCH easier going down.

Leaving the Big Buddha.

Leaving the Big Buddha.

Kata Beach

Kata was the first of the two beaches that we visited. There are many bars and restaurants at the south of the beach, whilst at the north there are smaller food and drink places. It’s a very clean beach with a lot of activity.

Kata Beach, Phuket.

Kata Beach, Phuket.

Karon Beach

North of Kata beach is Karon Beach. There’s not much to tell them apart really. I’d say Kata has more bar and restaurant options actually on the beach, which made it my preference of the two.

Karon Beach, Phuket.

Karon Beach, Phuket.

Walking Street Kata Seafood Market

Near Kata Beach is a night market that sells seafood and other tasty treats. We treated ourselves to some cheap sushi but there was plenty of choice here at affordable prices. Map.

Walking Street, Kata.

Walking Street, Kata.

Food And Drink In Karon

We were not short of choice when it came to bars in Karon. There were streets that were entirely made up of bars. Don’t expect quirky bars in Karon. Most of the bars were very similar with very little to tell them apart. Karon is definitely a tourist spot!

One of the bar streets in Kata Beach, Phuket.

One of the bar streets in Kata Beach, Phuket.

King Kong Cafe & Bar & Massage

A surprisingly good and cheap coffee. We had to decline the offer of a massage as we had other plans. The staff were very friendly, as are most people in Thailand! Map.

Joanna was REALLY needing coffee at this point.

Joanna was REALLY needing coffee at this point.

Mr Coffee Phuket Karon

Our research for good coffee brought us here. Google Maps obviously doesn’t take temperature into consideration when suggesting places that are 45 minutes walk away! The coffee was good and they also do pastries and a small menu. The owner was very friendly. Map.

Nok Restaurant

Nok Restaurant is a Thai restaurant serving mostly locals, hence the food was much cheaper than you will pay near the sea front. Joanna asked for shrimp red curry and it was VERY spicy. The chef said it was about 20% spicy compared to how they make it for themselves. Crazy! Map.

Pig & Whistle

An English themed bar where you can eat pie and chips with your beer. It is situated on one of the bar streets. They show live sports on big screens and you can buy beer by the glass or by the jug. Map.

Ska Bar & Kata Seafood Restaurant

Situated at the most southern end of Kata beach is this shack bar that serves up decent Thai food to go with the reggae sounds spilling onto the beach. Map.

Ska Bar, Kata Beach.

Ska Bar, Kata Beach.

View from Ska Bar (see the Buddha)

View from Ska Bar (see the Buddha)

Prawn massaman curry.

Prawn massaman curry.

Thai Food

This originally-named restaurant sells cheap Thai food and some Western dishes. It is a little away from the centre which is why it is so cheap. Decent food for those on a budget. Map.

Is Kata And Karon Beach Worth Visiting?

I’ll have to admit, I wasn’t overly impressed by Karon. After Phuket old town, it just seemed way too touristy. The beaches are beautiful, as is the scenery, but I couldn’t find the heart of the place. If you want to come to Thailand and drink in endless bars that are all the same and spend your whole time on the beach (and there’s nothing wrong with that, if that’s what you like) then this is perfect. After some of the amazing places we’d visited though, we were more than ready to move on.

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1 comment on “Karon Beach And Kata Beach Travel Guide – Budget Travel In Thailand

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