The low down on bars on Phi Phi Island
17:34This is not a definitive list or an unbiased one - but a quick personal resume of what you can expect on Phi Phi - just a taster with 2 bars from each location around Phi Phi. (More to follow later.)
Tonsai Bay Area
Bohemian Bar - the newcomer! For those of you who know the island a little it will be no surprise to know that this is Pieter aka Pieter Pan's latest venture. It's big but has the atmosphere of a secret spot. Different styles of seating from comfy sofa's (yes in a beach bar!), hippy cushions, little bamboo huts with hammocks and more conventional tables and chairs. Candles & tree lighting make it cosy and romantic. Music is currently very Thai style DJ (those of you who have visited Phi Phi before will know what that means!) with an interesting nightly addition of a jam session with didgeridoo. They even have a looky likey Jack Sparrow to greet you on arrival. Facebook @BohemianBeachBar
Location Tonsai bay next to Andaman Legacy ResortLove Cafe - More of a daytime or early evening watering hole, with a huge selection of luxury drinks, smoothies, chocolates and cocktails. Great chilled out music and undercover seating. Nothing ordinary about these drinks and Lonely Planet recommended (Thailand's Islands & Beaches 2010). If you like real martinis, real coffees, interesting teas or want something unusual like a matcha latte or bee pollen on your coffee - this is the place. http://www.lovecafephiphi.com/ Facebook/Twitter @lovecafephiphi
Location - Tonsia bay area, before the school, inside Phi Phi Villa Resort reception building. (100m past Andaman Legacy)Town Centre Area
Banana Bar - Phi Phi's only rooftop bar. A really cool party bar with chill-out huts. They have the best tunes on Phi Phi and their DJ (Ben - from London Town) brings you all the latest sounds. Their cocktails are good prices and they have a huge range - their bar team is worth watching - the way they knock them out at speed when busy. To add to the fun they have fluo bodypaints, beer bongs, sheesa's and on busy nites a very cute Thai nurse who goes around giving out 'injection' shots! If you are travelling with a group - this is definitely the place to go to make it happen. Facebook/Twitter @BananaBarPhiPhi
Location - up a spiral staircase over Banana Sombrero Mexican Restaurant - near Freshmart in town centrePaddy's - not just a bar but a restaurant also. The thing that makes this so special is Paddy himself - he's so sociable he sometimes forgets to serve people! A big gentle fun-loving Irishman, he always has some bargain going on drinks or food. His music can be a bit random - but you don't go to Paddys for the music! Lonely Planet recommended.
Location - up the little street from Island Divers towards the town centre.Loh Dalum Bay Area
Stones Bar - the only 24 hour bar on the island. This is the place most locals go after finishing work in the other bars and restaurants. The music can be touch and go, sometimes great sometimes not but no-one cares. It looks great, beach, view, driftwood, fluorescent 'cave' paintings. If you are trashed you'll end up there and not remember it, if your not you'll most likely end up chatting to someone and then realise its 5am already and you really do have to get up in the morning. They have a secret at the bar but I'm not saying what - those who've been there will know already!
Location - near the far end of Loh Dalum Bay.Apache Bar - boom boom boom! Everything you expect of a party beach bar. Loud music, mostly out of date standard 'getting it down on the dance floor' tunes. Lots of local Thai and westerners to flirt, meet and greet you and make sure you have a bucket full night. (Thai party drinks are served in little plastic buckets!) Dancing on the tables, falling off your plastic beach chair, chatting up random strangers and getting hopelessly drunk are all part of the Apache bar styling.
Location First Bar on Loh Dalum Beach if you are coming from the town.
10 tips about staying on Phi Phi
12:34
1. Even if you have pre-booked, Check-in/Check-out times will not necessarily match with your ferry arrival/departure times - usually hotels/resorts will look after your bags in the gaps so that you can get on and enjoy your stay.
2. A lot of rebuilding post tsunami has taken place, but in high season its still advisable to book before you come, you might be left with less choice
3. Rooms on Phi Phi are more expensive than the mainland but still pretty cheap for a world famous tropical paradise island! Expect to pay around double what you pay for similar on the mainland - it just costs more to provide the same services on an island 50km from the nearest mainland.
4.There are 4/5 star luxury resorts on the island but most of these are not in the main town area and require you to take a taxi boat to another part of the island - so it's not easy to come and look around for the more expensive/luxury resorts without prebooking.
5. At certain times of the year water supply, quality and pressure can be a challenge on Phi Phi, so unless you are going 5 star don't expect power showers or lashings of hot water.
6. Electricity is around 5 times more expensive on Phi Phi than the mainland, so many rooms will not have electrical items like hairdryers & kettles in the rooms. It's also nice to be aware of this if you ask a local to charge your telephone or plug your computer in - to them it might be a significant expense.
7.There are no cars on Phi Phi - so transfer from the pier to your resort is by foot. Many hotels, guest houses or resorts will meet you at the pier and help with your bags if you prebook - but the cheaper you go with your room the less likely this is to happen. If you book a room at the pier or on the ferry you should be able to negotiate your bags being carried for a small fee.
8. If you book & pay for a room with an agent at the pier or on the ferry - it's like any booking anywhere else in the world and you essentially lose your right to look around and change your mind when you get there (unless you forfeit your cash!). If you are fussy and want to see the room first - then don't book before you look! If you don't want to traipse around looking for rooms in the heat book ahead using websites or agents on the mainland with photos and just book for the one night - just in case you don't like what you get.
9. If you are prepared to do the leg work, you can generally negotiate small reductions on room prices during the evenings - but the risk is that everywhere is full or receptions are closed already. If you are staying for a few days - book the first night and then look around for bargains or something you like better - minus the bags and at your own pace.
10. Agents at the pier and on the ferries are not necessarily more expensive than walking around by yourself - mostly they work with a small number of hotels/guest houses or resorts and have arranged a special rate which includes their small commission.
2. A lot of rebuilding post tsunami has taken place, but in high season its still advisable to book before you come, you might be left with less choice
3. Rooms on Phi Phi are more expensive than the mainland but still pretty cheap for a world famous tropical paradise island! Expect to pay around double what you pay for similar on the mainland - it just costs more to provide the same services on an island 50km from the nearest mainland.
4.There are 4/5 star luxury resorts on the island but most of these are not in the main town area and require you to take a taxi boat to another part of the island - so it's not easy to come and look around for the more expensive/luxury resorts without prebooking.
5. At certain times of the year water supply, quality and pressure can be a challenge on Phi Phi, so unless you are going 5 star don't expect power showers or lashings of hot water.
6. Electricity is around 5 times more expensive on Phi Phi than the mainland, so many rooms will not have electrical items like hairdryers & kettles in the rooms. It's also nice to be aware of this if you ask a local to charge your telephone or plug your computer in - to them it might be a significant expense.
7.There are no cars on Phi Phi - so transfer from the pier to your resort is by foot. Many hotels, guest houses or resorts will meet you at the pier and help with your bags if you prebook - but the cheaper you go with your room the less likely this is to happen. If you book a room at the pier or on the ferry you should be able to negotiate your bags being carried for a small fee.
8. If you book & pay for a room with an agent at the pier or on the ferry - it's like any booking anywhere else in the world and you essentially lose your right to look around and change your mind when you get there (unless you forfeit your cash!). If you are fussy and want to see the room first - then don't book before you look! If you don't want to traipse around looking for rooms in the heat book ahead using websites or agents on the mainland with photos and just book for the one night - just in case you don't like what you get.
9. If you are prepared to do the leg work, you can generally negotiate small reductions on room prices during the evenings - but the risk is that everywhere is full or receptions are closed already. If you are staying for a few days - book the first night and then look around for bargains or something you like better - minus the bags and at your own pace.
10. Agents at the pier and on the ferries are not necessarily more expensive than walking around by yourself - mostly they work with a small number of hotels/guest houses or resorts and have arranged a special rate which includes their small commission.
your choices matter
13:52
What would you like to see on Phi Phi one year from now, 5 years from now?
The choices you are making now are driving that change.
If you only come for the all night party and beach bar experience and this is the only way you spend you money on the island - then you are inadvertently encouraging that business to thrive and helping to kill off other experiences.
If you only eat or buy drinks from 7-11 because its cheaper, it won't make the other options reduce their price, the street stalls and restaurants and small bars will just disappear.from lack of income - they simply cannot compete with the buying power of a international giant.
If you complain because the bathrooms are Thai style or the breakfast is not European, or that the staff don't speak very good English then the 'Thai'ness of Phi Phi will disappear.
if you buy nothing from the shops or stalls because its not the cheapest version you have seen on your travels, these small businesses will not be able to pay their rent, they will also disappear.
If you drop your cigarette butt in the sand, others may do the same - how long before the beach is polluted?
On a small island your choices are so powerful in their effect to drive change, so think outside the box, accept its a little bit more expensive here than the mainland and try to spread your tourist money around to encourage diversity of trade and experience that will keep Phi Phi Island a tropical paradise.
The choices you are making now are driving that change.
If you only come for the all night party and beach bar experience and this is the only way you spend you money on the island - then you are inadvertently encouraging that business to thrive and helping to kill off other experiences.
If you only eat or buy drinks from 7-11 because its cheaper, it won't make the other options reduce their price, the street stalls and restaurants and small bars will just disappear.from lack of income - they simply cannot compete with the buying power of a international giant.
If you complain because the bathrooms are Thai style or the breakfast is not European, or that the staff don't speak very good English then the 'Thai'ness of Phi Phi will disappear.
if you buy nothing from the shops or stalls because its not the cheapest version you have seen on your travels, these small businesses will not be able to pay their rent, they will also disappear.
If you drop your cigarette butt in the sand, others may do the same - how long before the beach is polluted?
On a small island your choices are so powerful in their effect to drive change, so think outside the box, accept its a little bit more expensive here than the mainland and try to spread your tourist money around to encourage diversity of trade and experience that will keep Phi Phi Island a tropical paradise.
Babies on phi phi
13:53
10 things you should know if you are bringing a baby or small child to Phi Phi Island
1) Getting on and off the ferry can be a bit of a challenge if you travel with lots of baby gear - be prepared or travel light. If you book a resort or hotel before you come - they will often offer to meet you at the pier and may help with your bags - check when you book.
2) Microwaves and/or kettles in hotels/rooms for heating babyfoods are very rare on Phi Phi, unless you go 4 or 5 star (electricity is very expensive on the island so rooms tend to have very few electrical items) - so its a good idea to be self sufficient and invest in one of those electric baby food heaters a portable mini kettle or a food flask. There is often hot water in flasks at mini-marts (generally used for take-away coffees).
3) Cots - although many resorts will offer a spare separate bed, very few have cots (not something the Thai generally use) - check before you come or be prepared to be inventive or make do.
4) Mosquitos - like many parts of Thailand there are mosquitos on Phi Phi, particularly in the evening and nighttime and many people use mosquito spray or burn mosquito coils or mosquito nets. So, it a good idea to travel with your own baby mosquito net especially if you are staying in budget rooms as these may not have nets provided. The low or rainy season is the worst for mosquitos.
5) Its hot here, even in low season, so if your baby/child finds it difficult to sleep with a fan or in a hot room, pay a little extra and upgrade to aircon. Check before you book.
6) No cars - there are no cars and therefor no taxis on the island, so even though its a small island (15 mins from one end to the other) you'll probably be doing a bit of walking to get the most out of the island. You'll probably find a baby sling or lightweight travel pushchair the best options. Large pushchairs or prams would be difficult to navigate into some of the smaller shops or places.
7) Sun protection - many people are now travelling with baby/child sunsuits which cover the whole body, these are great for small children as it means that can go in and out of the water without you having to remember to apply more sunscreen. Hats are recommended and if you are walking around, go Thai style and carry an umbrella (good for sun as well as rain!).
8) Food - There are a small selection of baby foods in the minimarts and restaurants often have the ubiquitous child menu of chips, egg and pizza etc. Very few restaurants or resorts have any baby food facilities (unless you go 4/5 star) so you'll need to be self sufficient and mash the old fashioned way with a fork. Thai children will often each rice mixed with the tinyest amount of sauce from a grown up dinner. There's a huge range of carton drinks in the mini-marts, including 100% juices and milky drinks from cows milk, soya & rice - the Thai children love these.
9) Water safety - as far as i know none of the swimming pools or beaches on Phi Phi have any lifeguards, So always be vigilant of your children near water, never leave them alone on the beach or in a swimming pool. If you go on a boat trip be aware that the longtail boats generally only have adult size lifejackets, so either ask around for a boat driver who can supply the child ones or better still, if you plan to be enjoying some bobbing around on the sea, bring your own.
10) Health. The ice on Phi Phi is all good. Buy the mid range or above bottled water, the cheaper Thia one is drinkable but less pure. Do not drink the free water left on the tables at restaurants, this is generally the cheaper water - buy a bottle its safer. There is a hospital on Phi Phi - to the right of the pier but they just deal with minor things, anything major and you will need to get a speedboat or ferry off the island to Phuket. The pharmacists on the island are fantastic and they will generally help you out with any medical advice.
So having said all that - its till a great place to bring children, if you plan ahead to make it easy for yourself. The Thai children are very friendly and your children can enjoy making friends with the local children, spending time on the beach or paddling in the sea.
1) Getting on and off the ferry can be a bit of a challenge if you travel with lots of baby gear - be prepared or travel light. If you book a resort or hotel before you come - they will often offer to meet you at the pier and may help with your bags - check when you book.
2) Microwaves and/or kettles in hotels/rooms for heating babyfoods are very rare on Phi Phi, unless you go 4 or 5 star (electricity is very expensive on the island so rooms tend to have very few electrical items) - so its a good idea to be self sufficient and invest in one of those electric baby food heaters a portable mini kettle or a food flask. There is often hot water in flasks at mini-marts (generally used for take-away coffees).
3) Cots - although many resorts will offer a spare separate bed, very few have cots (not something the Thai generally use) - check before you come or be prepared to be inventive or make do.
4) Mosquitos - like many parts of Thailand there are mosquitos on Phi Phi, particularly in the evening and nighttime and many people use mosquito spray or burn mosquito coils or mosquito nets. So, it a good idea to travel with your own baby mosquito net especially if you are staying in budget rooms as these may not have nets provided. The low or rainy season is the worst for mosquitos.
5) Its hot here, even in low season, so if your baby/child finds it difficult to sleep with a fan or in a hot room, pay a little extra and upgrade to aircon. Check before you book.
6) No cars - there are no cars and therefor no taxis on the island, so even though its a small island (15 mins from one end to the other) you'll probably be doing a bit of walking to get the most out of the island. You'll probably find a baby sling or lightweight travel pushchair the best options. Large pushchairs or prams would be difficult to navigate into some of the smaller shops or places.
7) Sun protection - many people are now travelling with baby/child sunsuits which cover the whole body, these are great for small children as it means that can go in and out of the water without you having to remember to apply more sunscreen. Hats are recommended and if you are walking around, go Thai style and carry an umbrella (good for sun as well as rain!).
8) Food - There are a small selection of baby foods in the minimarts and restaurants often have the ubiquitous child menu of chips, egg and pizza etc. Very few restaurants or resorts have any baby food facilities (unless you go 4/5 star) so you'll need to be self sufficient and mash the old fashioned way with a fork. Thai children will often each rice mixed with the tinyest amount of sauce from a grown up dinner. There's a huge range of carton drinks in the mini-marts, including 100% juices and milky drinks from cows milk, soya & rice - the Thai children love these.
9) Water safety - as far as i know none of the swimming pools or beaches on Phi Phi have any lifeguards, So always be vigilant of your children near water, never leave them alone on the beach or in a swimming pool. If you go on a boat trip be aware that the longtail boats generally only have adult size lifejackets, so either ask around for a boat driver who can supply the child ones or better still, if you plan to be enjoying some bobbing around on the sea, bring your own.
10) Health. The ice on Phi Phi is all good. Buy the mid range or above bottled water, the cheaper Thia one is drinkable but less pure. Do not drink the free water left on the tables at restaurants, this is generally the cheaper water - buy a bottle its safer. There is a hospital on Phi Phi - to the right of the pier but they just deal with minor things, anything major and you will need to get a speedboat or ferry off the island to Phuket. The pharmacists on the island are fantastic and they will generally help you out with any medical advice.
So having said all that - its till a great place to bring children, if you plan ahead to make it easy for yourself. The Thai children are very friendly and your children can enjoy making friends with the local children, spending time on the beach or paddling in the sea.
10 things to do in rainy season on Phi Phi
13:02
Luckily here it only rains for the odd hour in the day and often in the night on Phi Phi, so it's never too inconvenient. But for those who had planned on lazy days by the pool or sunning it on the beach here are just a few suggestions:
1) Treat yourself to little boat trip to a luxury resort & Spa - Zeavola on the north end of the island
2) Rent a DVD player and watch a great movie with your hfmaily and friends - most of the shops who sell dvd's have rental machines too.
3) Listen to great music and enjoy the view to Phi Phi Ley Island while having a coffee or hot chocolate undercover @ Love Cafe Phi Phi
4) Snorkeling - your gonna get wet anyway right? plus its cooler in the rain & less chance of burning your bum. Ask any longtail boat driver or tour agent and they'll suggest somewhere to go and provide the kit.
5) Diving - who cares about the rain when your underwater. Phi Phi has some of the best dive sites and with so many Dive shops on the island, there's always a trip to tempt - you don't even need to have done diving before - they'll teach you or just give you a taster.
6) Get a tattoo - Phi Phi is one of the best places to get a bamboo tattoo, there are many brilliant tattoo artists on the island and the tattoo shops often double as bars and can be great places to hang out with the local Thai.
7) Your on holiday right? so that means you can drink all day! so why not watch the sea from a dry spot...several of the beach bars are undercover, Bohemian bar and Sunflower would fit that bill.
8) Massage - there are about one million massage shops on Phi Phi - prices for start at around 150 baht up to 300 to 500 baht for full body. What better way to while away a rainy hour.
9) There are several Gym's on the Island now, you could spend an hour burning off the extra beer & bucket calories. Phi Phi Villa Resort charges 350 per day, which includes the use of their pool.
10) Lastly, for the more intrepid who will cover up in one of those plastic mac thingys, a walk to viewpoint would be awesome in the rain, the wet smell of the jungle and not so hot walk, as here the rain seems to cool things down.
Enjoy!
,
1) Treat yourself to little boat trip to a luxury resort & Spa - Zeavola on the north end of the island
2) Rent a DVD player and watch a great movie with your hfmaily and friends - most of the shops who sell dvd's have rental machines too.
3) Listen to great music and enjoy the view to Phi Phi Ley Island while having a coffee or hot chocolate undercover @ Love Cafe Phi Phi
4) Snorkeling - your gonna get wet anyway right? plus its cooler in the rain & less chance of burning your bum. Ask any longtail boat driver or tour agent and they'll suggest somewhere to go and provide the kit.
5) Diving - who cares about the rain when your underwater. Phi Phi has some of the best dive sites and with so many Dive shops on the island, there's always a trip to tempt - you don't even need to have done diving before - they'll teach you or just give you a taster.
6) Get a tattoo - Phi Phi is one of the best places to get a bamboo tattoo, there are many brilliant tattoo artists on the island and the tattoo shops often double as bars and can be great places to hang out with the local Thai.
7) Your on holiday right? so that means you can drink all day! so why not watch the sea from a dry spot...several of the beach bars are undercover, Bohemian bar and Sunflower would fit that bill.
8) Massage - there are about one million massage shops on Phi Phi - prices for start at around 150 baht up to 300 to 500 baht for full body. What better way to while away a rainy hour.
9) There are several Gym's on the Island now, you could spend an hour burning off the extra beer & bucket calories. Phi Phi Villa Resort charges 350 per day, which includes the use of their pool.
10) Lastly, for the more intrepid who will cover up in one of those plastic mac thingys, a walk to viewpoint would be awesome in the rain, the wet smell of the jungle and not so hot walk, as here the rain seems to cool things down.
Enjoy!
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