Pattaya Travel Guide

Located about 15km in the south of Bangkok, on the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is one of Thailand’s largest resort towns. This is a very destination for its beaches, its incessant activity, and its unbridled nightlife.

General Information

Pattaya is known for its seedy reputation, but it has also a lot to offer in terms of beaches, activities, and attractions. The city owns many high-end hotels and a center of resorts,  as well as a wide range of budget accommodations.

The beaches of Pattaya are some of the best in Thailand, and the city offers a wide range of water sports and other activities. Pattaya is home to several theme parks, such as Cartoon Network Amazone and Ramayana Water Park. There is also a large choice of shopping centers, restaurants, and bars.

Climate and best time to visit Pattaya

Pattaya enjoys a tropical climate, hot every year with 3 distinct seasons:

• Cool Season (November – February): During the cool and dry season, the weather is just what it is, cool and dry. The average temperature for this season is 30°C with high humidity, making it feel closer to 34°C. The climate during these months is ideal for a seaside stay. The sky is clear and there are very few rainy days, most of which are concentrated in November.
• Hot season (March – April): The hot season in Pattaya is characterized by an average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius during the day, but can sometimes reach 40 degrees in April! The humidity reaches 80% during these months. With the increase in temperature, the hours of sunshine also increase. There is almost no rain during this season.
• Wet Season (May – October): The wet season is the low season in Pattaya because of the large amount of rain. There are on average 12 rainy days during these months. Although it rains several times a day, the rain rarely lasts more than a few hours. The temperature varies but stays within 30°C during this season.

The best period to visit Pattaya will be from November to January. These months are high season, most tourists have visited during this time, and it’s easy to see why. The weather is cool and dry, with an average temperature of 30°C, 80°F. It rarely rains during these months. Pattaya is the most crowded city during this period, and the most expensive. Plan for accommodations to be well-booked in advance and for attractions to be packed with people.

Getting to Pattaya

By plane

Transferring to Pattaya from Bangkok by plane is currently not possible. The nearest airport to Pattaya is U-Tapao Rayong International Airport, which also serves as a domestic and international airport. It takes almost an hour’s drive between this airport and Pattaya.

Bangkok Airways is the only airline to offer scheduled flights to and from U-Tapao. It connects Pattaya to Samui and Phuket. In season, Finnair offers direct flights to Pattaya from Helsinki.

By train

In unique season, a 3rd class train stops at Pattaya station on its journey between Bangkok Hua Lamphong Station and Sattahip. The train leaves Bangkok at 6:50 a.m. and arrives in Pattaya at approximately 10:18 a.m. On the return journey from Sattahip to Bangkok, the train arrives in Pattaya at 2:20 p.m. and then in Bangkok at 6:25 p.m. Train tickets can only be purchased at the station.

By bus

The bus is the most convenient type of transport. Several bus and Autocar companies serve itineraries throughout Thailand to various bus terminals in Pattaya. Some of these services can be booked online on the company’s website. If you need help, do not hesitate to contact us.

By car

Renting a car with a driver is an ideal option if you wish for a complete private trip. Our well-trained and professional driver will be a reliable companion during your Thailand trip. Contact us for more information.

Getting Around Pattaya

Bus

A local bus called the Beach bus runs in a loop around Pattaya and tickets cost 30B. The bus covers several interesting places like Pattaya Floating Market, Jomtien Beach Street, Dolphin Roundabout, and Pattaya Beach Street, among others.

Taxi

There are 3 types of taxis in Pattaya: the normal taxi, the Grab, and the moto-taxi. You can find almost metered taxis outside of Pattaya’s main destinations, such as shopping centers and popular hotels.

Another solution is to use Grab, the Southeast Asian version of Uber, which allows you to select a pick-up and drop-off location before ordering your taxi.
For speed and agility, a moto-taxi is probably your best choice. The flexibility of a motorcycle taxi allows you to weave through heavy traffic and reduce travel time. However, they are not the most comfortable vehicles and we do not recommend taking one for a long drive. Most short trips cost between 30 and 50 baht.

Songthaew

This is an excellent way to get around the different neighborhoods since the trips are numerous and cheap! Most trips around Pattaya will cost you 10 baht, with longer trips, for example from Jomtien to the quieter North Pattaya, costing 20 baht. Unlike other cities, Pattaya’s new regulations do not allow you to wave at a songthaew on the road, as there are now designated areas (red bus stop zones) where you must officially stop. However, not all drivers respect it.

Tuk tuk

Tuk-tuks are small minivans usually colored red or sometimes yellow. They don’t have a meter, so you have to make sure you negotiate the price before getting in, otherwise, you might end up paying way more than you should.

Moto

You already have your motorcycle license and you want total freedom? In this case, a motorbike rental is probably your best choice. It is also the most economical type of transport if you want to explore the surroundings. Renting a motorbike for the day costs between 150 and 250 baht. Almost hotels and guesthouses have their motorbike rental service, which is usually cheaper than many vendors that are in line with Pattaya Beach.

Accommodation in Pattaya

Pattaya offers many beach resorts scattered throughout the city. If you’re looking for a poolside vacation where the sun lounger is your new home, it might be worth staying further out of town. So you can get more for your money or have a more comfortable lounger!
For those who like to spend their time exploring, location is a bit more important to you. We offer here a brief overview of the different neighborhoods where to stay in Pattaya:

Walking Street – Center of the party

The street is filled with stalls, pubs, bars, go-go bars, clubs, and restaurants! Just a few steps away, you can find Pattaya Beach and the massive Central Festival shopping complex. Here are some of the nice and reasonably priced hotels:

• Avani Pattaya Resort 5 *
• Galaxy Suites 3*

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach is actually 4 km long, which makes it quite a large area to choose where to stay. However, most people tend to cluster around the central part of the beach near Soi (side street) 7 and Soi 8. This area still offers a wealth of bars and restaurants, creating a lively nightlife scene,  but on a more modest scale compared to the pedestrian street, which is only a 5-minute walk away.

• Hilton Pattaya 5*
• Holiday Inn Pattaya 4*

Jomtien Beach

Jomtien seemingly offers the perfect amount of amenities. You will always find what you need without being spoiled by choice. For most of these amenities, such as restaurants, shops, and bars, it’s best to head to the west side of the beach. There, the nightlife is calmer and the prices are lower.
It’s the same for the accommodation. Moving away from the center you will find more affordable hotels and a large selection of hostels.

• Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel & Resort 4*
• Grand Jomtien Palace 3*

Best Attractions to Visit in Pattaya

Big Buddha

The Big Buddha of Wat Khao Phra Bat temple is one of Pattaya’s most notable sites due to its size, its color, and its hilltop location that offers one of the best views in the city. The belvedere built on a rocky promontory will allow you to enjoy a panoramic view of almost the entire city as well as the crescent-shaped bay. As for the Big Buddha itself, it constitutes the main attraction of this small temple located at the top of the hill.

The seated Buddha is 18 meters high and stands at the top of an imposing staircase with low steps. Once the color of the stone, the Buddha has taken on a much more royal side since being gilded. The Big Buddha is surrounded by twenty other much smaller Buddha statues which represent different incarnations of the deity.

Jomtien Beach

Located just a few kilometers south of the city center, Jomtien Beach is probably the best known in Pattaya. One thing is certain, Jomtien is the only official gay beach in Pattaya. It is also a nice place to spend a day if you want to practice water sports. You can try all sorts of activities here, including snorkeling, jet skiing, and parasailing. Although the beach is often crowded, it is less crowded than Central Pattaya’s beaches and has a slightly different relaxed vibe. Food is generally cheaper in Jomtien and there is a good choice of places to buy food, drink or sit down in a restaurant for an authentic meal.

Mini Siam and Mini Europe

For the family holidays, the Mini Siam and Mini Europe attraction is unavoidable. As the name suggests, this park presents incredible miniatures of local landmarks, as well as some of the most famous in Europe. Replicas of the Mini Siam area include the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the original of which is in Bangkok, together with the incredible Temple of Dawn Wat Arun. In the part of the park dedicated to Europe, you will see some of the most famous monuments in the world, especially the Eiffel Tower, the Tower Bridge, and the Tower of Pisa, as well as other international monuments, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Sydney Opera House.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden, one of Pattaya’s most popular attractions, is located outside of town and it takes about 30 minutes of walking to get there. The garden dates back to the 1950s when it was bought to be used as a fruit plantation, but the owners changed their minds and decided to make it a place full of tropical flowers. The garden was open to the public before 1980 and has since expanded, the garden is now covering 500 acres of the 600 on the grounds.

Divided into several sections including the Stonehenge Garden, the French Garden, and the Butterfly Hill, Nong Nooch is also known for its many species of cycads which you will find in any garden. Apart from flowers, this garden attracts its visitors with cultural performances and elephants.

Pattaya Floating Market

Pattaya Floating Market is a perfect size: it’s neither too big nor too small. You can easily spend a few hours there if you take your time to walk around the various stalls, most of which are set up on small boats, justify the name floating market, while others are indoors in buildings located at the water’s edge! Stroll through the market or take a boat ride to admire it from the water. Although foreign tourists have to pay a small entrance fee, the items inside are quite affordable, making it a good place to buy traditional souvenirs, Thai handicrafts, food, or drinks. The market frequently organizes concerts for your entertainment.

Cartoon Network Water Park

This is the children’s favorite place in Pattaya. Cartoon Network Water Park is located a few kilometers from the city’s botanical garden, so it’s perfect for combining the two visits in one day and ending with a moment of relaxation.

Walking Street

Walking Street is probably the most famous street in Pattaya. A must-see place for nightlife, it is also known as the city’s red-light district. Every evening, the street and all its bars, restaurants, clubs, and nightclubs are filled with foreign tourists and Thai nationals. Launch into a seafood restaurant, then go to a beer bar before deciding where you want to spend the rest of the night. There are concerts, sports broadcasts, and discos whose music can be heard from the street almost constantly.

Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth is an architectural marvel. Endowed with ornate and divine details, it is one of the must-see places if you are visiting Pattaya. It is said that its construction will not be finished before 2050. It is sumptuous and rises more than 105 meters facing the sea. Like many temples in Thailand, it is built of wood to resist the salty air and the sunlight.

Koh Larn Island

Nicknamed the coral island, this small island is officially called Ko Larn and it is located 7,5 km from the coast of Pattaya. If you are looking for something to do in Pattaya and want to spend some time outside the city, this place is the excursion for you. It offers a truly different atmosphere from the city. Moreover, its beaches are cleaner and more attractive than those of Pattaya. It is a place where you can spend a great day relaxing on the beach, swimming in the transparent waters, or enjoying all the fun water activities which offer you great prices.

Anek Kuson Sala

Built-in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of King Rama IX, the official name of this temple museum is Anek Kuson Sala. Today, it is often nicknamed Viharnra Sien because of the collection of Chinese saints it hosts (“his” means saints). Even if, from the outside, it looks like many other temples, you have to know that it is a Chinese temple and not a Thai one: it, therefore, presents obvious peculiarities in terms of architecture, which makes it a welcome change from the norm.

Although it’s still officially a temple, this Pattaya attraction today attracts visitors with its exhibitions in a type of museum spread over three floors. Its collection, the only one of its kind outside China, includes many rare and priceless artifacts and antiques from China, which certainly impress tourists from all over the world.

Best Restaurants in Pattaya

Glass House Silver

Glass House Silver is the best Thailand seafood restaurant in town. Located on the way to Jomtien Beach, about 12km South of Pattaya city, this restaurant offers visitors a peaceful, calm, and extremely cool atmosphere. Coming to this restaurant, visitors feel like they are lost in a paradise with the most perfect culinary services.

Lung Sawai Restaurant

The Lung Sawai restaurant has an elegant style and is unlike any other place in Pattaya. This is a famous seaside restaurant that offers Thai-style seafood with unique flavors that cannot be found anywhere else. This restaurant has been rated one of the best in town for several years in a row. With its open and airy design, it provides guests with a friendly atmosphere, catching their curiosity as they watch the chefs prepare the dishes.

Sugar Hut Restaurant

Sugar Hut Restaurant is a good choice for people who are looking for Thailand traditional meal in a pleasant setting. Part of the Sugar Hut Resort, this restaurant is located in the heart of a small forest, which gives it a feeling of isolation and remoteness, despite being in the middle of the city. The food is excellent, as is the service.

Pattaya has something for everyone, whether it’s partying, enjoying water parks and water sports, visiting unusual but interesting sights, or just relaxing on the beach. What are you waiting for? Do not hesitate to contact us if you want more information or to organize a tailor-made trip to Thailand!