Holidays in Pattaya (Thailand): reviews of tourists in 2021

It seems that in the case of Pattaya, negative reviews trump positive ones. Is it really? We analyze the popular resort of Thailand in detail.

I vacationed in Pattaya with friends three times, the last one was last year. Why is that? Well, I like it! I believe that Pattaya is Thailand in miniature, and no other resort is also impressive with its ability to turn a quiet beach holiday into a vibrant nightlife, and even with an easy burden on your wallet.

We flew both on a tour and organized an independent trip. I'll tell you about my experience, about the reviews of tourists about Pattaya in 2020-2021 - I'll try to make a full-fledged guide to the most controversial resort of Taya.

Do you have any tips or comments? Leave them at the bottom of the article!

Where is the best place to relax in Pattaya? Personal feedback and impressions

Many in Pattaya vacation either in the Jomtien area or in Naklua.

• Naklua suitable for those who are used to staying in five-star hotels with a large territory, or planning a vacation with children. Similar area - Wongamat, north of Naklua.
• Jomtien Is a cross between Naklua and Central District. It is not noisy here, there is a night market of the same name and a bunch of cafes for evening gatherings. For those who are going to Pattaya for the first time, I would advise you to stop at Jomtien.
• A little further Jomtien is the area To Jomtien... I do not recommend resting here, since tuk-tuk (local transport) do not go, there are few shops, and you cannot feel the atmosphere of Pattaya here.
• Central Pattaya - for the most partying tourists. Dense crowds of Europeans, bars and clubs are thundering on every corner, and calmness comes only early in the morning. The famous Walking Street is located here.
• There is also a small area Pratumnak (between Central and Jomtien). It's more about expensive hotels, private beaches and a Buddha statue on a hill.

Season in Pattaya: weather reviews

- High tourist season in Pattaya: November to April.

- Hot season: May to August.

- Low season (rainy season): September and October.

The most favorable season for a beach holiday in Pattaya is the period from November to April. The air temperature does not drop below + 27 ° C, and I have to swim in the sea at + 28 ° C ... + 30 ° C (it was uncomfortable for me to swim in “fresh milk” in the heat). Showers during these months are very unlikely, precipitation begins to fall gradually from July to August.

Do not stay in the sun from 12 noon to 15 noon! Due to the high humidity, the feeling that you are about to burn is dulled. Because of her, clothes do not dry well.

Reviews about the weather differ for each tourist, but personally I would advise you to fly to Pattaya in November-December, when the summer tropical rains have passed, and the heat at + 35 ° C has not yet arrived.

Prices for tours to Pattaya - 2021

Tours to Pattaya are in great demand. During the high season, charters from many cities in Russia land one after another at the local airport, and buses barely have time to deliver newly arrived tourists to their chosen hotels. Indeed, Pattaya is the cheapest vacation in Thailand.

How inexpensive? Look at the prices for tours with departure from the city closest to you on the aggregators:

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

You will see all the same package deals as the travel agent and at a fair price directly from the tour operator. And if you are worried about choosing a hotel, filters and reviews of visiting tourists displayed on the page help you find an option to suit your taste and budget.

For tours departing from Moscow, the prices for the winter of 2021 are as follows:

- Minimum voucher for 10 nights for two costs 85,000 rubles.

- Accommodation in a 4-5 star hotel raises the bar up to 100,000 rubles for two for 10 nights.

- Rest with the composition "mom, dad and child" costs from 105,000 rubles for the same period.

- Attention! All inclusive (all inclusive) in Pattaya is not. This is the local specifics.

Beaches in Pattaya

Among tourists, Pattaya in Thailand is considered far from the main beach resort. Yes, the sea is here, as they say, at every corner. But finding a good beach in Pattaya - so that the water is blue, and the sand is fine, and the views are pleasant - that's another task.

You expect tropical, heavenly beauty from Thailand, especially on your first trips. This is not the case in Pattaya, and for the sake of clean and picturesque beaches you have to take a ferry (1 hour) to the nearest islands.

Where is the best place to swim in Pattaya?

But do not think that there are no tourists on city beaches. How much more! Not everyone wants to ride a ferry or ride a bike for a long time.

Jomtien Beach.

Photo via Flickr by user Morten

If you read the reviews of tourists about Pattaya, then the least "goes" to Jomtien Beach - one of the most famous beaches in the city.

The sand is yellow and coarse, which makes the water seem cloudy, opaque. The locals come here with the whole family, old Europeans sit arm in arm with Asian women (you see this often in Pattaya), a lot of Russians. The sea is calm, the coast is cleaned in the morning, but sometimes it - the sea - throws out garbage all day, and there is no time for swimming.

Fruit traders and massage therapists roam the beach. There is no shower or toilet. You can rent sun loungers for 100 baht (225 rubles). You just need to lie down / sit down / throw things on the place you like, the Thai will be suitable for payment.

Pattaya Beach.

The beach with a loud name - Pattaya Central Beach - is located next to Walking Street. The sea is dirty, sandy areas are narrow in places. Due to the proximity of ferries and a sewer, there are fewer swimmers here, more sunbathers.

You can ride a jet ski or fly a parachute, rent a sun lounger (70-100 baht), otherwise it is boring here, and tourists leave more negative reviews about Pattaya Central Beach.

Personally, this place shocked me at all. I sunbathed, which means I was on a sunbed during the day, and in the evening ... I saw fat rats crawling on these stacked sunbeds 🙁 Yes, and along the beach too ...

Wongamat Beach.

Wongamat Beach, a favorite of Russian tourists, is located in the northern part of Pattaya. There is white fine sand, clear water and a wide shore. For those who don't want to sail to the islands, this is the best beach alternative in Pattaya.

I also recommend Wongamat beach for families with children, as there is a gentle entry into the sea and there are no waves. The entire infrastructure is similar to Jomtien's, there are high-rise hotels along the coast. We got there by bike, but there are also tuk-tuk (easiest of all from the Central District).

The beaches of Koh Lan island.

My personal favorite for a beach holiday is the island of Ko Lan (or Kolyan, as our tourists call it) with the beautiful beaches I've seen in Asia!

The island can be reached by ferry or speedboat - travel time is 1 hour or 30 minutes, respectively - the main thing to know is the schedule. We talked about all the details, prices and places of departure in a separate article about Ko Lan.

There are 5 beaches on the island, but of all I advise you to go to Monkeys (there on the left side on the monkey rock), Ta Yai, Samae and Tien (they are quieter than the rest and the views are more beautiful). There are tuk-tuk from the ferry to all the beaches. But you can also rent a bike, then you will definitely have time to see all the beaches and choose the best one for yourself.

On the beaches, the sand is fine, white and pleasant; sun loungers and umbrellas are rented for an amount of 50 baht. The sea is clean, it's cool to swim + you can take a mask and snorkel. Everywhere there are cafes or food stalls. There is a 7-Eleven store only at the pier.

The most common option for tourists is to rent a hotel for 1-2 nights on Ko Lana and live in beauty. The price per night on the island varies between 1500-3000 rubles - look at RoomGuru.

Beaches of the Pratumnak area.

A good vacation at the sea in Pattaya can be spent on Cape Pratumnak - for example, on Cozy Beach. True, you need to get there by rented transport or taxi. Careful, here we met sharp corals at the bottom. Rent of sun loungers - 50-100 baht. In general, the beaches of Pratumnak resemble Jomtien Beach, only hotels look after them. The infrastructure is a little worse.

Prices for holidays in Pattaya

The local currency in Thailand is the Baht (THB). 1 baht ≈ 2 rubles.
I do not want to indulge in multi-letter arguments on the topic "what is how much", because the site already has an article about all this, which is called just that - Prices in Pattaya. Therefore, I will limit myself to the section on food - an important element of any trip!

Food and groceries

Honestly, I come to Thailand for cheap tropical fruits and delicious street food. But, judging by the reviews of tourists about the rest in Thailand, not everyone is ready to exchange borscht for that yam, but in vain!

• Look for the most delicious food in the night markets Pattaya (Jomtien area and Center):
  - there is also fresh seafood (from 30 baht for shrimp in batter),
  - and glutinous rice with mango (traditional Thai dessert),
  - and smoothies / necks for 10-15 baht.
  Fruit prices are lower here, usually you can buy slices for 30-50 baht or pick mangoes in a basket at home for 60-80 baht per kg (in season). And try durian! Peeled and sliced ​​are sold both in the markets and in the Big C supermarket.
• Shopping centers (for example, Central Festival) necessarily include a food court - and this is a great place for the budget traveler to fill up to the pounds for 100-150 baht. There is the same market food + European (most often pizza). The following system works at Central Festival: at the entrance they give out a card that needs to be replenished with money, you pay with it in the department you like, at the end you withdraw the remainder.
• Street food in Pattaya he moves on makashnits - such mopeds with a kitchen. You can buy pad thai noodles for 40-50 baht or pancakes with nutella and bananas for 25 baht!

Also, you cannot come to Thailand and not go to the supermarket. 7-Eleven or Family Mart... In every second tourist review about Pattaya, you will find a mention. These are local "Pyaterochki" on every corner. Everything is on sale, even take-away food (which will be warmed up there) and cold drinks from vending machines. Prices are low, as this is a huge network, and Thais themselves buy here.

It is worth knowing that dairy products are bad in Asia. Soy and coconut milk and substitutes are common here. And most of the dishes are served spicy, so say "pliz, spicy notes" when ordering or buying, so as not to get gastritis.

Where to eat? Cafe

I would recommend cafes and restaurants in different areas that we often went to.

— Kiss Food & Drink Restaurant (Jomtien) - A cafe in a purely Asian style with plastic chairs and a bunch of tables. It is attracted by prices and delicious cuisine. Take pad thai (shrimp noodles) for 75 baht and spring rolls for 60 baht. Big plus: work around the clock - for night eaters.

— Surf Kitchen Restaurant (Jomtien) - a restaurant on the beach. Papaya salad is my love. For a set meal for three they gave 600-800 baht, everything is delicious.

— The sky gallery (Pratamnak) - for the sake of a beautiful view, European service and atmospheric interior. We went here at sunset, an experience for the whole trip! Prices are slightly above average, you can grab one cocktail for 145 baht and enjoy the view.

— Jasmin`s Café Pattaya (Center) - a cafe-bar for evening gatherings. Here are the most delicious salads and tom yam from 120 baht.

Prices in Pattaya, according to tourists' reviews and my experience, differ in institutions only because of their Europeanization. If there are air conditioners, a beautiful interior, and the like, then the check is higher than in a street cafe with the same food.

The best hotels in Pattaya

View from Holiday Inn Pattaya (photo via Booking)

There are a great many hotels in Pattaya. I myself love to read the guidelines when looking for options for where to stay, and I hope my selection will be useful to you.

• 5 * MGallery by Sofitel Baraquda Pattaya - for those who want to be in the center of Pattaya. Attracts tourists by location, European service and interior. Suitable for families with children (according to reviews).
  Tour for 10 nights: from 180,000 rubles
• 5 * Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort is a hotel in a quiet area of ​​Wongamat. All rooms with a sea view, an area with a park and entertainment, their own restaurants and even a sauna. My parents' favorite hotel.
  Tour for 10 nights: from 180,000 rubles
• 4 * Holiday Inn Pattaya is a modern hotel in the center of Pattaya. Tourists celebrate the clean beach and good service. All infrastructure around.
  Tour for 10 nights: from 160,000 rubles
• 3 * Pattaya Park Beach Resort - I advise on my own behalf, I rested here in 2019. Large pool area, great location in Jomtien, close to the night market.
  Tour for 10 nights: from 95,000 rubles
• 3 * Splendid Resort at Jomtien - I also recommend this hotel. There are two swimming pools, comfortable rooms and good breakfasts. Located on the first line of Jomtien.
  Tour for 10 nights: from 100,000 rubles

Transport

Public transport in Pattaya is presented tuk-tukami... They run in all areas and cost between 10 and 20 baht for the entire trip. Convenient and fast, but I still hadn't figured out their routes. I know for sure that if you name the pier Bali Hai (from where the ferry departs to Koh Lan), and in return you get a nod, you can sit down 🙂

Many tourists rent bike - 200-300 baht per day. Safety in Pattaya on the roads is minimal, as the traffic is frantic and chaotic, so it is better not to sit without a license.

To rent a scooter (or bike), in most cases, international law is required (ordinary Russian ones are suitable) and a passport (or deposit). Some amount is usually given as a deposit, we gave 1000 baht. Never give away your original passport! The rental points are marked with the letters "Bike for Rent". The farther from the coast, the cheaper the cost of the bike. By the way, if you decide to take a car, then book it in advance and online - for example, on Myrentacar.

And be sure to wear a helmet while riding the bike. First, your safety. Secondly, fines - from 400 baht (for driving without a helmet, for the rights of the wrong category). From personal experience, I will say that if you suddenly have an accident or are stopped by the police on the road, then you will always be to blame (even if it is not so).

Entertainment and excursions in Pattaya

If you are interested in parties and nightlife, then when choosing - Pattaya or Phuket? - choose the first. There are clubs, bars, interesting places - there is much more of this. And the excursion program! ..

The main point on the map of Pattaya attractions is Walking Street, or red light district. Here they show 18+ shows, at every corner of the disco with different music (we even got to the Indian one). It is interesting to take a walk at least once, to look at the other side of the city life. Now Pattaya receives more restrained reviews, but earlier there was just debauchery and debauchery here.

Be sure to go for a Thai massage. You will not find anything like this in Russia! There are massage parlors in every area (from 100 baht per hour). After the plane, we always run for a full body massage, but in general we offer legs, neck, face massage.

Pattaya itself has many attractions. Of all, I advise you to go:

• to the Temple of Truth by tuk-tuk or excursion for 500 baht,
• to Nong Nooch park (500 baht),
• Khao Kheow zoo (250 baht) to hand feed the giraffe,
• and Mini Siam Park (450 baht) to see all the sights of the world in one place.

I have been in all places and still remember, especially the giraffe!

Where to go from Pattaya?

For a two-day excursion to the River Kwai, I am ready to return to Pattaya every year! First, the ascent to the 7-level Erawan waterfall (I climbed there twice, and always a child's delight). Secondly, skiing in different provinces, the life of ordinary Thais is not in resort cities. And most importantly, relaxation on the River Kwai - all the time then I remember this heavenly place.
Price per person in street offices: from 1,600 baht (3,600 rubles). Believe me, the price is justified!

I put an excursion to Bangkok in second place. A noisy, interesting, beautiful, sometimes dirty capital that will surprise you with the contrast of its streets. I advise you to take a group excursion "Dangerous Bangkok" (differently called everywhere) to see the city from different angles. Nothing dangerous, just such places you yourself will not find: the Chinese market, the Arab quarter, the slums of the capital.
Price: from 3000 baht (6800 rubles).

If the island of Ko Lan was not enough, then I recommend taking an excursion to other islands in Thailand, for example, to Princess Island. Such local Maldives.
Price: from 1,700 baht (3,800 rubles).

All excursions are usually taken on the street, it is cheaper here. Every second person speaks Russian.Reviews about excursions in Pattaya, unlike other resort moments, are only positive.

Pros and cons of Pattaya

To the question "is it worth going on vacation to Pattaya?" I answer unequivocally yes.

+ Quiet areas for families, nightlife for hanging out with friends and island honeymoon adventures can be found here.

+ A big plus is that the infrastructure is excellent here, and everything is done for the comfort of tourists. And judging by the reviews of tourists about their holidays in Pattaya in 2020, the authorities are improving the city more and more.

+ Pattaya is located on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, so there are no big waves on the water (as, for example, on some beaches in Phuket). In the high season, the bay is so warm that you don't even feel the difference between the air and water temperatures.

+ For exploring Asia, this is a universal option, since Pattaya is not too expensive. For one day of beach holidays in January 1919, I needed 15-20 dollars a day for food, transport and entertainment. The average budget for 10 days of rest is from $ 300 per person. (apart from the tour, of course).

- Of the minuses, I will single out garbage (and even then not everywhere) and muddy water on the central beaches.

I like that there is no theft here - the locals believe in karma. Each Thai will smile at you just like that, and no one will ever refuse help. In Pattaya, there is always some kind of holiday atmosphere, which I personally want to return to 🙂