Pattaya is appx. 150 kms from Bangkok and a 90 minute drive on the motorway. You can hire a metered taxi which shall charge appx. THB 800-900 for a one way trip. If you opt for a limo it shall cost you about THB 1500-1800. You must insist on using the motorway which is safer & quicker. You shall be required to shell out an extra THB 100 for the toll.
In Pattaya, choose a hotel in North Pattaya close to the beach road. There are several cheap & luxury accommodations available here (you can get attractive hotel accommodation on http://www.wired-destinations.com/ ). In north Pattaya there are mini truck type taxis plying in a circular route between the main beach road and the 2nd road (appx 5-6 kms circuit covering the hub of all activities in Pattaya). You can just waive any cab moving and hop in and pay THB 5 per person and get down wherever you want on this route. Just press the bell over your head in the van when you want it to stop. Do not ask them for fares, just hand them the exact change. If you ask, you shall end up paying much more.
Pattaya is a heaven for a water sport enthusiast. You can ride a Jet Ski, Speedboat and do parasailing for a measly THB 600-750 for a ride of 30 minutes. In Mumbai & Goa you are required to fork out Rs. 900-1000 for a 10 minute ride. Again bargaining is a must here. Water sports are better and cheaper in the Jomtien area. A taxi ride to Jomtien from north pattaya shall be appx. THB 100.
Shopping in Pattaya is best avoidable as the prices are very high compared to Bangkok. But if you are an ardent shopper you can consider Lotus Tesco or a Big C in the North Pattaya or their branches at Sukhumvit near Jomtien area. Next to Lotus at Sukhumvit is the Factory outlet mall where you can get the big brands at very reasonable rates. If you wish to renew your wardrobe, this is the place.
Food: There are several eateries all over Pattaya catering to every palate. There is no dearth of fast food joints which also serve vegetarian dishes. There is a small Chinese restaurant on the main beach road near the walking street. On the looks it is not very appealing, but the food here is excellent and very reasonable. You can get a good variety of vegetarian dishes as well. If you are a vegetarian, insist on food without fish oil or oyster sauce. You can try roasted Sweet potatoes, Yam, Corn available on the roadside, they are nice and tasty. You must try Rambutan a local fruit like lychees. It is very sweet and juicy. If you travel to Jomtien beach area, there are several restaurants serving good continental food. (Jomtien area becomes dead after sunset)
Nightlife: In the evenings, a few drinks at the several open air bars dotting the beach road can add to the de-stressing experience. The drinks here are affordable and you can also expect some excellent starters. If you a beer lover, try the local beer – Singa and Chang. If you take my advice, avoid the GO-GO bars in Thailand. They are a rip off and shall leave you poorer by a few thousand bahts. Walking street is a great fun to take a walk in the evening.
Coral Island: A trip to Pattaya is incomplete without a day trip to Coral Island. A 45 minute boat ride brings you to a pristine island with white sand beaches and blue waters. Here you are taken in a glass bottom boat to see the beautiful corals. You can also indulge in water sports like Jet Ski, Banana boat ride, parasailing etc. The tour to Coral Island is inclusive of lunch so take care to inform the tour operator of your preference for a vegetarian meal. You can also opt for a under sea walking on your way to Coral Islands. You have to inform this to your tour operator in advance if you intend to do under sea walking. I advise that you must try this. Anyone can do this as it is absolutely safe and even if you do not know swimming, no problem. There are trained divers and several people on the sea bed waiting to guide and help you. You are first given a helmet type of head gear which is your source of oxygen and then you are lowered 25-30 meters in the sea from the anchored boat. Once you are down, there are several guides waiting to take you for a under sea walk. He will make you kneel and give you a piece of bread to hold. The moment you hold the bread aloft, lo and behold! You shall be surrounded by most beautiful fishes trying to take bite off the bread in your hand. The experience is truly worth experiencing. You shall also see some beautiful corals and under sea life, something you shall not forget in a hurry. Though you may find the charge of appx. THB 2000-2500 per person a tad high for this experience, but take my word, it’s worth every penny. You may be required to fork out 10 times this amount for a similar experience in man made aquariums in Europe & USA.
Sight Seeing: Thai government advertises for many sightseeing tours in Pattaya like trip to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Sanctuary of Truth with an added attraction of swimming with the dolphins, visit to the Crocodile park, Tiger Zoo, Elephant treks & the Ocenarium etc. If you have been to the Rose garden in Bangkok you need not visit Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. The Sanctuary of Truth is the largest construction of hand carved wood. Its being built since last 25 years and may take another 15 years to be completed. To attract visitors an attraction of a swim with the dolphins is added. The water pond where dolphins are kept is dirty and you will not feel like even dipping your feet in it. The visit to this place is not really worth it. If you have kids traveling with you you may visit the crocodile park & tiger zoo and get yourself clicked with the animals. The oceanarium (a giant aquarium with beautiful collection of fishes) has a lovely collection of undersea life and worth a visit. However, if you are also visiting Singapore, you can skip this as the zoo & ocenarioums in Singapore are much better.
In Pattaya, choose a hotel in North Pattaya close to the beach road. There are several cheap & luxury accommodations available here (you can get attractive hotel accommodation on http://www.wired-destinations.com/ ). In north Pattaya there are mini truck type taxis plying in a circular route between the main beach road and the 2nd road (appx 5-6 kms circuit covering the hub of all activities in Pattaya). You can just waive any cab moving and hop in and pay THB 5 per person and get down wherever you want on this route. Just press the bell over your head in the van when you want it to stop. Do not ask them for fares, just hand them the exact change. If you ask, you shall end up paying much more.
Pattaya is a heaven for a water sport enthusiast. You can ride a Jet Ski, Speedboat and do parasailing for a measly THB 600-750 for a ride of 30 minutes. In Mumbai & Goa you are required to fork out Rs. 900-1000 for a 10 minute ride. Again bargaining is a must here. Water sports are better and cheaper in the Jomtien area. A taxi ride to Jomtien from north pattaya shall be appx. THB 100.
Shopping in Pattaya is best avoidable as the prices are very high compared to Bangkok. But if you are an ardent shopper you can consider Lotus Tesco or a Big C in the North Pattaya or their branches at Sukhumvit near Jomtien area. Next to Lotus at Sukhumvit is the Factory outlet mall where you can get the big brands at very reasonable rates. If you wish to renew your wardrobe, this is the place.
Food: There are several eateries all over Pattaya catering to every palate. There is no dearth of fast food joints which also serve vegetarian dishes. There is a small Chinese restaurant on the main beach road near the walking street. On the looks it is not very appealing, but the food here is excellent and very reasonable. You can get a good variety of vegetarian dishes as well. If you are a vegetarian, insist on food without fish oil or oyster sauce. You can try roasted Sweet potatoes, Yam, Corn available on the roadside, they are nice and tasty. You must try Rambutan a local fruit like lychees. It is very sweet and juicy. If you travel to Jomtien beach area, there are several restaurants serving good continental food. (Jomtien area becomes dead after sunset)
Nightlife: In the evenings, a few drinks at the several open air bars dotting the beach road can add to the de-stressing experience. The drinks here are affordable and you can also expect some excellent starters. If you a beer lover, try the local beer – Singa and Chang. If you take my advice, avoid the GO-GO bars in Thailand. They are a rip off and shall leave you poorer by a few thousand bahts. Walking street is a great fun to take a walk in the evening.
Coral Island: A trip to Pattaya is incomplete without a day trip to Coral Island. A 45 minute boat ride brings you to a pristine island with white sand beaches and blue waters. Here you are taken in a glass bottom boat to see the beautiful corals. You can also indulge in water sports like Jet Ski, Banana boat ride, parasailing etc. The tour to Coral Island is inclusive of lunch so take care to inform the tour operator of your preference for a vegetarian meal. You can also opt for a under sea walking on your way to Coral Islands. You have to inform this to your tour operator in advance if you intend to do under sea walking. I advise that you must try this. Anyone can do this as it is absolutely safe and even if you do not know swimming, no problem. There are trained divers and several people on the sea bed waiting to guide and help you. You are first given a helmet type of head gear which is your source of oxygen and then you are lowered 25-30 meters in the sea from the anchored boat. Once you are down, there are several guides waiting to take you for a under sea walk. He will make you kneel and give you a piece of bread to hold. The moment you hold the bread aloft, lo and behold! You shall be surrounded by most beautiful fishes trying to take bite off the bread in your hand. The experience is truly worth experiencing. You shall also see some beautiful corals and under sea life, something you shall not forget in a hurry. Though you may find the charge of appx. THB 2000-2500 per person a tad high for this experience, but take my word, it’s worth every penny. You may be required to fork out 10 times this amount for a similar experience in man made aquariums in Europe & USA.
Sight Seeing: Thai government advertises for many sightseeing tours in Pattaya like trip to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Sanctuary of Truth with an added attraction of swimming with the dolphins, visit to the Crocodile park, Tiger Zoo, Elephant treks & the Ocenarium etc. If you have been to the Rose garden in Bangkok you need not visit Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. The Sanctuary of Truth is the largest construction of hand carved wood. Its being built since last 25 years and may take another 15 years to be completed. To attract visitors an attraction of a swim with the dolphins is added. The water pond where dolphins are kept is dirty and you will not feel like even dipping your feet in it. The visit to this place is not really worth it. If you have kids traveling with you you may visit the crocodile park & tiger zoo and get yourself clicked with the animals. The oceanarium (a giant aquarium with beautiful collection of fishes) has a lovely collection of undersea life and worth a visit. However, if you are also visiting Singapore, you can skip this as the zoo & ocenarioums in Singapore are much better.
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