Koh Lipe Island - DESCRIPTION, LIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT

Ko Lipe - a remote island located in the south of Thailand, 20 km from the border with Malaysia. It is washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea in the Adang Ravi Archipelago - no longer a wild island, but an actively developing world resort.

Today, the island is part of the largest marine national park in all of Southeast Asia, Tarutao. The distance from the mainland is 70 km. The number of local residents hardly exceeds 800, they are sea gypsies, Chao Lei (Chao Lei) or Urak Lawoi (Urak Lavoi), who came to Thailand on the island of Lipa from Malaysia about 100 years ago.

Koh Lipe on the map of Thailand

Very often the name of the island is interpreted in different ways: Ko Lipe, Koh Lipe, Koh Lipe and Ko Lipei. At the beginning of the new century, since the 2000s, with the development of low-cost flights and sea connections, the island of Ko Lipe has become a truly popular tourist center, is also one of the protected islands, where tourists visiting Thailand can rest freely.

As for the island as a whole, activity there usually subsides by midnight. The main activities on Ko Lipa are trips to the islands of Tarutao National Park, diving, snorkeling, sea entertainment, fishing and of course beach activities.

It is worth considering that earlier on the island there were no ATMs, but now you can find ATMs on the street, next to the supermarket 7/11, as for the exchangers, they are almost at every step, but the rate is extremely unprofitable. Take care of this in advance by exchanging currency, for example in Bangkok.

Prices for food and drinks in stores, bars, restaurants are absolutely democratic. Find a restaurant where the cost of food will be very affordable, below 100 baht, is not difficult, most are directly on the beaches. In the stalls and stores on the island prices are no different from the mainland, within the price range of the 7/11 chain stores.

How to get to the island

There is no airport on the island; the nearest one is at Hat Yai. Several airlines fly from Suvarnabhumi: Nok Air, Tiger Air and Air Asia. Tickets cost from 1,200 baht.

Transportation routes 

Upon arrival at Hat Yai airport you can take a transfer service to the island, which includes a minivan ride to the pier (Pakbara), then the boat to the island of Ko Lipe. The cost of the service is 800 baht per person. The trip time is 1.5-2 hours from the airport to Pakbara pier, and tentatively about 2 hours to the island of Ko Lipe.

You can take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to Hat Yai. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal building. Travel time from Bangkok to Hat Yai, 10 - 11 hours. Ticket prices depend on class, from 700 baht for a seat in an air-conditioned bus.

Sea transport to Ko Lipe Island departs from the piers Pakbar and Hat Yao, which is on the mainland, also the resorts of Phuket, Phi Phi and Ko Lanta Island.

From Phuket, Krabi and other resorts can be reached by ship. The main carrier is the company Tigerline Travel. They provide good, fast ships.

Approximate cost of Tigerline Travel services:

• From resorts Phuket, Phi Phi, Ko Lanta from 1500 - 2000 baht;
• From the resorts of Ngai, Kradan and Ko Muk from 1000 - 1500 baht;
• From Hat Yao Marina in Trang, approx. 750 baht.

Keep in mind the high season, October to April. The rest of the time, ships to the island are much rarer.

Transportation

In general, the island is small, it is quite possible to get around on foot in a couple of hours. Therefore, there is no public transport. There are few cars on the island, mostly used as trucks.

But at any time you can use the services of local cabs (TAXI) - motorcycle with sidecar, which ply around the island, taking tourists from the beach to the beach.

You can rent a bicycle for 200 baht per day. A fairly popular means of transportation - boats, are also the main link with the neighboring uninhabited islands. You can rent them on shore.

Weather

The resort has a tropical climate. The year is conventionally divided into two seasons, the first of which is dry and the second is wet. From May to the end of November, there is a low, wet season. During this time, the weather on the islands is rather gloomy, it often rains. The second season is the dry season with little precipitation. It is this season that most tourists choose to travel to vacation in Thailand. During this time, the sea is quiet enough, the weather is not too hot, and against the backdrop of blooming nature you get beautiful pictures.

Housing

The island provides a decent choice of accommodation. You can stay in a bungalow, rent an apartment or rent a hotel room, costing from 500 baht, photo below. Rooms and bungalows with air conditioning and hot water on average - 1000 - 1200 baht per day. Such proposals enough even in the peak season, the beaches: Sunrise, Sunset, Pattaya and the central part of the island.

Prices for hotels on Ko Lipa vary depending on comfort and season. In order to get a good accommodation, it is better to decide in advance, booking a room or bungalow a month before your trip. Because, as a rule, by the high season prices go up significantly in 1.5 - 2 times. On average, a night in a decent hotel in the high season is from 1500 to 2000 baht.

Map of hotels in Ko Lipa 

In addition to the fact that you can stay in hotels for the duration of the holiday, local hotels, as a rule, offer a number of additional services. One of the most budget-friendly options for the traveler is a tent. Campgrounds are available on the island, mostly on Sunset Beach.

Beaches

The resort island consists of four major beaches: Pattaya, Karma, Sunset and Sunrise. All the beaches are connected by small paths, through which you can quickly get from one place to another. The island's smaller and more secluded beaches are Sanom Beach and Bila Beach.

Pattaya Beach

The main beach is Pattaya Beach. Located in the southern part of the island, is the most popular among tourists, in the form of a small size of a horseshoe. The coast along the entire length is covered with fine white sand, the sea is calm.

On a lively street Walking Street, not to be confused with the same name street Volkin Street resort of Pattaya, for which Thailand is so famous, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants with different cuisines.

Many establishments have Internet, and you can also pay by card.

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach, as its name implies, is the best place to see sunrises, and you can often find pictures of it on the Internet. In addition, the clear water makes this place almost ideal for snorkeling and diving.

There are budget and luxury luxury luxury hotels on the beach.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is a cozy cove where you can take great sunset photos and relax with a loved one. The coast is quiet and peaceful, and there are some interesting exotic restaurants along the way.

Karma Beach

The last of the major beaches on the island is Karma. In fact, it is just an extension of the previous beach, which stretches far to the north. The calm sea - you can swim with children, a quiet and comfortable environment and the best panorama on the entire island, against which you can take great photos.

The infrastructure of the beaches is constantly being improved, good hotels have been built, the Internet is available. Right on the beaches you can buy fresh products. However, at the same time, you will not find a wide variety of products. Try a variety of dishes of the national cuisine of Thailand, for which the country is so famous.

Ko Lipa is one of the best vacation spots that Thailand has given to the world. Good conditions for relaxation and beautiful landscapes are well suited to take the best photos to remember the paradise vacation.