Phuket

Good to know

1. 1Phuket grew rich on tin mining and rubber, and many Chinese traders settled here. Their influence is still clear in Phuket Old Town, with its Sino-Portuguese shophouses in pastel colours.
2. 2Patong is the busiest beach, with nightlife and crowds, while beaches like Kata, Karon and Nai Harn are calmer. The northwest and west coasts have quieter stretches too.
3. 3Southern Thai food here is hotter and more pungent than central Thai cooking. Dishes such as moo hong, a slow-braised pork belly, and fresh seafood show the local style.
4. 4The Big Buddha sits on a hilltop in the south and can be seen from far around. Wat Chalong is the best known of the island's temples.
5. 5Phuket has a long-running Vegetarian Festival each autumn, a Chinese-influenced Taoist event with street processions and plenty of meatless food.
6. 6The language is Thai, and the money is the Thai baht. English is widely understood in tourist areas, but a few Thai words will always be appreciated.

Tips for a first visit

• Distances on the island are larger than they look on a map, so pick a base near the beach and the atmosphere you want rather than expecting to hop between coasts quickly.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps are common, but public transport is limited. Many visitors rent a scooter, though you should only do so if you are experienced and have the right licence and insurance.
• Carry some cash for markets, small restaurants and local transport, since cards are not accepted everywhere. ATMs are easy to find in the main resort areas.
• Swimming conditions change with the season, and some west-coast beaches have strong currents. Pay attention to the flags and signs posted on the sand.
• Dress modestly when visiting temples, with shoulders and knees covered, and take your shoes off before entering any building where others have.
• Try the night markets and small local restaurants away from the beach roads, where the food is usually better and cheaper than in the tourist strips.

When to go

The dry, sunnier months run from about November to April, with calm seas and the best beach weather. Hot, humid weather peaks around March and April. From roughly May to October the monsoon brings rain and rougher seas on the west coast, but it is greener and quieter, and the rain often comes in showers rather than all day.

From the airport

Phuket International Airport is in the north of the island, and the centre and beaches lie a fair way south. Options include taxis, pre-booked private transfers, minivans and an airport bus to Phuket Town. Depending on traffic and where you are staying, the trip usually takes somewhere between 30 minutes and a bit over an hour.