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A Muslim-Friendly Guide To Planning Your Incredible Krabi Getaway

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Atiqah Mokhtar •  Dec 11, 2019

[Updated 8 Jan 2020]

Ahh, Krabi. Located along the southwestern coast of Thailand, this province is known for its gorgeous beaches, lush scenery and chill vibes, making it the perfect spot for a beach retreat.

Credit: Giphy

In addition, Krabi’s large Muslim community means finding halal food and other Muslim-friendly amenities is a breeze! For that, it remains a favourite beach destination for many Muslim travellers. Whether you’re going for the first time or planning a repeat trip, Krabi is always a great idea! To help you out, we’ll break down all you need to know to plan your perfect Krabi getaway.

It’s important to note that weather-wise, the best time to visit Krabi is between the months of December to March when it’s dry but cooler than the mid-year months. But it also means tourists flock around this time, which can often bump up prices for flights and hotels! If you’re planning to have that awesome beach retreat to Krabi, save on costs with ShopBack by enjoying Cashback when booking your flights, accommodation, transport, activities and more.

The Cashback you earn can quickly add up as you book all the different elements for your trip - you can earn more than SGD100 in Cashback when booking a 4D3N getaway to Krabi for two! Sounds like the perfect excuse to book your getaway ? Read until the end for a quick guide on how ShopBack works and how to get those Cashback!

1. Getting to Krabi

Krabi is only about 1.5 hours away from Singapore and KL by flight, with a route that’s serviced by AirAsia and Scoot. The cheaper flights with low-cost carriers mean you can budget more for your accommodation and activities!

Flights typically cost anywhere from SGD100 for a round trip, going up to SGD300 or more during the peak year-end period. This is where Cashback can really come in handy! If you’re booking your flight through platforms such as Traveloka, Booking.com, Expedia or Trip.Com, enjoy up to 2.5% Cashback when you do it via ShopBack. If you’re a DBS/POSB cardholder, get an additional 5% Cashback (capped at SGD30) when booking with Traveloka via ShopBack (find out more about the DBS/POSB exclusive Cashback at the end of the article under the “How ShopBack works” section!).

Estimated flight cost for 2 pax: SGD658.36

Traveloka 1% Cashback: SGD6.58

DBS Additional 5% Cashback (capped at $30): SGD30

Total Cashback:SGD36.58

2. Choosing where to stay

There are a few key areas around Krabi that are great options in terms of where to stay.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is the main tourist area in Krabi and is the go-to option for many visitors given that amenities are easily accessible - there’s a main street filled with eateries, a mall, tour operators and facilities such as money-changers and more. In addition, it’s a lively area, filled with night markets and small stores that make it a fun spot to stroll around. There’s an endless array of accommodations available, ranging from hostels to hotels which means there’s something to suit everyone’s budget. In addition, Ao Nang is at the centre of Krabi’s Muslim community, with a mosque located on the main street and plenty of halal eateries in the immediate vicinity, so it’s a great choice for Muslim travellers.

Credit: @blondsmientje on Instagram

In fact, you’ll even find a couple of Muslim-friendly accommodations! Ao Nang Phu Phi Maan Resort & Spa and Ban Sainai Resort are both resorts located in the area that provide halal food on its premises and are alcohol-free establishments. For more ideas on where to stay in Ao Nang, check this out!

P.S. Book your Krabi resort through Agoda via ShopBack and earn 6% Cashback!

Estimated accommodation cost: SGD531 for 3 nights

Agoda 6% cashback: SGD31.86

Krabi Town

If Ao Nang is the main tourist area, Krabi Town is where you go for a slice of local life. It’s the capital of the province, and here you’ll find local wet markets, supermarkets, banks and other facilities that service the locals’ day-to-day lives. Accommodations aren’t as plentiful as in Ao Nang, but you’ll find a decent selection to choose from. In addition, there are a handful of halal restaurants, so if you’re looking for a more laid-back area of Krabi to stay in, this might be the choice for you!

#HHWT Tip: Krabi Town doesn’t have beaches, so you’ll have to head to Ao Nang, Klong Muang or go to the nearby islands to get your beach time.

Klong Muang

Credit: @alex.tiuca on Instagram

If you’re looking for something a little extra special for a honeymoon, romantic getaway or similar trip, your best bet is to look for a resort in the Klong Muang area! The coastline is dotted with luxurious resorts that offer a more serene getaway, away from the hustle and bustle of town. If you’re looking to spend time mostly lazing in your resort, this would be a great choice!

3. See Krabi’s stunning beaches and islands

Credit: @witchiez on Instagram

Krabi is located on the mainland, but did you know it’s also home to about 150 islands including the famous Koh Phi Phi and James Bond Island? No trip to Krabi is complete without seeing its spectacular beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Day trips to Phi Phi Islands is a super popular excursion for visitors. Spend the day snorkelling and also visiting some iconic beaches that have become famous after appearing in movies, such as Maya Beach. Another popular day trip it the 4 Islands tour, which covers Koh Poda, Koh Gai, Koh Tub and Koh Mor.

Credit: @gleisse_na_estrada on Instagram

In terms of the mainland, Railay Beach is often a must-visit spot. Despite being on the mainland, Railay Beach (which is actually a peninsula with four beaches) is only accessible by boat (as its surrounding area filled with limestone cliffs means building roads aren’t an option). As such, it’s retained a distinct island feel and is often-rated one of Thailand’s best beach areas! While there are a few hotels located here, most visitors take day excursions to Railay Beach, where you enjoy the beautiful beaches and go rock-climbing on one of the many cliff faces.

Getting to these beaches and islands will require getting a boat to take you to these areas. While you’ll find plenty of tour operators near major beach areas in Ao Nang and Krabi Town, a more convenient option is to book your excursion through vendors like Klook and Viator which are usually inclusive of any park fees and even pick-up and drop-off from your hotel. In addition, if you book via ShopBack, you can enjoy up to 3.5% Cashback on any of the activities you book!

P.S. Viator is having an Upsized Cashback deal happening between now until 12 Jan 2020 with Cashback of 11% (usually 3%)!

Activities cost - Beach Tour: SGD76.04 for 2 pax

Viator 11% Upsized Cashback (6 - 12 Jan 2020):SGD8.36

4. Drive around the island and see Krabi’s other amazing sights

Krabi isn’t just about its beaches though. The province is actually home to some pretty amazing attractions that are calling to be explored.

Credit: @_aimihaziraaa on Instagram

One of these attractions is the famous Emerald Pool (also known as Crystal Pool), located about 1.5 hours drive away from Ao Nang. The natural freshwater pool has bluish-green waters that make for a picturesque swim! It costs THB200 (for foreigners, locals pay THB20) to enter, and the pool is only open from November to April every year. Make sure to do a trek (about 15 minutes) to Blue Pool, a brilliantly vibrant lagoon that’s a sight to behold - though do note that no swimming is allowed here as the water which is close to the geothermal source, is too hot!

#HHWT Tip: It can get pretty crowded at the pool, especially on weekends, so it’s best to visit earlier in the morning (it opens at 7.30am) if you want it to yourself!

Credit: @nairpranav92 on Instagram

Another unique attraction is Krabi’s very own hot springs! These thermal springs located in a jungle reserve have naturally carved out jacuzzi-like tubs into the rocks it flows over, making for the perfect spot for a relaxing dip. It’s located about 20 minutes away from Emerald Pool, so visiting both in one day is totally doable!

Credit: Vladimir E on Flickr

There isn’t public transport to get to these sights, so the best way is to book an excursion or charter a car (you can book either of these through platforms like Klook). Better yet, rent a car and drive yourself! Renting a car offers flexibility to explore at your leisure, plus Krabi is a beautiful place to drive around.

#HHWT Tip: Vehicles in Krabi are right-hand drive and drivers stick to the left side of the road, similar to Singapore and KL!

P.S. If you’re planning to rent a car in Krabi, earn 6% Cashback when you book with Rentalcars.com via ShopBack.

Rental car cost: SGD44.32 for 1 day

RentalCars.com 6% Cashback:SGD2.66

5. Indulge in delicious Thai food

No trip to Thailand is complete without savouring some delicious Thai food, right? And in Krabi, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Credit: @frankfathi on Instagram

There are many halal eateries in Krabi particularly in the Ao Nang area, though you’ll find places all throughout the island. Some places you can’t miss out include May & Zin Restaurant, Madina Halal Food and Arbadi Restaurant. Don’t forget to check out one of the many night markets in Krabi. You’ll find Muslim vendors (their stalls will usually have a halal sign) selling various foods including Muslim-friendly Thai snacks like kanom buang (Thai crispy pancakes), mango sticky rice, coconut ice cream and more.

For full details of the restaurants mentioned above and more Muslim-friendy eateries you can’t miss in Krabi, check this out!

6. Get your trip essentials (including insurance!)

Last but not least, have a worry-free vacation by making sure you get all your trip essentials beforehand! Here are some things to complete your vacation.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is always a must-have - it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially if you’ll be going for excursions or doing activities like snorkelling or rock-climbing while in Krabi. These days getting travel insurance is a breeze as you can buy it online, so choose your preferred insurer and get the plan that’s right for you!

For Singaporeans, you can earn up to SGD26 Cashback on your travel insurance if you purchase with AXA.

Travel insurance cost: SGD48.55 for 2 pax

AXA Cashback (capped at SGD26): SGD26

Travel SIM card

Getting a travel SIM card will also be handy to keep in touch with your loved ones. Plus, you can also post pictures of the incredible scenery on social media while you’re out on your excursions in beautiful Krabi ?

Cost of Travel SIM card: SGD6.45

Klook Cashback (3.0%):SGD0.19

Total Spend for the trip: SGD1,365

Total Cashback earned: SGD105.65

And there you have it! You are all set to book your Krabi getaway. Take advantage of the great weather Krabi is having now and start planning that trip! Don’t forget to check out the ShopBack deals happening so you can maximise your savings when booking your holiday ? Time to have an amazing beach retreat!

About ShopBack

Here’s a quick rundown of ShopBack and how you can earn Cashback!

What is ShopBack?

ShopBack is a platform that allows users to earn up to 30% Cashback every time they make an online purchase from 500+ stores like Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, foodpanda, Agoda & more. ShopBack is free to join and is available on desktop, app store, play store and on browser extension (i.e.ShopBack button).

How does ShopBack work?

  1. Sign up for an account on ShopBack.
  2. Select the brand or store you want to shop with from the ShopBack site or app (you’ll need to start from ShopBack to ensure your purchases are tracked!) and you’ll be redirected to the store’s website.
  3. Shop and complete your purchase in the same tab. Your purchase and Cashback will be processed and reflected in your ShopBack account.
  4. You pending Cashback will need to be validated by the store you purchased to ensure that no cancellation, return or exchange was made. This can take up to 3 months, depending on the merchant. Once validated, your pending Cashback will be added to your Available Balance.
  5. You will be able to request withdrawal into your bank account once you have accumulated the minimum Available Balance (SGD10 for Singaporean accounts), which can be paid out through online bank transfer or Paypal.

Upsized Cashback and DBS/POSB Exclusive

Many stores on ShopBack have promotions where upsized Cashback is offered for brief periods of time. The deals are reflected on the site as they happen, so do keep an eye out!

DBS/POSB Exclusive

Own a DBS/POSB card? Get up to an additional 20% Cashback* for your Travel, Fashion and Grocery spend. Participating brands include Singapore Airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Airbnb, Traveloka & more! Find out more here.

*T&Cs apply.

This article was brought to you by ShopBack