Planning a trip to Hua Hin? Here is an ultimate guide to help you make the most out of your trip. In this article, you will find useful information about some of the most interesting places in the city, the best things to do, how to arrive, how to get around with ease, and where to stay.
The Ultimate Hua Hin Travel Guide
Three hours away from Bangkok is the city of Hua Hin, a resort city that was once a holiday destination in the 1920s for the royal families and elites of Thailand. Ever since then, Hua Hin has developed into one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the country. This is an ideal destination for persons who wish to unwind in a more laid-back and secluded destination.
The Most Interesting Places to Visit in Hua Hin
These are some of the most visited places in Hua Hin, they promise lots of fun, adventure, and excitement.
⦁ Visit the Art’s Sake Museum
This is a must-see 4D art museum and the first of its kind. It is a museum that caters to persons of all ages. Here, you will find a collection of sculptures, art installations, and fun murals. These artworks are in 4d and seem to come to life. To feel like a part of an artwork at this spot, all you have to do is assume any position of your choice and take a photograph. You can either become a part of an artwork in the horror zone or at the section with a live-looking piano.
⦁ Have Fun at the Black Mountain Water Park
Although there are several beautiful beaches in Hua Hin, the Black Mountain Water Park remains a must-visit destination you’d not want to miss whenever you visit this city. This waterpark has a total of six pools and nine slides which includes a straight double-drop and a vertical slider tower 17 meters high.
The giant pool is where you, your family, or your friends can indulge in water games. Or, you can either choose to chill in the lazy river or dip in Thailand’s biggest wave pool. Either of these activities is bound to bring endless smiles to your face and lots of excitement.
⦁ Explore the Santorini Park
This destination is located just 15 minutes away from Cha Am. It is a themed attraction and shopping village. The name itself is self-explanatory and says a lot. Unlike the real Santorini on the Greek island, this replica lacks the sweeping views of the ocean. Aside from that, this theme park does quite a great job of bringing the picturesque Greek Island to life in the city of Hua Hin.
Whitewashed structures line up in rows and on streets paved with stones, they consist of souvenir stores, shops, and café. Here, you can find an amusement park with adrenaline rides for all ages, a carousel, and a Ferris wheel. You can also find an outdoor space for performance.
⦁ Wat Ampharam
Located at Hua Hin Central is a small but famous Buddhist temple called Wat Ampharam. Compared to other temples around the country, Wat Ampharam is less impressive. However, it remains an important figure in the city and is also one of the main attractions of the city.
⦁ The Hua Hin Night Market
As the name implies, this market comes to life at sundown and is often filled with stalls offering lots of cheap items from clothing to seafood, dessert, accessories, and more. Just as it is with the majority of night markets in the country, the cost of goods and services tends to inflate by 100%. When visiting the Hua Hin night market, do not forget to exercise some bargaining skills.
⦁ The Hua Hin Railway Station
This is the oldest railway station in Thailand. It is picturesque, quaint, and situated in the western part of Hua Hin Central. This destination is serene, scenic, and ideal for making wonderful memories and taking photographs.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Hua Hin?
With Hua Hin being an elegant and romantic getaway destination, the majority of the best things to do here are mostly related to seaside activities and are tailor-made for families. Whenever you find yourself in Hua Hin, here are some of the best things you can indulge in.
⦁ Unwind at Khao Takiab Beach and Hill
Below Khao Takiab hill is a stretch of beautiful beach. At the top of the hill is an impressive view of the area. In this area, you will find some of the best seafood restaurants in Hua Hin. Also, here is the home to some of the most beautiful temples in the city.
Locally known as the “Monkey Mountain”, Khao Takiab hill is home to lots of rogue macaques. Exploring this region can be fun, however, you should hold on to your belongings to prevent them from being stolen by these monkeys.
⦁ Shop at One of the Biggest Night Markets in the Region
The night market in question is the cicada market. It comes to life only at sundown and during the weekends and is focused on arts and crafts. The Cicada market is quite popular among tourists and locals and is divided into four different sections; Art la mode – an area for handmade items; Amphitheatre – an outdoor area that’s only meant for live performances and entertainment; Cicada Art Factory – an area that’s only meant for art and crafts; Cicada Cuisine -an area that’s only meant for food. Here, you will a handful of international and Thai restaurants.
⦁ Chill at Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the country. This area is a part of history. In the past, it used to be a villa for the royal family. It has a distance of about 13 km and begins from Khao Takiab Mountain to Hua HIn Tunnel. Hua Hin Beach is clean and has clear waters and fine sand which makes it suitable for swimming and other beachside activities like horse riding, building a sand castle, beachside sports, and many more. This beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in this region.
Being a destination with a handful of luxurious resorts, it is often crowded with tourists and locals during the high season. To get away from the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet, one will have to head over to the southern part of the beach.
How to Reach Hua Hin from Bangkok
There are lots of available transportation options can choose from when traveling to this seaside resort. However, the best way to reach Hua Hin depends on the level of comfort you want, your budget, and where you are traveling from. If you find yourself in Bangkok and traveling as a family with lots of heavy luggage, the most comfortable and quickest option is to travel by a private transfer or taxi. If you just landed at the Suvarnabhumi airport, another convenient and comfortable option is the VIP bus that’s stationed at the airport. If you are traveling alone and love the thrill of slow travel, then boarding a train from Bangkok is an ideal option.
⦁ Traveling by Train
This is a fun transportation option, especially when it is your first time using the Thai rail service. The famous and historic Hua Hin railway station will be your arrival point when journeying by train. This railway station is conveniently located at the heart of the city center with proximity to the beach. Boarding a train from Bangkok to Hua Hin when traveling solo is a good value for money although it takes longer arrival time.
⦁ Traveling by Bus
Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal is where the majority of the buses in the Thai capital depart from. It takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to arrive at Hua Hin. An alternative to the Southern Bus Terminal is Mo Chit, however, the buses leaving here are less frequent. Journeying with these buses is comfortable and convenient as they are mostly air-conditioned, spacious, and with fitting luggage compartments. It cost as much as 160 Thai Baht to arrive at Hua Hin from Bangkok by bus. The major bus station in Hua Hin is Soi 96/1, however, expect your bus to stop at the Clocktower if your final destination is central Hua Hin.
⦁ Traveling by Flights
The most popular airlines for traveling to Hua Hin from Bangkok via the Suvarnabhumi airport are VietJet Air, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile, Nok Air, and Thai AirAsia. There are about 28 direct flights per week en route to Hua Hin District from Bangkok.
How to Get Around Hua Hin with Ease
Because Hua Hin is a small enough beach town, it is quite easy to get around. Here are some of the best transportation options for getting around Hua Hn.
⦁ Tuks Tuks
Just as it is with other parts of the country, tuk-tuks can also be seen in Hua Hin. They can be easily spotted around the beach, tourist-like spots, and the town center. Tuk tuks are also perfect for navigating around narrow roads that may seem challenging for buses and cars. If you decide to commute to other nearby destinations in tuk tuks, the costs are understandably higher, however, do not forget to negotiate before zooming off.
⦁ Motorbike Taxi
When it comes to transportation in Hua Hin, motorbike taxis are among the most common options. They are great for passing through the narrow lanes in the city, and they also provide a thrilling experience. At the street corners of Hua Hin, you can find a pack of motorbike taxis with riders wearing vests with very bright colors.
⦁ Samlor
This transportation option is mostly found near the railway station in Hua Hin. This Thai-style rickshaw is usually peddled by men of older ages with years of experience in transporting people around the seaside resort.
⦁ Bicycles
A bicycle is an excellent way of getting around Hua Hin. There are a handful of rental spots around town. Do not forget to ask for a helmet as riding in these without one can be extremely risky, and always ensure you check your surroundings when cycling. Also, do not forget to lock your bike whenever you pack it.
The Best Places to Stay in Hua Hin
In this section of this guide, we are going to dive into some of the best accommodation options in Hua Hin, from luxurious hotels and resorts to hostels, as well as the ideal neighborhoods according to your expectations.
⦁ Cha Am
This is a family-oriented neighborhood. It is located north of Hua Hin Central and has the reputation for being the home to one of the best beaches in this region. The beach in question is large, sandy, and family oriented, likewise the resorts within this area. Also, it is not often crowded which makes it ideal for a quiet experience.
Unlike some other destinations, Cha Am lacks behind in terms of nightlife, and the majority of the restaurants belong to the hotels and resorts in this area. One of the perks of staying in Cha Am is the unlimited access to seafood best served along the beach, this is because the major industry in Cha Am is fishing. So, if you’d want to learn a thing or two about fishing, Cha Am is where you’d want to be.
Ranging from the cheapest to the most luxurious, here are some of the best accommodation options in Cha Am.
Magic House Hostel
Bluemoon⦁ Hotel
Sun Marina Cha Am
Raya Resort Cha Am
So Sofitel Hua ⦁ Hin
⦁ Hua Hin Central
Planning to indulge in the nightlife scenes of Hua Hin? Then Hua Hin central is where you’d want to stay. Here, you will find lots of accommodation options including budget-friendly and family-friendly options. This is an ideal neighborhood for persons who want more than just beachside activities and are yearning for more bars, night markets, restaurants, and temples. Hua Hin Beach isn’t far from Hua Hin Central, and there you can find a wide range of beachfront hotels.
Ranging from the cheapest to the most luxurious, here are some of the best accommodation options in Hua Hin Central.
Hua ⦁ Hin⦁ Night Market Hostel
Thipurai⦁ City Hotel
City Beach Resort
Hub Hua ⦁ Hin
Hilton Hua ⦁ Hin⦁ Resort ⦁ &⦁ Spa
⦁ Bo Fai
This is an ideal travel destination for tourists in the city of Hua Hin. Not far from Hua Hin Central, this region is oriented in the traditional Thai style and is largely residential. It is an ideal neighborhood for persons who want to rent a home in Hua Hin, probably for long stays. Also, one can find high-end hotels and resorts here. The nightlife and dining scenes in Bo Fai are fairly robust. There are also local golf courses in this area which makes it popular among golfers.
Ranging from the cheapest to the most luxurious, here are some of the best accommodation options in Bo Fai.
Bankaina
Royal Beach Guest House
The Hideaway Resort
Art De Sea Hua ⦁ Hin
Anantara⦁ Hua ⦁ Hin⦁ Resort
Conclusion
Hua Hin is arguably among the nicest places one can visit in Thailand, and as such, it should be on the list of places you’d love to visit during your next vacation or tourism expenditure. Irrespective of the large presence of ex-pats and backpackers, the culture remains untainted which makes it ideal for backpackers looking to experience authentic Thai culture.
