On arrival in Phuket
My trip to Phuket was short, literally 24 hours and pretty much at the last minute… but this shows it can be done! While I am all for spontaneous travel, book your hostel early if you can., especially in high season. Some hostels have a car service that offers transportation from the airport. So if you can book in advance, this can be arranged. Most hostels are relatively cheap. I got a private room for about $10, and it was a short walk to the beach. This brings me to the first thing I should do in Phuket: grab a beer, have lunch and head straight to the beach.
The Beach
Phuket Beach is famous, and with good reason…but with popularity comes crowded beaches! You may or may not be able to snag a chair or two to tan, but you may not; it depends on the time of year.
Get Pampered
Pamper yourself before heading back to your hostel or other accommodation, and be sure to find a spot for a massage, manicure and pedicure. Many salons offer red claws, or “doctor fish,” tiny fish that nibble at the dead skin on your feet. Although there has been much literature in recent years on whether or not this is safe and ethical. My suggestion: research Furthermore, decide for yourself.
Get a Proper Dinner
Get an authentic Thai dinner. If you are in Thailand, I urge you, do not just go to tourist restaurants! One of my favorite things about traveling is trying the local food and really getting to sample what those flavors are. I highly recommend it. Look for places where the locals go and sample Thai street food. Night markets are where they are – the food is fresh, and most items are under $1! From mushroom soup to sticky rice, mango, fresh crab and lime… there are so many delicious options that you cannot miss!
Party the night away
This is optional, however… I know many people backpacking around Thailand looking for a fun party at the backpacker bars. While I usually tend to hit the local spots rather than the backpacker bars, sometimes drinks are ok. You will find it!
Overall
General, there you have it, folks! It is 24 hours in Phuket, Thailand. If you are curious about where I went after that, Phi Phi called. Like the hostel staff in the morning to report that the bus was here and I was still in my pajamas.
I fell asleep until my alarm clock and had not packed again, so I quickly threw everything in my bag and hopped on the bus that would take me to the boat to Phi Phi. Sometimes it is better to do what I say than what I do. 😉 While Phuket (particularly Patong) tends to be more touristy and a party hub, this might be your thing for those looking to have a good time! Without trying to sound too negative, westerners mostly took over, and they did not. It does not give me the best first impression of Thailand.
While there are beautiful beaches, they are packed with tourists. Twenty-four hours in Phuket was more than enough for me.
