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Ratchaburi travel guide
Guide me around Ratchaburi
Searching for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the big city? Consider taking a trip to Ratchaburi, a charming town near Bangkok that’s surrounded by nature and local culture. While the scenic provincial town itself offers tasty food and a walk through charming streets, its surroundings provide you with fascinating caves and mountain ranges, a bustling floating market, and picturesque viewpoints and temples. Let’s discover this little gem together.
Not yet sure where to travel after Ratchaburi?
famous markets in Ratchaburi
Famous markets
Phuket is well-known for its stunning beaches with crystal-clear emerald water. Whether you’re looking for spending quality time with your family, relaxing in luxury beach bars, getting away from the crowds, or partying all day and night, Phuket offers them all with its big variety.
Phuket has a variety of beaches to suit different styles and preferences. Below are some of the most popular beaches, but keep in mind that there are also hidden gems worth exploring, so be sure to ask the locals for recommendations.
- Hat Patong Beach (popular for water sports, parties, and tourist activities)
- Kata Beach (popular for white sand, bars, and snorkeling)
- Kata Noi Beach (popular for families, white sand, and snorkeling)
- Karon Beach (popular for families, water sports, and bars)
- Kamala Beach (popular for families, water sports, and bars)
- Hat Surin Beach (popular for street food, family-friendly atmosphere, and white sand)
- Hat Mai Kao Beach (popular for its natural scenery and white sand)
- Hat Nai Harn Beach (popular for families, water sports, and a small beach environment)
- Hat Leam Sing Beach (popular for bars, white sand, and sunbeds)
- Hat Nai Thon Beach (popular for families and a peaceful environment)
- Paradise Beach (requires an entry fee, popular for water sports and beach clubs)
- Freedom Beach (accessible by jungle trekking or jeep taxi, popular for natural scenery, white sand, and a quiet atmosphere)
If you rent a scooter, you can also do a beach-hopping tour and explore multiple beaches in one day.
Khang Khao Cave near Ratchaburi
Khang Khao Cave
As soon as the sun sets, you can witness a spectacular scene of nature at Khang Khao Cave. Visitors from all over the world gather to watch a seemingly endless dark line of 4 million chirping wrinkle-lipped bats flying out of the cave in search of food in the nearby orchards. You can take a tuk-tuk to the cave, which is 24 km away, and arrive around 5 PM to enjoy the show. A tasty snack from the surrounding street food vendors goes well with the spectacle.
Khao Ngu Park in Ratchaburi
Khao Ngu Park
Khao Mgu Stone Park, which translates to ’snake mountain‘ in Thai, can be easily identified by a giant cobra fountain at its entrance. This park offers a serene environment with bridges and trails that wind through a series of limestone mountains and lakes, where you can spot various wildlife such as monkeys, kingfishers, turtles, and fish. Once you reach the end of the path, you will find a small gazebo with a beautiful view.
To make the most of your experience, it’s recommended to visit Khao Mgu Stone Park at around 3 PM so that you can also attend the evening spectacle at Khang Khao Bat Cave, which begins at 5 PM.
If you’re feeling hungry, there are several restaurants near the parking lot of the park that offer stunning views over the water. Tuk-tuks are available to take you to the park from Ratchaburi; however, it’s important to negotiate the fare before you board.
best temple to visit in Ratchaburi
wat nong hoi
A big and friendly 16-meter-tall Buddha is overseeing the area of Ratchaburi province. Take a tuk-tuk to the Wat Nong Hoi Temple complex (12km from Ratchaburi) to admire a spectacular view from the top of the mountain. Breathe in, feel the fresh air, and enjoy the tranquility of this special place. The temple is open from 7 AM to 5 PM. Taxis to the mountain top are also available. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a regular bus from the market in front of the Government Saving Bank in Ratchaburi.
transportation tips for Ratchaburi
getting around
To get to Ratchaburi, you can take a bus from Bangkok, which runs frequently. If you need to head back to Bangkok, you can catch a regular bus from Numsin Hotel. The main bus terminal is located outside the town on the ring road, to the west of the city center. To explore Ratchaburi itself, you can use tuk-tuks or motorcycle taxis, but be sure to agree on the fare before you board. If you want to go on a tour of the surrounding areas, such as a night tour of the bat cave, you can book through travel agencies or hotels in Ratchaburi or Bangkok.