Planning your first trip to Pattaya? This guide covers everything you need to know before you go and when you arrive, from getting the best hotel deals and exchange rates to when to visit and where to stay, how to get around, nightlife, the top things to do, and what not to do.
Pattaya in Brief
Located on Thailand’s eastern seaboard, Pattaya is a seaside city that was once a sleepy fishing village and rose to fame most notably as a nightlife destination after US troops used it for rest and recreation during the Vietnam War.
Modern-day Pattaya is vibrant and cosmopolitan tourist hub with an abundance of accommodation to suit every budget, a diverse choice of entertainment, world-class shopping malls, high-rise condos, and cuisine from every corner of the globe.
Pattaya’s famous nightlife scene is still thriving, even evolving, but the city is no longer a destination just for single men.
With its growing number of child-friendly hotels and numerous attractions and activities for families, Pattaya is a city that offers something for everyone.
Although Pattaya covers a fairly large area, including many miles of coastline, the central (downtown) area is only 2.20 kilometers from east to west and 3.30 kilometers from north to south.
Where to Stay
Central Pattaya has it all, including the best nightlife and shopping, and it’s easy to get around. Other places to stay in Pattaya include nearby beaches, some with hotels right on the beach, and each has its own unique vibe.
If you’re not certain where to stay, check out the hotels near the beach Pattaya Beach Road. It’s on the baht bus route and home to many bars, restaurants, and 2 popular shopping malls.
Hotel Booking
Book in advance, compare prices, and know which online hotel booking sites have the biggest discounts to get the best cheap hotel deals in Pattaya.
Travel Money
Bringing cash from home to exchange, using your bank debit and credit cards, plus travel money cards are all popular ways of obtaining and spending money on a vacation in Pattaya. Read this article about travel money in Pattaya for more information.
Getting to Pattaya
There are many cheap and convenient ways to get to Pattaya from Bangkok and the nearby airports, including local taxi services which are the easiest option the first time you visit Pattaya.
Pattaya is approximately 150 kilometers south of central Bangkok, 120 kilometers from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, and 160 kilometers from Don Mueang Airport. Utapao Airport, often referred to as ‘Pattaya Airport’ is 40 kilometers south of Pattaya, in Rayong.
When to Stay
According to the high and low seasons in Pattaya, the best to visit is November to February, when the weather is most pleasant. The cheapest time to visit is during the low season, from May to the end of October.
Getting Around
Whether it’s by baht bus (songthaew taxi), motorcycle taxi, rented motorcycle, or using a ride-booking app, getting around Pattaya is easy and super cheap.
TIP: Set your hotel or other accommodation to ‘home’ in the Google Maps and riding booking app such as Bolt and Grab and you never have to worry about getting lost.
Dos and Don’ts
When in Pattaya, do as the Thais do, at least when it comes to respecting local customs and etiquette. That extends to knowing when you should take off your shoes, which parts of the body you should not touch, when to cover up, and respecting the Royal Family. You can learn more about what you should and should not do on the list of Pattaya Thailand Dos and Don’ts
Things To Do
There are oodles and oodles of things to do in Pattaya, from everyday sports, pastimes, and hobbies to visiting well-known attractions and activities where you can enjoy unique experiences and fun days out for all the family.
You can start with this list of the best things to do in Pattaya or browse all activities in the ‘Things To Do’ category located on the top menu bar.
You should take advantage of online booking sites to discover the latest and greatest attractions and things to do and get cheap tickets to attractions in Pattaya.
Beaches
Beaches are one of the major attractions in Pattaya. They are a great place to spend the day chilling out, or to partake in water activities such as jet skiing (with caution), para-sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing.
There are some pretty little beaches in Pattaya, and some spots like Naklua Beach are very popular with bathers. But the beaches around Pattaya are not typical “picture-postcard” beaches that you can find on the islands near Pattaya.
Pattaya Beaches
- Pattaya Beach
- Jomtien Beach
- Naklua Beach
- Wongamat Beach
- Cosy Beach
- Asia Hotel Beach
- Pratumnak Beach
- Dongtan Beach
- Na Jomtien Beach
- Krating Lai Beach
If you fancy a day trip to beaches more suitable for bathing and letting the kids have a splash around, take the ferry to Koh Lahn or drive the short distance to Sai Kaew Navy Beach in Sattahip.
Nightlife
The best place to experience the famous Pattaya nightlife is Walking Street, where you can get a feel for what it’s all about and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Walking Street has it all: the neon signs, beer bars, go-go clubs, discos, and nightclubs. For couples, there are live music bars, others with Muay Thai boxing shows, and you should try one of the larger Agogo clubs just for the experience.
Things You Need To Know
The Pattaya Jet Ski Scam: Although the jet ski scam “seems” to have been stamped out by the authorities, you should be aware it was, and could once again, become very real.
The scammers operated on Pattaya Beach, most notably in front of Mike’s shopping mall. It was a simple scam; you hired a jet ski, and upon returning it to the vendor, they inspected it and found some “not previously visible” damage, for which you must pay.
Pickpockets: The two most reported cases are of single men getting pick-pocketed by lady-boys and unsuspecting tourists getting pick-pocketed while riding on a baht bus. So long as you are aware, it’s easy to prevent by keeping your purse/wallet in your front pocket and with a hand on it if need be.
Street Robbery: A typical street robbery in Pattaya involves valuables such as gold or bags being snatched from the victim by a couple of opportunist thieves riding a motorcycle.
Read this article on how to stay safe in Pattaya for more information on street robbery and other dangers and hazards in Pattaya.
Driving in Pattaya: You must keep your cool when driving in Pattaya; that’s the first rule of the road. And if you set off with the assumption that most other road users are trying to test you, set you up, or kill you, you will be ready for all that the highways and byways of Pattaya have to throw at you.
Pattaya Questions & Answers
Can you drink water from the tap in Pattaya? No, it’s not safe to drink, but bottled water is cheap, and most hotels leave free bottled drinking water in the room daily.
What to wear in Pattaya? It’s very much a shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flop kind of place. Smart shorts, polo shirt, smart sandals or loafers, summer dress are suitable for most fine-dining restaurants, nightclubs, or visits to official/government offices. Women should wear something that covers the chest, shoulders and knees when visiting temples.
What to pack for Pattaya? Things you would ordinarily pack, such as sunscreen, mosquito repellent, universal travel adaptor, you can buy here in Pattaya.
Pattaya Quick tips
- Carry a copy of your passport. You never know when you will be asked for it, especially if you ride a motorcycle.
- Either carry it with you or take a photo of the hotel business card.
- Carry a small bottle of mosquito repellent at all times, mosquitoes are an ever-present nuisance and risk.
- Add the Thai Tourist Police telephone number (1155) to your contacts.
- Download a map/navigation app to your phone.
- Download the Bolt and Grab ride booking apps and set your hotel as the home adddress.
- Get yourself a Thai SIM card.
- Ensure that your travel insurance details are easy to find in the event of an accident.
Tips for single men in Pattaya
If you’re a single man making your first trip to Pattaya to enjoy the nightlife, the bar scene, and the girls, here are some handy first time in Pattaya tips for men.