If it’s your first time in Pattaya you are most likely looking for a little guidance to get you started. There’s lots of useful Pattaya tips and tricks and informative guides on the blog, but if you’re new to Pattaya, and new to my blog, you might not know what you should be looking for and how to find it. So to help you get started in Pattaya I decided to add this post as a beginners guide to Pattaya.
You can use this as your starting point, a reference to posts and articles on the blog from where you can find more in-depth information without wasting too much time searching for it on the blog.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is relatively cheap, so there’s really no excuse for not having at least minimal cover for accidents and emergencies. It is important that you read the small print of your policy, especially if you are considering hiring a motorcycle in Pattaya or taking part in dangerous sports and activities. In most cases travel insurance must be purchased before you leave home, but it is still possible to buy travel insurance when you have already left home.
Travel Vaccinations
You are not required to have up to date vaccinations to travel to Thailand, but at least some are recommended, and if you are going to purchase travel insurance, your policy may stipulate certain vaccinations are required or your cover is void.
What is Pattaya & Who is Pattaya For?
The answer to the above questions were appropriately summed up by a story writer I featured on the blog when I asked him to describe Pattaya. The first words of his answer were “Pattaya is whatever you want it to be” the final words were “You want it – Pattaya has it”. Pattaya really is a city with everything, and modern day Pattaya is a city for everyone.
Whatever the reason you are vising Pattaya, and no matter who you are, you can make “Pattaya whatever you want it to be” by reading these guides, tips and tricks.
Getting to Pattaya
If it’s your trip to Thailand and you’re heading straight to Pattaya from the airport, the easiest way to get to Pattaya is by taxi, using a taxi company based in Pattaya. Book a few days (or more) in advance and give your name and flight details, the driver will be waiting for you at the meeting point.
If you are on a tight budget, don’t worry, just read this how to get to Pattaya guide.
Staying in Pattaya
The price of accommodation in Pattaya is relatively cheap, and the standard quite high. The accommodation types are extensive, including hotels, resorts, beach resorts, guest houses, apartments and private houses. It’s an extremely competitive market, which helps to keeps the prices low, and you can pay as little as 200 baht for a basic room or thousands of baht for a 5 star hotel or villa.
Family Accommodation in Pattaya: Finding somewhere which is suitable for children is the number one concern for families taking a vacation in Pattaya. For a little more guidance on family accommodation read this post about family hotels in Pattaya.
Accommodation for Single Guys in Pattaya: If you are coming to Pattaya to party and enjoy the nightlife the chances are you will meet a girl and invite her back to your room. The good news is most cheaper hotels in Pattaya, especially hotels in the nightlife areas are “guest friendly” and will not charge when you take a guest to your room. But it’s not something you should take for granted, some hotels (especially family friendly hotels) actively discourage it by charging a joiner fee. Before you book a hotel it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with hotel joiner policies in Pattaya.
should I book a hotel room in advance? If it’s high season (November to February) and you require multiple rooms you should book in advance. If you are solo looking for a single room and you are not fussy, you will find a room on spec any time of year in Pattaya.
Changing and Withdrawing Travel Money in Pattaya
You can exchange all (major) foreign currency easily in Pattaya, and you will get much better rates exchanging your money in Thailand than you will at home. You can also use your bank card, first off check with your bank if you can use the card in Thailand – ask what the charges are – and inform the bank you will bu using the card overseas. You might also want to look in to prepaid travel cards.
Getting Around Pattaya
The cheapest and most convenient way to get around Pattaya is by baht bus, especially if you are staying in the downtown area of Pattaya. Baht bus is not the only option though, you can also use a motorcycle taxi, GrabTaxi, local taxi services, metered taxis, or even charter a car and driver for the day. You can read more detailed information on using each mode of transport and what it costs in the this guide to getting around Pattaya.
Hiring a Motorcycle in Pattaya: It’s still easy, but not as carefree as it used to be, so before you jump in, please read more about hiring a motorcycle in Pattaya.
Driving in Pattaya: You must keep your cool when driving yourself around 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 anything. In all seriousness there’s some things you have to watch out for when driving in Pattaya.
Do’s and Don’ts in Pattayta
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 – respecting the Royal Family. You can learn more about what you should and should not do on the list of Pattaya Thailand Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t Get Robbed in Pattaya: Incidents of street robbery are common in Pattaya. The surest way to avoid becoming a victim yourself is do not wear gold, and look after your valuables. Make yourself fully aware by reading this article on street robbery in Pattaya.
Sightseeing & Activities in Pattaya
Pattaya boasts many activities, attractions and pastimes suitable for all ages, both indoor and outdoor, ranging from a pleasant day sightseeing or splashing around at a water park to more out of the ordinary activities like bungee jumping and sky diving.
You can take a look at some of the best things to see and do in Pattaya by browsing the “Things To Do” and “Attractions In Pattaya” categories on the blog. If you want to know what’s worth doing in Pattaya, take a look at this handy list of best things to do in Pattaya according to user review score.
Dining in Pattaya
Take a look at the menus of Pattaya food delivery services like Food Panda and Door2Door and you soon will soon discover Pattaya is foodie paradise. If you’re worried what to eat in Pattaya, stop right now, there’s every kind of food you can think of, including Halal, vegetarian and vegan.
If you are looking for any specific piece of information please use the search form.
For Guys: First time in Pattaya tips for men