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The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Hua Hin, Thailand

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Hua Hin Thailand. Most people who come to Thailand hit up Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the beaches of Koh Samui or Krabi. And for sure, they’re all amazing (aside from Phuket, I’m not a fan!). But Thailand has so many more places to explore, which means you can try new destinations each time you visit. So let’s hope my list of things to do in Hua Hin and my weekend in Hua Hin itinerary can help show you just that.

So next time, be sure to come to Hua Hin. Why? The beaches in Hua Hin are the best you can find within a 3 hour drive of Bangkok. The hotels are super cheap, there are gorgeous cafes and coffee shops, and even pretty fun bar scene. Oh, and wine tasting in Thailand? They have that too, complete with an ethical on-site elephant sanctuary. Hua Hin Thailand is waiting for you.

I just spent a weekend, my wife and I drove from Bangkok to Hua Hin and had a magical time. It was my 3rd visit, so I want to share with you all I’ve learned in my ultimate guide to Hua Hin.

First of all, most people come for the beaches in Hua Hin. We know that, and they are lovely and relaxed. But there are LOADS of things to do in Hua Hin. For couples, for families, for friends, it really has activities for everyone. I’ve listed the top 20 things to do in Hua Hin here. You can create your own Hua Hin itinerary for this, or you can use my ‘Hua Hin weekend break from Bangkok itinerary’ below.

What to do in Hua Hin;

Here are the top 20 things to do in Hua Hin:

Wine Tasting and vineyards in Hua Hin;

This is my favorite of all the things to do in Hua Hin. The best activity in the region, and one of the best in the country if you ask me. Thailand doesn’t have much of a wine culture, the industry here is in its infancy, but the team at Monsoon Valley vineyards are doing their best to change that.

Monsoon Valley vineyard is 40-minute drive inland from Hua Hin. Of course, you can drive or take a taxi, but they can also organise transport ($9/300THB) for you. If you’re going to be wine tasting, it’s better to let them organise the transport, and you can focus on the wine drinking.

More than just wine-tasting

But the vineyard offers a lot more than just wine tasting. For a start they have the GORGEOUS Sala Wine Bar and Bistro. So you can plan your day and have lunch or dinner (or both) there. It’s verging on fine dining, but less than $10 per main dish, all with a beautiful view of the vineyards ahead. Perfection.

Not only the bistro, there is also the option to mountain biking. You can chill and take the 3km trail around the Monsoon Valley grounds, you can even extend an extra km for more experienced cyclists. It’s a little stepper and longer. And the price? 100THB/150THB depending on the time you go for. That’s a quite ridiculous $3 or $5. Bargain!

Next up for your day at the vineyard is one for the artists (or artist-wannabes!). Bottle painting. It’s just 300THB ($9), or even better value at 800THB where your new label is placed on a real bottle of Monsoon Valley wine and you take that home (or drink it at the Bistro! haha!).

Elephant sanctuary

The highlight for many, aside from the wine of course, is the ethical Baan Khok Chang Elephant Sanctuary on site. For just 200THB ($6) you can visit the rescued elephants in their natural habitat, and feed them a fruit basket. If you catch the timings right, you can see them go crazy as they bathe too. So cute.

They also have a private ‘wine safari’ option for $200 for 2 .Where you see the elephants, and a vineyard tour, and a 3-course lunch, with award-winning wines. As well as a tour to the Kuiburi National park for wildlife viewing. The best option if budget isn’t such an issue.

Hua Hin Beaches

Hua Hin is famous as a beach getaway from Bangkok. So no surprise that there are quite a few beaches in Hua Hin to check out. Check these 4 main Hua Hin beaches out if you have time:

• Hua Hin Beach: Basically the reason that Hua Hin became famous! 4 miles of whte sand. The gentle slop is great for familes, and with lots of shops, and vendors, it’s an easy (and cheap) day out.
• Khao Takiab Beach: Khao Takiab beach is basically the far end of Hua Hin beach. Some of the best restaurants in town are here, but also it’s home to ‘Monkey Mountain’, where the local temple hasbeen pretty much overrun with Macaque monkeys.
• Suan Son Pradiphat Beach: The quiet brother of Hua Hin beach. If it’s a lower key vibe you’re after, this is the one.
• Khao Tao Beach; 20km from Hua Hin otwn, Khao Tao beach is the smallest of the four. It’s free from vendors almost entirely, so bring snacks! It’s perhaps the best beach for swmming too.

Hua Hin Waterpark

You actually have a choice of waterparks in Hua Hin! Either the Vana Nava Water Jungel or Black Mountain Water Park. I personally went to Vana Nava because it’s right in the town centre, and me and my family had a great time. Depending on promotions, it’s not cheap, 800 to 1200 THB ($25 to $40!), but worth it in my opinion. If budget is an issue, Black Mountain is a little cheaper at 450thb BUT it’s outside of town, and not quite as a developed park as Vana Nava.

Hua Hin Nightmarket

Thailand is king of the nightmarket. From Chiang Mai to Bangkok and beyond. And Hua Hin is no different. There are actually 3 night markets, Cicada, Tamarind, and the Hua Hin Night Market. With the latter being the original, and open 7 days a week. It’s slap bang in the middle of town and an absolute must-visit on a trip to Hua Hin. Skip dinner, and eat there!

Cicada Market (and Tamarind Market)

Where Hua Hun night market is the stereotypical Thai night market with endless stalls, and tourist stuff for sale. Cicada is more of a ‘hang-out’ kinda night market. Live music, lots more alcohol options and more of a way to spend an evening than to peruse and buy stuff, like at the Hua Hin night market. Both Cicada and Tamarind are only open Thursday to Sunday though, so be aware of that.

Khao Takiab Hill and Beach

The beach is listed above, and Khao Takiab Hill is a bit of an icon in Hua HIn. If you haven’t been harassed by the monkeys at Khao Takiab hill, have you even been to Hua Hin?! It’s a hot, sweaty hike up you’ve been warned!

Phraya Nakhon Cave

One of the highlights to any visit to Hua Hin, certainly on your first visit, is Phraya Nakhon Cave. It’s Instagram famous due to the light beams that come down from the sky, through the cave, and onto the gorgeous Buddhist Temple inside the cave. It’s a 40 minute hike up to get there, so leave the flipflops in the hotel for this one.

Maruekhathaiyawan Palace

The former Thai king’s summer retreat. A palatial construction, made entirely of tweak wood. You can now visit it as a kind-of museum. The architecture, and the gardens, are a sight to behold.

Plearn Wan shopping village

A faux Chinese-Thai shopping area, full of food, activities, and shopping. A great way to spend an evening. Muck like Cicada and Hua Hin night market, come here hungry. There are so many food choices. You can check the official website here.

World of Illusions at For Art’s Sake

These types of places are becoming more famous. From London, to Tokyo. But in Hua Hin, the World of Illussions is Thailand’s first 4d Art Museum. They use graffiti and special angles to make stuff feel out of sync, pretty cool effects all around.

Santorini Park, Hua Hin

Only in Thailand eh?! If you’re getting bored of the Thai vibes, and local Hua Hin culture, then pop into Santorini Park. Modelled EXACTLY on the Greek island, you can sample Santorini energy but with Milk Tea and Pad Thai. Madness (but gorgeous!).

The Venezia Hua Hin

Similar to the Santorini town above, this place is a copy of mini Venice. Expect gondolas, canalas, and plenty of Instagrammable stops!

Kaeng Drachan National Park and Pala-U Waterfall Day trip

An hour and half from Hua Hin sits Thailand’s largest national park. Full of caves, birds, and even wild elephants and leopards! It’s also home to the beauiful Pala-U waterfall, all 16 levels of it! But levels 1-3 are the most developed, so stop there. A brilliant day trip from Hua Hin.

Pranburi Mangrove Forest

Just 20km from Hua Hin is the mangrove forest. The government has now billed 2 raised forest board-walks, which means you can get right in the thick of the mangroves. The local fishing village is gorgeous, and you can head over to the beach for an hour or 2 after. All within walking distance.

Sam Roi Yot Freshwater Marsh

Within the Sam Rio National park is the huge freshwaer marsh. It’s about an hour from Hua HIn town, and draws the local touriss thanks to the limestone islands and huge caves. They have a beautiful decking area that carries you all the way into the marsh, a perfect photo spot.

Sam Pan Nam Floating Market

If you’ve never taken a tour to Damnoen Saduak floating Market on your Bangkok itinerary, then Hua Hin gives you a second chance.

They have both the traditional (but smaller) Hua Hin floating market, and also the Sam Pan Nam floating marker (bigger, more geared towards tourists). Boat vendors, boat tours and a million and one food choices.

Huay Mongkol Temple

It’s HUGE. One of Thailand’s most revered, and now lucky, monks, has been immortalised by a massive statue just outside Hua Hin. If you’re feeling life is getting you down, join the locals and turn it around with a visit to Luang Phor Thuad.

Cafe Hop

Hua Hin is becoming a hipster’s dream. What used to be boring resorts and hotels, Hua Hin is now covered with gorgeous coffee shops to wile away the days. Don’t miss these Hua Hin coffee shops:

• 1d+ Day Artist
• Top Seacret Beach Cafe
• The’ Tea House
• Baan Glai Wang

Hua Hin Day Clubs

Well, Hua Hin is going upmarket! There is a new day-club/beach-club scene forming, and it’s very, very cool. Think Ibiza/Marbella style. It’s a little pretentious, but they are beautiful and getting a little tipsy in the day is completely ok when you’re on holiday! Check out both Baba beachclub and Oasis if you’re in the mood.

The BEST Beaches in Hua Hin

Hua Hin town itself only has one beach (The ingeniously named ‘Hua Hin Beach’, but if we take Hua Hin as a region, there are a few to choose from. So here are the best beaches in Hua Hin:

• Hua Hin beach: The main beach, running the length of Hua Hin town.
• Khao Takiab Beach: Visit this beach when you go to check out Khao Takiab Hill (aka Monkey mountain!)
• Suan Son Pradipat Beach: Often referred to as Hua Hin’s best beach
• Pranburi beach: South of Hua Hin, in the less-touristic area of Pranburi, is Pranburi beach. Far, far less foreigners here if that’s what you’re after.
• Khao Tao beach: The quietest beach of the lot.

The PERFECT Weekend Break from Bangkok; Hua Hin Itinerary

If you only have 2 nights in Hua Hin, then the best Hua Hin Itinerary for me would be this:

Friday:

Drive to Hua Hin from Bangkok, about 3 hours. Check out Hua Hin nightmarket on your first evening.

Saturday

Breakfast at your hotel, coffee at one of Hua Hin’s cool coffee shops. I’d do a morning at one of the beaches, then off to Monsoon Valley for lunch, wine-tasting, a little cycle, bottle painting.

Then in the evening, I’d hit up Plearn Wan for food, then Cicada night market for some drinks.

Sunday

Your last day! A day trip to Phraya Nakhon Cave has to be included. So check that out. Lunch at the Top Seacret Beach Cafe, a visit to Santorini/Venezia and the Giant Monk temple, and then begin the drive back to Bangkok!

• That’s an action packed weekend in Hua Hin for you right there!

Where to Stay in Hua Hin?

I’ve been to Hua Hin 3 or 4 times, and stayed in different places each time. So here’s how I’d break it down in order:

1. Cheap Place: You can stay downtown, in the centre of Hua Hin for about 800THB ($25) in hotels like OYO. Clean, hot shower, widi, flat screen. Perfectly adequate.
2. Nice place: I’ve stayed in 2 great places. Marriot Hua Hin (about $160 a night), and then even better value for money for a lush place was isanook hua hin. AN ABSOLUTE BARGAIN at $45 or so. And you can get the penthouse pool villa, like mine, for about $190. Great value.
3. Pool Villa: AIRBNB is the way to go. If you’ve never used AirBnB, then Thailand is the place to do it.

How to Get from Bangkok to Hua Hin

The easiest way, without doubt, is to drive.

• DRIVE: It’s about 3 hours. You can rent a car for less than 1000THB in Bangkok (check out Highway Star Car Rent on Sukhumvit 99, just turn up and you’ll have a car within 10 minutes). Then plug it into google maps and you’re away!
• TRAIN: You can take a train from Bangkok to Hua Hin too, from Bang sue station, 10 times daily. Expect it to take up to 5 hours each way though!
• BUS: Straight from BKK airport, you can take a bus to Hua Hin for less than $10! Takes 4 hours and goes every 2 hours. From Bangko city, you can also take buses from Sai Tai Mai every 20 mins ($5).
• TAXI: 3 hours, about 2000THB ($60).
• MINIVAN: From Mo Chit station about $8, and about 3.5 hours.

Best time to visit Hua Hin (& Hua Hin Weather)

You can visit Hua Hin all year round, my last visit was in September. The best time to visit though, is in the Thai winter, when it’s not too hot – so December, January, February. And if possible, avoid the rainy season (June to October), but even during rainy season it ‘should’ only rain an hour or 2 per day.

Is Hua Hin Safe To Travel in?

No need to go into ANY details here. YES, IT’S SO SAFE! Super safe!

What About Hua Hin Airport?

It’s pointless. You can get charter flights to Hua Hin, but it’s just 3 hours from Bangkok, so the easiest way si to drive, taxi or bus from Bangkok. Ignore the airport, no-one uses it.

Final thoughts on Hua Hin?

Hua Hin is the PERFECT getaway from Bangkok that doesn’t require a flight. The only other option that’s so convenient, charming, and full of stuff to do would be Koh Chang. And that’s more like 6/7 hours East of Bangkok, so Hua Hin wins. I often consider building a holiday home here actually, so I hope that’s a good vote of confidence for Hua Hin as a destination.

So I hope my suggestion of things to do in Hua Hin, and my weekend Hua Hin itinerary help you. It’s a top spot, and one that doesn’t get enough love. I already can’t wait to return 🙂