I really want to know other people’s experiences in Koh Phi Phi. I loved it, my friend absolutely hated it. So many different opinions, I wanna know yours!!
I enjoyed Koh phi phi. I’ve been twice. Just don’t go there with the expectation of authentic Thailand. Take it for what it is. It’s still gorgeous and there is lots to do. Just avoid going during burning season.
So I was staying in the chilled-out climber beach, Tonsai (next to Railay), and visited Phi Phi for a day trip and immediately felt assaulted by the "mcdonaldization" of it. I did end up enjoying swimming and hiking there, but found the loud club music inescapable in the middle of a week day kind of obnoxious and the tourists with their human-sized roller suitcases so different from the backpacker trail I had been on for months. I think a lot of my experience though was colored by the fact that I was staying in this relaxing, sparsley populated beach with no cars and then felt a bit like a fish out of water being thrown into the chaos of Phi Phis, so maybe I would have liked it a lot more if I started my trip there! It was definitely beautiful.
Definitely agree with Ciara and LVM. It's fun to head for a few days to party but if you are after either a more authentic experience or tranquil island life, many of the other islands are better.
I'm not a big fan of Koh Phi Phi even though the islands are really beautiful. Personally I think it's way too expensive and tourisitic. It can be a fun place to party for a few days, but I prefer more places like Khao Sok National Park and Northern Thailand like Chiang Mai and Pai.
Honestly, I'm kinda with your friend on this one! I love to have an open mind to everywhere I go but I just found Koh Phi Phi soooo commercialised and touristy (ikik I am a technically part of the problem) but it was just not the vibe I was looking for at all - it felt like local life was just so washed out and replaced with a pure party place - and I'm Irish so can definitely enjoy a drink haha. Honestly when people ask me, I don't recommend it to them, especially when there are so many other amazing places - a little hidden gem I visited was Koh Yao Yai which was so fab, would recommend 100x more than Koh Phi Phi.
I enjoyed Koh phi phi. I’ve been twice. Just don’t go there with the expectation of authentic Thailand. Take it for what it is. It’s still gorgeous and there is lots to do. Just avoid going during burning season.
So I was staying in the chilled-out climber beach, Tonsai (next to Railay), and visited Phi Phi for a day trip and immediately felt assaulted by the "mcdonaldization" of it. I did end up enjoying swimming and hiking there, but found the loud club music inescapable in the middle of a week day kind of obnoxious and the tourists with their human-sized roller suitcases so different from the backpacker trail I had been on for months. I think a lot of my experience though was colored by the fact that I was staying in this relaxing, sparsley populated beach with no cars and then felt a bit like a fish out of water being thrown into the chaos of Phi Phis, so maybe I would have liked it a lot more if I started my trip there! It was definitely beautiful.
Definitely agree with Ciara and LVM. It's fun to head for a few days to party but if you are after either a more authentic experience or tranquil island life, many of the other islands are better.
I'm not a big fan of Koh Phi Phi even though the islands are really beautiful. Personally I think it's way too expensive and tourisitic. It can be a fun place to party for a few days, but I prefer more places like Khao Sok National Park and Northern Thailand like Chiang Mai and Pai.
Honestly, I'm kinda with your friend on this one! I love to have an open mind to everywhere I go but I just found Koh Phi Phi soooo commercialised and touristy (ikik I am a technically part of the problem) but it was just not the vibe I was looking for at all - it felt like local life was just so washed out and replaced with a pure party place - and I'm Irish so can definitely enjoy a drink haha. Honestly when people ask me, I don't recommend it to them, especially when there are so many other amazing places - a little hidden gem I visited was Koh Yao Yai which was so fab, would recommend 100x more than Koh Phi Phi.