Getting Around Phuket

By car

My friends and I had an equal balance of traveling around Phuket by car (for longer distances and if we didn’t want to walk up the steep hill back to the villa) and by foot. Open-air cabs, called tuk-tuks, are readily available if you are in bustling areas, like around resorts and the beach. During our recent trip, we were introduced to a very nice cab driver named Mr. Wut, who we often called to take us to places on the other side of the island. If you’re staying in Phuket for at least a week, I recommend hiring a weekly driver so they will always be available.

Walking

Sometimes there are sidewalks in Kamala, meaning that, at times, you’ll find yourself on the side of the road or highways. But Kamala is most definitely a walking district. I’ve seen plenty of tourists walking or jogging on the side of a busy highway while I’ve been riding by in a tuk-tuk. I’ve never felt unsafe walking on the side of the road or even being in a cab because most drivers in Phuket are very cautious. Come to think of it, I rarely heard emergency vehicle sirens… maybe just once during my entire two-week stay! That’s such a drastic difference from being in New York.

Crossing the street

Crossing the street can be anxiety-inducing if you’re from a big city like me. In Kamala, there are no illuminated signs indicating that it is your turn to cross the street, so you will need to rely on the changing street lights. I recommend looking closely at these and waiting for a break in traffic. The most important part of crossing the street is committing to it. I’m not saying that you should walk out into traffic aimlessly without looking to see if traffic has a red light, but once you’re out there, keep going. Chances are low that you will get hit because, again, I’ve seen that most drivers in Kamala are cautious and courteous.

Dining in Kamala

There are quite a few restaurants in Kamala, ranging from mom & pop-type setups to run-of-the-mill to extravagant and over-the-top. A rule of thumb is that if you see a restaurant with very few patrons, it’s best not to eat there.

As Kamala is frequented by many tourists, the restaurant’s menus are generally very extensive, featuring many different culinary selections ranging from Thai, American, Russian and Italian.

Lillo Restaurant and Wine Bar

Another favorite discovery is Lillo Restaurant and Wine Bar, where drinks are served in pineapples or coconuts! I didn’t have any wine, but their menu sports an extensive wine list. The food is also very delicious: the fried veggies and chicken in garlic and pepper sauce… yum! My friend and I left there completely stuffed!

29/9 Moo 3, Soi Rim Hat Road, Kamala, Kathu, 83120, Phuket

Fino

One of my favorite restaurants in Kamala is called Fino. Fino is a medium-sized beachfront restaurant with excellent service and food! I ate there three times, and each time was greeted by smiling faces who remembered my friends and me. On my first visit, I decided to try their chicken kaphrao pizza. My American tastebuds fell in love with this traditional Thai dish’s flavors atop one of my favorite foods. Their yellow curry (another one of my favorite foods) was equally delicious. I recommend washing down your meal with a strawberry daiquiri, which there is no shortage of in Kamala or Fino’s raspberry collins.

96/66 Moo 3, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Things to Do

I’ll be totally honest: this trip was extremely leisurely, so I kept things at low activity. Most of my time was spent at the beach or lazing by the pool at the villa, something I needed, as the past three years have been a bit life-changing for me, as they have been for everyone.

Kamala Beach

The beach was a short walk from the villa and everything a water sign like myself could ask for! We made quick friends with one of the beach chair attendants, hoping he would give us the best spot. The sand was soft and never too hot. The water was serene and never too cold. Along the beach, there were plenty of food and snack options. There were beachfront massages available, allowing you to relax your muscles while listening to the lapping water in the distance. For the more adventurous types that wanted action or to explore, there were stands all around the beach advertising boat tours to other islands and parasailing and jet ski rentals.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

“Home to a 600-meter canopy walkway, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers an inspiring experience observing rescued elephants as they rehabilitate into forest life.”

We were running a bit late to this tour due to unreliable ride-share apps in Phuket (this is how we met Mr. Wut), but we eventually made it to the sanctuary, and they were very gracious, driving us to meet the rest of our tourmates! It was awe-inspiring seeing these majestic creatures up close! We got to learn some of the elephant’s stories– we were told that one loves to do her own things and will walk away when yelled at due to the trauma of being mistreated in the past. At the end of the tour, there’s an opportunity to feed an elephant a basket of fruit, which I know is probably one of the best parts of their day! Refreshments are also served at the end, and there’s also an opportunity to shop at the gift shop before being loaded back into a tuk-tuk to go to the main building. I highly recommend this experience, as it allows you to connect with nature and animals.

100, Moo 2, Paklok, Thalang, 83110, Thailand