we should have named this koh phangan digital nomad travel guide...

REMOTELY WORKING IN PARADISE

Koh Phangan was one of the first places we fell in love with in Thailand.

We ended up living here for 3 months in a tiny bungalow just 10 steps from the beach. Before coming here, we’d heard that Koh Phangan has a reputation for being overrun with wasted backpackers, full moon parties, and drug-fueled debauchery Well, only some of this is true. The reality is that the Full Moon Party chaos happens at the southern tip of the island and the chaos lasts only a few days a month. There are many other more peaceful areas on Koh Phangan where you can stay far away from the madness and simply enjoy your relaxing island lifestyle.

A typical day for us included waking up early for beach time, afternoons working from the front porch of our bungalow or from any of the lovely local cafes, daily sunsets at the beach, and evenings at the local rasta bar. Koh Phangan has a little something for everyone whether you’re into the “conscious” scene, or the “unconscious” scene.

WHY KOH PHANGAN?

Legend has it that Koh Phangan sits on a large deposit of Quartz Crystals. As soon as you step foot onto one of it’s beaches, you will believe. Quartz is said to amplify healing properties, as well as a person’s energy and mood. Whether you’re into the metaphysical or the megapartying, you’re sure to experience the dualities of Koh Phangan.

The South side of the island is the home of backpacker mecca, the infamous “Full Moon Party.” But that’s far from what makes this island special. In fact, we recommend that you situate yourself as far from that scene as possible, if you plan on getting any work done.

Move on up to the Northside! The northern parts of the island are much quieter, and offer the peaceful island vibe you’re probably looking for, but that doesn’t mean you can’t attend a party or two. The Northwest corner of the island boasts a number of yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and ayurvedic practices, as well as a 24 hour beachside coworking space.

Even farther North you’ll find a more family-friendly vacation vibe, a local fishing village and plenty of jungle and quiet beaches to explore.

A LIVELY & DIVERSE EXPAT COMMUNITY

We met some friendly expats from all around the world, enjoying the island lifestyle in Koh Phangan.
The facebook communities are very active and promote everything from parties and events to yoga and meditation, as well as eco-projects and volunteering that you can involve yourself in.

ECLECTIC NIGHTLIFE

Koh Phangan is famous for its nightlife. The full moon party happens once a month, but you won't be bored waiting for the next one. Check out Jungle party, waterfall party or the local bars that host weekly live music events

NEIGHBORHOODS

CENTRAL

Thong Sala | Thong Sala is a central tourist hub of the island. There’s an afternoon/ night market here, many bars and restaurants, and a ton of touristy shopping. Most people arrive by Ferry at Thong Sala. Here you’ll find a Tesco Lotus for grocery shopping, bike repair shops, banks, and post office.

THE SOUTH

Ban Tai | Just south of Thong Sala, Ban Tai is one of the more major centers of commerce on the island, it’s known for its beaches and nightlife. There are many restaurants and drinking establishments around. We mostly came here to take advantage of the big grocery stores Big C, and Macro.

Haad Rin | Ground Zero for the Full Moon Party. This is the place to be if you’re looking for bucket drinks, and beach bars. There’s a constant party vibe here, tons of hostels and drunken backpackers as far as the eye can see. Note: It does quiet down after the full moon party

THE NORTH

Sri Thanu | The northwest corner of the island is home to Beach Hub, a 24 hr coworking space right on the beach. Sri Thanu is the epicenter of the Yoga scene and conscious community. This area is quieter, with many small beaches, and residential areas. The center of Sri thanu it is fairly walkable if you don’t ride a motorbike. There’s a small community center with a number of restaurants, laundry, a small fruit/vegetable market, and some basic shopping. There are also a bunch of hotels/resorts around. Most people live a few kilometers out of town in the surrounding area as housing tends to be a bit expensive right in town.

Hin Kong | Directly between Thong Sala and Srithanu is the beach side town of Hin Kong. You’ll find decent housing options in this area, a few great restaurants and bars, a couple of cafes and a 7/11.

Chala Klom | A quiet fishing village on the north end of the island. This is a sleepy place with a local vibe, beautiful beaches, and great “no walls” food options. There are some nice waterfalls and temples to visit in this area. You’ll want a motorbike if you’re going to go anywhere outside of the center of town. Songthaew taxi rides are quite pricey getting to/from this area. Expect about 150-250 baht per person.

THE EAST

Thong Nai Pan | A super quiet area with two stretches of beach, resorts and bungalows, local food, great views, and all around chilled out vibes. There’s a pretty solid street food market in town. Thong Nai Pan is about a 45 minute from Thong Sala Pier. We loved riding out here for a day trips, and hanging out on the beach or enjoying the views from some mountain side bars.

FINDING A PLACE TO STAY

Finding accommodation in Koh Phangan is pretty straight forward,

you’ll just need to know what amenities are important to you and your budget.

Accommodations range from super basic open air bungalows with fans, to concrete bungalows with kitchens, air-con, and western style bathrooms, to multi-room villas and even beach side resorts.

You’ll get a better deal on housing in person and the longer you stay. You won’t find the best places by looking on booking.com or Airbnb.

DAY 1. Arrive on the island and check into a $10-15/night hotel in a central location. Figure out which side of the island fits your style. Start searching for housing online. Use Facebook groups to see what’s available. Connect with a few different landlords and arrange to visit the apartments the next day...

Note: Subleasing is now illegal on the island. For your safety in case of any issues, and peace of mind, we highly recommend you rent directly from the property owner.

There are many FB groups for housing on Koh Phangan, start with these

Koh Phangan House for Rent

Koh Phangan People- Rent a House

House for Rent on Koh Phangan

DAY 2. Visiting accommodations. Put your game face on. Even if you're desperate don't let on. Let the landlord know you're looking at multiple bungalows and villas today and that you're just getting an idea of what's around.

Ask to see multiple units, check wifi speeds on your phone, we use an app called Speed Smart, and find out if they offer a discount for longer rentals.

DAY 3. Contact the accommodation you liked best, and find out when you can move in. (Probably today or tomorrow.)

Pay rent, and maybe a deposit, and move in.

We found a super basic Thai-style bungalow on the beach last year for around $250/month, No air con but it did have a kitchen,we were pretty lucky.

For bungalows with beach access, and air conditioning, you’ll be looking around $450-500. Don’t forget to negotiate, prices are flexible especially during the low season.

TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Proximity to the beach, air conditioning, and kitchen facilities will make the biggest difference in the price you pay.

Hostels | A great budget option for short term stays and the first few days on the island. There are plenty of beachside hostels in the Ban Tai and Thongsala areas. Wifi speeds can be quite slow depending on the hostel. Do some research online first, and only book for a couple of nights.

Bunglaows | These little houses are usually 1-2 rooms with a small bathroom. All bungalows are not created equally. From bamboo thatched or rustic wooden bungalows with a fan, to concrete bungalows with air con and western style bathrooms. Kitchens are a bit of a wild card, but not out of the question.

Thai Houses | These often have one to two bedrooms, a small living area, and an outdoor kitchen. They’re built so that the layout is very open, the air blows straight through, and external walls aren’t much of a thing. Koh Phangan houses are built so that the island breeze blows right through them which helps to keep cool.

Villas | The villas on Koh Phangan often have several bedrooms, living room, and kitchen. They’re obviously more expensive, but are great if you can get a few people together to rent for a while. They often have really nice views and sometimes even a private pool.

Resorts | Definitely more of a short term option. If you want to spend your days getting massages, sipping cocktails, and relaxing on the beach, just a few steps from your bed, then you'll probably be quite happy at a resort. In this case, we suggest you pick your favorite beach first.

WIFI & SIM CARDS

Wifi in Koh Phangan is abundant, although not overwhelmingly fast. Some places are definitely faster than others. Adam was able to successfully teach classes from our bungalow though we did have occasional wifi/power outages.

Be sure to download a speed test app on your phone so you can test wifi speeds before making any long term commitments.

Sim Cards are cheap and easy to buy. 4G speeds are pretty consistent and coverage around the island is quite widespread. You can pick up a brand new True Move sim card or top up your existing package at any 7/11.

For AIS you’ll have to head to the AIS shop in Thong Sala near the pier.

BEACHUB

Located on the beach in Sri Thanu.

Beachub is open 24/7 so you can crush it in any time zone.

They have an open air beach side work environment with lots of fans to keep the sea breeze moving.

With an onsite cafe and gym, you'll never want to leave...and you won't have to since they have some bungalows for rent.

They also have private work spaces and meeting rooms for when you need to concentrate, and community events for when you want to be more social.

Check their website for current pricing & details.

HOW TO GET TO KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND

PLANE + FERRY

The fastest way to get to Koh Phangan is to fly to Koh Samui, the island next door, and grab a 45 minute Lomprayah Catamaran to Thongsala Pier in Koh Phangan. Flights to Koh Samui are a pretty pricey for Thailand, usually around $150, but if you want to experience one of the coolest airports in the world, it might be worth it, at least once.

For the more budget conscious, we suggest flying into Surat Thani Airport, and booking a bus/ ferry combo ticket with Lomprayah, this is the second fastest way to get to the island. The combo ticket will be around 750-800 Baht (around $27)

You can get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan in about 6 hours this way.

BUS + FERRY

You can book a Lomprayah Bus/ Ferry combo ticket from most cities in Thailand. Depending on where you’re coming from that could mean an overnight bus trip plus a 3 hour ferry. This method of transport won’t save you time, but it will save you money.

From Andaman Coast: You can get from Krabi or Phuket to Koh Phangan in about 4-6 hours with the Lomprayah bus/ferry combo. You can book tickets online up to 2 days in advance. Short notice bookings are easily done from the Lomprayah ticket office, or your accommodation wherever you are.

Note: We always use Lomprayah’s ferry service when traveling to or from Koh Phangan. We’ve been burned enough times with other companies, and just won’t risk it anymore.

read this post before booking your transportation to the island

DOTS COFFEE | THONG SALA

Centrally located in Tong Sala, DOTS has a great working atmosphere with nice lighting, plenty of high tables to work from, and available plugs. The cafe latte was creamy & motivating and the chai latte was magical. They’ve also got a selection of refreshing smoothies, lemonades and teas.

SWEET SHELL CAFE | THONG SALA

North of Tesco Lotus, look for the sign CAKES, CAKES CAKES! While the coffee is good, the cakes are the real stars here. These homemade Russian cake recipes will keep you coming back, to try all the varieties. It seems like they may have expanded since we last visited, not just in their space, but their events as well.

HUNDRED ISLANDS COFFEE BAR | BAN TAI

On the main road in Ban Tai, Hundred Islands is a great little spot with outdoor and indoor seating. The Cold Brew was on point and the Belgian waffle sandwich was extravagant. The Ban Tai traffic can be a bit noisy, but overall the atmosphere is peaceful.

BUBBA'S COFFEE BAR | BAN TAI

Koh Phangan's hottest cafe is Bubba's. If you're craving a bagel sandwich, in house roasted specialty coffee and an all around chilled out atmosphere, this is the spot for you. The wifi here fluctuates, but it's freshly lit space makes it great for concentrating, or even just nursing a hangover.

BAKE SENSE COFFEE | HIN KONG

A quiet haven with a real chill atmosphere. Bake Sense quickly became one of our favorite open air work spots. The owner and staff are friendly and kind, their local coffee beans are roasted in house, and the resident cats are cute as heck! You’ll find this low key cafe on the beach road tucked in the mangroves

KARMA KAFE | SRI THANU

Srithanu | Great coffee drinks, raw and vegan treats, open air atmosphere, and diverse seating. Karma Kafe is a relaxing spot to work from, and it's so close to the beach, you can walk there after you crush it. Their cacao drinks are addicting.

ART CAFE | SRI THANU

If you don’t mind low tables and floor pillows, Art Cafe makes a great vibey spot to sip coffee, eat and work. The smoothie bowls are thick and creamy, and the burrito was a transcendent experience. Coffee was delicious, and they have coconut milk available. You can get a free coffee if you donate a book! Great spot to curl up with a book on a rainy day.

THE WORLD'S END CAFE | CHALOKLUM

Chaloklum | You'll feel like you've made it to the end of the earth while working from this cafe. You'll be happy the know that at the world's end, there are extra large lattes waiting for you, and bagels. The staff are super sweet, which adds to the enjoyable atmosphere at this a great expat hang out in Chaloklum's sleepy fishing village.

MARKETS & GROCERY SHOPPING

We visited the local vegetable market in Sri Thanu often for day to day vegetables.

Foreigners tend to get overcharged for produce in local markets, so don’t be afraid to negotiate a bit. If you keep coming back they are less likely to rip you off. Just be patient and kind.

You’ll find smaller fruit/veggie stands in more local neighborhoods as well.

For basic groceries we would ride down to Thong Sala to go to the Tesco Lotus.

If we were buying a lot we found Macro in Ban Tai to be the cheapest. We also noticed a lot of locals shop here too.

There is also a Big C in Ban Tai if you’re looking for more than groceries.

THAI FOOD ON KOH PHANGAN

PANTIP NIGHT MARKET | Thong Sala

We have a few favorite stalls in the night market including the Pad Thai Cart, the Green Smoothie Cart, The Curry Puff Lady, and Cha Cha’s for general Thai food favorites.

PHANGAN HOMEMADE ICE CREAM | Between Thong Sala and Choluklum

Much more than just ice cream. In fact, we went there for the lunch! The menu is long with great Thai food options, delicious flavor and they don’t hold back on the spice. Notable favorites were the crispy catfish with mango salad, and the Pad Kra Pow.

CAFE WAN | Hin Kong

A cute little lunch spot. Go for the Orange Curry, again and again.

ARROW PUB | Sri Thanu

Inexpensive Thai Food. Everything on the menu is around 60 baht, their portions are huge, and their pad thai, and no name vegetables are delectable.

TUM TIEW CAFE & RESTAURANT | S. Ban Tai

Way down in Ban Tai, almost the last restaurant, this place is wonderful. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and the food is made with love.

PETTY'S PLACE | Hin Kong

Petty’s is a crossover restaurant, serving up some of the best Massaman Curry, and a banging Spaghetti, in a low key outside atmosphere. Go before you’re really hungry, the wait is worth it.

NON-THAI FOOD ON KOH PHANGAN

CRAVE | Sri Thanu

Western food favorites, including poutine and an awesome falafel kebab wrap. This is a great spot to hang out.

TREE CAFE | Thong Sala

They’re pancakes are mouth watering, the salads are great, and atmosphere is ideal for mornings.

THE MASON'S ARMS | Thong Sala

All Day Breakfast, need I say more? It’s like this place was transported to the island from England... Wizard of Oz style. You’ll know you’re getting close when you smell mashed potatoes and green beans.

PIZZA

Both of us were raised in New York, so pizza is the number one food from home that we crave, and we crave it BAD. We were spoiled to have two good places on one island.

ROMANZO TROPICALE | Hin Kong MANDOLINO | Thong Sala

SATIMI ICE CREAM | Thong Sala

I don’t think we’ve visited any place on Koh Phangan as much as Satimi. A good friend of our brought us here and we were in heaven. The creamiest homemade gelato style ice cream with awesome locally sourced flavors… like passion fruit mojito.

VEGETARIANS & VEGANS

You’ve come to the right island!

There are tons of places serving up quality local and international dishes. You’ll have the best luck in Sri Thanu since most of the yoga studios and Ayurvedic practices are in this corner of the island. You’ll also find a few good spots within the Pantip Night Market in Thong Sala.

AKASHA HOME | Sri Thanu

The love put into cooking the food at Akasha Home is unparalleled. And their vegan Greek dishes are remedies for the soul. This place always has a great loving atmosphere.

KARMA KAFE | Sri Thanu

Raw and Vegan treats galore. It's a great place to meet up for lunch, and stay longer for some raw cacao desserts.

ART CAFE | Sri Thanu

From the smoothie bowls to the sweet potato burrito, everything coming out of the kitchen at Art Cafe smells like heaven. With a yoga studio directly across the street, it’s a great spot to refuel after practice.

THE BASICS

WEATHER ON KOH PHANGAN

Koh Phangan is hot all year round, though it can be very wet at times. The weather on Koh Phangan depends heavily on the season.

Be sure to check out seasonal weather patterns before you make your plans to travel. The first time we visited Koh Phangan was for Gabby’s birthday in November, we were welcomed by monsoons and flooding across the whole island.

Temperatures tend to be cooler (around 28C/82F) from December-March, and hotter (up to 40C/104F) from May-August.

According to phangan.info the dry season is from Feb-April, Rainy season is from Sep-Dec.
There is some rain year round but usually only lasts for a few hours.

PEAK TIMES

Peak season in Koh Phangan lasts from December to March during the coolest months of the year. The island is less busy during the hotter months from May-August.

The Full Moon Party usually happens once a month. The island will get busy for a few days surrounding the party. It can be a lot of fun to people watch during these days.

Check out Phanganist for some helpful info on the best time of year to visit Koh Phangan.

THAILAND VISAS

30 DAY EXEMPTION

If your passport comes from any of these countries you can simply get stamped for a 30 day visa exemption at an international airport. (so if your country is on this list, you can stay in thailand 30 days without applying for a visa in advance.

60 DAY TOURIST VISA

If you wish to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days you can also apply for a 60 day tourist visa from any Thai embassy. We got ours from Kuala Lumpur.

EXTENDING YOUR VISA

For 30 day visa exemption or a 60 day tourist visa, you can extend your stay in Thailand once by applying for an extension at the visa office in Koh Samui.

YOU WILL NEED:

Passport w/ valid visa/stamp

Completed application (available at the office)

1 passport photo

Signed photocopies of your passport ID, visa, and Stamp pages

Signed photocopy of your departure card

1900 baht

GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND

Things are more spread out on Koh Phangan than in urban Thailand. Getting food or going to the bar most often involves hopping on a motorbike. We found ourselves cooking at home much more on Koh Phangan than we did in places like Chiang Mai.

Motorbike Taxi

Only good for single riders. These taxis are cheap and will take you anywhere.

Songthaews

Familiar with the Chiang Mai Red Trucks AKA Songthaews?

The ones on the island are usually dark blue or black. They will take you just about anywhere on the island for a negotiable price. You can flag them down, ask if they’re going your way, and negotiate your price from there.

Price will be based on the number of people in your group, distance the driver will be traveling, and likelihood driver will be able to pick someone up when they get there.

Expect to pay about 100 baht each from Thong Sala to Haad Rin, 150-200 for Sri Thanu.

Motorbike

Motorbike is the preferred method of transport in Koh Phangan. You can rent motorbikes from pretty much anywhere and the price varies depending on how long you’re renting, the quality of the bike itself, and how much you’re willing to negotiate.

MOTORBIKE TIPS

According to Thai law you must have an international driver’s license to ride in Thailand. It is rare that someone will ask you this when renting a bike. They will ask to hold onto your passport until you return your bike.

I learned how to ride a motorbike on Koh Phangan. The roads are generally ok, however there are some areas of the island where roads are not paved. You will encounter steep hills and sharp curves which you must be prepared to handle. Don’t get distracted by beautiful views as you ride.

Beware of other traffic. Thai drivers don’t follow the same rules you are used to from home.

Watch out for other riders and oncoming traffic in your lane. Bigger vehicles always have the right of way. If you’re not moving the speed of traffic keep left and allow others to pass you. Be ready to go around the dogs sleeping in the road. They will not move out of your way.

If it’s raining be sure to pack a raincoat. You can buy them at 7/11. You will likely encounter some minor flooding. Common practice is to ride straight through flooded areas if the water is passable. Pay attention to what other drivers are doing.

It’s really not bad once you’ve had some practice. There are plenty of bandaged tourists around to let you know that the danger is real. Be sure to wear a helmet always and stay alert.

CULTURE

Thailand is a predominantly buddhist country, but there is also some muslim influence primarily in the South.

Images of Buddha are considered sacred and wearing jewelry/clothing depicting Buddha (especially Buddha’s head) should be avoided. It is technically illegal to transport images of Buddha out of the country.

Respect for the royal family is very important in Thai culture. Many public holidays recognize and remember members of the royal family. It’s important to never disrespect the royal family in Thailand.

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS

FEBRUARY

Chinese/Lunar New Year

APRIL

Thai New Year/Songkran

OCTOBER

Vegetarian Festival

NOVEMBER

Loi Krathong / Ye Peng (the lantern festival)

Click for a calendar of Thai Public Holidays

ON THE GROUND INFO

FITNESS

Koh Phangan is a great Island for health and wellness. There are a number of yoga studios, and wellness retreats. Check out reviews on Trip Advisot before choosing a yoga studio. There are 2 gyms in Sri Thanu called Evolve and The Press. If you want a little moreinstruction, consider joining a Muay Thai gym and take up Thai boxing. You can even get a longer visa for this.

LAUNDRY

Wash and fold service is available at most accommodations for about 50 baht per 1KG. There are also self serve washing machines available on the island for 30-40 baht per load.

ELECTRONICS

Oh Phangan is not the best place to purchase electronics. There are a few shops in Thong Sala with small devices and cords, but if you need to repair ot purchase new computers and components, head to Koh Samui or Phuket.

HOUSEWARES & HOME FURNISHINGS

You need to buy some basic cooking supplies like a kettle or electric burner you can heck Big C in Ban Tai. We also found pillows there for under 100 baht. For plates, bowls, cups, and whatnots check out the “20 baht shop” in Thong Sala (basically a dollar store).

HEALTH & MEDICAL

DENGUE FEVER

Dengue is a mosquito borne illness which causes high fevers, and can lead to reduced red blood cell and platelet count. If you have a fever lasting longer than 3 days be sure to see a doctor. Gabby contracted dengue last year, and needed to be hospitalized for 4 days. All they did was give her on an IV drip to keep her hydrated and tested her red blood cells and platelets daily until they reached a safe level.

FOOD BORNE ILLNESS

Sanitation is always a concern in developing places. It’s also possible that the local flora and fauna won’t agree with your digestive system. If you’re experiencing any discomfort we recommend eating some activated charcoal. You can buy them from any 7/11. Look for the brand CA-R-BON.

DOGS

There are many dogs on the island, they hang out on beaches, roads, night markets, and even near the 7/11's and family marts. You don't want to end up at the hospital from a dog bite, use some common sense.

Don't approach a dog if it's sleeping, dogs do not like to be startled. Don't bother a dog while it's eating, it might be territorial of it's scraps.

Enjoy a morning run? Carry a stick with you, dogs do like to chase, even humans.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

the best part about living on the island is being outside all the time

KOH PHANGAN BEACHES

You don't have to twist our arms to spend the morning and afternoon sitting in a hammock with a good book, a peaceful view and the relaxing sounds of the waves gently lapping at the shoreline. The gentle breeze rocking the hammock just enough to encourage a post breakfast nap. Koh Phangan is the perfect place to bring your beach paradise fantasy to life.

MOTORBIKE ADVENTURES

One of our favorite activities was just to explore the island by scooter. The main road on the north side of the island was developed in 2017 which makes it easier to explore now. Besides the the many hills and curves, the adventures are a plenty. We've been told to be cautious while driving South to Haad Rin, the road can be a bit treacherous.

HIKING

Khao Ra | Hike to the highest point on the island for amazing 360 degree views, or skip the hike an opt for the waterfall instead. Not the most impressive waterfall, but there’s a nice big fresh water swimming area, which provides an alternative to the salty beaches. Usually not too many people here, great opportunity for some skinny dipping if that’s your thing.

Bottle Beach | Want to get to Bottle Beach without taking a boat taxi? Take a Hike!

WATERFALLS

There are a number of waterfalls to explore all over the island. Hike a bit, cool off with a swim, hang with some locals.

PHAENG WATERFALL
PARADISE WATERFALL
THAN SADET WATERFALL
THAN PRAPHET WATERFALL

SNORKELING

Snorkeling is one of the best activities on the island. Check out this list to find the best snorkel for you.

There are plenty of places to rent/buy snorkels and explore the underwater world.

Head to Koh Raham near Haad Son Beach, and Koh Ma.

DIVING

Get your PADI certification while on the island.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

BANKS & ATMS

Most banks have their central branch in Thong Sala near the ferry pier.

You can find ATMs at any 7/11

ATM fees 220baht YIKES!

TIP:

You can take out money from within Bangkok Bank from international accounts without a fee.

LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY:

If you leave your card inside the ATM, contact the bank that is named on the ATM and they can retrieve it from within the machine for you.

This may take a couple days.

don’t forget to bring….

sunglasses

sunscreen (while it is available on the island, it can be expensive and usually has whitening cream in it.

bathing suit

sarong

plug adapter (if you have 3 prong power cords)

RESPONSIBLE NOMADS

Practice Leave No Trace when visiting beaches and ancient ruins.

Shop Local, supporting local businesses is great for the economy. Try doing your shopping at a small market, as opposed to the 7/11

Be sure to dress accordingly when visiting any holy sites or spiritual places and government buildings, like the visa office.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Give back to your host community by picking up trash on the hiking trails, attending beach clean ups and getting involved with local projects.

Trash Hero Koh Phangan has created a bottle refill program to reduce plastic waste on the island. Get your Trash Hero Stainless Steel Bottle and refill it for free at a number of locations on the island (and in Southeast Asia) They also organize beach cleanups and promote sustainable building practices!

FIND OUT HOW TO SAVE MONEY, REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE AND STAY HYDRATED ON KOH PHANGAN

Love Animals? Volunteer with the local animal shelter and PACS and give some love to some dogs who need a friend.

NIGHTLIFE

Koh Phangan is famous for it's party scene.

Haad Rin, Ban Tai, and Thong Sala are popular areas for parties and general nightlife. In addition to the monthly full moon party, there are also beach parties, jungle parties, trance parties...the list goes on.

Koh Phangan Unconscious community is the best way to keep up on all the action.

Party Central isn't your vibe? How about a chill local music scene?

Rasta Home | Friday night is Reggae night at Rasta Home, and everyone comes out to boogie down. Any other day/night Rasta Home makes a great spot to in a while away the hours in a hammock. You'll really feel like you've been welcomed to the jungle. This is our favorite hangout.

Jam Bar | Tuesday & Saturday Nights are Jam Bar’s turn to rock out. Don’t miss the weekly open mic jam sesh.

Simple Bar | Sunday Nights you’ll find the live music scene at this small bar in Chaloklum

Looking to catch a spectacular sunset view with a few brews head to one of these spots...

Top Rock Bar

Amsterdam Bar

Three Sixty Bar

Need an even more chilled out evening? Catch a flick at koh phangan's outdoor movie theater.

Moonlight Cinema

THE BREAK DOWN

visa

If you’ve got a 30 day Exemption, then you’ll have no cost for a visa. 60 day visa will run you about 1500 Baht, depending on where you get it done. If you extend your visa it will cost about 1900 Baht and a day trip to Koh Samui.

accommodation

There is accommodation for every price range in Koh Phangan. You'll find small rustic bungalows from around $10-15 USD per night. Places with air conditioning will run you about $18-25 USD per night and of course if you're looking for something a little more luxurious you'll find things in the $30-50 USD per night range.

coworking space

Coworking at 24 hr BeacHub will run you $200 for monthly access. Check their website for current pricing.

transportation

Motorbike Rentals can be arranged for 100-250 Baht per day depending on how long you’re renting for. The longer you rent, the better deal you’ll get. Songthaews can be around 150-300 baht per person, depending on how far you’re going.

5 Responses

Oelinda
June 25, 2019 | Reply
Love all this info! I am heading to Koh Phangan for a month tomorrow. I was wondering: What filter do you usually use for your photos? They look great. Thanks!
- LocalNomads
  June 26, 2019 | Reply
  Hi Oelinda! I’m so glad to hear you’ll be visiting our favorite island! As for the photos go, Gabby edits all of her photos on Adobe lightroom, there are no filters, just some light processing. Thank you for your kind compliments and I hope this guide will serve you well on the isaland. You may consider downloading the free pdf version so you can use it even when you don’t have wifi available on the island.
Raffael
January 6, 2020 | Reply
Hey, Thank you for all this information! It is really valuable for someone who hasn’t been to Koh Phangan yet. … Like me 🙂 Keep up that good content.
- LocalNomads
  January 7, 2020 | Reply
  I’m so glad you were able to find it, Raffael! It’s much better to share than to keep the information to ourselves. 😛 I hope you enjoy Koh Phangan. It’s an amazing island!
Allison Kolb
February 19, 2020 | Reply
Great content. So helpful. Thank you!

we should have named this koh phangan digital nomad travel guide...

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