When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Now in Pattaya—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—
November–February. Cool dry months with calm Gulf of Siam waters; March–May is hot, monsoon hits June–October.
Warmest in Pattaya: Apr (33°C / 91°F) · Coolest: Jul (30°C / 86°F) · Wettest: Sep (~25 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$35/day
Mid-range
$90/day
Luxury
$280/day
- Budget $35/day ≈ €31 · £26 · ₹3,350 · A$50 · C$50
- Mid-range $90/day ≈ €79 · £67 · ₹8,600 · A$130 · C$125
- Luxury $280/day ≈ €245 · £210 · ₹26,500 · A$405 · C$395
Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.
Beach guesthouses are dirt cheap; resort hotels on the Jomtien side and Wong Amat push the top tier.
With Kids
Family Travel
Koh Larn ferry to clear-water beaches, the Cartoon Network water park, the Nong Nooch tropical garden.
Together
Couples Travel
A Jomtien beach sunset, an island-hopping speedboat day, the Sanctuary of Truth at dusk.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
English-friendly and easy; hostels in Pattaya and Jomtien are sociable, dive shops welcome new divers.
Food
What to Eat
- Tom yum goong. Spicy-sour shrimp soup with lemongrass — the Thai staple, everywhere.
- Pad thai. Stir-fried noodles with shrimp, peanut, lime — order at a beach-strip stall.
- Som tam. Spicy green-papaya salad pounded to order — the Isaan classic.
- Grilled seafood. Beachside BBQs grill the day’s catch — pick the fish, weigh it, eat with chili-lime sauce.
Transportation
Getting Around
Songthaews (pickup taxis) run fixed routes for ~10 baht; Grab is universal for longer rides.
Negotiate longtail boat fares to Koh Larn ahead of time at the Bali Hai pier; round-trip is honest.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Pattaya Beach. Main strip — hotels, restaurants, the Walking Street nightlife district.
- Jomtien. Quieter beach south of Pattaya — family hotels, calmer water, beach umbrellas.
- Wong Amat. Upmarket beach north — resort hotels, more relaxed pace, fewer crowds.
Get Your Bearings
Pattaya Map & Walking Distances
City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom
- Pattaya Beachneighborhood23 min walk from center
- Jomtienneighborhood3.5 km from center
- Wong Amatneighborhood3.9 km from center
What to Know
Safety
Generally safe in tourist areas; watch for scam jet-ski rentals (forced damage claims) and stay out of bar disputes after midnight.